The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1864-03-15

KIT.pATRICRs RAID
Attempt q CAgfgra RlckEnond--OpsG-
ions % tie Rebel Press
The object 81 the recent cavalry
raid 81 Fitzpatrick i now well known.
The leadcr Of The band upon which
devolyed the most desperate part Of
the enterprise vas killed his body
fell iuio tlse hands Of the rebels, and
upon ]. we're found papers that fully
c1plain the purpose Of the undefta-
king. The raid vas nol devised mere
y for the sake Of dashing by Rich
mOnd and performing r. brilliant fea,
Cor the admiration of the country. II
contemplated nothing less than the re-
lease Of the Union prisoners, the de-
ssrucsion Of Richmond, and the cap.
fure or death Of Davis and the high
officials Of The Confedsraey.
The spirit in which this enterprise
was undertaken, was well calculated
to secure It's success. Col. Dahlgrcn,
to whom was entrusted the execution
Of the most dangerous part Of the plan,
bad bad one leg ampulated, the stump
Of which vas not yet healed, and went
upon this dangerous ride strapped TO
bis saddle. Upon bis body was found
an address 10 his men, calling upon
any one who did not wish to take ihe
risks Of the hazardous undertaking to
step ous and be sent away in safety,
and the rebel papers mention that,
from other sources, itappears that not
: man took advantage Of the offer.
The plan was skillfully laid and bad
every promise Of success. Upon the
body Of Col. Dahlgren were found the
orders under which be was acting, Civ
ing the manner in which the men
mist be managed in moving down the
river, selling the bridges,and sweeping
through the city. Every one connect.
ed with the expedition--.guides, pion-
GERS, signal officers, commissaries, and
cnpineers.--had their duties infinitely
laid down. Together with this was
memorandum in lead pencil, which
had evidently been written by Col.
Dahlgren 10 familiarize himself with
the work he bad TO do, and The move.
menis necessary TO accomplish il. In
!, he had divided his journey into
stages. and set down the exact time at
which he must be al certain places
The number Of hours allowed for
rest, the direction TO be taken, the re.
distance to be expected, were all set
down and calculated for. Some treach-
cry Of guides, or some contingency not
to be perceived by any military fore.
sight, caused the failure Of the expe-
dition.
The Richmond papers give us an ac-
count Of the defeat and death Of Dahl.
gren. lie had cut through ell the for
ces around Richmond, aud reached the
north bank Of the MaItapony river,
without disaster. The enemy reached
his front at midnight, and knowing, as
they confess, thst If they met him in
open fghL be woulh cut bis way
through them, they placed an ambush
10 the bushes beside the road oyer
which he was to pass. As Col. Dahl
grcn was picking bis way along at the
head Of bis column, be was fred upon
by the concealed foe and fell dead.-.-
His command, disheartened by the fall
other leader, scattered in all direc-
lions, some coming within our own
lines in safety, but the greater part
being captured and sent to share the
fate Of those they had 80 CALAMITY at
tempted 20 rescue.
On discovering The objects ogthe re-.
cent raid, and the narrow escape they
hare had from destruction, il Is naiu'
raj that the rebel press, always pfcre
10 msligisy ADD barbari,y, should be-
come furious in their expressions Of
ha,e and revenge. All the Richmond
papers agree that death is due TO all
engaged in the enterprise, and ono Of
Them, al least, urged that mol one night
should be suffered 10 pass before The
officers q DaAlgrens command we're
blown from the mouths Of cannon
Conscious ofshe great danger 10 which
ihey are exposed, their pcl'cy seems
to be 10 igaoninioasly pot 10 deaih
every one s4kes IL the eudcavoF 70
rraeh Richmond. 80 that the fate Of
Tie uniorona'e may aeisT al oiheTs
frens ssts,ss i5ssn atfansNs EnaA 3