The New York Herald Newspaper, March 6, 1864, Page 1

~ THE NEW YORK HERALD. © WHOLE NO. 10,032. QORDONS UA “HUPATRICK’S EXPEDITION. Brilliant Movements of the Union Cavalry Forces, Their Dash Through the Rebel Territory. The First Line of the Rich- mend Defences Passed. Reinforcements of the Enomy Within the City. General Kilpatrick Shells the Rebel Capital. Colonel Dahlgren Destroys the James River Canal and Other Property. Smmense Destruction ef the Rail- reads and Telegraphs. VALUE OF THE EXPEDITION. General Kilpatrick’s Official Despatch, &e., ae. &e. fhe recent expedition from the Army of the Potomac, hetanding the fact that the rebel capital has not sacked, has been productive of a great deal of dam- ge to the eneny. The forces commenced moving on ‘Thursday evening, February 26p but the general move. ment did mot take piace until Saturday, the 27th, when infantry forces, under Gen. Sedgwick, loft camp near Gitveptee Goats tase for Madison Court House, a town to the southwest of the of Gon. ‘He was followed the next day by a division unm- Major Gon. Birney, rigade of infantry, with a small force of cavajry, pres oe Court House; but the main force was along the heights of Robertson’s river, from ‘whieh poaltion pickets were sent out to the right and WA, Birney’s division occupied James City, a small pleco weet of Culpepper Court House, and thus completed ‘Mo mullitory lige pa northerly direction. GENERAL CUSTER’S MOVEUBNTS. While these movements were being made a force of cavalry, under Ger. Custer, pusned forward by way of Madigon Court House, in;the direction of Charlottesville— an important junction which connects the railroad run- ning north from Lynchburg with the Orange and Alexan- dria Railroad, The capture of this place and the destrug- tion of the tracks running south, woat and east, with the ‘Cutting of the telegraph, would have sovered the com- maunication between Gon, Lee's army and the rebel capi- tal by this route, and this movement, with the destruc. tion of railroad preperty effectedby General Kilpatrick, would have entirely isolated that army from its base of ‘supplies. GENERAL KILPATRIOR'’S START. About the same time that General Caster moved, Gen- eral Kilpatrick, at the. bead of a force of cavalry and horse artillery numbering somewhere near eight thou- wand men, left Culpepper Court House for Stevensbarg, thence to the Rapidan river, which he crossed near Ger- manna Ford, pursuing the road to Robertson's Tavern, HE CROSSES THE RAPIDAN AND MOVES ONWARD. On Saturday night, February 27, General Kilpatrick's command encamped at Old Verdiorsville,on the Fred- @ricksburg and Orange Court House piaok road, eight miles south of the Rapidan, Om Sunday morning the force demonstrated in front of the enemy's works upon Mine run, deployed as infantry, in order to cause the enemy to mass in that locality to resist attack. In this capacity they acted all day, and at night rested ina tired and safe position between Verdiersville and Robert- fon’s Tavern, At three o'clock on Monday morning General Kilpatrick took up his line of march along the road to Spotteylvania Court House, en rowle for the janction of the Virginia Central andthe Richmond and Fredericksburg railroads. The command arrived at Spottsylvania Court House at about dark, COLONEL DARLGREN’S COMMAND DETACHED. From this point Colonel Dahigren, with a selected de- tachment from the cavalry, was despatched to Frede- rickshall, midway between the junction of the above named roads and Gordonsville, where had been parked the whole of the rebel reserve artillery. Colonel Dabl- groo, having strack the railroad at this place, com- menced tearing up the tracks, demolishing the bridges and otherwise destroying the line of travel along this road as far as Hanover Junction, General Kilpatrick mado his way to the Richmond and Fredoricksburg Railroad, near the Mattapony bridge, and there began his work of dostruction, which he continued atong the line of the road as far as the Pamunkey river. THE RAILROADS DESTROYED. ‘These two operations destroyed over forty miles of Tailroad, and entirely severed the communication bo- tween tho rebel army and Richmond, The great valueof those railroads to the rebels consisted in their power of transporting supplies to Lee’s army. At Hanover Junction the two roads intersect, both leading to and from Richmond, These roads destroyed for such a dis. tance prevents supplies being sent from Richmond direct by rail, and tho turnpike ronds are at this time in RO Condition for the movement of wagon trains. There is bat one railroad now open for rebel nse, and that leaves Richmond on the south, and connects at Lynohburg with the road from Charlottesville. It was the intention that the force under General Custer should have destroyed this road; but his engagements with General Job Stuart's obel cavalry prevented him from carrying out his pare of tho oxpedition, As it ia it will requiro two hundred and six miles to be travelled over to reach Gordonsville from Richmond ; whereas by the destroyed road the jour- hey Was Only seventy-six miles, a little over one-third the distance. If hongatreet is in Richmond, as has been stated, he exanot Joia Lee exoopt by this route, The distance from Gordonsville t@ Culpepper Je twooty-eix Bileg, NEW YORK, SUNDAY, MARCH 6, 1864. eee ARN oy COLONEL DARLGREN’S ADVANCE CONTINUED. The command from Frederickshall pushed onwards to- wards Richmond by one road, while the forces under the immediate superintendence of General Kilpatrick took the route from’ the railroads which they bad destroyed. As the two columns moved along towards the rebol capital the intention was that they should ¢o-operate ia the attack upon that place; but the guide who led Colonel Dabigren’s column treacherously took it in the wrong di- rection, aad thus the troops found themselves iu the vi cinity of Goochland and far to the west of Richmond instead of being close to that city, Having punished their traitorous guide by a speedy suspension from the Dearest tree, the command then moved towards the rebel capital by the river road, destroying as much of the canal as possible and all the boats they could find while on their way, and inflicting great damage to the Property of some of the rebe! official Everything in the shape of forage, stores, supplies or storehouses were con- ‘signed to the flames, and devastation was spread on all sides, This unfortunate straying from the right path pre- vented Colonel Dahigren from arriving at the place of attack until too late to be of service. GENERAL KILPATRICK PUSHES ONWARD. Meantime General Kilpatrick moved down the Rich- mond ‘und Fredericksburg Railroad, by way of Ashland, whore he destroyed more of the track and telegraph, and reached the chief city of Rebeldom by the road running along Broo! creek, The people in that city had, however, been aroused through # warning they had received from one of the tele Graph operators along the read south gf Hanover Junction, and were ready to receive the cavalry when they made their appearance, Had jonel Dabigren been Able to have co-operated in time on the other side of the city the rebels would not have been able to have concen- trated their full force on,.the side at which General Kil- patrick attacked, BE REACHES THE REBEL CAPITAL. Geteral Kilpatrick's command dashed through the first line of the enemy’s works, capturing the garrison as he did so; but when he attacked the next line of defences he was met with @ resistance from artillery that would have ‘been fearfully destructive to bis command if he bad at- tompted to persist in bis movement. He, however, took good care to throw a few of his shells into the rebel city, after which he most unwillingly withdrew bis command from the place, and took up his line of march for Mechan- fosville, en route for the peninsula, While resting near the former place his camp was shelled by the rebels, and he was compelled to move away during the night, REBEL REINFORCEMENTS. Whilo engaged in his attack he beard the shrill whisties of the trains which wore bringing up rebel reinforcements from the peninsula, and this fact, heightened by the ua- fortunate failure of Colonel Dablgren to reach the spot, Prevented him (rom continuing the attack, GENERAL BUTLER SENDS CO-OPERATING FORCES. On the same day that General Kilpatrick was to have attacked Richmond General Butler sent up a force to form a junotion with him. These troops did not reach him in time to do any good, as they did not arrivo in the Vicipity of Richmond watil after he had withdrawn from the attack. On Taesday night Gonorai Kilpatrick, while moving towards the peninsula, met some of these (orces, and the next day the united commands pushod down towards Fortress Monroo, Whon he roached Yorktown, General Kilpatrick tele- graphed to General Butler in brief the result of his expe dition, which the latter General embodies in his despatch to the President as foliows:— GENERALS KILPAPRICK'S AND BUTLER'S DESPATCHES, Hrapquarrins, Fortnnss Monnom, Maroh 4, 1964, To Tam Preepert—I forward the annexed account froth Genoral Kilpatrick :— Yonr own, March 4, 1804. HeNBRALO}, Dadigron was directed to make a diyer- tacked at four P, M. Tuesday, and drove the enemy in on Richmond, The main attack having failed, Col. Dabigren attempted to rejoin me near the Meadow bridge. He and Col, Cook were with the advance guard. Some fifty men became separated from his main force, since which nothing bas been heard from him. ‘The main force reached me with slight loss, Tbave hopes that he may yet come in. J. KILPATRICK, Brigadier General Commanding Expedition, In addition, a rebel doesertor informed one of my aids that @ one-legged colonel and about one bundred men were taken pris 5 Teball bear bysfag of truce on Sunday night, and will telegraph agzin, BENJ. F. BUTLER, Major General Commanding. Col. Dabigren has not yet been heard of, further thaa it is rumored be has been captured; but of this fact General Kilpatrick expresses some doubts, : THR RESULT. The expedition is far from being a failure, except 80 far ae it may have r a to the capture of Richmond. The destruction of railroad, telegraph wire and rebel pro- perty has been enormous; and if accidents, entirely be- yond the control of Gen. Kilpatrick , had aot occurred the whole programme would certaialy Lave been carried out to the letter. Gen. Kilpatrick bas certainly acted bravely, and proved himself to be the dashing officer whieh he bas always been supposed to be during this war, NEWSPAPER ACCOUNT. The much talked of raid by Goneral Kilpatrick has ended with failure ag to the main result intended to be accomplished, but with success in cutting the railroads between Lee's army and Richmond, and the destruction of much Broperty, stores, &c.,and the actual shelliog of Richmond, Starting on Sunday, at three o’clock in the morning, from camp, with five thousand cavalry. picked from his own jenerals Merritt's and Grogg’s divisions, he pro- ceeded to the Rapidan, crossing at Ely’s Ford. From thence the column marched to Spottsyivania Court House, which place was reached without encountering any of’ the enemy. rom Spotsylvania Court House to the end of his dar- i urney he was more or less harassed by the rebels, agd freqhently found that his lines had fallen in very un- pleasant places. at the place last named the command was divided into different parties, who were to scour the country as they proceeded towards a common centro— Richmond. Kvery road was to be carefully scouted, that no concealed foes, even in small numbers, should be leit behind so as to concentra orry him. The expedition carried with them but two or three feods oach for their horses, and about as many days’ ra- tions for the men, the General being detormined that for once the celebrated order, subsist on the enemy's coun- try, should be faithfully executed. ‘On Mor La reached the Virginia Railroad, and tore up the track in four places, destroying whatever pro- perty was useful, At Frederickaball, on the Central Railroad, they came 1, peacefully holding its sessions, and upon a court mart! captured a colonel, five captains and two lieutenants. Heneral Lee had passed over tho railroad on hie be od his army but en hour before our men reached As they passed through the country in the most good HAlared Way, questioning many as to whether any Yanks had been seen there lately, the inhabitants could not believe it was Lincotn’s cavalry who were paying them a visit. ‘The negroes generally were delighted, and, many, in the Presence of their owners, asked to be allowed to go along. A large number were thus gathered together who cheor- fully trudged wlong with the cavairy, delighted at gaia- ing their freedom. . Occasionally Union’ families were on- conntered who gave valuable Information and freely ofered what they had to eat and drink. Leaving Frederickshal! on Monday they pushed on for Richmond—a detachment of five nundred mi Colonel Habigren keoping well to the right, in the direc: tion of Louisa Court House, while General Kiipatriok, with the main body moved upon Ashland, both partics scouring (he country thoroughly, and deing ail porsible be) 8 neared Richmond the two main partics ntrating. Colonel Dahlgren was to move ight of Richmond, destroying as much of 0 James Kiyer Canal as porsible; then, taking sh river Scene of the Recent Operations of the Union Cavalry Forces Within the Lines of the Enemy—Tho Dash Upon Richmond and Its Defences PRICE FOUR CENTS. KILPATRICK’S CAVALRY EXPEDITION. 6 eroee Te possibie aod enter the olfy from the and attempt the deliverance of the prisoners isle, | Kilpatrick, with the main body, was to attack u y by the Brooxs turnpike, simultancously If pos- siple with the other movement. it was hoped to reach the city on Monday nighit or early the following morning, when a partial if not a total surprise could be effected. Two of those fatalities which more than once during this war have snatched su 8 from the very grasp of those who by their valor and daring have richly de- served the victor’s crown interposed to preveat the consummation of one of the best conceived and most brilliant plans of the whole war. Colonel Dabigren had taken a negro to pilot him to Richmond, His detachment fad rapidly moved across the country, destroying barns, f and everythiog which could possibly be of service to — Push- ben fender Richmond as soon as le, Colo- nel Dabigren discovcred that his negro guide had betray. ed him, and led him rd Gooohtand instead of to Rich- mond, and Tuesday m{inight found himséle miles in jost the opposite direction from that which he wished to take. ‘The negro was promptly hanged for his basenees. Exasperated by this treachery, the men burned the barns and outbuildings of Johh A. Seddons, the rebel Secretary of War, and it is, perhaps. fortunate that the a bimceif wag oot present. Retracing bis steps, ionel Dahlgren marched down the river road, ore ing the Dover flour milis, several private flouring esta’ Hishments and saw mil's. His force also did considerable injury to the James River Canal, bu canal boats and seriously damaging one or two loc ‘They did not reach the iramediate vicinity of Richmond {ill afternoon, whon everybody was on the alert, Kilpa- trick having already made his attack. Colonel Dahigren's detachment was divided into several parties for the accomplishment of differeat objects, keep- ‘Ing together, however. One party attempted to cross the river, but were repulsea. A very sharp fight ensued, ‘and, finding the enemy in Oe tor Dumber and con. fronting them ou every road, the force was compelied to fall back. in gttempting tocut their way out Colonel Dahigren | Ge Foo Of tye Segond New York, with about one hundred and dfty met, Qo} separated from tho rest The other detachments pacceeded if re.gine General Kilpatrick, but nothing bas been heard of This vzt: The people on the road and some of the prisoners aver that @ colonel who had but one leg was captured by the rebels. If so, it is feared he must have been wounded re entertained that with his ceual cut his way through with at least nd Atty men. Meanwhile General iipatrick had advanced down the Brooks turnpike from Ashland, having torn up the rails at that point, destroying the telegraph as he marched, At one of the stations, however, the operator succeeded in sending a despatch to Richmond aunouncing that the Yankees were coming. He was 4 prisoner in loss than fifteen minutes, but that short time put Richmond on the qui rive; and it bas since been ascertained that abo dozen field Pieces were put in battery aud a intrenchment thrown up while awaiting his arrival. ——$ $$ but stron, The troops + ach | the outer fortiications early on Taesday morn ‘. ds the spires and houses of the city came jn y W,c our upon went up from our men. Riding pid Wwward the city, the outer lice of The rebels therein threw down their arms, ma: y of ‘hom surrendering and others taking to their heels A fight thon «raed (or the next ling, but the batteries wore too mucti or ‘hem: and go with bis battery General Kilpatrick opencd u son them and the city. There is no doub: that the men would have dashed upon and over anything that stood In their 80 on- thusiastic had they become, but General Kilpatrick acted the wiser part. ond a3 the ehrill whistle of the locomo- tive told of the bringing up of re.enforcements from Pickett’s brigac@, at Bottom’s Bridge and vicinity, be Eetuetantly Give tho ofder (o movo towards Mechinics- lo. v ™ ‘That this was dificult to do soon became apparcnt, Un every road the enomy’s pickot confronted them, and arories of manwuvyres took place, io which the enemy wore found to be on tho alert at every point. Night coming on, Kilpatrick, with his accustomed audacity, halted and’ made preparations tocarop, Fe had chosen a place, Sewerer, (00 pear a rebel camp, and of this fact ho was rotninded by being shelled out of his position, So the comynand groped its way on in the darkness and gloom, aud with tho teil-talo whistle ot the locomotive how waruing them that trcope were being harried back to Bottom’s Fridge ja tho hope of catting off their retreat, ‘On Monday General Butler received orders to sénd out A foree to most Coueral Kilpatrick and assist him if neces. sary. This movemont was part of General Kilpatrick's plan as proposed. Hl he known of or even expected & foree at New Kent Court House or at Rottom’s Bridge he wourd not have then turned away from Richmond, but | would have treatet ‘emeral Butler's forces to a felt for | phe same prize, works was evi rod a Two thousand infantry, under Colonel Dunkin, Fourth United States colored regiment; eight handred cavalry, under Colonel Spear; Fleventh Pemmsylvania cavalry, au Belger’s First Rhode Island battery, the whole under command of Colonel West, were ordered to New Kent Court House, there to be governed by circumstances as to further movements, ‘the infantry colored troops jefe on Monday afternoon, and reached Kent Court Hou bout noon the feo oye Ke hi : 7 a an cxtraor- dinary night march through rain and mud. The cavalry le"t Williameburg Monday night and ar- rived Tuesday morning. About eight o'clock Tuesday afternoon Col. Speir took @ portion of his cavalry force and proceeded to Tunstall Station, where he destroyet a new steam saw mill and its machivery, burned a freight, oar and twenty thousand feet of lumber. é “a ‘On Tuesday night a portion of Kilpatrick’ discovered, but not knowing whether they We » rebels or preparations were made to give them ~ warm recer- tion, On Wednesday moruing the que ¢ion was solved, aoe ae ee eeade “drken 7, “ne; ia-am both sides iz = 2 gal eive them the mutual cheers were defend ia esate ig incident fs marked ‘em the fact that heretofore the Army of the Potor_ee, ani particularly the cavalry, have entertained “4 marked dislike to colored troops. After resting ® while they resumed their march down n. : The force picked up om the way one of the escaped Richmond prisoners, a Colonel Watkins, of an Ubio regi- ment. into camp a few miles (rom Fort The ge went bom eve 1 ome oy and bh vom A were to move iamsburg for 1 rr ar and rations and resting the command. aera ree ‘This raid has been one of the most daring of the war, &nq but for the two fatalities mentioned would ba‘ jed a compl ni m™m ot being removed. duriag the win ae eat title see ed during the t jt being given to the mon, “ iid ppc ‘The men made themselves quite at home with the in- habitants, and the stock of poulti ‘Xo. , has some. what decreased. The peorle geateall ‘were given to lying—pone of them haying anytl ont for man or horse, Among other acquisitl large plies of Qonfederate money were secured and squandered with a = bofitting their easy acquisition. One party ® Supper for eight, comprising , dollars. gray backs people was four 7 gray! _ The ratio with the for one of greenbacks. A large number found their way along with the commend, and macys soldier bas mementos of Richmond, gathered inside fortifications. Over five hundred prisoners were taken, Dut from the nature of the expedition it was impossible to bring them in. ‘The casualties have not yet been ascertained. Colopel em, Major Cook and Lieutenant Colonel Litchfield, with about one handred and firty men, are missing. The latter officer is known to have been wounded. warded Dan! ‘Too much praise cannot be, ay capture Rod fon. ‘he i coneteenation eae ae io Weta a Sre'tenting, as woll itm men ve. fled er thete prey—the rebel capital—feet thas they would bave been rig Tony va if the au- thorities at Washington bad permitted General Butler to co-operate with them and keep picket infantry employed down the peniasula, GENERAL SHERMAN’S EXPEDITION. mannan Retarn of the Seventeenth Army Corps to Jackson—Destruction of Ratireads, &e., de. Caino, T., March 5, 2864, A private letter received at Memphis, from Vicksbarg 27th ult,, says the Seventeenth army corps, under com- ‘mand of General McPherson, is back at Jackson, wher¢ it 8 expected to remain for the present. General Sherman and the remainder of bie foree ar@ Algo en route for the same place. ‘ All the railroads oo General Sherman's route ore utterly destroyed. Wasnrvotow, March 5, 1604. ~ The government had, up to noon to-day, receiwd n@ recent official information in relation 9 Geo, Shermea,