American citizen. [volume] (Butler, Butler County, Pa.) 1863-1872, 1864-03-16

BUTLER BUTLER COUNTY Pa WEDNESDAY. MARCH l6 1864


tons early on Tuesday morning, and as
the spires and houses of the city came in
view, cheer upon cheer went up from our
men. Riding rapidly forward, the outer
line of works were entered. and the rebels
being then surrounded, threw down their
arms, many of them surrcndering, and
others taking to their heels. A fight en-
sued at the next line, but the batteries
we're too mach for them, and so with his
battery, Fitzpatrick opened upon the city
No doubt the men would have dashed upon
everythiagsthat stood in the way, so en-
thusiastic had they become, but Fitzpatrick
acted the wiser. part, and as the shrill
whistle Of the locomotive told of. the
bringing up Of reinforcements from Pick
ett's brigade, at Bottoms Bridge and vi
cinity, he reluctantly gave the order to
move towards Mechanicsville. On every
road the enemy's pickets confronted them,
anu Il 0GtlGo VI iliduptuN ANo tObh ifidCIf III
which the enemy were found to beon the
alert at every point. Night coming on,
Fitzpatrick halted, and made preparations
to cncamp. lie had chosen place, how
ever, too near the rebel camp, and of this
act he was reminded by being shelled out
of his position So the command CROPPED
its way on in darkness and gloom, fight
ing when pressed too hard, and with the
tell-tale.whistle of the locomotive, now
warning them that troops were being hur-
ried on to Bottoms Bridge, in the hope
Of cutting off their retreat.
On Monday Gen Butler received. or
ders to send over force to meet Knpat-
rick and assist him if necessary. This
movement was part of Kilpatrick's plan
as proposed. Had he known Of of expec-
ted force at New Kent Court House, or
at Bottoms Bridge, he would not have
turned away from Richmond but would
entreated Gen Buffers forces to fight for
the same place. Two thousand infantry
under Colonel Dankin, of the 4th Z. s.
colorcd regiment, and 1900 cavalry un-
der Colonel Spear, Of the 11th Pennsyl-
vania Cavalry, and Belgers lst Battery.
the whole under command Of Col. West,
were ordered to New Kent Court House,
there to be governed by circumstances as
to further movements The infantry and
colored troops left Yorktown on Monday
afternoon, and reached New Kent Court
House about noon the next day, having
made an extraordinary march through
rain and mud The cavalry left Williams
burg on Monday night, and arrived on
Tuesday morning about eight o'clock.
On Tuesday afternoon Col. Spear took
a portion Of his cavalry force and pro-
ceedcd to Tunstali's Station, where he
destroyed new steam saw mill and the
Court House After resting awhile they
resumed their march down the Peninsula.
Gen. Davis, who led, had several men shot
by guerrillas, and Fitzpatrick and his at
tondants chased body of them, capturing
a lieutenant and two mon: The force
picked up on their way one of the escaped
prisoners--a Col. Watson or Watkins Cf
an Ohio regiment. The men and horses
have borne hard marching remarkably
well, the saddles not being removed d.
ring the trip, and but little sleep given to
the men. Over 500 prisoners were take l
but from the nature Of the expedition it
was impossible to bring them in. The
casualties have not been ascertained, -
Col Dahlgren, Major Cooke, and Lieut..
Col. Litchfeld and about $50 men are
missing. Two much praise cannot be
awarded to Col Dahlgren, nor too much
regret felt at his supposed capture.