The Tipton advertiser. [volume] (Tipton, Cedar Co., Iowa) 1856-1962, 1877-09-20

the late rebelilon which have beer
scarcely divulged to the general pub
lie and which were known ia detail
to only limited few even of thosr
who were engaged in actual hostiities
may be mentioned Gen. Wistar's at
tempted surprise and capture of til,
city of Richmond, in 1864.
In the early part of that year VIII
iiamsburg, Va, was the nearest pos
TO the rebel capital, held by the Union
troops. Lees army was confronted
aud kept in position by the army o
the Potomac, on the banks of tn.
Rapidan. The Union troops on the
peninsula above Fortress Monroe were
commanded by Maior-General J. J.
Wistar, a soldier of experience and
distinguished reputation.
On the 18th of October 1853, Lieut..
w. w. Dsosway. Provost Marshall OF
Williamsburg, a handsome young otli.
Ger OF great promise, and universally
beloved in his regiment, was shot dead
by a soldier of the Provost Guard,
named Boyle, who he was in the act
of arresting for disordcrly conduct
Boyle was seized, tried, and sentenc-
ed to death. He was confined in Fort
Magruder, an earth-work below VIII
liamshurg, awaiting his execution.
Al this point there were almost dali
~ arrivals of refugees, deserters, and
escaped Union prisoners from Rich
mond, sixty miles distant. Their re-
ports fully agreed as to the defenceless
condition of that city. The only
/ troops there We're few inefficient
'thome guards" The country above
| Williamsburg was free from rebel
| scouts, and il was believed that with u
sudden dash the rebel capital could he
occupied, the Union prisoners In Libby
prison and Castle Thunder liberated
the president of the Southern Confed-
eracy captured-the scige guns spiked
and the railroad br idge across the
James river destroyed. Accordingly
an expedition was secretly planned to
accomplish these objects. Before, how
ever, the slightest movement was
made, Gen. Wistar sent Il couple of
trusty scouts Major Howard" and
Sergeant Plunkett to learn for GER
tainty the enemy's exact condition.
They succeeded in entering Richmond
and transmitting to the Taion COM
mander the most positive intelligence
of the situation of affairs there. Their
reports fully confirmed the statements
already in his possession.
About two weeks after the depart
ure Of the scouts, regiments of infantry
and cavalry began to arrive at York
town and encamped in the woods
along the road leading to Williams
burg. Gen. Wistar's command was
increased to a full brigade of infantry,
and four regiments of cavalry, COM
/, prising the Fifth and Eleventh Penn
sylvania, and the First District of
Columbia regiments and the First Y.
Y. Mounted Rifles.
The night Of the lst of February
Boyle, the murderer OF Disoaway, es-
capped from Fort Magruder through
the oonnivaEce of one Of the guards
stationed TO watch him. An active
but fruitless search was made, and it
was tinallv THOUGHT that he had escap-
unanimously. Mr.. Geiger himsel
voted in the negative under the inn
preston that the motion was to la
on the table; rose to inquire if th
thing was not adopted, and on bein
informed of the situation, collapse
and was heard from no more.
There were In this Convention
number of delegates who sin
cerely desired to act independently.
and consistently in all that was dont
] They believe in th9.Ra rticnlar prime.
capturing JEFF Davis, &C., were both
proud and confident. This same morn
ing, in orcierto aid Wistar, Sedgwick's
corps Of the Army of the Potomac
crossed the Rapidan and engaged
large portion of Lees army.
Bottoms Bridge on the Chickahom-
my, thirteen miles from Richmond,
was reached the same night, and here
halt was called. The opposite bank
Of the river was crowned with an ex-
tensive line Of earthworks erected du-
ring McClellan's campaign, and while
Wistar's troops were awaiting the
coming Of the dawn, a long line Of
shadowy figures filed down the road
on the opposite side of the bridge and
occupied the entertainments. Their
character was soon made known by
vol!ey of artillery aud musketry. At
daylight our forces marched down 10
the bridge for the purpose of develop
ing the enemy's strength, which was
speedily ascertained with the loss Of
several killed and wounded. Ali hopes
of the success Of the expedition sud
denly came to an end-for it was plan
ned with the idea of giving the rebels
Il complete surprise. This was the
essential point of the whole project.
Our troops therefore slowly withdrew
and with heavy hearts returned to
Williamsburg.
1t was afterwards learned that
Boyle had reached Richmond on the
morning of the 5th and given the au-
thorities there intelligence of the ex-
pedition. Troops were ut once for
warded from Lees army, and had en-
tered the city the night of our arrival
at Bottoms Bridge, and had been har-
ried down to oppose our crossing.
"Major Howard" a. he was called,
and Sergt. Piunkett were both captur-
ed, but the latter escaped shortly af-
wards into our lines The other reach
ed Mexico, and finally returned n orth
after the war. Boyle Is living in New
York. where he is frequently seen by
members OF the regiment to which he
belonged. He carries with him not
only the guilt of an atrQcious MUIR
der, but also the consciousness of hav-
ing thwarted one of the boldest and
best planned expeditions of the whole
ward. f.. Cornia.