The National tribune., 1894-04-05
FIGHTING THEM OVER.
What0ur Veterans Have to Say About
Their Old Campaigns
IN TIGHT PLACES.
Adventures of One of Our Scouts on the
Fitzpatrick Raid.
CONTINUED from last soeek.l

Fitzpatrick RaId.
CONTINUED from last soeekl
EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: The next
morning, March ., we made an early start on
our way to Richmond. The General told
Col. Dahlgren to take 400 men and go off by
way of GOochland TO destroy some flour mills
along the canal, and also the locks Dahl
green's command was composed of a squadron
ofmy own regiment 18th U. S. Cav. J, squad
ron of Harriss Light Cavalry (2d n. Y. J,
and squadron of the 9th Mich. Cav. Capt.
Mitchell, of the ID n. Y, and Capt Hast
ings, of the 5th Mich. Cav, were in COM
nland under Dahlgren.
Our instructions were, after destroying the
mills and canal, to cross the James River
and 20 south of the city, where We were 10
watch for rockets as a signal, and then charge
in from the south. This plan was knocked
in the head by negro guide, and We found
out afterward that he was sent to us for the
express purpose of leading us out of the way.
He carried out his instructions well, for he
delayed us several hours, and then 1t was too
late for us to get south of Richmond.
When Dahlgren saw what was done he
said TO me:
Carney, have that niger hung alongside
of the road within 10 minutes"
So rode back to the ambulance, where L
got a rope, and in about 10 minutes the
negro was kicking in the air, having his
hands tied behind his back with hand
kerchief.
After that we turned to the left and struck
the Brooks turnpike. Then we turned our
course up to the first line of the defenses of
Richmond. There we waited about two
hours for signal from Gen. Fitzpatrick, but
received none. 1t was getting very hot for
us about that time, for the rebel troops were
pouring out from Richmond, and the militia
began TO crowd upon our rear. The Colonel
ordered charge but We were repulsed and
had 10 retreat.
In this fight about 100 of us were cut off
and separated from Dahlgren; indeed, l
never saw the Colonel again, for he was
killed either that night or the next morning.
Capt. Hastings and Capt. Mitchell were
with those who were separated from the
main column, and they began to devise a
plan to get out. We were in tight place
We made a charge, cut our way out, and did
not stop, but took to the fields till we came
TO another road near Hungary Station. There
We had to cut through another lot of rebels,
and then we travelled on about mile and
turned off into the woods.
We were completely lost in the night, and
knew that if we remained there during the
night every mothers son of US would be
candidate for Libby Prison. About this
time Capt. Hastings said TO me:
Carney, you are an old scout; get US out
of this scrape if You can"
Of course l was as anxious to get out as
the rest, so / told Capt. Hastings to have the
men remain where they were until l re-
turned. Every few moments we could hear
the rebels passing back and forth In large
squads along the turnpike. So / started
out to reconnoiter, on foot, and when / heard
anyone coming would dodge quickly into
the bushes along the road. l continued
in this way for about one and half miles,
when / came near house. / hunted around
until l found the negro quarters, and
knocked on the door. A negro opened it,
and was long time in making him believe
that / was Yankee. After awhile l con-
WINGED him, and by promising to take him
North with me he consented to guide us over
the country to road leading TO the White
House. took him to where our men were
and furnished him with a horse.
Then, with the negro and 10 men for an
advance party, we started down the road on
our perilOus journey. After proceeding
about half mile we turned into lane and
crossed over the country for two miles, when
we struck another road. The guide told us
the names OF the various roads and places,
but have forgotten them. After going on
about mile / heard some one at the side of
the road call out:
Hall! Who are you?n
Immediately shots were fred at US from
each side of the road. The negro was close
10 me, and / heard yell. That was the last
of our unfortunate guide, and / guess about
every one of our advance squad was hit in
some way. myself was shot through the
body. / was almost paralyzed but as my
overcOat was strapped on the pommel of my
saddle, leaned my breast over on that, and
with my feet in the stirrups / did not fall
of, but it seemed to me that 1 would never
get my breath again.
After the firing the column that was be-
hind wheeled about, and after going back
o quarter Of a mile turned off into the woods
TO hold a council Of war. My faithful mare,
that had confiscated from the rebels, turned
about too, and followed the rest of our men
into the woods She did this Of her own
accord, for I was so badly wounded that
had no control of myself whatever. Some
Of the boys helped me of, and lay On the
ground on my face till nearly daylight.
About that time couple of the boys helped
me on the mare again. kept drinking the
peach brandy we had captured the day be-
fore, and that helped to keep up my
strength.
We started at break of day, and at the
first house we came TO we pressed another
guide into service. Our men were scattered
all over the country, and the roads were full
Of rebel squads picking them up But, not
withstanding this, our little command kept
well together, and when We came TO a small
band Of rebels We charged right through
them. This was quite often, for think we
made as many as 10 such charges that day
In the excitement Of a charge and by the
help Of the peach brandy / was able to rise
right up in my saddle and fire my revolver
about IS well as any of my companions.
AS our horses were pretty well used up
We hid in the woods that night until about
midnight, when we started on our march
again, and fortunately met Gen. Buffers
colored troops about 10 o'clock. They had
marched up from Fortress Monroe to help us,
and met US near the White House.
was put into an ambulance and taken to
Yorktown From there / went by steamer
10 the Mcclellan Hospital at Old Point
Comfort, where I remained nearly two
months Before my wound was healed /
left the hospital and joined Headquarters
during the battle of Cold Harbor. As was
not strong enough TO ride on horseback, Gen.
Grant ordered me 10 Washington to operate
from there on Gen. Early's line Of communi-
cations. / would be conveyed down tn
Potomac to Acquia Creek and cross the