The Hillsborough recorder., 1877-09-05
AN INCIDENT OF THE CIVIL WAR
From the New York Times. 2o,h.I

were numerous incidents, not only Of in-
terest hut ofgreat historical Importance,
connected will, the prosecution ofthe late
war Of the Union which have never found
place In any Of the many so-caled histo-
ries Of that event. Prominent among
these II that Of Gen. Wistar's attempt 10
capture Richmond In the month of Feb
ruary, is84-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 lie entirely different,
hut for the crime and treachery Of one In
significant member Of The army. The
particulars ofthe incident are related by
gentleman Of this place, formerly Of New
York, who was In a position at the time
to lie conversant with all the plans Of the
movement aud its minor details.
This gentleman Is Major David Il.
Cronin. an artist, and now editor Of the
Mi,ldietown Daily Aygss. Williamsburg.
Va; In the early part Of 1864 was the point
nearest Richmond then held by the
Union forces. Gen. IL. Wistar was In
command Of the troops on the peninsula
above Fortress Monroe, and Lees forces
were confronted on :he Rapidan by the
Army Of the Potomac, and held in posi-
tion there. In the latter part Of 1888, and
up to the TIME that Wistar's attempt was
made, deseriers from the Confederate
army. Union refugees, and escaped
Federal prisoners reached our lines al and
about williamsburg almost daily from
Richmond. They all brought one story
of the ,iefenceless condition Of that city,
there being but small force of soldiers
there, and they undisciplined home
guards. r Fl. IS. s.I 81 aeff.g..g f5s.
THAT part Of the peninsula between
williamsburg and Richmond was uii-
usually free fom the presence " rebel
scouts, and there was nothing to prevent
the rapid passage Of o large body Of tr'ops
onward TO tile rebel capital. A sIisiden
dash, u was believed. would result In the.
easy capture OF the city, and the c"i'se-
auent release Of the prisoners In the Libby
Prison and Castle Thunder. More inn
portart rs affecting the military situation,
the railroad bridge over the James river
could be destroyed, Jetf Davis captured,
and tile rebel siege guns spiked. The
idea met the hearty Endorsement Of the
leading officers at counsel Of war held 70
considerit. and an expedition was secretly
planned 10 carry II out, the REPORTS
brought In by the refugees aud deserters
having just been subsiantia.ed by Sergt.
Plunkett aud Major Howard, who sue
cceded In entering Ricllmond and re-
turning safely with the information
When the Union forces took up a posi-
tion Ut Williamsburg. Lieut.. w. w. D.sso-
way, of Brooklyn, N. 4; was appointed
provost marshal. John Boyle, soldier
II the provost guard, on the night ofihe
lsth Of October, 1868, was guilty ofdis-
orderly conduc., aud Lieut.. Dissoway at
tempt 10 place him under arrest. Boyle
shot the officer dead. The murdered man
was young mari Of great promise, and
very popular In camp. His murderer
wac taken Into custody 1T once, tried, and
70 death. Fort Magruder, near
Williamsburg, was selected q bis place of
confinement until the day ofhissxecution
arrived. On tile lst Of February, 1854 one
of the guards at the fort allowed Boyle to
escape. He was not recaptured, and his
whereabouts could not be learned. The
guard was tried aud executed. When the
confirnmiory news brought back from
Richmond by tlhetw Union scouts was
received large forces Of troops began
quietly 10 Join Gen, wistar's cDmnland
until il had increased toa fulliaigade o. In
fantry-ihe First New York mounted, tlie
Piih and Eleventh Pennsylvania, and
the First District Of Columbia cavalry re-
giments. All was In readiness TO make
the important move on the morning oftlie
5th Of February, 1854. Gen. wistar pro-
mulgaied u stirring general order, giving
heobjects ofthe expedition, and detailing
the rrsuIis tha, would lnilow II itwere Sac-
cussfnl. Officers and men were picked
from il,e most daring Of The army :or the
special duties Of caIauriug the rebel Prrsi-
,ient, releasing the prisoners, spikipg the
guns. and destroying bridges after the
capture. The expedition created the
most intense enthusiasm among.thesol-
diers, and none during the war was en-
tered upon with such promsing signs uf
success. Tostill further contribute 70 the
success ofihc movement, Gen. Se,lgwick's
curps was sent across The Rapidan 70 cn-
gage the attention ofa large portion Of
Lec's army. rtfq
Bottom's bridge. Thirteen miles from
Richmond, was reached The same night,
after a march of forty-seven miles. This
bridge crossed the Chickahominy river.
When Mcclellan was mailmuving about
Richmond during his attempts on that
I'd