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The Kilpatrick Raid

The Kilpatrick Raid image
Parent Issue
Day
18
Month
March
Year
1864
Copyright
Public Domain
OCR Text

ï'orktown, Va., March 7th, 1864. Mr. Po.nd :- In my lastro the "Argus" I promised to writo as oon as anything transpirad worthy of np.te, iu wliich the people oí Ann Arbor would ba interes ted. For soma time I had no:iced indicationa of a moveuicnt, being sitüated as I aui, (act ing Quartennaster Sergéint in the División Ordnance Department,) all ordnanoe stores being drawn through this deparkment. Requisitiona were made the last of February for a qnaniity of torpedoc-s, rat-tailed files, turpentice, oakum, and other itiflammablo articles. - Eor what weie tbey to bo used ? and in such haste to ? for the order was for iramediate use. Why, Gen. Kilpatiuck was going on a raid again ; or, perhaps, (as the Hon. J. M. Howard told us in our little Thcatre at Stevensburg,) we were going into Kichraond. Actiiis in the capacity I now do, I had no occasion to go, but love of adventure got tbe better of the comforts of our anug little office, and I bcgged tbe privilege of acoompanying the expedition, which was granted, and on Sunday, at 5 P. M , I was at General Kilpairigk's headquurters, and reported in charge of three six mulo teams, loaded with assorted ammunition. The evening was cold and cheerless, with drizzling rain. In a short time the Cavalry legan (o draw up under their several commanders. It was here that Gen. Kilpatrick gave Col. Daulgren, and Major Cook, their orders. I heard hitu say to the Major, "Good-bye, Major, do this thing up clean for me, and then ask anything you like." Tbc Major replied, as he rode off, " you will find it all right General, depend on me." As his command started, Colonel Dahloken being a crippje, rode in an ambulance. ïheir orders were to go to Eichmpnd by the Jamos River, and signal us, (the otheB commands,) when a rush simultaneously was to be made on the city. But you must have seen by the papers how treachery foiled lts accompüshment. At dark " Kill " was in the sáddle, and the column moved aeross the Rapidan, at Ely's Ford, where we ctiptured the picket post of a Captain and fourteen meü. We were now within their linos, and great caution was necessary ; but we marcbed all night, no restt for we had to get to the rear of Leh's forces. Motiday A. M., we reaclied Beaver Dam and out tho tplegraph. Wp werp npyj n Spottsylvauia County, and created con stornation nmong the inhabitants. On coming to the Railroad, parties were detached iip and down the line todemoüsh it, blow up bridges, &c. The air became full of smoke aá we neared Beaver Dam Station, which was all in flaraes, with a train of cara, hundreds of cord of wood, and evc.ything of value consigned to tlio flan;ea. This day we halted and slcpt for an hour orso, and then continuedour march. The roads were very rough. One of my wagons upset in a creek, and I lost sorae of my ammunition. All aiong tio route the darkies flock to us and snlicit the privilege ot going with us, as tlioy say, to the land of freedom. Ever plantntion on the road has to pay tribute to the " Yanks," acording to their stock, jvhich is never very definitoly ascertained, for time presses, aud we como down on them like " June bugs," cleaning them out of everything in the line of iorage, horses, Diuies, provisions, &e. Tuesday was rainy with sleet. We cross the north branch of the Chickahominy and Pamunky Ilivers, we pass a larga mansion belonging to a Dr. Bassett, whoso darkiea all leave and become contr;bands This is at Ashlaud, and a sign post shows us 17 miles to Richmond. The railroad passes through this place, or ralher it did, for we tore up the track for miles and burned the station. We now cross the south branch of the Pamunky River, on a high bridge My mules being weary the General gave ordert to destroy some of the load, which I did by throwing 2,6 boxes of ammunition into the rirer. After our foraea had crossed the bridge was burned. It was at this place tho rebel Infantry that had been marching in our rear, caught up ; bnt we drove them back and got across the river safely, destroying the bridge aftcr us. They could follow no further. We burn all the bridges we come to and tear up the track of the Fredrickiburg Railroad. Wetake mauy prisoneis out of tho houses along the road, mostly Cavalry, who say they are disbanded tül the 15th of Maroh, to re eruit their horseg. At 3, P. M., we are insïe of th.e outer fortih'cations, and only 2 mile irom the city of Richmondü The ball opens from our batteries aud the rebels. We piek out a camping ground, and lay down to sleep, alraost in range of their guns. I was awakened at 11 P. M., by the boom of cannon, very close ! I started up to find my train deserted by all but my teamsters. I rusüed yp to the General's headquarterp, but found it vacatcd, the lights leffc burning but uo ouo to givc any orders. I knevr no time was lo be lost, so hurried my men to get the multa to the wagons. an,d they did hurry, for by this time tbc grape and eanister came po,urng in. Had they kno-.vn my . train .hail een there they ec-ll bave gobbkd xte np. Nevor did teamsters get ready quioker. Bufc, nowF whero to go to, was the query, we did not kuow tho road our columna had taken, but I chose the one opposite to Ilichmond, and kept ou at doubl? qnick, till we luckily cama up to oy,r men ; we marched till 3 A. M., and then went nto camp and slept till morning. Wednesday - tho snow had fallen in the night, bufc fast disappeared by the warm sun that carne Out ia the morniög. Uaving well rested and caten a good breükfast, we start again towards th.e White House Landing, Pass the "old House Hotel " and Post Office on the "Piping Ford " road. Cross the Chickahominy. We are trying to get to Gen Butler's lines. Thp remnant of Major Cook's commaud oveïtake us, and we hear of the loss and capture of Colonel Daiiloren, Major Cook, and half their men. This for the time throivs a gloom along the lines, ubich up to the time had been very bouyant. We try to go across the Paniunky, but the rebs have destroyed the bridge. The General goes with a negro to see a ferry boqt, but finds that it would take too long to get over 4,000 men and horses that way - This evening the rebs attacked our outside picket reserve and captured soveral of the 7th Micbigan and lst Vermoot Cavalry. We can.ped for the night without anything to mar the res$ of our wearied soldiers. Thursday - a fiuo morning, we starfc at 8 A. M. Meet Butler'h troops coming to our aid. Tliey have eight regiments of colored Infantry, two regiinents of Cavalry, and two batteriea. We were glad to soe thern (f they were black.) They make good looking goldiers, and are well drilled. We are now at New Kent Court House. Halt for two or three hours, and theD take the raad ta Williamsburg. We have three men shot tbis day by " bushwliackers." We camp for the night at a place called "Burnt Ordiuary," 10 miles from Williamsburg. Friday - boots and saddles at 7 A. M. March to Williamsburg, arrived at 10, au old city, with verv fiae old buildings, many covered with ivy. Tha place is under military rule, and in charge of a Provost Marshal. I noticed two fine monuments, ono, so oíd I could not decipher the inscriptiou, but was told it was ereoted to the memory of the first Grovernor of Virginia ; the other a tall marble column, was over tho remains of Jjucien MiNon, a Law Professor and an dooate of Teuiperanee ; it was erectej by the " Sons of Temperance " of tho city of Williamsburg. Leaving this place, we come to " Fort Magruder." It was here that McClellan bad a big fight. The forcea at this point are under the comraand of Colonel Speahs. We do not stay here, but march on to Yorktown, where we irriye at 4 P. M. As we r.ear this place the sight is bcautiful. On mounting the hill, the York River comes into sight leadmg out into the Ohesapeake Bay. - The scène is novel to raany of our men and they are gtruck with adrairation a they see the many boats plying on the water. Yonder is a fleet of oyster boats; here and there are anchorec transports ; thpse two, grim lookiüg ob jects up the river aro Únele Sani's gunboats; moorud out in tlje niiddle of l-tw stream is an ironclad; whilü hundreds of small boats flit about in all directions, While looking with all the eyes I had bang! goes a gun frora the Fort. It is the evening gun and tells th;it the city of Yorktown is clojed for tho night to all not having the counfereign, so I have to aefer the plessure of going tlicre till the pjorning. Saturdny - a ppiendid nioniing, the títrrt carolipg their pleasant notes, tbe sun viry warm, makiiig t perfect spring, tbe river is resplendeut with tbe many different eraft flos.ting, witb their wbite canvass and showy ensigns tbrovvn to tbe bréese. I mount cny horse and take a ride to the Fort. Yorktown s a Fort naturally, out tbe labor of our forces has made it, I think, irupregnablo. Tbirty sL pounders are pla.ced all around it, witb their ugly lookiog moutbs pojnting la every direction. iDside are numerous guDs of smaller calibre. There are manys ladies living hcre, fceüng perfectly secure, and well they may. On the outside of tho town are numerous camps, mostly of colored troops. Look at tbose long rows of eabins, hundreds n number. I ask an oíd man wbat troops are stationed tbere; that's "Slabtown," says he, and tbose are negro buts. So off I ride to see for myself a specimen of oíd Bdtler's negro einancipaíion acttlements. The streets are laid nut regularly, about four r.ods wide. - Eacb cabin is about 12x18 feet, and one story high. They aro all built of pine slabs, and tbe roofs are of the same. - They each have an alley between, of 4 feet. Many are whitewashed, and with neat fences rouud them. The interiora are generally neat aud clean. The streets are kept swept, and everythitig shows good discipline on the part of the authorrtïes. It was a funny sight to see so jgany negroes together, for in the town tfieje is between 2 and 3000. They are of ail shades, from the darkest ethiops to tiie fairest octoroons. Ch ldren are seen in great numbers, some as black as ebony, turabling around without goeming lo care o wieb for anj tbing hvti ing, in a stato of almost nudity, white some aro aa white as any of our fair daughters of Michigan, with fine curly ringlets daocing around their chubby aüd pretty faces. These pcople havo nearly all been slaves, and thoso that were born free say that they were no better till our forcea gained posessïon. They work chiefly for tke government. Soma fish and drag for oysters; some work at trades, and are vcry handy. They have their o,wn stores, post office, schools, church, in faet everything that can be desired, and I must say I never Baw a more contented set of people anywhere. I think I have been long enough at S'labtown, and sp will go and get some oysters. Wel!, I've been and got over a bushei, and have not taken an hour. - As tho tide was out I picked them up with r.iy bands; they are very plenty. After eating my oystcrs I went to bed and was aroused by an aid-deoamp of General Kilpatiuck's, with orders to have a wagon loaded to go on the boat to Suffolk. I dispatehed it with three trusty men. I ascertained that a de'achment of all the best horses of every oommand was going on soine expedition of " Kill V' He had been down to Fortrcss Monroe, in the morning, to see General Butler. After they had started I went to bed again and slept lili mornng. Sunday - a cold morning. There are a quantity of tropps both black aud white eaying on the transport?. After the bustle of their leavÍDg, quiet reigr.ed and every thing bore the appearance of the Sabbath. The negroes dressea in their best clothes, and taking their walks, looked very comfortable. Mouday- a military execution On going iuto Yorktown this morning I sanan unujjual stir and cleaning up. On inquiry, I found out a man was to be shol, and asking the particulars, wastold tho uufortunate man's name was Thomas Abrásis, a private in the 139th New York Volunteers. His crime was aiding the escapo of one Boyle, of the New Yoik Mounted Rifles, froni Fort Magruder, who was under sentenco of death ; also giving the said Boyle itiformation of a proposed movement of Col. Speaus on Riohmond, which he carried to the rebs and fustrated the design. ín a short time the drums beat, and the men marehed to an open space on the outside of the Fort, formed in two lines about 100 yards apart, thebatteries forming across tho end, leaviug it three sides of a bollow square, with the end open towardj the river. At 11 o'clock the prisoner was brought from the Fort, in a wagon carrying a coffin. He was accompanied by a minister. As they ueared the place of execution, he g;ized arouud, apparently indifferent. The wagon drove into tho space and stopped; the minister got out, when the prisoner, tfaangb his hands were thackled, jumped over the side nitublv and took his tion besido the eoffin ; the sentonce was then read, yfter 'fljiofl the firing party, lb..t liad accompanied the wacn, walked up and faced the prisoner, about 3 rods distant. lie then knelt with the mlnis ter in prayer for a few minutes. An offioer ihqn toük a whito haudkerchiof and folded it over h3 eyes ; the prisonei then, ky bia njfa wish, took off his coat, leaving his breast bire gave a white shirt. After shaking hauda wifch the chaplain and oñicers, he seated hiniself comfortably 011 the eoffin, and all withdrew to a short distance T'io word was given, "ready," " aim," " fire," and the poor wretch tbrew up his hands, and feil back across the coffin. I rode up to see hiin; not a move was discernible after the volley ; it seemed as if every shot took effect ; his sliitíi was riddled, but not a stain of blood was to be seen. Hp was a brave man, must have bceu to meet deatli so coolly. Pity ha had uot died in action, that his friends and family might reveré liia momory. This is eveuing, and I am writing this on some Jsojes of cartridges, by the fire out in the open air, and the wind keeps my candió fiickering. The transporta have come back and landed the troops on the othcr side of iho rjver, and we are going to-morrow, report says b:ick to Stevensburg, by the wá' el Ëort Donway. The boys from Ann Arbor that are with us are well. We left Gukgory and Egölesïon back in camp, siek. - John Sinclair is very weak, looks bad, ie will eocn get his disebargo I tbinlc; he would before this, only that his papers were not made out right. I have wriiten more tban I iutended, but hope that vour readers will bear with me patiently, Ibr I labor under every diffioulty in writing a '.etter, as I am now situated. Hoping you will mako duo allowance, I jeg to remain, Yours,

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Subjects
Old News
Michigan Argus