otherwise rendering it unserviceable for immedi ate use. Leaving Frederickshall on Monday, they crossed the Central Railroad and divided into two detachments, one moving in the direction of James River Canal, and the other of Ashland, where it spent Monday night. The force penetrated yesterday (Tuesday A.M.) to the farm of John A. Seddon, Secretary of War, in Goochland County; burned his barn and stable, and it is reported by escaped men that his dwelling-house was in flames. They burned all the flour and saw-mills in the vicinity, including the Dover flour-mills and barns, and the mills of Stanard & Morson; destroyed a number of freight and other boats in the canal, and did considerable damage to the iron-works at Mannakio. The only damage done to the canal beside the destruction of boats, was cutting the lock at Simpson. General H. A. Wise was at the time on a visit to his son-in-law, whose farm adjoins that of Secretary Seddon, but fortunately became apprised of their approach in time to make his escape. He arrived in the city yesterday. The other detachment, that came to Ashland, was accompanied by a battery of artillery, and approached on the Brook turnpike, about six miles north-west of the city, yesterday morning. They were promptly met and kept in check, and finally handsomely repulsed, by a portion of engineer troops under Colonel W. H. Stephens, who manned a few sections of light artillery. A duel ensued, and shots were exchanged for about two hours. The enemy then withdrew in the direction of Mechanicsville, burning the trestlework of the Central Railroad across the Chickahominy in their retreat. Our loss in the fight on the Brook road was one killed and six or seven wounded, but we are unable to learn their names. Neither the force nor the loss of the enemy is yet ascertained, as they carried their dead and wounded with them. We captured two prisoners, who were committed to Libby Prison. During the retreat of this column they threw two or three shells at the dwelling-house of the Hon. James Lyons, which exploded in the yard without damage. They stopped the carriage of Mr. John P. Ballard, took out both the horses, and carried off the horses of Mr. Goddin. The latest report we have from this retreating column is, that they had halted five or six miles from the city to take refreshments. They are probably endeavoring to make their escape by way of the White House. We omitted to mention a report that they saluted Camp Lee with a few shells, but this lacks confirmation. The detachment that went to Goochland, according to the statement of an escaped prisoner, included a large body of negroes, mounted and armed. They seized and brought with them a considerable number of negroes as they passed through the country, as well as a large number of horses, which were brought into requisition whenever others were exhausted and gave out. Before leaving the Central Railroad they impressed into service a negro guide, to pilot them to the vicinity of the city, where they intended and expected to arrive last night, to effect a junction, probably, with a column from the direction of Ashland. The negro, however, intentionally or ignorantly piloted them in a wrong direction, and they landed in Goochland, as above stated, about daylight yesterday, for which they hung him yesterday morning. It is reported that a detachment from this column went to the river at Mannakin's Ferry, it was believed with the intention of crossing it, if practicable, and coming over on the south side. Whether they succeeded or not we have not learned. Some of the privates expressed regret at the burning of houses, but said they acted under orders. A negro belonging to Stanard was captured, and, after being with them all day, feigned sickness, and being sent off under guard, three of our pickets galloped up and captured the Yankee, and released the negro. About three o'clock yesterday afternoon, the enemy advanced toward the city by the Westham or River road, evidently the same force that battle not far above the city, and, from the brisk went to Goochland. They formed into line of firing of musketry heard in that direction about dusk, it is supposed that a fight occurred. The enemy were afterward reported to have been repulsed. Several prisoners were brought in about eight o'clock last night. Up to the late hour of writing this we learned no particulars The body of raiders is under command of General Kilpatrick, celebrated in connection with the raid of last spring, over very much the identical route. Besides the general destruction of property, one of the principal objects of the raid was evidently the release of the prisoners in this city, but the plan miscarried by the treachery or ignorance of this negro guide. It is not to be supposed that it would have been successful, had it been otherwise. The whole force is estimated at about two large brigades, and whatever boldness, to say the least of it. the object, they have won a title to considerable Later. Last night at about a quarter past ten o'clock, brisk artillery-firing was heard in the direction of Meadow Bridges or Mechanicsville, which continued half an hour. doubtless, from the column that retreated in that It proceeded, direction. It was reported that a skirmish occurred earlier in the night on the Westham road, in which the enemy charged Hurley's battalion and the Twenty-eighth Virginia regiment, who were in charge of the main body, and were repulsed. We heard of no casualties. expresses the opinion that Meade is advancing An official communication received last night, against General Lee. The same opinion is entertained in a high official quarter. If Meade permitting, though it may be only a demonstrameans fight, it may begin to-day, the weather tion in favor of the raid on the city. ANOTHER ACCOUNT. RICHMOND, March 4, 1864. In concluding our report yesterday, we stated that the raiders had succeeded in effecting their escape by crossing the Pamunkey at Piping Tree. Subsequent information has satisfied us that this statement was erroneous, and that only a small portion of the enemy's forces crossed the Pamunkey in their retreat. The main body, after passing Old Church, in Hanover County, moved down into New-Kent, on their way, doubt. less, to Williamsburgh. In addition to the names already published by us, we have heard of the following wounded in the late fights: Of Henly's battalion—privates D. T. Carter, S. McLain, R. B. Green, and Gray Deswell. Of the Armory battalion-Lieutenant Truehart, slightly in shoulder; private Jones, mortally; private Rees, badly in the neck. Among the local troops, we understand our total loss to be: Killed, three; mortally wounded, two; wounded, twelve; missing, five. Yesterday afternoon, Colonel Bradley T. Johnson, with about forty of his Marylanders, assist- The injury sustained by this road from the ed by a detachment of the Ninth Virginia cav-raiders is slight, and only such as to prevent the alry, which had joined him, came up with their running of the trains for a few days. In the rear-guard, near Tunstall's Station, when a skir-neighborhood of the Chickahominy they demish ensued, resulting in the capture of seventy stroyed the trestle-work over the Brook, and some of the raiders. This is probably the last heavy fifteen feet of what is known as the dry trestling pull that will be made upon them, as it is un- on the other side of the Chickahominy. At derstood that the remainder of the party had Beaver Dam they tore up some hundred yards pushed on beyond New-Kent Court-House. or more of track, and burnt one or two unimportant railroad buildings. This is about the extent of the damage inflicted upon the road. Thus ends the great raid which was designed for the destruction of General Lee's communications and the liberation of the Yankee prisoners Some uneasiness has been expressed with in Richmond. The injury to the communications reference to our artillery at Frederick shall, and with the army of Northern Virginia can be re-apprehensions entertained that it sustained some paired in three days, and, instead of releasing the prisoners already in our hands, they have added not less than two hundred and fifty to their numbers. damage from the raiders on Monday. The fact that several of the artillery officers were captured by them excited these apprehensions. We are glad to state, however, that not a single piece was injured, as the enemy were not at Frederickshall at all. They struck the railroad some three miles below that point. It is somewhat difficult to ascertain the exact loss of the raiders in killed and wounded. It is thought that in the fights on Mick's and Green's farms they had seventeen killed, and it is known The remains of Captain Albert Ellery, who that they had not less than twenty wounded. fell in one of the fights on Tuesday night, were In Hampton's night attack upon them, near At-interred in Hollywood Cemetery. They were follee's, he killed four or five and wounded as many more. In the several engagements which occurred, they must have lost, at a low estimate, twenty-five in killed and seventy wounded. lowed to their last resting-place by the battalion of which he was a member, and Smith's battalion band. Among the pall-bearers, we noticed Marshal Kane and Doctor Charles Magill. THE DEATH OF DAHLGREN. Their loss in prisoners will reach two hundred and fifty. Up to seven o'clock yesterday evening, one hundred and seventy had been booked at the Libby, and these did not include the seventy captured by Colonel Johnson in the neigh-struck the daring raiders who attempted to enter borhood of Tunstall's. RICHMOND, March 5, 1864. The most important blow which has yet been this city on Tuesday last, was wielded by Lieutenant Pollard, of the Ninth Virginia cavalry, on Wednesday night, about eleven o'clock, in the neighborhood of Walkertown, in King and Queen County. What their net loss in horses will amount to cannot, of course, be estimated, as the number they stole in their line of march will go far to make up the number captured from them. They did not lose less than five hundred in killed and captured. Beside the horses, they lost a Napoleon gun, many saddles, carbines, sabres, pistols, blankets, etc. Altogether, the expedition was rather an expensive one to Kilpatrick's Government, taking into consideration the results ac-ed followers, had crossed the Mattapony at Aycomplished. name. We were in error as to the name of the officer who commanded this battalion in the recent fight with the enemy on Green's farm. Captain John McAnerney, and not Melthaney, is his He came to Virginia in the early part of the war with the Third Alabama regiment, and was wounded in the battles around Richmond. His wound disabling him, he was appointed a clerk in the Post-Office Department. On the day of the raid he assumed command of the battalion as senior Captain, Major Henly being sick. Lieutenant Pollard, with the greater portion of his own company, had been watching the movements of the enemy all day on Wednesday, in King William, and ascertained that night that Dahlgren, with about two hundred of his delud lett's. With his own men he crossed over and followed the retreating raiders. On reaching the forks of the road, a few miles above Walkertown, Lieutenant Pollard learned that the enemy had taken the river road, leading to that place. Leaving a few men to follow on after them, he quitted the main road with the larger portion of the force at his disposal, and by a circuitous route and forced march, he succeeded in throwing himself in front of the enemy and awaited his approach. In the mean time, he had been joined by the home-guards of King and Queen well; but on no account scatter too far, for in union there is strength. With strict obedience to orders and fearlessness in their execution, you will be sure to 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 if there is any man here not willing to sacrifice his life in such a great and glorious undertaking, or who does not feel capable of meeting the enemy in such a desperate fight as will follow, let him step out, and he may go hence to the arms of his sweetheart, and read of the braves who swept through the city of Richmond. We want no man who cannot feel sure of success in such a holy cause. We will have a desperate fight; but stand up to it when it does come, and all will be well. Ask the blessing of the Almighty, and do not fear the enemy. County, and a few men of Robbins's battalion. death at the hands of citizens. Keep well toA little before eleven o'clock at night the en-gether and obey orders strictly, and all will be emy approached on the road in which they were posted. A fire was at once opened upon them, but their leader, Colonel Dahlgren, relying, perhaps, upon their numbers, or stung by chagrin at his failure to capture Richmond, determined to force his way through, and at once forming his men, ordered a charge, which he led himself. It proved, however, a fatal charge to him; for, in the onset, he was pierced with a ball and fell dead. After his fall, the command could not be rallied, but were soon thrown into confusion inextricable. Our boys, noticing this, availed themselves of the opportunity it afforded, and used it to the best advantage. Dashing in among the discomfited foe, they succeeded in capturing ninety prisoners, thirty-five negroes, and one hundred and fifty horses. The body of Dahlgren also fell into their hands, and on his person was found the paper which we publish below, disclosing the diabolical schemes which the party had in view, in making the late, and, to them, disastrous raid.* Lieutenant Pollard, commanding company H, of the Ninth Virginia regiment, aided by some home-guards and a few men from LieutenantColonel Robbins's command, succeeded in penning Colonel Dahlgren on Wednesday night, about eleven o'clock. Dahlgren made a determined effort to force his way out, and was killed leading the charge. Thursday morning, the remaining officers having escaped, the party surrendered, ninety Yankees and thirty-five negroes. Several papers were found in the pockets of Dahlgren, copies of which are subjoined: ADDRESS TO THE OFFICERS AND MEN. The following address to the officers and men of the command was written on a sheet of paper, having, in printed letters, on the upper corner, "Headquarters, Third Division, Cavalry Corps, 1864": OFFICERS AND MEN: You have been selected from brigades and regiments as a picked command, to attempt a desperate undertaking-an undertaking which, if successful, will write your names on the hearts of your countrymen in letters that can never be erased, and which will cause the prayers of our fellow-soldiers now confined in loathsome prisons to follow you and yours wherever you may go. We hope to release the prisoners from Belle Isle first, and, having seen them fairly started, we will cross the James River into Richmond, destroy the bridges after us, and, exhorting the released prisoners to destroy and burn the hateful city, will not allow the rebel leader Davis, and his traitorous crew, to escape. The prisoners must render great assistance, as you cannot leave your ranks too far or become too much scattered, or you will be lost. Do not allow any personal gain to lead you off, which would only bring you to an ignominious * Richmond Dispatch, March 5, 1864. U. DAHLGREN,* Colonel Commanding. SPECIAL ORDERS AND INSTRUCTIONS. The following special orders were written on a similar sheet of paper, and on detached slips, the whole disclosing the diabolical plans of the leaders of the expedition: Guides and pioneers, with oakum, turpentine and torpedoes, signal-officer, quartermasters, commissaries, scouts and pickets, and men in rebel uniforms-these will remain on the north bank and move down with the force on the south bank, not get ahead of them, and if the communication can be kept up without giving an alarm, it must be done; but every thing depends upon a surprise, and no one must be allowed to pass ahead of the column; information must be gathered in regard to the crossings of the river, so that, should we be repulsed on the south side, we will know where to recross at the nearest point. All mills must be burned and the canal des troyed, and also every thing which can be used * See Admiral Dahlgren's letter denying the authenticity of this "address." The men must be kept together and well in-resistance; Childsburgh, fourteen miles, eight hand, and, once in the city, it must be destroyed | A.M. Resistance at North-Anna, three milesand Jeff Davis and his cabinet killed. Pioneers railroad-bridge at South-Anna, twenty-six miles, will go along with combustible material. The two P.M.; destroy bridges, pass South-Anna, and officer must use his discretion about the time of assisting us. Horses and cattle which we do not need immediately, must be shot rather than left. Every thing on the canal and elsewhere, of service to the rebels, must be destroyed. As General Custer may follow me, be careful not to give a false alarm. The signal-officer must be prepared to communicate at night by rockets, and in other things pertaining to his department. The quartermasters and commissaries must be on the lookout for their departments, and see that there are no delays on their account. The engineer officer will follow and survey the road as we pass over it, etc. The pioneers must be prepared to construct a bridge or destroy one. They must have plenty of oakum and turpentine for burning, which will be soaked and rolled into balls and be given to the men to burn when we get into the city. Torpedoes will only be used by the pioneers for burning the main bridges, etc. They must be prepared to destroy the rail. roads. Men will branch off to the right with a few pioneers and destroy the bridges and railroads south of Richmond, and then join us at the city. They must be well prepared with torpedoes, etc. The line of Falling Creek is probably the best to march along, or, as they approach the city, Good's Creek, so that no reenforcements can come up on any cars. No one must be allowed to pass ahead, for fear of communicating news. Rejoin the command with all haste, and if cut off, cross the river above Richmond and rejoin us. Men will stop at Bellona Arsenal and totally destroy it, and every thing else but hospitals; then follow on and rejoin the command at Richmond with all haste, and, if cut off, cross the river and rejoin us. As General Custer may follow me, be careful and not give a false alarm. PROGRAMME OF THE ROUTE AND WORK. The following is the exact copy of a paper, written in lead-pencil, which appears to have been a private memorandum of the programme that Dahlgren had made to enable him to keep his work clearly in mind: Saturday, leave camp at dark-six P.M.; cross Ely's Ford at ten P.M.; twenty miles, cross NorthAnna at four A.M. Sunday, feed and water one hour; three miles, Frederickshall Station, six A.M.; destroy artillery eight A.M., twenty miles; near James River, two P.M. Sunday, feed and water one hour and a half. Thirty miles to Richmond. March toward Kilpatrick for one hour, and then, as soon as dark, cross the river, reaching Richmond early in the morning of Monday. One squadron remains on north side, one squadron to cut the railroad bridge at Falling Creek, and join at Richmondeighty-three miles-General Kilpatrick cross at one A. M., Sunday—ten miles-pass river five A.M. feed until after dark, then signal each other. After dark move down to Richmond and be in front of the city at daybreak. Return. In Richmond during the day, feed and watermen outside. Be over the Pamunkey at daybreak, feed and water, and then cross the Rappahannock at night Tuesday. night-when they must be on the lookout. Spies should be sent on Friday morning early, and be ready to cut-a guide furnished. The following paper was inclosed in an envelope directed to Colonel U. Dahlgren, etc., at General Kilpatrick's headquarters, and marked "confidential." The letter is not dated: Colonel Dahlgren, etc. DEAR COLONEL: At the last moment I have found the man you want, who is well acquainted with the James River from Richmond. I send him to you mounted on my own private horse. You will have to furnish him a horse. Question him five minutes and you will find him the man you want. Respectfully and truly yours, JOHN C. BABCOCK. On the margin of the letter is written: He crossed the Rapidan last night and has late information. ANOTHER ACCOUNT. The column of Yankees under Dahlgren took on their route two prisoners, Captain Demont and Mr. Mountcastle, who accompanied the force from Goochland to the débût at Walkerton. From these gentlemen and other sources of information we gather some interesting accounts of Dahlgren's excursion. The Dahlgren came down the Westham plank-road, with eight hundred or a thousand men. Armory battalion was on the enemy's flank, and appears to have been completely surprised. But when the enemy came in contact with Henley's battalion the cavalry broke at the first fire. The first volley of musketry seems to have done all the disaster that occurred. There were eleven Yankees killed and some thirty or forty wounded. After the affair Dahlgren seemed to be anxious for his retreat, and divided his forces so as to increase the chances of escape. The force under his immediate command moved down the south bank of the Pamunkey, and crossed the river at Dabney's Ferry. Their exact number was not at first easily ascertained, and, as usual, the most exaggerated accounts were soon circulated throughout the country, increasing as they spread, until the miserable fugitives from the Richmond defences were magnified into a full brigade. From the ferry they proceeded by the most direct route to Aylett's, on the Mattapony, watched closely at every step by scouts detached from Lieutenant James Pollard's company of Lee's Rangers, now on picket-duty and recruiting services in King William, the residence of most of its members. The ferry-boat having been previously removed, and Lieutenant Pollard's arrangements for disputing their passage when they reached the King and Queen side of the river being suspected, they dashed across the river as precipitately as possible, under the fire of a small squad of rangers left on the south bank for that purpose. While passing through King William they captured one prisoner, Mr. William Edwards, and several horses, and mortally wounded a man attached to the signal-corps, whose name we could not learn. Subsequently Colonel Dahlgren, in command of the party, ordered the release of Mr. Edwards and the restoration of his horse and some valuables which were forcibly taken from his person when captured. The Yankees had no sooner reached King and Queen County than they were harassed, both front and rear, by the Rangers, until Lieutenant Pollard was reenforced by Magruder's and Blake's companies of the Forty-second Virginia battalion, now on picket duty in King and Queen, and Fox's company of Fifth Virginia cavalry, on furlough in the same county. Here the fight became general, resulting in the death of Colonel Dahlgren and the capture of the greater number of the party, the rest having fled in disorder and panic to the nearest woods. It is believed that few, if any, will reach Gloucester Point alive, as the home-guard of King and Queen, whose bravery was conspicuous during the whole affair, are scouring the country and cutting off escape. Posting his cominand at an eligible point along the road in ambush, he had not long to wait before the enemy made his appearance, headed by Dahlgren himself, slowly and cautiously approaching, as if apprehensive of their impending fate. As the head of the column neared the point of concealment, Dahlgren's attention was attracted by a slight rustling in the bushes, occasioned doubtless by the movement of some of our party. Drawing his pistol he called out: "Surrender, you damned rebel, or I'll shoot you." In an instant private McCoy sprang into the road, and, levelling his piece, shot the miscreant dead. A general volley was then poured into the enemy's ranks, which had the effect of emptying their saddles and killing as many horses and throwing the rest into inextricable confusion. Then ensued a scene of the wildest panic, which was heightened by the intense darkness of the night. Each man looking to his own personal safety, all sought refuge in flight, and spurring their jaded horses over the bodies of their wounded and over each other, the whole body broke pell-mell over a ditch and watling fence, which the most adventurous fox-hunter would hardly have essayed in the heat of the chase, into a small field. Captain M. immediately disposed his force around the field so as to prevent all egress, and quietly awaited the approach of daylight, when the whole party surrendered without resistance. Much praise is due Captain Magruder for his coolness and judgment in this affair. If he had A large body of this raiding party was push-ordered a charge upon the discomfited enemy in ing toward the peninsula at last accounts, preferring that route to the rather hazardous attempt to reach Gloucester Point through King William and King and Queen. We regret this very much, as in both counties adequate preparations were made to prevent the soil of either county from being converted into a highway, as in the earlier period of the war, for Yankee robbers whose track is marked, wherever they are permitted to obtain a foothold, with desolation and blood. A FURTHER ACCOUNT. From information derived from a trustworthy source it appears that the credit of the capture of the "Dahlgren party" is mainly due to Captain William M. Magruder and a squadron of Robbins's battalion under his command, who have for some time past been posted in King and Queen County as a corps of observation. Learning that the enemy was moving down the north bank of the Mattapony by the river road, with the evident intention of reaching Gloucester Point, Captain Magruder determined to anticipate him, and with this view left his camp with about one hundred of his command and Lieutenant Pollard and seventeen men of the Ninth Virginia cavalry, making for a point on the river between Mantua Ferry and King and Queen Court-House, which he succeeded in reaching in advance of the enemy. the road, the probability is that some of our own men would have fallen by the hands of their comrades by an indiscriminate fight in the dark, while the opportunity of escape by the enemy would have been increased. As it was, the prudent course adopted secured most effectually the result desired without a single casualty on our side. This account strips the valorous Dahlgren's name of the little éclat which might have attached to it if he had fallen, as was at first stated, while boldly leading a charge in an effort to cut his way through our lines. He was shot down, as he deserved to be, like a "thief in the night," with his stolen plunder around him, while seeking, under cover of darkness, to elude the punishment he so richly merited. THE NEGRO GUIDE. Dahlgren's guide, recommended to him "at the last moment" as the " very man he wanted," by one "truly yours, John C. Babcock," has reached the Libby, in company with the two or three hundred brigands he attempted to guide into the heart of Richmond. His name is John A. Hogan, an Irishman by birth, twenty-three years old, tall and lithe, with a fine open countenance. When asked his rank, he declared himself a full high private, and did not aspire to any thing else. Being interrogated as to his knowledge of Richmond and its suburbs, he |