Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1877-09-17
A MURDERER AND TRAITOR.

There were numerous incidents, not
only Of interest but of great historical
Importance, connected with the prosecu-
ton of the late war for the Union which
have never found place in any of the
many so-called histories of that event.
Prominent among these is that of Gen.
Wlstar's attempt to capture Richmond
IN the month of February, 1664-an
attempt which would have been crowned
with success, and been the most brilliant
event of the war, and no doubt have
caused our political history of the past
five years to be entirely different, but
for the crime and treachery of one insig-
niicant member Of the Army. The
particulars Of the incident are related
by gentleman of this place, formerly
of New York, who was in a position at
the time to be conversant with all the
plans of the movement and its minor
details. This gentleman is Major David
E. Cornin, an artist, and now editor of
the Middletown Daily argus. Will
liamsburg, Va, in the early part of 1864,
was the point nearest Richmond then
held by the Union forces. Gen. J. J.
Wistar was in command of the troops
on the peninsula about Fortress Monroe,
and Lees forces were confronted on the
Rapidan by the Army of the Potomac
and held in position there. In the lat
ter part of 1863, and up to the time
that Wistar's attempt was made, desert
ers from the Confederate Army, Union
refugees, and escaped Federal prisoners
reached our lines at and about Williams
burg almost daily from Richmond. They
all brought one story of the defenseless
condition of that city, there being but a
small force of soldiers there, and they
undiciplined home guards. That part
of the peninsula being Williamsburg
! and Richmond was unusually free from
the presence of rebel scouts, and there
was nothing to prevent the rapid passage
of large body of troops onward to the
rebel capital. A sudden dash, 1T was
believed, would result in the easy cap
ture of the city and the consequent re-
lease of the prisoners in Libby Prison
and Castle Thunder. More important
as affecting the military situation, the
railroad bridge over the James River
could be destroyed, JEFF. Davis captured,
and the rebel siege guns spiked. The
idea met the hearty Endorsement of the
leading officers at council of war held
to consider it, and an expedition was se-
cretly planned to carry it out, the reports
brought in by the refugees and deserters
having just been substantiated by Sergt.
Plunkett and Major Howard, who suc-
ceeded in entering Richmond and return
ing safely with the information.
When the Union forces took up po-
sition at Williamsburg, Lieut.. W. w.
Dissoway, of Brooklyn, N. Y, was ap-
pointed Provost Marshal. John Boyle,
a soldier of the Provost Guard, on the
night of the 18th of October, 1868, was
guilty of disorderly conduct, and Lieut..
Dissoway attempted to place him under
arrest. Boyle shot the officer dead. The
murdered man was young man of great
promise and very popular in camp. His
murderer was taken into custody at once,
tried, and sentenced to death. Fort
Magruder, near Williamsburg, was Sc.
lected as his place of confinement until
the day of his execution arrived. On
the lst of February, 1864, one of the
guards at the fort allowed Boyle to escape.
He was not recaptured, and his wherea-
bouts could not be learned. The guard
was tried and executed. When the con.
firmatory news brought back from Rich
mond by the two Union scouts was re-
ceived, large forces of troops began
quietly to join Gen. Wistar's command
until it had increased to a full brigade
of infantry-the First New York Mount
ed, the Fifth and Eleventh Pennsylvania
and the First District of Columbia Cav.
airy Regiments. All was in readiness
to make the important move on the
morning of the 9Th of February, 1864
Gen. Wistar promulgated stirring gen.
eral order, giving the objects of the ex
pedition, and detailing the great results
that would follow if it were successful
Officers and men were picked from The
most daring of the Army for the specia
duties of capturing the rebel President
releasing the prisoners, spiking the guns
and destroying bridges after the capture
The expedition created the most intens,
enthusiasm among the soldiers, and non,
during the war was entered upon will
such promising signs of complete success
To still farther contribute to the success
of the movement, Gen. Sedwick's corp
was sent across the Rapidan to engag
the attention of large portion of Lee
army.
Bottoms Bridge, Is miles from Rich
mond, was reached the same night, afte
a march of AZ miles. This bridge crosset
the Chickahominy River. When McLel
Ian was maneuvering about Richmond
during his attempts on that point, earth
IL IL L. i.