Dahlgren now pushed down the north bank of the James to the fortifications of Richmond, which he charged at dark,
March 2. passing the outer works; but was repulsed with loss — of course, by far superior numbers — at the inner lines.
He then, with the remnant of his forces, made a circuit around the city by Hungary to Hanovertown ferry; and, finding that Kilpatrick had been driven off eastward, struck thence for King and Queen C. H.; but was stopped, just after crossing the Mattapony at Dabney's ferry, by a body of local militia, at whose first fire lie fell dead, pierced by five balls.
His command was here scattered, each seeking to reach our lines as he best might; and some of them made their way to Kilpatrick; but at least 100 of them were picked up as prisoners.
Col. Dahlgren's body was treated with ignominy ; it being asserted that papers were found on it evidencing a plot to liberate our prisoners on Belle Isle, near Richmond, and, by their aid, burn that city, taking th
any stepped forward and saluted: Mort sur le champ de bataille--dead upon the field of battle.
Such monument, such epitaph, at least, is that of
A. P. Hill,
and the men of his old corps remember with sorrowful pride that his name lingered last upon the dying lips of Lee and of Jackson.
Tell Hill he must come up. --Colonel Wm. Preston Johnston's account of Lee's last moments--Rev. J. Wm. Jones' Personal Reminiscences of General R. E. Lee, p. 451.
A. P. Hill, prepare for action. --Dabney's Life of Jackson, p. 719.
Of the other, who fell but the evening before at Five Forks, I almost fear to speak, lest I should do hurt to that memory which I would honor.
For to those who knew him not, the simplest outline of a character so finely tempered by stern and gentle virtues, would seem but an ideal picture touched with the tender exaggeration of retrospective grief; while to so many of you who knew him as he was — the gentle comrade and the brilliant fighter — any portrait must
elves.
I might here close this article, contented with the very handsome notice taken of my command, in the official reports of the Generals commanding.
But Dr. Dabney's Life of Jackson, and the official Reports of the day, recently published by the Federal government, and until then unseen by me, impose upon me the duty of asldier, my command may justly and proudly claim to have come fully up to it--par nobile fatrum.
In view, then, of these facts, it can but excite surprise that Dr. Dabney should, in his life of Jackson, have claimed for his brigade the whole merit of capturing the Ricketts battery, &c. It is the more remarkable, as General Jacksogiment Va. Vol., Col. Harper 6 4753
Twenty Seventh Regt. Va. Vol., Col. Echols118 122141
Thirty-Third Regt. Va. Vol., Col Cummings144 101146
61133439561
Dr. Dabney estimates 2,700 men.
Forty-Ninth Virginia Volunteers, Col. Smith, 210 men. Officers killed, 1; men killed, 9; officers wounded, 1; men wounded, 29-aggregate,
