Semi-weekly south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1883-1889, 1883-12-25
GEN. LSE,S EsnIpE.

While the Amy Of the Potomac lay at
White House landing, on the Pamunkey
river, in May, 1862, provisional brig.
'de, consisting OF the Fifth (D1ryea's)
md the Thirteenth New York volun.
tccrs, First Connecticut heavy artillery
acting as infantry, Rush's Pennsyl.
sania hncers and Weeden's First Rhode
island battery, was formed to operate
ipon the extrome right flank Of the
Union advance up the peninsula. To
ward the latter part 81 the month this
detachment occupied Old Church, u
small hamlet on the Pnmunkey, situ-
atcd few miles north Of Hanover Court
House, this latter place being twenty
miles in the samc direction from Rich
mond on the Virginia Central railroad.
The main body of the army marched
directly on the rebel capital win BOT
toms bridge, on the Chichahommy.
The movement TO the right was expe-
ditiously carried, and 80 secretly that it
proved q complete surprise to the people
living along the line Of march. The ar
rival of troops at Old Church was the
hrst intimation the people Of that vicin-
ity had Of their approach. A short dis
lance from the church lived relative
Of Gen. Lee, at whose house the wife
and daughter OF the Confederate chief
tain were stopping, and upon arrival a
guard was placed around the premises,
and every precaution taken to prevent
communication with the enemy ON the
part Of the distinguished ladies or their
friends. The perturbation Of the occu-
pants Of the mansion was so great
as to attract special attention, and
cautious inquiry among the colored
folk developed the fact that Gen.
Lee himself was shortly expected on
a visit to his family. This piece Of in.
formation set every one on the qui viye.
Gen. G. X. Warren, commanding the
expedition. caused the guard to be
doubled and videttes to be stationed
upon every road and bridle-path leading
to the dwelling, and kept scouting par
ties parolling the surrounding country,
whose duty it was to arrest all persons
attempting to pass beyond the lines.
Everything worked splsndidly, and there
was every reason for expecting the capt
ure Of the rebel leader. The bayonet
blockade seemed effectual, and the sue
cess Of the plans Of the Union command
er appeared tS be question Of but a
few days-perhaps only Of a few hours.
1t was upon the Gath or 25th of May
that news Of Lees approach was brought
to camp. Immediately all we're astir.
The lanoers were sent out in squads,
with view Of 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 COM
ing Of the expected prisoner, who, un-
accompanied save by two or three per-
sonal attendants, was leisurely riding
from Hanover Court House, on the main
turnpike, unconscious Of the danger
awaiting him. 1t was not far ffom noon
when the videttes stationed in a piece Of
woods fringing the road saw him coming
over the brow Of hill some half mile
distant, and not more than two miles
from where his wife, daughter and
,riends sat, a prey to the most cruel
lpubts aud fears. He had inst begun
descending the slope when negro
.rang out Of the bushes beside the way
md aceosted him. A short colloquy
yideutly ensued, aud directly after the
,ay,lcnilo turned their horses hcads and
rode of ut the tcp Of their speed. Th,
ureiully.laid plots and plans had failed.
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