Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-05-08

the book and papers which contained the
famous address and orders which ex-
cited such Indignation among the Con-
federates. Mr.. Hallbach gave me the
papers. and through Colonel BeaIe they
reached the War Office at Richmond.
Next day I was surprised to get an order
from General Fitzhugh Lee to bring tho
body Of Colonel Dahlgren to Richmond
"for the purpose OF Identification" Col
onel Dahlgren was buried without o cofiin.
and by the time a coffin was made no
was taken up and put into II. looking as
natural as IL he had been dead only an
hour. I went with the corpse to Rich-
mond, and arrived there on Sunday eve
ming, the 9Th, reporting to General Eizey.
I have since heard from an authenue
source that Colonel I. W. Atkinson, pro-
vost marshal. had Colonel Dahlgren
buried in lakewood cemetery. Afterwards
the body was taken up and carrlen !"
Miss Van Lewis house, where 1uheIai
service was held, and then taken 10 tne
country and buried again. and since inc
war returned to his friends.
The papers and memoranduin-oooA
found on Colonel Dahlgren's BODY con.
tanned an accurate copy OF the iast heio
return OF our cavalry made to Geherai
ment. This last was furnished by tho
bureau of instruction at Washington.
The rest were credited to no one. ms
following Is a copy OF the papers ne
address 10 the officers and men OF the
command was written on sheet oi
paper having in printed letters on the
upper corner. Headquarters Third d.
vision Cavalry Corps. 1864.
Officers and Men: You have been seiec'-
cd from brigades and regiments as
nicked command to attempt. a desperate
undcrtaking-an undertaking which. II
successful, will write your names on inc
hearts of your countrymen in letters tnat
can never be erased, and which VIII cause
the prayers o. our fellOw-sOldiars 1ow
confined In loathsome prisons 10 follow
YOU and yours wherever you may GO We
hone TO release the prisoners from Beiis
Island first, and, having seen them larry
s,arted we will cross the James river
into Richmond destroying the bridges
after us and exhorting the released PIT,
soners to destroy and burn the nateiui
city and do not allow the Reoel ied"er'
Davis, and his traiiorous crew 70 eScap'
The prisoners must render grea' ass, ~.
ance. as you cannot leave your ranks 700
for or become too much scattered or you
will be lost DO not allow any personal
g,in to lead you off. which would ohiy
bring YOU TO an ignorhinious death at
the hands of citizens. Keep well together
and obey orders strictly and all VIII De
well. but on no account scatter 100 idi'
for in union there Is strength.
with strict obedience TO orders and rear
,essness in the execution you Will be sure
"a succeed. We will join the main force
on the other side OF the city. or perhaps
meet them inside. :.
MANY of YOU may fall. but II there ~
any man here not willing 10 sacriice MS
life in such a great and glorious uHue,
,ating or who does not feel capable
of meeting the enemy In such ueSPeia,'
FIGHT as will follow, let him step out
and no may go hence to the arms OF his
sweetheart. and read of the braves VINO
swept through the city of Richmond. we
want no man who cannot feel sure oi
success in such holy cause. we VIII
have desperate fight, but stand up 10
Il when il does come, and all VIII pe
well Ask the blessing of the AlniShty'
and do not fear the enemy.
L. DAHLGREN.
Colonel Commanding.
The following special orders were Nflt-
ton on similar sheet OF paper on ue-
tached slips: .,
Guides. pioneers with oakum, turpen-
time and torpeioes), signal officer quar-
termaster. commissary, picket. scouts anu
nickets. men in rebel UNIFORM.
These will remain on the horth p"nN'
and move down with the force OH WV
south bank, not getting aheau vi '"e'i-
If the communication can DE hep, up
without giving alarm. IL must pe uon1'
hut everything depends upon surprise
hp allowed 10 pass
ohood of the column. Information must
mo gathered In regard to crossings OF the
,iver SO that, should we be repulseh
ON the south side, we VIII Know Where
IN recross at the nearest point.
All mills must be burned and INC cana
1.s,roved. and also everything when car
he used by the rebels must be dtslTo!'u
Including the boats on the river. ShouiI
a ferrv-boat be seized and can De Wothc"
have il moved down. Keep the force OF
The south side posted of any important
movement OF the enemy, ana Ia cas" VI
danger. some Of the scouts must swift
the river and bring MS information AS
we approach the city the parry mus
+akc great care that they do not 3e'
ahead of the other party on tne sonu
side and must conceal themselves AM
watch our movements. We VIII Try ant
secure the bridge to the city Wne mll'
below Belle Isle. and release the prison
ers at the same time. If we 90 no
succeed they must then dash down, anC
we will try and carry the bridge IRON
each side.
When necessary the men must be flee
through the woods and along the rive
hank The bridges once secured and th'
prisoners loose and over the river th'
bridges will be secured and the city de
stroyed. The men must keep together an'
we'll in hand, and once in the city 1t mus
| be destroyed. and jeff. Davis and Cabl
net killed. Pioneers will go along witt
combustible material. The officer mus
| use his discretion about the time or as
| sisting us Horses and cattle, which W.
| do not need Immediately, must be sho
| rather than left AS General Custer ma!
| follow me, be careful not to give falls
| alarm. The signal officer must be pre-
pared to communicate at night by rockets
| and In other things pertaining to his de
| partment. The quartermasters and com
J missaries must be on the lookout 70
| their departments. and see that there ar
no delays on their account.
The pioneers must be prepared to con
| str,ct a bridge or destroy one. They mus
| have plenty of oakum and turpentine fol
| DuTUllE, NIlICIl Will bt iobtu III sodh'e
| balls and given to the men to burn wher
we get in the city. Torpedoes will only
be used by the pioneers for destroying
| the main bridges, etc. They must b.
! prepared to destroy railroads. Men viii
| branch off to the right with a few pho
| neers and destroy the bridges and rail
roads south of Richmond. and then joir
us at the city. The line OF Falling Greek
| Is probably the best to Worl
| along. or, as they approach tn
| city. Goodies creek, so that M
| reinforcements can come up OF
any cars. Men will stop at Bellona Arse
| nal and totally destroy 1t and anything
else but hospitals. then follow on and re
| Join the command at Richmond with al
haste, and If cut off cross the river anC
rcjoin us. AS General Custer may follow
| UP, be careful and not give a false alarm
The following Is a copy OF paper writ
| ten in lead-pencil, which. was. i suppose
! a private memorandum which Colone
| Dahlgren made for his own use:
Saturday.--Leave camp at dark e p
NJ, cross k;ly's Ford at 10 p. NJ. Twenty
miles, cross North Anna at a. NJ. Sun
! day; feed. Three miles. Frederick's Hal
| Station, 6 A. NJ; destroy artillery, A. NJ
| Twenty miles. near James river. 2 p. NJ
| Sunday; feed and water one and a hall
hours. Thirty miles to Richmond marcf