Last month, February 28, Federal Brig.
Gen. Judson Kilpatrick left his encampment at Stevensburg with 4,000 men
to raid Richmond with attempt to free Federal prisoners, set torch to the
city and assonate President Jefferson Davis.
This in accordance to documents found in possession of Col. Ulric
Dahlgren, son of Rear Adm. John Dahlgren, who commanded an advance force
of 500 men. While the main body under Kilpatrick rode along the Virginia
Central Railroad tearing up track before making an attempt to attack our
defenses around Richmond presumably to make a dash for the Statehouse and
Executive Mansion, Dahlgren rode south to the James River, hoping to make
a crossing thereby penetrate Richmond's defenses from the rear, and
release Union prisoners at Belle Isle. Kilpatrick was spotted by advance
pickets before reaching the outskirts of Richmond on March 1. Kilpatrick,
getting past the pickets began skirmishing before the city's defenses, all
the while awaiting Dahlgren to rejoin the main column, which was not to
be. Dahlgren, was nowhere in site and Kilpatrick was forced to withdraw
under heavy fire from our defenses around Richmond and with Confederate
cavalry in pursuit forced Kilpatrick’s withdraw to become a rout.
By the time Dahlgren finally appeared, it was to late to join his
partner, Kilpatrick, who had withdrawn in haste. Dahlgren's men, as Kilpatrick’s, were also unable to
penetrate Richmond's defenses, with our boys now quite informed of the
Federal presence and laying down a hail of heavy fire, forced Dahlgren’s
Federals to skedaddle in all directions.
Dahlgren’s Yankee raiders tried to escape pursuit by riding north
of the city, but scattered in the confusion that our boys inflicted
causing the Federal force to become separated. On March 2 Hampton attacked
Kilpatrick near Old Church, but the Federals found refuge with elements of
Butler's command at New Kent Court House. Another detachment of about 200
Yankees, presumably of this same raiding force, were ambushed by a
detachment of the Ninth Virginia Cavalry and Home Guards in King and Queen
County near Walkerton. Yet an additional smaller detachment of Yankee
Cavalry, about 40 horsemen separated still, were also ambushed in the very
region by a small Company of Texans under the command of Capt. Kevin Hall.
Capt. Hall was ordered to take his company forward to search for
Federal Cavalry reported seen in the area of Walkerton.
Capt. Hall marched his boys forward and upon hearing the sounds of
horses and clinking sabers, observed Yankee horsemen forming up along a
low ridge thereby forming his own Texas men up for attack.
Hall ordered his men to fire a volley at the Federals, which caused
the Yankee Cavalry to scatter in the confusion and whistling balls fired
upon them by Hall’s Texans. Hall’s
men unable to take good aim due in part to the blinding bright sunshine
gleaming off newly fallen snow simply fired in the direction of the
Federals with some resolve. After
a few moments, which Hall’s boys remained in ranks with muskets at the
ready, the Yankees reappeared only to reform in attempt to attack Hall’s
position. Capt. Hall ordered another volley fired at once and still
another whereby the Yankee Cavalry, formed, but unable to motion forward,
suddenly turned and rode away in complete confusion leaving behind their
dead and wounded that the Texans surprise attack had inflicted.
Capt. Hall remained in position keeping his men ready for any
possible counter attack the Federals might make, but none was to be.
Only one or two lone riders were observed scouting Hall’s
position before they, too were nay to be seen.
Capt. Hall successfully held off the Yankee Cavalry inflicting few
causalities on the Federals with none of his own, but preventing the
Federals from reorganizing for possible reattempt of their murderous plan.
Dahlgren, who was in command of the main body of some 200 Federal troopers
ambushed by the Ninth Virginia Cavalry and Home Guards, was killed and
most of his men captured. Papers found on Dahlgren's body were most
alarming and unbelievable to the eyes of a reader. The papers were orders for him to burn Richmond and
assassinate President Jefferson Davis and his entire cabinet. This resulting discovery has caused a political furor. The
Government has accused the North of initiating "a war of
extermination" and is holding the Yankee President and his Government
fully responsible for this murderous attempt on our President and our
people. Union Gen. Meade,
Kilpatrick, and even Federal President Lincoln all have disavowed any
knowledge of the Dahlgren Papers when our Government demanding explanation
and apology under letter of protest sent to Abraham Lincoln for this
dishonorable attempted act. This
complete absence of responsibility is such a crime that the South will
avenge this attempted act and the people of Richmond cry out for the
Yankees to bleed as never before.
General Lee, upon hearing of this unholy plan, was outraged and
assured Richmond that any such further acts by the North of this kind will
result in serious reprisals to the people of the North that he will not be
able nor be obliged to prevent.