The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-03-11
.DAHLCREN'S RAID
ANOTHER CHAPTER
One Who Claims to Know a Few
Things Tells About
Them.
ERRORS IN FORMER REPORTS
The Whole Disgraceful Attain
Was Planned in Washington
With Meade's APPROVAL.
EDITOR Of Tho rImes-Dispatch:

Editor OF Tho TImes-Dispatch:
| Slr,-rt may or may not have been wise
or prudent to recall to tho memories OF
| tho present generation that shameful and
disgraceful episode OF tho war known as
| the Dahlgren raid. distinguished citi-
zen and writer has thought proper to
introduce It, and claims to have had
unusual facilities for becoming acquainted
with the circumstances attending 1t, and
to be able to give truthful history
| Of It.
| beg leave to add a few woods In
continuation Of the story, and endeavor
to show.Jif can, wherein the narrative
is defective and misleading-more perhaps
by reason Of omission than OF commits.
sion.
General Fitzpatrick was the originator
OF the plan. and 1t was approved by
General Meade and laid before the Sec
rotary OF War at washington, who like
wise approved It. Fitzpatrick was then
directed to organize the expedition, and
with the cooperation OF General Meade
and burdened with few instructions.
promptly started forth on the 2sth OF
February, 1864, In command of 1900 cav
airy and battery of artillery.
He soon detached 800 men under Col
onel Dahlgren, and this detachment
mainly concerns us at this time.
It was directed to cross James River
above Richmond and move down on the
southside. secure the bridge leading into
the city, liberate the prisoners on Belle
Isle and in Libby prison. and rejoin the
main body as soon as practicable.
1t was found impossible to cross tho
river. by reason of It's swollen condition.
and after numbering their guido Gan
ignorant and inoffensive negro these
inhuman wretches marched down on the
north side and approached within three
miles Of the city, when they were met
by battalion of department clerkH-old
men and boys exempt from duty In the
field-and perhaps about 500 in number.
and after a lively skrmish. in which
several on both sides were killed and
wounded. were ignomniously defeated
and forced to seek safety In an effort to
reioin the main body.
This brilliant achievement. the most
important and decisive event of the ex-
petition. and which ranks with the gal
liant defense of Petersburg on the 10th
day of June, 1861. by 100 old men and
flows against ten times their number.
and both worthy TO be comrnemorated
by memorials as durable. IL not rs inn
posing as the pyramids of Egypt or the
lion of Lucerne in Switzerland, has been
entirely ignored and paped over by this
faithful Chronicler after escaping from
the scene of their defeat and failing 10
find the main body. the enemy marched
through the county and their progress
was again arrested in King William coun-
ty by the citizens and n few soldiers on
furlough, and the leader was killed and
the rest captured or dispersed.
1t was alleged. says this faithful
Chronicler. that papers found authorized
brutal and bloody deeds-"alleged" ended
what n word to me in such convic-
ton and in matter grave enough
to engage the attention of President Da.
Wis and of General Lee-"Tell 1t not in
Gath, publish 1T not in the streets of As
kilton--What were those papers and what
We're those brutal and bloody deeds.
Listen-On the body of Dahlgreen (the
Infamous wretch) were, found two re-
mark;lDle papers; one an advertisement
prepared and signed by him, and de-
signed to be published to his command
for their guidance in which you will
find these words. after reciting at some
length the objects of the expedition
1--WE will cross the James River. into
Richmond. liberate the prisoners and eX-
hort them to destroy and burn the hate
full city; and do not allow the rebel LEI
der, Davis. and his traitorlus crew to
escape"
In the other paper you will read-"Ol ice
in the city, and jeff Davis and his cabi-
net killed"
Many persons saw these papern and
there is abundant proof of their genuine
ness and authenticity
They We're photographed and copies
sent to General Lee, with directions to
commemorate them to General Meade
and to enquire whether the objects and
purposes as set forth in then wero au-
thorized and sanctioned by himself, or
his government.
They disclaimed mo doubt wlsely) hav-
Ing given any authority or approval
That much, more to-day. Mr. Editor,
but 1t may DE best to close hero nb-
ruptly.
A doge of Venice. seven huadtAd years
ago on his death-bed exhorted his son.
who succeeded him on the throne. nevar
to allow himself to be diverted by love or
hato from the faith Of duty and IusiceJ
a noble sentiment, which has not been
Improved during all the centurles-r hope
you can make the application, though 1t
is somewhat obscure.
Respectfully,
b., NJ. BARHAA!.