The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1875-05-08
A BIT OF HISTORY.
The Attempt to Fire Richmond
4 Statement of a United States
Soldier Who Took Part
in the Dahlgren
Raid.

The years which have flown since the las
guns echoes died away and the driftin,
smoke foated down the valleys of Virgins
have, in measure, served to obliterate man,
of the questions which, at that time, were up
permost in the public mind. But the recen
letter published to show that Gen. Beuregart
was such an earnest advocate Of black flag
and no quarter to prisoners naturally ha
served to recall many of the charges made
and subsequently we'll substantiated agains
that Federal raider, Col. Dahlgren, of Rich
mond memory.
pierced the Confederate lines through an un
protected route and made for the city Of Rich
mond, followed by his troupe of cavalry.
After his death and the rout of some and the
capture OF the rest of his command, it was
publicly charged that this bold expedition
had for its object two things-frst, the capture
of President Davis; and second, the burning
and sacking of Richmond, without regard to
whatever might be the loss of life to women
and children. Dispatches found and COM
bustible material captured, corroborated this
allegation, and when the direct statement was
made, the Northern press Indignantly denied
its correctness.
As Daniel Webster, in his celebrated
speech to a jury said, Murder will OUT"
and now, after ten years have stolen away,
steps forth witness who, at the risk of much
personal discontinue, fully, and with
every internal evidence of the truth of his
tale, relates story which, for its terrible in
humanity, is a fit nut for those to crack who
SO thirstily seek out such subjects from the
events of the late war.
A private Of the Thirteenth Infantry,
United States army, regiment now quar-
tered in this city. yesterday made the fol-
lowing voluntary statement relative to the
Dahlgren raid:
I am now priva to in the army.
belonged at the time the Dahlgren
raid upon Richmond, Virginia, took
place, to company E, Fifth Michigan cav
airy, and 1 took part in the advance with
Dahlgren on Richmond. I was under his
command from the commencement of the
raid, and don't think there are more than
seven OF the party now left living. In regard
to the purposes Of our advance I can only say
that almost every man in the command knew
them. They were these; To capture Davis
and his Cabinet and then to fire the town at
once.
We had along with us the things to do it,
and if we had got in would have done it.
Col Dahlgren said in my hearing that the
Cabinet must be captured at all hazards, and
then the fire must be touched at once. No
one was to be assassinated, but the fire balls
we had were to be used right off by the men
all over the city. heard some officers speak
about hanging Davis if he was caught. There
is lieutenant now living who can verify all
that say.
Perhaps. they may put me in the guard
house, or make me work outside for telling
this, but it is true. Fitzpatrick was to look
after the Libby prisoners and release them,
and they were to arm themselves in some
armory in the city, and come over and join us.
The above needs no commentary The
publications made in the Conservative press
are now proved to be true, and Col. Dahlgrsn
will receive the deserved obloquy of his at
tempted deed.