National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1881-05-27
LEE ALMOST CAUGHT.
Am Incident Of the war-The Confederate
Chienain.s Danger.


While the Army ofthe Potomac lay at
White House Landing, on the Pamunkey River, in
May, 1862, provisional brigade, consisting of the
Fifth Duryea's and Thirteenth New York Vol
unteers, First Connecticut Heavy Artillery (actng
as Infantry, Rush's Pennsylvania LancerS, and
Weeden's (FirsD Rhode Island Battery, were
formed to operate upon the extreme right flank of
the Union advance up the Peninsula Toward the
latter part of the month this detachment
occupied Old Church, small hamlet ON
the Pamunkey, situated few miles
north of Hanover Court House, this latter
place being twenty miles in the same direc-
ton from Richmond, on the Virginia Central Rail-
road. The main body of the army marched di-
rectly on the rebel capital via Bottoms Bridge on
the Chickahominy. The movement to the right
was expeditiouSly carried out and so secretly that
itproved complete surprise to the people living
along the line of march. The arrival of the troops
at Old Church was the first intimation the citizens
of that vicinity had of their approach short dis
tarce from the church lived
| RELATIVE OF GENERAL LEE,
| at whose house the wife and daughter of the con-
federate chieftain stopping, and upon arrival
| guard was Immediately placed around the prem
ises and every precaution taken to prevent conf
munication with the enemy ON the part of the dis
tinguished ladies their friends. The perturba-
ton of the occupants of the mansion so great
as TO attract special attention and cautious inquiry
among the colored folk developed the fact that
General Lee himself was shortly expected on
visit to his family. This piece of information
set every one on the QUi rire. General G. h.
Warren, commanding the expedition, caused the
guard TO be doubled and videttes to be stationed
upon every road and idle-path leading to the
dwelling, and kept scouting parties patroling
the surrounding country, whose duty it was to ar
rest all persons attempting to pass beyond the
lines. Everything worked splendidly, and there
was every reason for expecting the capture of the
rebel leader. The bayonet blockade seemed effect
ual and the success Of the plans of the Union COM
mander appeared to be question of but few
days, perhaps only of few hours. II was upon
the 2ith or 18th of May that
NEWS OF LEES APPROACH
was brought to camp. Immediately all were astir.
The LancerS were sent out in squads, with a view
to cutting off his retreat. the troops were ambushed
along the route he was travelling, and, having
adopted every possible means to prevent failure,
the provisional brigade awaited the coming of the
expected prisoner who, unaccompanied save by
two or three personal attendants, was leisurcly
riding from Hanover Court House On the main
turnpike uuconScio of the danger awaiting him.
1t was not far from noon when the Yidettes
stationed i'll piece of woods fringing the
road saw him coming over the brow of
llili, SOME naII mile uStant anu not more Inan
two miles from where his wife, daughter, and
friends sat prey TO the most cruel doubts and
fears. He had just begun descending the slope
when negro spraug out of the bushes beside the
way and accOSted him. \ short colloquy evil
dently enSHed. and directly after the cavaIcade
turned their horses heads and rode off at the top
of their speed. The carefully laid plot and plans
had failed.
THE LANCERs PURSUED
the flying horsemen, but without avail The
dusky messenger-who turned out TO be one of the
old family servants at the bcleaguered mansion
had in some way succeeded in eluding the vigi-
lance of the guard and, knowing when the Gen
eral was expected, had taken steps TO warn him of
the proximity of his foes, and, as shown sue
ceeded in accomplishing his undertaking. After
that any further attempt in the same direction
must have proved fruitless, and, therefore, send
ing Mrs. Lee and her daughter TO Gaines farm,
where they were passed through to the rebel lines
under flag of truce, the brigade started upon the
morning of the 9th for Hanover Court House. and
reached the field in time to take part in the battle