The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1874-12-29
An Ineldent of the Rebellion.

W vost Marshal OF williamsburg, Lieu.
tenant w. w. Disosway was shot dead by
soldier named James Boyle, whom he had
ordered under arrest for disorderly con-
duct. The murderer was Immediately
seized, ironed, and pending his trial, con-
fined in Fort Magruder, an extensive
earthwork about mile below the town Of
Williamsburg
About this time word was brought to
the headquarters of the Union army that
Richmond was practically defenseless.
The regular troops, it was said had all
been sent to the front, and only few
home guards kept watch over the city.
An attack was Immediately determined
on, and the scattered troops we're drawn
together for that purpose. A brigade of
infantry, three batteries Of artillery and
four regiments Of cavalry comprised the
expedition They were moved cautiously,
and rendezvoused in the woods on the
road leading from Yorktown to Williams
burg. Then they pushed on, general or
der having been read to the troops inform.
ing them that they were to move on to
Richmond.
There we're the strongest reasons for
believing that by being cautious, bold and
expeditions, the cavalry could enter Rich
mond, liberate the prisoners confined in
Libby and Castle Thunder, capture Presi-
dent Davis and the officers of his govern
ment seize the treasury, destroy the vast
depots of supplies, burn the bridges across
the James, and otherwise weaken the de-
; fenses of the city. Certain officers and
squadrons were assigned to perform GER
tain portions of the work of destruction,
and Capitol square designated as the
general rendezvous, when the work should
have been thoroughly accomplished. On
the 2nd or Bird of February, the murderer
Boyle, whose trial had been for some
reason delayed, escaped in the night
from his prison at Fort Magruder, through
the connvance of one of his guards
Search was Immediately made in all
directions, and every possible effort made
for his recapturc. But all exertions were
fruitless.
In the meantime the expedition was
, pushing on to the point of its destination.
, To divert the enemy's attention General
Sedgwick's corps had been thrown across
the Rapidan and had engaged a large
portion of Lees army, and the Graders"
were unmolested At daylight on the
morning of the 7th of February, the
f infantry reached Baltimore Cross Roads,
where they made brief halt for rest. AT
the same time, however, the extreme
cavalry advance had reached Bottom
Bridge within 13 miles of Richmond. 1t
was intensely dark when they reached
, there, and careful reconnaissance showing
that the bridge had been stripped of its
planking it was resolved to wait until day
light. The strictest orders were issued
against lighting fires or making unneces-
sary noise, and the pickets were thrown
out in all directions. The condition OF
the bridge caused the more sagacious
officers no little uneasiness. They saw in
it an evidence that the expedition had
been discovered, in which event surprise
was impossible and success doubtful. The
army rested on their arms as patiently
waiting and watching for the first skim
mering of dawn, full of confidence and
hope. But alasl by the dim light of the
coming day the outer pickets discerhed a
long line of shadowy figures filing down
the road, on the opposite bank of the
stream, and taking position to oppose the
passage of The bridge. An old earthwork
which had been thrown-up by Mcclellan
during his Richmond campaign of the
year previous, soon shielded them from
, view, and, as no enemy could be seen
through the mists which hung over the
little valley, when the balance of the army
came up the reported discovery of the pick
cts was not believed.
The brigade was speedily mounted and
put in motion. But scarcely had the ad-
, vance guard crossed the brow of the little
hill and commenced the descent towards
the ruined bridge, when a puff of white
smoke was observed beyond the stream,
: instantly followed by the deafening boom
of gun and the wild shrek of a shell.
+ That cannon shot destroyed in an instant
, all hope of surprising Richmond and be-
ing too weak in numbers to hope for a
, successful assault, the expedition was re.
luctantly abandoned, and the troops,
5 weary, disheartened, and disappointed, re-
, turned leisurely to Williamsburg.
For long time it was a matter of pro