The New York Herald Newspaper, March 3, 1864, Page 1

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WHOLE NO. 10,029. HIGHLY IMPORTANT NEWS, Tha Vaton Prisoners to be Released and tho Rebel Capital Sacked. Co-operation of the Infantry Under General Custer’s Splendid Stuart's Boasted Invincible Rebel Cavalry Defeated and “Hie Oomp Destroyed. Vive Hundred. Fine Horse and Fifty Rebel’ Prisoners Captured, Without the [oss of a Single Man, The following intelligence wae inour possession on Monday morning last, but wo felt it our duty to refrain from pablishing it until we were sure that it could not fore or damage the operations of our forces :— ‘entire Army of the Potomac were put under march- {og orders on Thursday, whou the plans were perfected for a@grand raid. On Thureday night General Custer’s diviaion of cavalry (lato Buford’s) broke camp and moved ‘up theriver to Madison Court House, driving in the rebe) plokets at the crossing of Robertson’s river, and clearing ‘the‘country between that river and the Rapidan of rebel troops... The rebels fell back before this advance, offering Dut trifing resistance. General Custer captured a few prisoners. Nothing is known of his movements beyond. Madison Court House, but it is generally reported that he ‘sto press on with celerity of movement around the enemy’s loft flank, with a purpose of cutting their com- munigations. Um Saturday morning Kilpatrick, with his cavalry, moved down to and crossed the Rapidan at Germania Ford, He was supported by a strong infantry force, the movement being masked by retaining our old picket line ‘enchanged, the eutire Third'corps having been detailed fer picket duty, relieving the pickets that had moved, .. Up toSusday morning nothing dofinite had transpired im relation to this movement. It was kuown that Kilpa- twick bad crossed the Rapidan and was moving south; but the infantry corps were bivouscked north of the fiver, Well informed authority in Wasbington bad it ‘hat othor movements took place during the day. For ten days previous the weather bad been mild and pleasant in Virginia, and the roads are now in admirable @endition. Unless the army sball be overtaken by a ‘storm, tbere will be 20 embarrassment on account of the ‘the roads. may carry thig movement forward in their @wa minds to any destination they please. Its. or- and the direction taken at the start, however, be misteken, It has been ooramenced under most fuspices. ‘The men sre jh good spirits, the excelient for campaigning, and the rebels are bless taken by surprise, with the ballt of their army away on furlough or looking for something to eat. ‘Ise generally underatood in Washington that General ‘Datlor bas moved & force to co-operate with this advance @f the Army of the Potomac. ANOTHER ACCOUNT. ‘The following account reached us on the-morning of ‘Peesday, and was held over for reasons given above:— Oa Tharsday, the 25th ult., two corps of the Army of tee Potomac moved from camp towards Madison Court Shouse, to engage the attention of Goneral Lee by a for- M@idable folnt. General Custer went ahead, with cavalry, @erces Robertson's river, and on Sunday drove in the enemy's pickets north of the Rapidan, All this was ene with as much noise as several batteries of artillery ould consistently make. But meanwhile a movement in nother direction went on much more quietly. General Kilpetrick, with bis picked cavalry and horse artillory, qmerobed from Steveusburg on Sunday night, crossed ‘@he Rapican at Germanna Ford, as we suppose, and thence ‘wook the direct road for his appOinted destination. At @he ford a detachment, uuder Colonel Dahlgren, left the ‘main colamn and advanced by another route. The enemy ‘Dy at least two different routes. @imultaneously with Goneral Kilpatrick’s movement Genera] Butler was to move up from the peninsula, end make © demonstration upon Richmond. What force fhe enemy hed ip Richmond does not appear; but the @ty is Known to bave boon for some time past very feebly defended. We have roason to believe that it is etl in the same comparatively defénociess con. Qin «that it was) whon = General Butler's etempt was made, & few woeks since. Bishmond bas eo msny times been just within our each, and elipped from us like the fruits that vexed the Goal of Tantalus; it bas so many times seemed ready to Beli @ prey to whoever would “grasp it likes man of met- tle,” that ibe country grill hardly be surprised that one Mere attempt: should be made for its capture. Prepara- for thie lest atlompt havo, it ie stated, been for Sime in progress on the peoinsula. ‘ OUR SPECIAL DESPATCHES. Fhe annexed despatches were forwarded to us by telo- grepd on Tuesday evening:— BRapqoarrsrs, ARMY oF THR PoToMad, r Pengo. 1908,” General Kilpatrick, at the bead of a large force of @avalry, left this placeton Saturday evening on a grand Quart House plank road, eight miles south of the Rapidan. @u Sunday morning the force demonstrated in front the enemy’s works upon Mine run, deployed as in- im order to cause the enemy to mass in that to Feolst attack. In this capacity they acted all Gay, add Gt nighd rested ine retired and safe position Between Verdioravillo and Robinson's Tavern. © At thice o’olock on Monday morning General Kilpatricle took upimis line of march southward, towards the junction ‘the Virginia Contral and the Richmond and Fredoricks- railroads, arriving at Spottsytvania Court House at edout dark. , From this polat Colonel Dahigren, with @ selected de. Jodment from tho cavairy, was despatched to Frode- , midway between the Junction of the above ae and Gordonsville, where had beoa parked Phe whole of tho rebel resorvé artiliory. Qolonel Dahigren was to have destroyed tho artillery, (phe roads abd tolograph tines, avd rejoin General Kilpa- ‘tlk, OF roport in tho morning, - Torspay, March 1, 1864. AN seven o'clock fast evening the expedition was henrd from, aod then everything was going onswimmingly and fhoooraing to programme. Frederickabali is forty miles per rail from Richmond, pnd Hanover Junction is twenty-six. | To cover this movement a strong Union force moved to House, but foand no enemy, Mfterhoop several discharges of artillery. ‘would thus find our cavalry forces marching upon them, Bhat the mavemente of Sedgwick and Custer wore simply NEW YORK, THURSDAY, MARCH 3, 1964. THE CAVALRY RAID INTO VIRGINIA. Map Showing _ the Roads and Rivers Between the Rapidan and Richmond. were heard in the direction of Gordonsville; but as no scouts have come in there ie no reliable news to be sent forward. General Kilpatrick haa dashed on with his gallant com- mand until be bas gone beyond the reach of regular com- munication, and doubtless the next news we shall get of him will be by way of Fortress Monroe or through rebe) sources. ‘There need be no fear of his success, for he knows that ‘upon him depends the grand result of the whole expedi- tion, MR, N, DAVIDSON’S DESPATCH. Ccnpsrrer Covrr Hovss, March 2, 1864. On Saturday last Major General John Sedgwick, with the Sixth army corps, left camp near the army,head- quarters for Madison Court House. On Sunday he was followed by Major General Birney, with the First division of the Third army corps. When Genera! Sedgwick’s advance, composed of about fifty of the Sixth regular cavalry, reached Robertson's river, twenty miles from this place, they found and drove in the rebel cavalry pickets, corps, under General Torbett, crosaed the river and occu- pled Madison Court House. General Sedgwick, with Generals H. G. Wright, David Russel and A. P, Howe, encamped on the heights this side of the river. Parties were sent out to picket along the river, and their camp fires lighted up the whole line of tho Rapidan from Madison Court House till they joined those of the Firet corps, which again uaited with those of the Second corps, making @ continuous line of smoke to the Rappa- ‘bapnock, On Sunday General Birney’s, division encamped at James City, twelve miles from this place. On Sunday at two o’clook Brigadier General Custer, with two ten-inch Parrotts of Ransom’s battery, under Lieutenant Porter, and @ detachment of the First New Jersey cavalry, under Captain Robbing; the Sixth Ohio cavalry, under Lioutenant Colono] Steadman, of Grogg's Atvision; and dotechmente of the First and Fifth regalar cavalry, under Captains Sweitzer and Asb, and of the Sixth Pennsylvania cavairy, Major Thachor, and First New York dragoons, of Merritt's division, marched for Madison Court House and Charlottesville by the James ‘City road, At five o’clock on Bupday Brigadier General Kilpatrick, ‘with his division and a portion of Merritt's and Gregg's, and a light dattery of six guns, left Steveneburg for the lower fords of the Rapidan. A portion of the force crossed at Gormanna and the remainder at Ely’s fords. From the points of crossing it is nearly sixty miles to Richmond in a straight line. Ag the ingmediate results of al! these movements are doubtless detormined before this time, there can be no: impropriety in stating that Kilpatrick started to make a dash upon Richmond, for the purpose of releasing our prisoners there, sacking the rebel capital, and effecting euch other Jaudable purposes as might be within bis power. He succeeded in capturing a lieutenant and several men at Ely’s Ford, apd reaching Spottaylvania Court House, since which nothing has been beard from him. . All the above could have been forwarded to you two daye since had it not been contraband, and 80 considered by your correspondent, who promised not to publish anything of the preparations for this movement unti) sufficient time should elapee for sta denouement, Let us now return to Guster, who marched to Robort- son's river on Sunday night, and went iatocamp to rest and feed and arrange affaii ith General Sedgwick. If the reader will consult one of the warmaps of Virginia, and consider that Lee’s headquarters aro at Orange Coart Houso, and that Custer was etriking for Obarlottesville, ‘with our jarge infantry force at Madison threatening to turn the enemy’s left, he will atrive at the conelusion feints to cover Kilpatrick's attempt, At two A. M. on Monday Custer’s command left camp and pusbed forward across the Rapidan, and by » detour through Stannardsvillo reached within four miles of Charlottesvilleforty miles in twolve houre—where he surprised a camp of Jeb. Stewarts cavairy and horse batteries Attached, These were charged upon at once, and six caissone blown up and all the camp equipage destroyed. Captain Asb, of the Fifth regulars—Custer’s rogiment— Jed hie men in the charge upon the cavairy camp most gallantly, and captured twenty prisoners, Nono of hie One brigade of the Sixth~; afsrLAND BRIDGE. sopuien Bows Poin str % See command were killed or captured, and only one or two slightly wounded. By this time the enemy rallied and opened with shells upon Ash, and followed our troopsas thoy fell back to- ward the Ravenna river, At this point we held, the bridge and crossed a}! our troops, after we had burned three mills and a saddle fac- tory, with much other government property. General Custer now having learned from his prisoners that Stewart was in command there, with nearly all his cayairy and batteries, four or five to his one, was con- vinced that it would be mere madness to pursue his original intention and attempt to destroy the railway bridge and military stores near Charlottesville, and there- fore destroyed the bridge, and ordered his command to fall back toward Madison Court House, by the same route they had come. Steadman’s brigade had the advance, Captain Robbins, of tne First Jersey cavalry, leading the way. It pow began to rain and freeze, and the night was foarfully dark. To keep the road was the most difficult matter. ‘The advance reached Madison shortly after daylight on Tuesday morning, supposing that the remainder of the command was directly in the rear. Genoral Custer, howo1 had some difficulty with crossing streams with hig‘Runs in the extreme darkness, and concluded to wait for daylight. The rebel General Stewart meanwhile, by @ cross cut, intercepted him as he turned @ bend in the road near Stannardsville, and outnumbered him four to one. General Custer charged bim most flercoly with bis thousand gallant fellows, and broke his column, which fled in confusion to the woods. General Custer now brought up his two guns and pitched eight of ten shells soto them, spreading dismay in their ranks. They had no artillery with which to reply, and Genoral Custer, by rapid counter movement, fell back to a byroad, by whieh ho circumventod the,enemy and again led him on ‘the main road to Madison Court House. The rebels followed him; but whenever they came in sight a few shells anda charge from the rear guard aont them flying backward again. Meanwhile, when the guns wero beard, Steadman’s brigade at once returned to the front, hungry and tired as they woro, and mot some of theenemy at tho Rapidan, whom they charged and drove back across the river. The whole party arrived at Madison Court House just before dusk last evening, bringing with them about ive hundved captured horses and fifty prisoners. During the raid they marched over one hundred miles, destroyed a large quantity of valuable property, and made the above captures, without losing a single man. We bad only a fow Slightly wounded, all of them being able to ride home on horseback. They killed threo rebels hat thoy know of, and probably many more, On ‘tuesday the raja foll in torrents all day, and the streams jo that rough, mountainous country were rising rapidly, At dark snow fell in large flakes sufficient to whiten the whole country, making tho roads almost im- passable for horses at any pace beyond a walk, We rode twenty miles into Culpepper, where we arrived'at mid night, wot, tired, hungry and sleepy, This is considered one of the boldest and most suc. »=8- ful cavalry raids of the war, General Custer’s command was made up of detachments of troops who were uearly all strangers to him, and yet he deelares that men never behaved more gallantly In the world. To them ho awards all praise ’ The infantry, under General Sedgwick, deserve the ut- most credit for the vigilant manner in which they held the country thie side the Rapidan, Por them thore was 4 deal of hard work to do, exposed, as they were, to s.orm and cold, with no chance fora fight. They will return to their winter quarters to-day, and a muddy tramp they will bave of it, May General Kilpatrick meet with the same, or ® greater, measure of success a8 General Custer, THE NEWSPAPER DESPATCHES. HLRADQUARTERS, ARMY OF THR Potomac, } Marob 2, 1964. Gon. Custer started with @ force of cavalry on Sunday to make @ reconnoissance towards Gordonsyille, the Sixth army corps, under Gon. Sedgwick, following in support. He passed through Madison Court House on Monday morning, gg, reaching Woifton, » few mile beyond, Cnoountered a rebel picket, which he captured, Passing across tho Rapidan aod Ravenna rivers, in the direction Of Charlottesville, b¢ pie} the epomy withip sree miles under General Stewart, driving them a considerable dis- tance. Captain Ash, of the Fifth United States cavalry (regulars), charged on @ rebel camp near this place with sixty mon, drove the enemy, and burned their tents, six caissons and two barges, and retreated, without the loss of a man. ‘This was one of the boldest fights our cavalry bas made during the war. Finding his small force opposed by infantry, Stewart's cavairy and several batteries, which Opened upon him, ‘and that anumber of trains had just arrived with troops to oppose his advance, he determined to return. After crossing the Ravenna river he burned the bridge, destroyed three flouring mills filled with grain, and fell back towards the Rapidan ; but, bis battory horses giving out, be bad to halt for the might. On nearing the Rapidan the next morning be met a large body of rebel cavalry on the road to Burton's Ford, and skirmished with them for a time, He found the rebels had concentrated their force at this point, when be euddenly wheeled, and, taking the road to Banks’ Ford, crossed without opposition, The enemy followed some distance, but failed to indict any damage. General Custer and his force returned to camp to- day, with only four men wounded slightly, and one rather badly. He captured and brought in about fifty prisoners, a large number of negroes, eome three hundred horses, and, besides, destroyed @ large quantity of yalu- able stores at Stannardsvillo. A number of the rebels were wounded in the ekirmish near the Rapidan. Wasumatew, Maroh 2, 1964, A special despatch from Culpepper to-day says:—Ge- pera) Custer, with fifteen bundred picked mon in light marching order, left Culpepper Court House about two o'clock on Sunday afternoon, al The Sixth and Third corps marched from their winter quarters earlier in the day. The former halted at Madi son Court Houséand threw outa strong cordon of pick- eis, while the latter bivouacked in the veighborhood of James City, and held the line of the Robertson road. About twe A, M. the raiders left their resting place near James City, and took the road for Charlottesville The mon bad been picked from Merritt’s and Gregs’s diwit }, and were well mounted. When they marched up the steop banks of the Ravenna river their coming was unknown aad altogether ubexpected. Before us (the correspondent says) was 4 large cavalry camp, tbe huts arranged with mathematical precision’ and soldterly regulations, Gn one side the horses wore quietly standing, On the other side pleces of artillery were parked, with all the appurtenances neatly arranged, and fp close proximity to the caissons, The Fifth regular regiment, of General Morritt’s old brigade, led the van, Captain Ash, with one squadron, dashed among the comfortable looking huts with reekiess preeipitancy, apd goattered the occapants in all direo- tions. He ordered the men to deploy all they could, and they obeyed their instructions to the vory letter, ther axes Nor rattailed files could be found in his com- mand. It was impossible to spike the guns or chop tho gun carriages to ploces; so they contented themselves with blowing up the caissons and destroying tho camp. In the meantime the enemy were rallying with the ra- pidity an@ real of Gael atthe call of their chief. Sey. oral pieces of artillery were belching forth their destruc. tive notes at the audacious invaders, and tbe main body of Generat Custer’s command coming’ up, the énomy wore driven @ short distance to give us foothold on the crest of the same hill with themsetves. Retweon our troops and the town, the enemy were gathering in great force, Everything warned us to get away as soon as possible, lest it might be our lot to get eurrounded, They had tele. graphed from Oharlottsville'to Orange Court House that uninyited, visitors were there, and ald was needed to expel them from the neighborhood. The aoswor to these despatches Came towards evening in the shape of five car loads of infantry. Thero was nothing loft ua now but speedy retreat. Horses wore whecied about, aud towards sunset the Ravenna was recrossed and the bridge burned. All the mills that could be found ip the veighborhood wore destroyed. In returning, the advance was given to Colonel Stod- man, who commanded the brigade, of five hundred mon, chosen from Genoral Gregg’s division. The night was very dark, and the rain that continued to fall was min- giod with sleet, Gengral Custer, who followed with one thoveand mop, ae of the latter place, where ho charged a body of cavalry | who composed the rempant of his command, got lost in the thick gloom. For eome time they attempted to blunder through @ deop and muddy ra- vine, into which they had estrayed; but when they thought of the two pieces of artillery all hope of getting through with thom was giyeo up. Sherman, with his five hundred men, continued on their course, which, luckily for them, wes correct; and about four o’clock Tuesday morning they reached our infantry pickets, outside of Madison Court House, General Custer, finding it txpossible to proceed farther, bivouscked that night in the woods, while be baited his horses and refreshed his men. Genogg) Stuart, with two thoussnd cavalry men o' Wick- ham'@and Fitzhugh Leo’s brigades, was marching to- wards his rear. Next morning, about nine o'clock, General Custer marched on toward the right road, having found it, and marched upon Itashort distance when he diseovered that Stuart, with his indefatigablo followers, had suc- cceded in getting into hig rear. As they neared Stannardsville, which is about fifteen miles from the picturesque little village of Madison the redol cavalry were seon drawing in line across the road. This meant hostility. For some time the officers of our little command were ata loss what todo, The object of their wearisome and dangerous raid was to draw the rebel cavalry away from the central road to Richmond; but they bad no intention of drawing them so far in their rear, All that bothered our troops was the section of Ransom’s bat- tery, and that lightly impeded their progress. In general council it was proposed to throw these two Parrot guns into the nearest and deepost ditch; but General Custar, protesting, declared be would fight his way through, Ho ordered a charge, which was led by himself in person. The rebele stood their ground manfally, but our two guns now opened on thom and completed their discomiiture, that was fast causing their lines to waver. They fled hastily, and our men pursued them sharply till they reached a othor road, which afforded us a chance for egress. Three rebels were killed in th's charge,and @ considerable num- ber wounded. Many prisoners fell into our hands, somo of whom succeeded igmaking their escape, Colonel Steadman hearing the firing in the direction of Stannardaville, and knowing it mast be Custer, started back with bis baggage, horses and weartea men to the relief of the beloagured party. They proceeded till the enemy was met and Custer discovered to be safe, whoo they also returned without damage. ‘This expedition was highly successfal. The diversion created in favor of Genoral Kilpatrick could not have been greater. The Third and Sixth corps remained on the open ground exposed to all the inclemency of the weather. At one time General Sedgwick was ata lose how to proceed, No intelligence had been received from General Custor, the troops had consumed their scanty store of aupplies, while clouds assumed amore gloomy aspect, At’ inst everything was discovered to be progressing tavorably, and the infautry are by this time on the homeward march, Wasmroton, March 2, 1864, Nothing is officially known of the whereabouts of Gen. Kilpatrick. It ts said in woll informed circies that on Monday he wag at Spottsylvahia Court House, which is sixty-five miles from Richmond, An officer who arrived here to-night from the Army of the Potomac reports that when last heard from be was within eighteen miles of Richmond, This, however, may be mere surmise, as there is no communication by which such a fact coud be ascertained. Custer's movoments wore to deceive or draw off the attention of the enemy while Kilpatrick journeyed in another direction, Tbe supposition fs he got a fair start, with no danger io bie rear, Ho has certainly had sufficient time to reach Rich- mond, if such was ® part of the plaa of operations, SKETCHES OF THE UNION COMMANDERS. SERTOH OF GENERAL KILPATRICK. Brigadier General Judson Kilpatrick, the dashing cay- airy loader, was born near Dickertown, Sussex county, New Jorsey, on January 14, 18: He ja, therefore, but twonty-oight yoars of age. Displaying early in bis youth ‘fa fondness for military lifo, he obtainéd, through tho in- fluence of big fatbor. Colonel S, Kyloatrick, ag admission PRICE THkts UENTS ——— ee into the West Point Military Academy, whenco he gradue ated early in 1861, fourteenth in his clage, Ho entered the United States Army on May 6, 1861, as a second lieutenant of Company C, of the First r: artillery, and on the 14th of May obtained a first hevtea- ancy. He was aliowed leave to accept the captaincy of Company H, Fifth New York Volunteers (Duryeo's Zouaves), and with it participated in the battle of big Bethel, Juno 10, 2861. During this ccutest he was se- verely wounded, On his recovery be was commi Neutenant colonel of the Harrie Light Cavairy of New York Volunteers, with rank from Angust 1, 1961. His ‘Tegiment was soon after attached to the Army of the Potomac and engaged en outpost duty. He wus aftor- wards appointed its colonel. During the Popo campaign with the Army of Virgin Colonel Esoarink's Tegiment was atteched to Gen Jobo Buford prignde. and participated 10 the oper along the banks of the Rappabannock during August, Ale took part in the Maryland under Pleasanton, aud particularly distingu imself whi'e at Falmouth, during Gen, Buraside’s control of the Army of tho Potomn rig | famous Stoneman raid to tho rear of Gen, Lee's rebel army Col. Ki) command- ed the First my of tbe Third div! O: Stoneman’s corps. During this expedition he ted his regimens through the cnemy’s territory, and teok them safely to Gloucester Point, opposite Yorktown, The dagh was full of adven- ture, and see two dundred miles wwave.tawestioe in lees, aur five days. Col. Kilpatrick sucsecded in on three bundred prisoners, with a loss of Snes officer and thirty-seven men, His command ikea back to the Rappahannock by way of Urbannay, making @ detour of tho whole of the rebel army Gen, Lee. For the success of this movement and for other brilliant dashes he was promoted to the rank of Dejgadier general of volunteers, witha commission dating, from June 18, 1863. During the Penusylvania campaign, er rather the movements precedin, it, Gen, Kilpatrick's brigade great- ly distinguished iteelf, especially at Aldie, June 17; Mid- dloburg, June 21, and Hanover, Pa., Joly 1, 1363, Dur- ‘ng the battle of Gettysburg be commanded a division of Plosganton’s cavalry, and was engaged in tho pursuit of the rebels to the Potomac, after which he came to New York city, where he commanded the cavalry foregs in the district during the riot of su, 1863, He commanded an expedition during September, 1868, to recapture the gunboats Satellite ant Reliance, and a8 far as this force was concerned the movement was a com- plete success, During the advapoe of the Army of the Mees in November, 1663, the cavalry were very ac- ly . During January, 1864, Genera) Kilpatrick's division was stationed at Stevensburg, Va., from which place it | Operated vpon the rebel lines. General Kilpatrick ia a man who has suddenly been left alone in the world, About the latter end of 1963 he lost his wife, aud on the 20th of January, 1864, his child died at West Poiut. Previous to that evont he had lost his father, mother, brothers and sisters. He hag met |, With ome narrow escapes during the present war, and hae been wounded geveral timer. BKETCH OF GEN. CUSTER, Brigadier General George A. Custer is a native of Obio, and ig one of the West Point gradu tes of the class of 1861, He is thereforaa very young man, Re entered } the United States army «ea brevet second tleutenant of cavalry, ay@was appointed second Neutenant of the Fifth United States cavalry on .June 24,1961. He wag attached to the Army of tho Potomac, and distinguished himaself in the aftuir at Williamsburg on May 6, 1602 For distinguished services he was on that day nominated fora brevet of Arst Heutenant. During tho reconnots~ ' ance on the Chickahominy river he again distinguished { himself, aud was nominated for a brevet of captain, to } date from May 26, 1802. On July 17, 1862, he was promoted to first lieutenant of Company Sf of the Fifth United States cavalry, having previously been appointed an ald on General McClellan's staif, with the rank of captain, to date from June 5, 1562, In this capacity he gained great credit. He was promoted to the rank of commander of a brigade of cavalry, In the vicinity of Washinxton, under General Stabel, and on June 29, 1583, was appointed by the President’ brivadier genera! of volunteers. He commanded the second brigade of Kilpatrick’s division, during the advance upon Gettysburg, the battle at thas place and the pursuit of the rebels from Pennsylvania, He took an active part in the cavalry fights upon the Rapidan during the fall of 1863, and wag at one time wounded in the lez, but not seriously . During December, 1863, General Caster had charge of tho post of Stevensburg, Va., one of the advance cavalry poats of Meade’s army, When the present expedition was organized Gemerad Cnster was placed in command ef the cavairy civic formerly uader the charge of the late ¢: it Gener: Jobn Buford. sd At the recent battle of Stannardeville he well maine tained the honored name won by this command under their late noble leader, General Custer has but recently returoed from bis wed- ding tour, baying been married only about # month since. SEETCH OF COLONEL DANLGREN. Colonel Uiric Danigren wis born in tho State of Penn- syivania, and is tho son of Admiral Dabigreo, the com mander of the fleet operating off Charlesvon. He ie » Young but dashing officer, and has earned his colonels commission by his bravery. Tue subject of this sketch first came iato notice dering the present war as an aid-decamp, having been ap- pointed on May 20, 1862, to that position from the District of Columbia, with the rank of captain, He wee ordered to report to General Fremont, then at the head of the Mountain Department, and was by bim assigned to the staff of General Rufus Saxton, theo commandin, ® division in. that section of country. Under Genera Fremont Captain Dahigren participated ib the campaign noar Cross Keve, Va., June 8, 1862. When General Free mont was relieved of his command Captain Dab! wag, attached to General Sige!’s stail, aud participated jo the campaign of the Army of Virginia and in. the operations in the valloy before Washington. Captain Dabigren, on November 9, 1863, made a sue- cessful dash into the city of Fredericksburg, at tho Bead of a small force. He sicceeded in taking during this raid a larger number of military prisouers thant which composed bis commend, captured a quantity materiel, besides killing and wounding severa) rebels, During this brilliant expedition he lost but one killed and four missing. _ General Sige! spoke highly ie affair. During the Pennsylvania campnign of JW and July, 1868, Captain Dabigren betiaved with disttuguahed gal- lentry, and was severcly wounded during an engagement pear (Hagerstown, flaally having his leg amputated below the knee. For his gallantry on this occasion be was promoted to the rank of colonel of voluuteers, to date from that particular time, THE CITY OF RICHMOND AND ITS ENVIRONS. Richmond, by last census, had a population of tbirt; oight thousand souls; but the groat influx of civil and military officials and refugees from othor paris of the State has probably raised it toa much higher figure. 16 1s situated at the bead of tide water, at the lower falla of James river, about ove hundred and Afty miles from ite mouth. The city occupies a most picturesque situation, bdetng built on Richmond and Shockoe hills, which are separated by Shockoe creek and surrounded by beautt- fal acenery. It 19 regclarly Inid outand well built, tbe streets, which are lighted with gag, crossing each other at right angles. On Shockoe bill are the State Capitod and other public Duildings. The Capitol is ap impna- ing edifice, aod contains in its central ball Honden's celebrated’ statue @f Washington. On tl are ie the Governor’s mansion rebel go ings, six banks, thirteen no jwepapers hes. In one of the three Presbyterian Davis worships. ‘Tho /alis of James river afford immense water power, and there are very extensive factories, incleding four cotton and about fifty tobacco factories, flour milis, age | wills, forges, furnaces, machine shops, &c., the latter which, and y the Iron Works, have been of immense service to the rebels in turning out ordoance and material of war, The annual exports of Richmond before the rebellion reached nearly seven million dollars, and its imports ot o million; but since it had the Ronor of- being the rebel capital iis foreign commerce bas been extinguished. Vessels or gunboate drawing ten feet can ascend to witbia & mile of the city, at a place called Rockets, Vosseis of fifteen feet draft ascend to Warwiek, three miles below A canal bas been built around the fala, and above them there is navigation for over two hundred miles, The James River and Kanawba Canal, intended to extend to Covington, is eompleted for two hundred miles, Richmond has very extensive railroad communications, chu a deing the terminus of five roade—running to Fredericks: but reand the Potomac, to West Point the York rivers to burg and Nortolic, to Danville, Va.,to Jackson's river, by the Central Ratlroad—and the con- nections lead all through the Southern Sta the city are the two towns 4 Hil soiiaaciate, Richmond was founded in , Mena bee Btates the State of Virginia in 1779, and ja J mies Sst rg ua Ite history since then is only too familiar to the country. around the city are various hills, extending & dis. tance, o the most important of which forti wore drecred in the days of the ‘On to Richmond’ ery, —————— The Bachange of P: mers. Warminctom, March 2, 1864, ‘An important arrangement for the exchange ‘ef pri soners has been going om form some time past. An un- offlcial correspondence has Detween General Butior and tho rebel commissioner, General Ould, ia relation to the matter, This correspondence has reaulted in a declaration of exchange, in which it Is agreed that all prisoners de- livered at City Point up to the 24th of January, 13964, are declared exchanged. Non-Arrival of the Canada. Hauirax, March 2~~ Cana’ pool on the 20th and Queenstown on’ wind north,

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