The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-05-05
DAHLGREN'S RAID

Several years ago, 1 wrote an &C.
count OF tho defeat and death of Col.
Uric Dahlgren. and the capture OF
his mon. which was published In tho
Dispatch and which provoked very
able editorial from the editor OF that
paper. presumably Mr.. Chesterman.
Many OF tho participants IN tnat noted
episode. who were then living. were
interviewed. and, as ] remember. with
out ono dissenting voice, approved
what had written.
In your issue OF Sunday. March 3lst,
thsre ts an unsigned account OF the
raid in which Colonel Dahigren lost
his life. in which there arc several
glaring errors. which need correction,
lest thsy should creep into history.
have no personal knowledge OF
what occurred. until Dahigren crossed
the Mattaponi River into the county OF
King and Queen.-and here let me state
that the ferry known Aylett's Is
across the. Mattaponi. and rot tho Pa
,nunky River, as stated in the afore-
raid account.
was q member OF Company OF
the 24th Virginia Cavalry. Mr.. Charles
Catlett afterwards Judge OF the Coun-
ty Cour. OF Gloucester county, and
had boon ssnt to Gloucester for
purpose connected with the service.
On our attempted return to our com
mand, ws crossed the Nattaponi River
Mt the ferry known as grazier's Ferry,
near King and Queen Court House.
When we got on tho King William
side of tho river. We met n squad OF
the eth. Va. Cavalry. w4th Mr.. Oscar
Gresham. of that regiment, who in
formed us that King william was full
treating from a Reconnaissance. andthst
81 would no hazardous for US to at
ternpt TO cross that county. VIC did
not get out OF the ferryboat. but
went back into King and Queen county
and Joined the troops who were
eisting tho march OF Dahlsrcn.
Captain Magruder. OF Henrico coun-
~. who was In command or Company
Bot tho 2+th Virginia Cnvalry. had
his company in tho County of King
and Queen. recruiting their horses,
Several of the 9Th Virginia Cavalry.
who were In that section on various
missions. Joined US. among others. the
gallant and lamented Captain Camp
bell Fox. of the King and Queen Cav
airy.
Expecting tins enemy IN cross the
took UP a position there TO resist the
crossing; but. instead Of crossing
there Dahlsren crossed at Ayietts fer
~ a few miles below Dunkirk, and
ceno out into tho highway at ST
Stephens Church. We purcuei down
the road until We got to tho little viii
lago of Burlington. where the Rev Dr.
Garlick had school for young ladies
1t Is proper here to stale that the
Rev. Dr. Richard Hugh Bagby, com
innndIng the King and Queen Home
Guards. was stationed with his COM
rany at Burlington Church. young
man from Richmond. named Cottren
and I. Judge Catlett, and think, WI
lie Berkl.y. were the advance guard
Cottreli and were riding In front
and the other two Immediately bo-
r. fork led over TO Tappahannock, we
hind us. At n turn In the road where
struck the rear guard, ana some chal-
lenges passed between us At the next
turn OF tho road, which was few
hundred yards above DR. Garlick's
residence. the sergeant in command OF
the enemy's rear guard. took his stand
and. as we turned he deliberately fired
II Spencer rife The bullet passed br-
tween cotire'l and me, and struck q
tree behind lis. Having only pistol.
called out, as the sergeant turned
TO run, to the mon behind TO shoot
him. Several fred. and he feil. 7
have always thought tho fatal shot
was fired by my old schoolnmtc and