The National tribune., 1888-09-20
FIGHTING THEM OVER
Ehat0ur Veterans Have TO Say About
Their Old Campaigns
KILPATRICK'S RAID.
The Second Trip to Richmond in March, IS

banks OF the Rappahannock River. The cav
airy under, the command eff Gen. Fitzpatrick,
were camped near Stevensburg, Va. On the
opposite bank Of the river was the Confederate
Army Of Northern Virginia, under Gen. Lee.
During the Ninterthe cavalry were on picket
duty at the river bank, several miles from the
main camp and daring this time Gen. Kill
patrick had originated a plan for a raid TO
Richmond by passing around the flank Of Lees
army and, gaining his rear thus cut his COM
munications with Richmond then 10 pass rap
idly on, capture Richmond, Jefferson Davis
and other Important pers0uages, release the
Union prisoners confined there, and with our
plumber reach Yorktown which point was held
by Gen. Weitzel Now this was q grand plan,
aud il successful 3 grand achievement. Let Us
see how this plan was carried out
When Gen. Fitzpatrick presented his plan to
Gen. Meade for approval the latter was not in
favor of the project. But Gen. Fitzpatrick ex-
planned it SO eFoquently and pleaded so ear
nestly for the release Of our prisoners confined
in Richmond. that Gen. Meade at last consented
TO the movement. Arrangements were accord
ipgly made, but the projected movement was
kept very quiet until the proper time came.
OFF on TIE EXPEDITION.
The evening Of March l, 1864. there were
some 1900 or 5000 cavalry with ten days
rations five days, forage and a good supply Of
ammunition gathered on the banks Of the
RappahanGOck River. The night was very
dark and the movement Of troops in the dark
ness completely frustrated every one in regard
to what the movement was to be. We were
not however, very long in suspense.
Col. DahlgTen. with his command, led the
column, and by a grand movement crossed the
river with few men and captured the enemys
plckets without alarming their army
This accomplished, the main column was
quickly and quietly crossed, and Immediately
al aFrHo hrfct #ror f2r~ 4 -lfrrilt
were many miles away on the road to Rich
mOnd. 1t would be useless Tor me TO try to name
the various regiments that comprised the raid
ing column. Suffice it say there were Vermont,
New York and Michigan men, aud perchance
other regiments. But as I shall confDe myself
TO what / saw and heard personally, other regi-
meuts can Join IN with their say. In the mean
time Gen. Custer. with some 1000 men, crossed
the river near the left flank Of Lees army, and
Immediately began to make demonstration.
So vigorous were Clusters movements he caused
quite connection ia the Confederate camp.
After a few hours Of C0unteT-marChing and
charging Gen. Custer found himself in rather
a tight place-cut off from the river at the
point Of crossing This was nothing but fun
for Gen. Custer. By a skiilful movement he
drew the enemy away after him in another
direction, and then quickly turned and dashed
across the river, leaving the enemy IN wonder.
At all events, Gen. Custer had stirred up the
enemy and left them in doubt as to what might
be the next movement. During this time
kiipatricE's column was many miles away on
the road 20 Richmond. Immediately after cross
ing the river it was the fortune Of the writer
Of this sketch TO be detailed in command of
% picked men as rear-guard for the Taidiug
column. The balance-of the LIST Vt. Cav. were
kept in the rear Of the main column, to act as
support for the rear guard. My instructions
were TO keep from enc 70 two miles IN the rear
Of the column, and to keep a sharp lookout for
any troops sent after US from Lees army or
other points; but nothing was said IN regard
TO our probable destination or object
THE ATTEMPT TO CAPTURE RICHMOND.
Some time during the day Of March / IN
dersto0d that we were on a raid TO Richmond,
with the intention Of capturing that point re
leasing the Union prisoners confined there,
and to cut Lees communications Ny under
standing at the time was that Col. Dahlgren
with his column, had left us, aud by taking
another route were 70 attack Richmond OF the
opposite side from Us; also, that Gen. Butler,
with the Army Of the James, was to advance
from that side o. Richmond and the three col
umns were TO attack at the same time. At
this report the men at once entered into the
plan as ono worthy Of all effort. The first few
days and nights were a series Of rapid marches
Now and then short stop was made to feed
the horses and coffee the men, but they were
very few and Of short duration.
About the fourth night the men and horses
began 70 feel -Lhe forced marching, and very
many Of the horses fell exhausted and they
were Immediately shot to prevent their falling
into the hands Of the enemy. The men were
very sleepy and half the command were at
times souadly sleeping on horseback as the col
umn marched along. The fourth or fifth night
out halt was made for the night. 50 far every
thing had been in our favor except the loss of
some horses and the faded condition Of the
men. The railroad had been torn up and the
telegraph wires cut and some Of Lees supplies
destroyed.
GUARDING THE REAR.
As the rear guard came up to the main col
uIan and found them camping We expected 10
get some rest and breathiugspeil for our
horses. But 10 our dismay we were ordered 10
picket the rear during the night. Perhaps we
were not much more WORKOUT than the other
men OF the command, but when we received
the order 70 picket il seemed as if we were
very much worse OF than we were Just before
the order was given. However there was
nothing left for US 70 do but guard the rear.
I went ever the line personally to select the
most available positions for the yidets. I then
cautioned the men that VIC were nearing Rich
mond ane might expect the enemy to show up
* aag time, and that We must keep awake. for
surprise at that time would be disastrous.
BY frequent relieving Of the yidets we man
for the safety Of the command. As day al last
daWned the sun shOne upon as sleepy lot Of
men rs you viii often find The head Of the
column was early on the road. As soon as il
was fairly daylight the enemy were discovered
by our pickets. The Ist Vt Cav were noti-
fed, and they Immediately deploycd as Skin
mishers.
A few shots were exchanged, but as no very
great force Of the enemy were seen they soon
withdrew from the skirmisb-line and Joined
the main column, leaving us Of the rear guard
70 look after the JohDuics. Gen. Kilpatrick
hearing cur firing en- the sllirmish-liue, came
back 10 the rear with q rush to see what we had
found. after iuqGIring about the force Of the
enemy the General ordered me to form nv
ncn On the side Of the road under cover Of tie
uuderbrUsh with drawn sabers ready for q
charge lie then ordered one man up the road
towards the enemy 10 try and get them "a
charge. SO that We could capture some of them
and End out something Of their numbers and
by whom commanded.
ONE MAX CHARGING THE ENEMY.
A man was sent up the road as directed. but
the enemy refused t0charge. The man accord
ingly charged the enemy When Gen. Xii.
patrick heard the man FIRE and charge with 2
yell, he said: Where is that man going
Send another man and tell him 10 come back u
Another man was sent out and when he
reached his eomrade they united, and with a
Who0p and yell they charged the enemy, driv.
ing them fnile or two When Gen Kilpat-