The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1865-03-01
Capture of Generals Crook and
Kelley.

Governor Boreman yesterday resolved
a dispatch from Cumberland stating that
about thirty Confederate cavalry dashed
into that place on Monday evening and
captured Major General Greok aud Bre-
vet Major General Kelley. As soon as
the fact became known force Of several
hundred cavalry was sent in pursuit.
p. S-From passengers who left Cum
berland yesterday morning. and came
here on the Baltimore and Ohio train last
night, we learn that the capture was a
COM plcte surprise, and enc Of the NEST
daring feats Of the war.
About 2 o'clock yesterday morning
City er sixty men entered the town, leay-
| ing their herses about half a mile from
the corporate, limits. A squad of four
or FIVE men entered the telegraph Office
and arrested the operator, and informed
him that if he made any resistancs or at
tempted to give any alarm, he was dead
mar. The operator was given seat IN
one corner OF the telegraph Office, and the
men immediately destroyed all the tele-
graphic instruments, batteries, &C., and
cut all the wires. This accomplished
they seated themselves and awaited the
signal fer departure.
While this work was gsiBg on, squad
of ten OF twelve men entered the Revert
House, passed through the hall unob
served. and vent to Gen. Crooks room
The General was in bed, sound asleep
when his room door was opened and the
men politely informed him that they haG
received marching orders for him, ant
gave him to understand that he was t,
prepare to leave for Richmond immediate
lly. The General saw there was no use Il
offer resistance, and hastily made prepa
rations for his departure. He was escort
ed to the street, placed on a hsrse anc
taken to the outer part Of the town. wber.
he met Gen. Kelley and Capt Thayel
Melvin, of his staff who had in like man
ner been taken from the ST. Nichola.
Hotel.
The party were soon joined by the tee
graph Office squad. and prisoners ana cap
tors rode off at a rapid speed. While il
Cumberland, the South,ra troops toel
fresh herses from the Government stable
and left their jaded and wern out ami
mails en- the borders of the town.
The telegraph operator was bound han,
and foot, and the door of his Office, an,
all the doors leading thsreirom, wer'
locked, and not until about an heur an,
half after the raiders had escaped wa
the operator abls to give the alarm. "a
susceeded in releasing himself, broke opei
the doers aud hastened to give the alarm
A force Of two or three hundred cavalr,
was Immediately started in pursuit, bu
up to last accounts nsthiag had beel
9 heard from them.
There were al the time between iv
and six thousand Federal troops stationed
in and around Cumberland, and that tw,
Generals, 9uariered in the very heart o
the town, could be seized and carried of
is one of the strangest things eve
heard Of
The Federal pickets on duty were al
captured by the raiders, and taken pris
oners, thus preventing any alarm bein;
given.
1t is supposed the force was PORTER
of Harry Gilmore's command, and tha
they wished to capture Gen. Ceook as +;
, rstaliatsry measure fer the capture of thei
leader.
The town Of Cumberland was thrown
into the greatest excitement when the
fact of the capture became known.-Reg
ister of Feb. 22nd.