More of the raid — the division of Kilpatrick's command.
The Northern, news confirms the statement that the late expedition against
Richmond was led by
Gen. Kilpatrick, with
Col. Dahlgren as second in command.
After reaching
Beaver Dam on Monday, and, destroying the water station and tearing up a few hundred yards of the track at that point, the force divided,
Kilpatrick with his command passing through the upper part of
Hanover into
Louisa, where he took the mountain road, which he followed until he struck the
Brook turnpike at the
Yellow Tavern.
Of the subsequent movements and final escape by the
Peninsula route, we have already advised our readers.
After the force was divided,
Dahlgren's command proceeded to Frederick Hall, in
Louisa county, where they captured several of our officers, who were holding a Court-Martial at the time: Among these officers was
Capt. Dement, of a Baltimore battery, who was compelled to follow the expedition from the time it left Frederick Hall until
Dahlgren was killed by
Lieut. Pollard's party, on Wednesday night, in
King and
Queen.
He witnessed the execution of the negro guide in
Goochland, and states that
Dahlgren furnished a portion of his bridle rein for the accomplishment of the work.
When
Dahlgren's party was first intercepted by
Pollard's men on Wednesday night he sent for
Capt. Dement, whom he required to ride at the head of the column with him. When they came up to where
Pollard's men were stationed in ambush
Dahlgren ordered a charge, and in an instant a volley was poured in upon him and his followers.
This volley killed the horse upon which
Dement was riding, and five balls struck
Dahlgren--two in the head, two in the body, and one in the leg. He immediately fell from his horse and expired.--After his fall the fight was soon terminated, and that night and the next morning
Pollard's command gathered up 91 prisoners, 35 negroes, and 150 horses, which had been stolen on the expedition.
Among the prisoners were
Major E. F. Cooke, of the 2d N. Y. cavalry,
1st Lieut. H. H. D'Merritt, 5th N. Y. cavalry, and
2d Lieut. Bartley, Signal Corps,
U. S. A.
The Army movements in Connection with the raid.
Our correspondent with
Gen. Lee's army furnishes us with an account of the movement on
Charlottesville, which we are forced to abbreviate in consequence of lack of space.
It appears that as far back as last Wednesday our scouts reported that the enemy were concentrating at Culpeper Court-House, and it was further reported by two deserters that
Meade would cross the river on Monday.--No attention, it seems, was paid to this information, and when
Sedgwick did cross
Robinson's river on Saturday night, it was thought to be only an attempt to intercept and recapture the prisoners taken by
Mosby on the 22d, in
London.
He had 7,000 infantry, and occupied Madison Court-House on Sunday morning. He also brought with him about 2,500 cavalry and two pieces of artillery, under
Gen. Custar.
The cavalry and artillery, commanded by
Custar, left on Sunday for
Stanardsville,
Green county, where it arrived on Monday, and pushed forward to
Charlottesville.
About twelve o'clock they arrived in the vicinity of Rio Mills, where Stuart's horse artillery, under
Major Beckham, was stationed.
As soon as the enemy crossed the
Rivanna river the artillery, supported by some furloughed and dismounted men, under command of
Major R. F. Mason, O. M., of
Fitz Lee's division, opened on the advancing column.
This seemed entirely unexpected, some of the
Yankees exclaiming, "By--, the
Secesh have been reinforced; let's go back," which they did at a double quick; nor did they halt to camp until they reached their infantry support at Madison Court-House.
Our correspondent says:
‘
Gen. Stuart on Monday moved upon the enemy's near towards
Stanardsville, and charged them as they were retreating on Tuesday morning near Wolf on; but owing to the disparity of his numbers, when compared with those of the enemy, he was forced to give back, and the enemy were enabled to make good their retreat.
’
As your readers know,
Gen. Lee had been absent from this army for nearly a week when he returned on Tuesday.
I think, during his absence, not anticipating a move, the command was not formally turned over to
Gen. Ewell, but that
General Chilton and
Col. Taylor acted for
Gen. Lee, frequently consulting him by telegraph at
Richmond.
It is certain, I think, that but tittle was done towards arresting the raiders until
Gen. Lee returned to camp, about 3 o'clock on Monday and then there was great activity everywhere.
Infantry were moved rapidly up to liberty
Mills and on towards
Madison and within two miles of that place, where our army was drawn up in line of battle on Tuesday evening, and skirmishers thrown forward.
A report, however, obtained circulation that the enemy were in our rear, and our column faced about and marched back.
When this report was ascertained to be untrue it was too late in return last night and engage the enemy.
This morning the enemy had all safety recrossed the
Robinson river back to
Culpeper.
Our casualties in the cavalry skirmishing amounted, I am told, to some fifteen killed and wounded; among them,
Lieut.,
Parker, 2d cavalry from
Amherst, Va., who was severely wounded and left in the enemy's hands.
The
Charlottesville raiding party committed the usual excesses on the line of their march, such as robbing houses, stealing horses.
(I which ported they got some three hundred,) and carrying off negroes.
One of the principal I hear to be
Mr. J. J. Bowcock, of
Albemarle, presiding justice of that county, and formerly member of the Legislature from that county.
Our boys are now safely pack in camp.
They had a most disagreeable time, however, during Monday night, Tuesday and Tuesday night, during all of which time they were exposed to the of a severe and for their and only mother earth.
It was reported this morning in official circles that the enemy crossed infantry at Germana on Tuesday evening and it was said firing was heard in that direction this evening, has as I do not hear confirmation of it in night clothing there must be some mistake.
The enemy at Frederick Hall — Why they did not attack our artillery.
Though
Col. Dahlgren had laid down in his programme "Frederick Hall Station, 6 A. M., destroy artillery, 8 A. M., that portion of it was not carried out. He crossed at Ely's Ford, on the
Rapidan, Sunday night, and on Monday morning, as he had projected reached Frederick Hall.
The artillery there was in position to receive him. Among the prisoners, whom he captured a short distance from camp, were
private Redd, of the 3d company Richmond Howitzers, and
Sergeant Wallace McRae, of the 2d company.--From them he could obtain no information beyond the statement that
Daniel's brigade was supporting the guns.
He hesitated sometime, then determined to attack, and formed in line of battle, but changed his mind, and commenced moving off. Against consultation was had, and it was decided to attack a single gun on a hill near another line was formed, but the attack was again given up. He seemed very facilitating and timid.
He started off with the few prisoners he had captured, but released the privates after going a short distance.
The officers of the
Court Martial, which he captured in the neighborhood, including
Lieut.-Col. Jone,
Capts. Page and
Dement, and
Lt. Garber and others, all their escape.
A Lieutenant in
Capt. Dance's battery, found near Federick Hall, was carried off a prisoner.
The Departure of the raiders.
The fate of
Kilpatrick's command was a matter of great anxiety to the
Yankees on the
Peninsula.
On Wednesday last
Col. Spears, 11th Pennsylvania cavalry, cause up to
Tunstall's Station three times to meet
Kilpatrick, and finding he had not arrived went back.
The last time they came up they met him, and falling in with him protected his rear on his way down the
Peninsula.--
Col. Bradley Johnson, with his gallant body of men, who had been hammering at
Kilpatrick's column, then found
Dahlgren in his own rear wills a largely superior force, and turned upon him. Had he had a larger force he would have captured them, as they were much dispirited.
When they found
Johnson in their front, they seemed to be consulting about giving up. One of them was heard by our men to say, "We had better go to than to go back to
Richmond." This opinion seemed to prevail, and they determined to force their way through.
Of course,
Col. Johnson, will his handful of men, could not stop them, but he cut into their rear and brought off twenty-one of them as they got by. With the exception of
Lieut. Pollard's attack this was the last time they were "operated" upon.
The City troops.
The local troops have all returned to the city.
It should have been stated in our notice of the fight at
Green's farm that at the fight at "
Glen-
Birney," (
Hix's farm,)
Waller's battalion of local troops were engaged with
Henley's battalion, and behaved very handsomely.
The cavalry, under
Maj. Wm. S. Wood, returned to the city Saturday night under the following complimentary order from
Maj. Gen. Hampton:
Major: Move your command as seen as you are ready back to
Richmond, and report to
Gen. Elzey.
The
Chesterfield and 42d battalion will also return.
I beg you to express to these troops my thanks for the promptness with which they moved to the front, and for the cheerfulness they have manifested in the discharge of their
Arrival of Dahlgren's body.
Yesterday evening
Lieut. Christian, of Co. H. 9th Va. Cavalry, with an escort, arrived in
Richmond by the
York River train, with the body of
Col. Ulric Dahlgren, the leader of the
Yankee, raiders, who was killed at
Stevensville,
King and Queen county, on Wednesday night.