American citizen. [volume] (Butler, Butler County, Pa.) 1863-1872, 1865-02-01


place whore we halted we cap yured six was-
ons loaded with forage and rations for Lees
army, which we procee ded to use in
manner not agreeable to the owner, but
our horses were not very hungry and our
men also and solfiiers are not very par
ticular as to former ownership, possession
being rine points in law, and they used
them ace ordingly. Here we rested till
doyilg,nt, and then started again. After
80 Ag about three miles we came in sight
81 the james River at Dovels Mills, on
the farm of the rebel Secretary of War,
Mr.. Scdden.
Thus far we had not met with any op-
position, and were now where no Union
troops had ever been, and the astonish-
ment among the people, particularly that
iteresting portion known as contrabands,
was laughable. Here our force was to be
divided and part cross the river, The
Colonel accordingly made the disposition
and assigned The different officers their
troops and orders. Himself intending to
90 with the part that crossed the James
River.
1t was here that we found out we had
been msinformed by the guide. Instead
of ford at that placeit was deep enough
to run large steam ferry boat at the
lowest stage of water. The guide was
asked why he had misinformcd us, but
he either could not or would not give us
any satisfaction. This made The Colonel
cary out his part 0" the contract with
him, which was tha5 he was to hang him
if he failed in one point 10 fulfil what he
had promised lie had by his deception,
destroyed the whole design of this ex
petition, and we were q great way in the
enemy's country, with the lives Of the
whole party in danger. The Colonel al
once determined to take the whole force
down the north side Of the James r.ver
and make an attack on The west side of
tbe ely. After disposinS of the contra
band guide the column started for the
west side of the city, having burned the
Dover Mills, Star Mills, and blown up
one lock on The Richmond and Lynch
burg canal All mills of every kind, and
all steam engines, no matter Tor what
used, were destroyed. We came in sight
OF the outer Notifications about three
o'clock in the afternoon, and there hal
ted to feed and rest, intending to make
the attack just after dark.
Accordingly, just as night closed in,
the advance was made quietly to within
a few hundred yards of their outer rife
pits. They then opened brisk fire Of
small arms on our line, which we did not
return-but the charge was sounded, and
the whole line, with drawn sabres, rush
ed on them and made them leave for a
more healthy locality. ] his advantage
was promptly followed up, Colonel Dahl
gren and Major Cook leading the charge
our boys using their carbines, rcYolvers
or sabrcs, just as the case demanded
The enemy were driven from one line to
another, aud from one fence TO another
till they were driven back four miles and
half, to their inner line, where, receiv-
ing heavy reinforcements, they made a
stand, and the Colonel finding they had
at least four to one, and not hearing any
firing in the direction of Fitzpatrick, nor
seeing any Signals deemed it prudent to
retire, which was done in good order, the
enemy not yenturing out to pursue. We
lost some men kille and wounded, among
the latter Lieut.. Harris, Fifth Michigan
Cavalry, shot through the sholder
We then took circuit round the city,
crossed the Fredericksburg Railroad at
Hungary station, aud thence to Brook
pike, where Fitzpatrick was supposed 70
be, had been sent ahead with small
party to try and open communication
with Gen. Fitzpatrick, but / failed to ac-
complish the object intended, for after
proceeding down the Brook pike to with
in three miles of the city, we captured a
contraband coming out OF the town. He
told us Fitzpatrick had turned off the road
down the Peninsula, and thai their forces
we're on the road 10 his rear. then
turned back and mel COL Dahl gren about
seven giles from the city. When Igave
the Colonel all the information | had
gained he considered it the safest to tale
the road to Gloucester Point, as all the
forces in King William and King and
Queen counties would be likely to be af.
ter Fitzpatrick. We accordingly started
for Hauovertown ferry, where we arrived
about 5 a. m, "Wednesday, March I'd
There we had some trouble in crossing
but finally about 10 a. m, the whole par
ty was over in safety. We then had to