 |
|
|
|
OR, Ser. I, Vol. XXXIII, pp. 177-180 |
|
|
HEADQUARTERS
ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, Col. E. D. TOWNSEND, COLONEL: I inclose herewith, for the information of the honorable
Secretary of War, a letter and inclosures received from General Robert E. Lee,
commanding Army of Northern Virginia, with my reply thereto. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, GEO. G. MEADE, «12 R R--VOL XXXIII» <ar60_178> [Inclosure
No. 1.] HEADQUARTERS
ARMY OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA, Maj. Gen. GEORGE G. MEADE, GENERAL: I am instructed to bring to your notice two papers found upon the
body of Col. U. Dahlgren, who was killed while commanding a part of the Federal
cavalry during the late expedition of General Kilpatrick.(*) To enable
you to understand the subject fully I have the honor to inclose photographic
copies of the papers referred to, one of which is an address to his officers and
men, bearing the official signature of Colonel Dahlgren, and the other, not
signed, contains more detailed explanations of the purpose of the expedition and
more specific instructions as to its execution. In the former this passage
occurs: We hope to release the prisoners from Belle Island first, and having seen
them fairly started, we will cross the James River into Richmond, destroying the
bridges after us and exhorting the released prisoners to destroy and burn the
hateful city; and do not allow the rebel leader Davis and his traitorous crew to
escape. The prisoners must render great assistance, as you cannot leave your
ranks too far or become too much scattered, or you will be lost. Among the instructions contained in the second paper are the following: The bridges once secured, and the prisoners loose and over the river, the
bridges will be secured and the city destroyed. The men must keep together and
well in hand, and once in the city it must be destroyed and Jeff. Davis and
cabinet killed. Pioneers will go along with combustible material. In obedience to my instructions I beg leave respectfully to inquire
whether the designs and instructions of Colonel Dahlgren, as set forth in these
papers, particularly those contained in the above extracts, were authorized by
the United States Government or by his superior officers, and also whether they
have the sanction and approval of those authorities. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, R. E. LEE, [Sub-inclosure
No 1.] HEADQUARTERS
THIRD DIVISION, CAVALRY CORPS, Officers and Men: You have been selected from brigades and regiments as a picked command to
attempt a desperate undertaking--an undertaking which, if successful, will write
your names on the hearts of your countrymen in letters that can never be erased,
and which will cause the prayers of our fellow-soldiers now confined in
loathsome prisons to follow you and yours wherever you may go. We hope to
release the prisoners from Belle Island first, and having seen them fairly
started, we will cross the James River into Richmond, destroying the bridges
after us and exhorting the released prisoners to destroy and burn the hateful
city; and do not allow the rebel leader Davis and his traitorous crew to escape.
The prisoners must render great assistance, as you cannot leave your ranks too
far <ar60_179> or become too much scattered, or you will be lost. Do not
allow any personal gain to lead you off, which would only bring you to an
ignominious death at the hands of citizens. Keep well together and obey orders
strictly and all will be well; but on no account scatter too far, for in union
there is strength. With strict obedience to orders and fearlessness in the
execution you will be sure to succeed. We will join the main force on the other
side of the city, or perhaps meet them inside. Many of you may fall; but if
there is any man here not willing to sacrifice his life in such a great and
glorious undertaking, or who does not feel capable of meeting the enemy in such
a desperate fight as will follow, let him step out, and he may go hence to the
arms of his sweetheart and read of the braves who swept through the city of
Richmond. We want no man who cannot feel sure of success in such a holy cause.
We will have a desperate fight, but stand up to it when it does come and all
will be well. Ask the blessing of the Almighty and do not fear the enemy. U. DAHLGREN, [Sub-inclosure
No. 2.] HEADQUARTERS
THIRD DIVISION, CAVALRY CORPS, Guides, pioneers (with oakum, turpentine, and torpedoes), signal officer,
quartermaster, commissary, scouts, and picked men in rebel uniform. Men will
remain on the north bank and move down with the force on south bank, not getting
ahead of them, and if the communication can be kept up without giving an alarm
it must be done; but everything depends upon a surprise, and no one must be
allowed to pass ahead of the column. Information must be gathered in regard to
the crossings of the river, so that should we be repulsed on the south side we
will know where to recross at the nearest point. All mills must be burned and
the canal destroyed; and also everything which can be used by the rebels must be
destroyed, including the boats on the river. Should a ferry-boat be seized and
can be worked, have it moved down. Keep the force on the south side posted of
any important movement of the enemy, and in case of danger some of the scouts
must swim the river and bring us information. As we approach the city the party
must take great care that they do not get ahead of the other party on the south
side, and must conceal themselves and watch our movements. We will try and
secure the bridge to the city, 1 mile below Belle Island, and release the
prisoners at the same time. If we do not succeed they must then dash down, and
we will try and carry the bridge from each side. When necessary, the men must be
filed through the woods and along the river bank. The bridges once secured, and
the prisoners loose and over the river, the bridges will be secured and the city
destroyed. The men must keep together and well in hand, and once in the city it
must be destroyed and Jeff. Davis and cabinet killed. Pioneers will go along
with combustible material. The officer must use his discretion about the time of
assisting us. Horses and cattle which we do not need immediately must be shot
rather than left. Everything on the canal and elsewhere of service to the rebels
must be destroyed. As General Custer may follow me, be careful not to give a
false alarm. <ar60_180> [Inclosure
No. 2.] HDQRS.
ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, General ROBERT E. LEE, Comdg. Army of Northern
Virginia: GENERAL: I received on the 15th instant, per flag of truce, your
communication of the 1st instant, transmitting photographic copies of two
documents alleged to have been found upon the body of Col. U. Dahlgren, and
inquiring "whether the designs and instructions of Colonel Dahlgren, as set
forth in these papers, particularly those contained in the above extracts, were
authorized by the United States Government or by his superior officers, and also
whether they have the sanction and approval of these authorities." In reply
I have to state that neither the United States Government, myself, nor General
Kilpatrick authorized, sanctioned, or approved the burning of the city of
Richmond and the killing of Mr. Davis and cabinet, nor any other act not
required by military necessity and in accordance with the usages of war. In confirmation of this statement I inclose a letter from General
Kilpatrick, and have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, GEO. G. MEADE,
[Sub-inclosure.] HEADQUARTERS
THIRD DIVISION, CAVALRY CORPS, April
16,
1864. Brig. Gen. S. WILLIAMS, A. A. G., Army of the
Potomac: GENERAL: In accordance with instructions from headquarters Army of the
Potomac, 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 as set forth in the
photographic copies of two papers alleged to have been found upon the person of
Colonel Dahlgren and forwarded by General Robert E. Lee, commanding Army of
Northern Virginia. 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 photographic papers referred to are true copies of the papers approved by
me, save so far as they speak of "exhorting the prisoners to destroy and
burn the hateful city and kill the traitor Davis and his cabinet," and in
this, that they do not contain the indorsement referred to as having been placed
by me on Colonel Dahlgren's papers. Colonel Dahlgren received no orders from me
to pillage, burn, or kill, nor were any such instructions given me by my
superiors. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, J. KILPATRICK, -----
|
|
Copyright © 2004 Civil War Richmond Inc. |
|
|
