Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1877-11-02
The Death of Dahlgren.

eight a. m. Wednesday. The river was
high, and the fiat-boat used at the ferry
had been removed, but we discovered it
hidden among the bushes on the opposite
bank. Several of the boys stripped of
their clothing and succeeded in swim
ming over and bringing back the boat.
The tow-rope was found and quickly
stretched across and made fast several
hours being consumed in crossing. AS
soon as all hands were over we continued
our march for the Msttapony River, en-.
countering and dispensing several small
parties of the enemy. After driving out
a party of Ayletts, we crossed the Malta.
pony about two p. m, using the ferry
boat fortunately discovered some dis.
tance down the river) for the men and
swimming the horses. The crossing was
effected in about an hour. When half
the party had crossed an attack was
made upon us, but it was easily repulsed
by few skirmishers. After crossing
the Mattapony, until we reached the
scene of final disaster, we were engaged
in constant skirmishing with the enemy,
who had collected from every point to
oppose our retreat. But single road
was available, and at every point of
woods we were assailed by a volley from
shot-guns, carbines and rifles, and our
flankers were captured as soon as sent
out. The enemy invariably declined
coming to close quarters, scattering be.
fore our repeated charges.
Notwithstanding these annoyances our
progress, though slow, was steady until
about six p. m, when we were forced to
make a long halt to feed both horses and
men-both being utterly prostrated with
fatigue and hunger. For this purpose
we stopped after crossing the Anseaman-
cock Creek, few miles from King and
Queen Court-H House. Corn was procured
in ample quantity, and the men pro-
ceeded to cook their first meal for nearly
thirty-six hours. We were now reduced
to about seventy men; several had been
captured during the day, and few
wounded who were left behind from ne.
cessity; the contrabands still adhered to
us; our ammunition was nearly ex.
hausted, the majority of the men having
none at all. But we still hoped to sue.
ceed in reaching Gloucester Point, oppo.
site to which we would find some of Gen
Buffers army. After three hours rest
we aroused the men-not without great
exertion-and, after getting them
mounted, resumed the march. The night
was again stormy, drizzling rain fall
ing; the road, as usual, ran through
thick pine woods, rendering every object
invisible.
The first evidence of the enemy being
in advance was the absence of three men
sent upon picket short distance ahead
of our halting- place. Soon after the dis
covery we we're challenged. The ad.
vance guard consisted of but six men,
all that could be spared from the column
Col. Dahlgren had gone to the head ol
the advance guard moment before we
were challenged by the enemy. The
challenge was responded to by demand.
ing: Who are your" The words were
repeated and the Colonel Immediately
called out: Surrender, or we will shoot
you" and snapped his pistol, the cap
only exploding. The next instant d
heavy volley was poured in upon US, the
flash of the pieces affording us a momen-
tary glimpse of their position, stretched
parallel with the road about fifteen PAGES
from US. Every tree was occupied, and
the bushes poured forth sheet of fire,
A scout who had been somewhat in ad.
vance now returned and reported that
the road was barricaded 300 yards ahead
and was impossible. In a moment a
heavy fire was opened upon the flank and
rear of our column, and it was apparent
that we we're surrounded by the enemy
and that escape was impossible. Col
Dahlgren was killed at the first volley
and his body was afterward found per
fUratod with five bullets. The rvtreaI
became rout, and every man sought
safety in rapid flight. 1t was impossible
to bear of Col. Dahlgren's body and il
was left where he fell. -Lieut. RO6ert
Black, in Philadelphia Weekly Times.