The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1864-03-06

road was TO cross possible and enter the city from the
south side and attempt the deverance Of the prisoners
General fitzpatrick with the main body was to attack
the city BY the Brooks turnpike, simultaneously pos
civ on night es The
when partial II not total surprise could be effected.
Two OF those fatalities which moro than once during
this have snatched success from the very grasp OF
those who by their valor and daring have richly de.
served the vicors crown in,eroossd to prevent the
contamination OF one OF the best conceived and most
brilliant plans OF the whole
Colonel Dahlgren had taken o negro TO pilot him TO
the country destroying barns forage and everything
which could possibly be OF service 10 tho enemy Push.
on 50 - g reach as soon Is posSs
cd him. and led him toward Gooohand instead Of 70 Rich
moud, and Tuesday mlanIgh. found himself miles in Just
the opposite direction from that which he wished 10 take
The negro promptly hanged for his baseness.
E1.spe,atsd By this trsaenEy the men burned the
Secretary OF War; and IL Is, perhaps fortunate that the
gentleman himself was not present Reracng bis steps,
ing the Dover -four mills several private Touring estab-
shments and saw mills. His force also did considerable
injury 70 the James River Canal burning canal boats and
seriously damaging cne or two locks.
They did not reach the Immediate vicinity Of Richmond
m afternoon, when everybody was on the alert, Kilpa-
trick having already made his attack.
Colonel Dahgrens detachment was divided into several
parties for the accomplishment OF different Objects keep
ing together, however One party attempted to cross
the river but were repused very sharp light ensusd
and finding the enemy IN superior numbers and con.
fronting them on every road the force was compelled to
fall back.
In attempting 70 cut their way out Colonel Dahgrcu
and MAJOR Co0k q & Second New Yors with about one
Fitzpatrick, but nothing has been heard Of his 90 90
The people the road and OF the prisoners aver
rebels. So it is feared be must have been wounded
put strong hopes are entertained that with his usual
determination be has cut b. way through with a. least
Fitzpatrick had advanced down the Brooks turnpike
from Ashland, having torn up the rails at that pont
destroying the telegraph AZ he marched Az or the
stations, however. the operator succeeded in sending
despatch 10 Richmond announcing that the Yankees we're
coming.
He was q prisoner in less than fifteen minutes, but
that short time put Richmond the qrH rre; and il
has siuce been ascertained that about dozen Geld
pieces were put In battery aud a new iutrenchment
thrown up while awaiting his arrival. ''
The troops ach the outer forti1caiions early on
Tue Tuesday mornr g the spires and houses Of the
men Riding pd 9wsrd the city the outer ssV lice Of
works was emf red. The rebels therein threw down
10 their heels
eight then ersied FOR the next line but the batteries
were too much or hem and with his battery General
Fitzpatrick opened u them and the city.
There Is no doub that the men would have dashed
,husastc had they become but General Fitzpatrick acted
the wiser part and the shril whistle Of the loeomo-
I'VE tod 2, the bringing up e aS Rcn se
RELUCTANTLY gave ,ha order TO movo towards Mechanics
That this was difficult TO do soon became apparent
ON every road the ensmys pickes confronted them and
series OF manauyres took place, 10 which tne enemy
were fopnd 10 be on the alert every point. Night
coming on fitzpatrick, with his accustomed audacity,
halted and made preparations 70 camp hs nsa CHOSEN
bo was reminded by being shelled out Of his position
50 the command CROPPED It's way on In the darkness and
gloom and with the tetalc whistle Of the locomotive
now warning them that troops being hurried back
To bottoms Fridge In the hope OF cutting on their retreat
On Monday General Butler received orders TO send Gus
force 10 General kparick and assist him neces.
sary. This movement part OF General Kpatricks
plan as proposed Had he known Of or even expected
force New Kent Court House at Bottoms Bridge he
would not have then turned away from Richmond, but
would have trcatee General Buffers forces TO Dsht for
The same prize.