The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1874-12-08
TEN YEARS AGO.

TEN YEARS AGO.
HERETOFORE UNwR1TTEN CHAPTER OF THE
HISTORY OF THE WAR.
On the 18Th Of October, 1863, the
Provost Marshall of Williamsburg, Lieu.
tenant w. W. Disosway, was shot dead
by soldier named James Boyle, whom
he had ordered under arrest for disorder.
y conduct. The murderer was mmedi.
ately seized, ironed and pending his trial
cunllned in Fort Magruder, an extensive
earthwork about mile below the town
oi 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, aud only few
home guards kept watch over the city.
An attack was Immediately dctermin-
ed on, aud the scattered troops were
drawn together for that purpose. A brig,
adc Of uiaotry three batteries of artillery
aud four regiments of cavalry, comprised
the expedition. They were moved eau
tiously, and rendezvouscJ in the woods
on the road leading from Yorktown to
Williamsburg. Then they pushed on, q
general order having been read to the
troops Informing them that they were 10
move on 20 Richmond.
Toctc we're the ~tronrest reasons for
bchc,lot that by being cautious, bold and
ex !'oi'au~, lhc 'ayllry could enter Rich.
muLa tih'e the i'risonDrs coniined ia
Libby .a"d cae'L. Tnnndar. "antnre peas
ident 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.
ieuses Of the city Certain officers and
squadrons we're assigned to perform Ger.
tain portions Of the work of destruction,
and Capitol square designated as the gen.
eral rendezvous, when the work should
have been thoroughly accomplished. On
the 2l or 81 OF February, the murderer
Boyle, whose trial had been fo- some rea-
son delayed. escaped in the night from
his prison at Fort Nagruder, through the
connvauce Of one his guards Search
was Immediately made in all directions
and every possible effort made for his re.
capture But all oxcrtions were fruit.
less.
In the meantime the expedition was
pushing on to the poin. of its destination.
To divert the enemy's attention General
Sedgewick's corps had been thrown across
the Rapidan and had engaged large
purtiou OF Lees army and the raiders
were uumolested. At daylight on the
morning of the 7th of February, the u-
iautry reached Baltimore Gross Roads.
where they made a brief halt for rest
At the same time, however, the extreme
cavalry advance had reached Bottom
Bridge, within thirteen miles of Rich
mond. 1t was intensely dark when they
reached there, and a careful rcconnois-
sancc showing that the bridge had been
stripped of its planking it was resolved
to wait until daylight. The strictest or.
ders were issued against ghting fires, or
making unnecessary noise, aud 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 expe-
dition had been discovered, in which e.
vent surprise was impossible and success
doubtful. The army rested on their
arms as patiently as possible, waiting and
watchdog for the FIRST shimmering of dawn
full OF confidence ana nope. Dul alas
by the dim light Of the coming day the
outer plckets discerned a long line OF
shadowy figures filing down the road, on
the opposite bank of the stream, taking
position 10 oppose The passage of the
bridge. An old earthwork, which had
been thrown up by Mcclellan during hi
Richmond campaign the year previous,
soon shielded them ircm view, and, as no
enemy could be seen through the mst-
which hung over the little valley. when
the balance Of the army came up tho re-
ported discovery Of the pickets was not
believed.
The brigade wa4 speedily mounted and
put in motion. But scarcely had the ad-
vance guard crossed the brow Of the little
hill and commenced the descent toward
the ruined bridge, when L puff Of white
smoke was observed beyond the stream,
instantly followed by the dealening boom
of gun and the wild shrek Of a she'll
That cannon shot destroyed in an Instant
all hope Of surprising Richmond aud be-
ing too weak IN numbers TO hope for Il
successful assault, the expedition was re.
luctantly abandoned, and the troops, wea-
ry disappointed and disheartcued, return
ed leisurely to Williamsburg.
For long time it was matter OF pro
found wonder how the secret Of the eXpo-
dition was carried to Richmond. Men
of high rank were suspected, and more
than one staff officer was dropped from
the rolls because of suspicion that be
might have impaired the information 80
valuable. At last however, the facts
came out and herein is the really curl.
f Gus part of this chapter on the history Of
our late war Boyle, the escaped mur,
derer, had obtained his liberty Just as the
expedition was collecting. From the guard
who ccnuived at his escape he had learn
ed the prevalent rumors of a contempla
ed dash on Richmond. In his flight which
was toward the threatened city, he gaia
ed moro information, and reached Rich
mond soon enough to give timely alarm
and strong detachments from Lees army
were hurried forward to defeat the move
ment. BY such singular Circumstance
was Richmond saved. Boyle enlisted in
the Southern service, but of his subsequent
life nothing is known. Iti possible that
he yet lives, and may learn from this pa
per the injury he inflicted upon the coun-
try he betrayed.
Old Jeremy Taylor says of a man;
wife; "Her voice his sweetest music
her smile his brightest day her kiss hi,
guardian Of Innocence her arms the pal,