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OR, Ser. I, Vol. XXXIII, pp. 170-176 |
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HEADQUARTERS
ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, April
8,
1864. COLONEL: I have the honor to submit herewith the reports of
Brigadier-General Kilpatrick and subordinate officers on the recent expedition
organized from this army with a view to effect the liberation of our prisoners
in Richmond: About the middle of February, when in Washington, I was informed by the
honorable Secretary of War that His Excellency the President was very anxious to
have his amnesty proclamation distributed within the enemy's lines, and that he
had sent for Brigadier-General Kilpatrick to confer with him on the
practicability of accomplishing this object in connection with a cavalry
expedition. On my return to camp General Kilpatrick submitted, through the chief of
cavalry, his project hereto annexed (marked A). Having ascertained from reliable
sources that Richmond was comparatively defenseless, having only about 3,000
local militia with some field batteries and a small force of cavalry, and that
Hampton's division of cavalry, numbering not more than 1.500 men, were the only
troops of Lee's army at Fredericksburg and between there and Richmond, I thought
it practicable by a rapid and secret movement that Richmond might be carried by
a coup de main, and our prisoners
released before re-enforcements from either Petersburg or Lee's army could reach
there. Instructions were accordingly given to General Kilpatrick (marked B).(*) At the same time the Sixth Corps, Major-General Sedgwick, was advanced to
Madison Court-House, and a cavalry command, 1,500 strong, under
Brigadier-General Custer, pushed toward Charlottesville, in advance of
Kilpatrick's movement, to distract the enemy's attention and prevent the
detachment of any force toward Richmond. It is believed these plans succeeded
perfectly so far as deceiving the enemy. General Kilpatrick reached Richmond
without opposition, and his approach was unknown till very near the city. Before
arriving at that point he had detached Colonel Dahlgren, in command of 500 men,
to cross the James River above Richmond, and move down the south bank, and
before reaching the vicinity of Richmond he detached Major Hall with 450 men to
attack a force of the enemy near Ashland. On reaching the city General Kilpatrick found himself opposed by infantry
and artillery, which, in his judgment, rendered any attempt at forcing an
entrance extremely hazardous. He accordingly <ar60_171> made no serious
attempt to enter, but, after some slight and insignificant skirmishing, withdrew
his command and hurriedly made his way to Williamsburg. Colonel Dahlgren, having been deceived by his guide, was unable to cross
the James, but, following down the left bank, endeavored to enter Richmond about
the time of the withdrawal of Kilpatrick. Dahlgren pushed forward vigorously,
but the night overtaking him and hearing nothing from Kilpatrick, whose guns he
had heard early in the afternoon, he withdrew and attempted to rejoin the main
body. The next day Dahlgren became separated from his command, and being
ambushed near King and Queen Court-House himself fell mortally wounded, and the
small force with him (some 70 or 80 men) fell into the hands of the enemy. The
rest of his detachment, under the command of Captain Mitchell, New York cavalry,
after encountering numerous bodies of the enemy, succeeded in rejoining
Kilpatrick's main force at Tunstall's Station, on the York River Railroad. Captain Mitchell's report is herewith submitted, and attention called to
the admirable manner in which he handled his small command. The report of Brigadier-General Custer, whose expedition to the vicinity
of Charlottesville was perfectly successful, is also transmitted herewith. (*) On the return of Brigadier-General Kilpatrick, I caused a thorough
inspection of his command to be made, and submit herewith the report of the
inspection, showing the number of horses lost and disabled, together with the
number of lost arms and equipments. I also forward a nominal list of the killed, wounded, and missing in
General Kilpatrick's command. It is believed the number of killed (2) and
wounded (12) will be increased when the missing are finally accounted for. There
were no casualties in General Custer's command. I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, GEO.
G. MEADE, Col. E. D. TOWNSEND, [Inclosure
No. 1.] HDQRS.
CAVALRY CORPS, ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, February
17, 1864. Major-General HUMPHREYS, Chief
of Staff, Army of the Potomac: GENERAL: In obedience to the instruction of the major-general commanding,
of this date, I have the honor to state that the plan proposed by
Brigadier-General Kilpatrick in the inclosed communication is not feasible at
this time. When the Stoneman raid was made last year, General Lee's army was closely
engaged with the Army of the Potomac at Chancellorsville, and the country was
clear, yet the damage done by that raid was repaired in a few days, while the
loss to the Government was over 7,000 horses, besides the equipments and men
left on the road. Had this force been retained for the Gettysburg campaign the
results would have been more decisive. <ar60_172> General Kilpatrick might succeed in cutting the telegraph from Lee's army
and from Fredericksburg to Richmond, but the telegraph by the way of
Gordonsville and Lynchburg would soon notify the rebels in Richmond that our
cavalry was out, and before Kilpatrick could do much damage their vulnerable
points would be secured. For the success of such an expedition I would be
willing to sacrifice the number of horses required, but in the present state of
the roads and the facilities the rebels have, with their army disengaged and
distributed for frustrating such an effort, I cannot recommend it. In reference to the President's proclamation, I will most willingly
undertake to have it freely circulated in any section of Virginia that may be
desired. I do not think I am promising too much in naming even Richmond. I am in the receipt of information from the James River which is
satisfactory to me that the amnesty proclamation is freely circulating in
Virginia, but that the people are so watched as to prevent much action as yet on
their part. As an instance is mentioned a strong Union man at Howardsville, who
has $160,000 in coin secreted, but who has never been able to escape with it. I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, A.
PLEASONTON,
[Sub-inclosure.] A. HEADQUARTERS
THIRD DIVISION, CAVALRY CORPS, February
16, 1864. Capt. E. B. PARSONS, Acting
Assistant Adjutant-General, Cavalry Corps: CAPTAIN: In compliance with orders from headquarters Cavalry Corps, I have
the honor to report that on the morning of the 12th instant I proceeded to
Washington City and reported to the President of the United States, as directed
in an order dated headquarters Cavalry Corps, February 12, 1864. By direction of the President I afterward reported to the honorable
Secretary of War and submitted, at his request, the following plan as, in my
opinion, the most practicable to accomplish the double purpose of distributing
the President's amnesty proclamation to the rebel command in our front, and to
the inhabitants of Virginia in the various counties about Richmond; as also to
destroy, as far as practicable, the enemy s communications, and attempt the
release of our prisoners at Richmond. Plan.--I
propose, with a force of not less than 4,000 cavalry and six guns, to cross the
Rapidan River at Ely's Ford and proceed to Spotsylvania Court-House, from that
point to send a sufficient force of cavalry to destroy the Virginia Central
Railroad at or near Frederick's Hall, to prevent infantry re-enforcements being
sent from Lee's army, scouts having been sent to cut the telegraph on crossing
the Rapidan River; also to send a force to destroy the Fredericksburg railroad
at or near Guiney's Station, the telegraph on this road having also been
previously destroyed. These parties, and others that it may be found necessary
to detach, will scatter the proclamation along the line of march. With the main
force I propose to move to Carmel Church and cross the North Anna River near
that point, destroy the railroad bridge 3 miles below, and proceed to
<ar60_173> Hanover Junction, unless the force stationed there is found to
be too large, in which case I will avoid that point. The force sent to Guiney's
Station will join me at Carmel Church. The force sent to Frederick's Hall will
proceed to Goochland Court-House, destroy the canal, cross the James River,
proceed down the south bank, destroy the arsenal at Bellona; also the Danville
and Richmond and Petersburg and Richmond Railroads, this force afterward to act
as circumstances may require. From Hanover Junction I will proceed down the
Brook pike between the two railroads, cross the brook and move on Richmond, and
if possible, in conjunction with troops sent from the direction of West Point,
make an attempt to release our prisoners. Should this be found impossible the
command can return by way of Fredericksburg, or seek temporary safety at West
Point. The command will need but five days' rations and one of forage; no
wagons. From the information I have but lately received, and from my thorough
knowledge of the country, I am satisfied that this plan can be safely and
successfully carried out. Respectfully submitted. J.
KILPATRICK,
[First
indorsement.] HEADQUARTERS
CAVALRY CORPS, February
17, 1864. This statement of General Kilpatrick is forwarded to Major-General Meade,
as requested. A.
PLEASONTON,
[Second
indorsement.] HEADQUARTERS
ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, February
17, 1864. Respectfully returned. The major-general commanding desires the views of the commander of the
cavalry corps respecting the feasibility of the plan; after submitting which, in
writing, the commanding general of the army desires to see him. A.
A. HUMPHREYS, Major-General,
Chief of Staff.
[Inclosure
No. 2.] B. CONFIDENTIAL.]
HDQRS. ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, February
27, 1864. Brig. Gen. J. KILPATRICK, Commanding
Expedition, &c.: The major-general commanding has directed Major-General Pleasonton,
commanding Cavalry Corps, to re-enforce your command so that you will have
available 4,000 officers and men and a battery of light artillery. With this
force you will move with the utmost expedition possible on the shortest route
past the enemy's right flank to Richmond, and by this rapid march endeavor to
effect an entrance into that city and liberate our prisoners now held there and
in that immediate vicinity. <ar60_174> To create a diversion in your favor a powerful expedition has been
organized and will be in full movement to-morrow, the 28th instant, to operate
toward the left flank of the enemy in the direction of Charlottesville, which
will be extended to the railroad bridge across the Rivanna, in the vicinity of
that town, if practicable, and the bridge destroyed. This operation will be
followed up by other movements of troops, and it is expected by these means so
to distract the attention of the enemy that every chance for the success of your
expedition will be secured that it is practicable to provide for here. If you succeed in liberating the prisoners you will conduct them within
our lines at Williamsburg, and then, if, in your judgment, upon the facts known
to you as to the disposition of the forces of the enemy and the state of the
weather, it be practicable you will return to your former position in this army
by way of the crossings of the Rappahannock or Rapidan. The movements intended
to create a diversion in your favor will be in full operation on the 28th and
29th instant, and will extend beyond that time. You will therefore commence your
movement on the night of the 28th instant. I am directed by the major-general commanding to say that no detailed
instructions are given you, since the plan of your operations has been proposed
by yourself, with the sanction of the President and the Secretary of War, and
has been so far adopted by him that he considers success possible with secrecy,
good management, and the utmost expedition. A.
A. HUMPHREYS, [Inclosure
No. 3.] Numerical
list of casualties in the Cavalry Corps during expedition of General Kilpatrick
to Richmond. O
Officers.
A
Aggregate. M Men.
Killed.
Wounded.
Missing.
Command.
O
M
O
M
O
M
A First Division:
3d Indiana Cavalry
....
1
....
....
....
2
3 4th New York Cavalry
....
....
....
....
....
2
2 17th Pennsylvania Cav.
....
....
....
1
....
....
1 Second Division:
1st Maine Cavalry
....
1
....
2
....
48
51 16th Pennsylvania Cav.
....
....
....
....
....
1
1 4th Pennsylvania Cav.
....
....
....
....
....
4
4 Third Division:
2d New York Cavalry
....
3
....
....
2
66
71 5th New York Cavalry
....
....
....
2
1
20
23 18th Pennsylvania Cav.
....
....
....
1
....
2
3 5th Michigan Cavalry
....
....
....
2
1
47
50 6th Michigan Cavalry
....
....
....
....
....
5
5 7th Michigan Cavalry
....
....
....
....
3
41
44 1st Vermont Cavalry
....
1
....
4
....
72
77 Total
....
6
....
12
7
310
335 HEADQUARTERS
CAVALRY CORPS, March
30,
1864. D.
McM. GREGG, Brigadier-General
of Volunteers, Commanding. Capt. E. B. PARSONS, Assistant Adjutant-General. <ar60_175> ADDENDA. FEBRUARY 28, 1864. COMMANDING OFFICER SECOND CORPS: Please send the following confidential dispatch to General Kilpatrick. The
signal telegraph is just reported out of order. Let me know when Kilpatrick
receives it. FEBRUARY
28, 1864--6.15 p.m. Brigadier-General
KILPATRICK: The major-general commanding directs that you move to-night. A.
A. HUMPHREYS, Major-General
and Chief of Staff. ----- HEADQUARTERS
ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, March
14,
1864. Major-General PLEASONTON, Commanding
Cavalry Corps: The major-general commanding directs that careful inquiry be made to
ascertain whether Colonel Dahlgren made or issued such an address to his command
as that which has been published in the journals of to-day; and also whether any
orders or directions of the character of those contained in the memorandum
following the address were given to his command or to any part of it. Very respectfully, &c., A.
A. HUMPHREYS, Major-General
and Chief of Staff. ----- HDQRS.
CAVALRY CORPS, ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, March
14,
1864. Brig. Gen. J. KILPATRICK, Commanding
Third Cavalry Division: GENERAL: The major-general commanding directs that careful inquiries be
made to ascertain whether Colonel Dahlgren made or issued such an address to his
command as that which has been published in the journals of the day. Every
effort will be made by you to learn the truth of this matter, and the officers
and men of his command will be carefully questioned on this point, and the
result of the investigation and whatever you may yourself know of the matter
will be reported at the earliest practicable moment. The general also desires to know whether any orders or directions of the
character of those contained in the" memorandum" following the
address, as printed in the public journals, were given to his command or to any
portion of it. Very respectfully, general, your obedient servant. E.
B. PARSONS, Captain
and Acting Assistant Adjutant-General. <ar60_176> HEADQUARTERS
THIRD DIVISION, CAVALRY CORPS, March
16,
1864. Capt. F. C. NEWHALL, Acting
Assistant Adjutant-General, Cavalry Corps: CAPTAIN: In accordance with instructions from headquarters Cavalry Corps I
have carefully examined officers and men who accompanied Colonel Dahlgren on his
late expedition. All testify that he published no address whatever to his command, nor did
he give any instructions, much less of the character alleged in the rebel
journals in the memorandum following his address. Colonel Dahlgren, one hour
before we separated at my headquarters, handed me an address that he intended to
read to his command. That paper was indorsed in red ink, "Approved,"
over my official signature. The alleged address of Colonel Dahlgren published in
the papers is the same as the one approved by me, save so far as it speaks of "exhorting
the prisoners to destroy and burn the hateful city and kill the traitor Davis
and his cabinet." All this is false and published only as an excuse for
the barbarous treatment of the remains of a brave soldier. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, J.
KILPATRICK,
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