RICHMOND (Va.), Kilpatrick's Expedi tion to. In to 1864 a eavalry expedition organized to make a dash on Richmond, dis tribute President Lincoln's amnesty proclama tion, and liberate the Union prisoners in the city and on Belle Isle. The expedition was put under command of General Kilpatrick, who, with 4,000 men and a battery of artillery, marched from Stevensburg, crossed the Rapidan at Ely's Ford, early on the night of 28 February, and moved swiftly to Spottsylvania Court House. Here Col. Ulric Dahlgren, with 500 men, was de tached from the column, on the morning of the 29th, to cross James River and enter Richmond from the south. Kilpatrick continued his course to the Virginia Central Railroad at Beaver Dam Station, thence to Ground Squirrel Bridge over the South Anna, and to a point five miles from Richmond, which was reached on the morning of 1 March. Believing that his approach was unknown, and that a small force of infantry only occupied the intrenchments, he moved on the Brook road toward the interior line of defensive works, driving in a few pickets, and found in fantry and artillery in the works — 500 men and six guns. He opened with artillery, and was about to attack, when he thought he saw rein forcements of infantry filing into the Confed erate works, and, feeling certain that Dahlgren had failed, and that his own attack would be a bloody failure, he withdrew to Atlee Station, north of the Chickahominy, and went into camp. Here he was attacked during the night by Wade Hampton's and Bradley T. John son's cavalry, the latter having followed him from Beaver Dam Station. The camp of one of his brigades was captured, and Kilpatrick, retreating, was followed down the Peninsula, being joined near Tunstall's Station next day by nearly 300 of Dahlgren's men. He reached
Williamsburg on the night of the 2d.
Colonel Dahlgren moved from Spottsylvania Court House across the Virginia Central Rail road, near Frederickshall, to James River, near Goochland Court House, where he expected to cross the river, release the prisoners on Belle Isle, and enter Richmond from the south, to unite with Kilpatrick at 10 A.M. of 1 March But he .could find no ford, so marched by the north bank of the river, approaching Richmond late in the afternoon, and coming upon cavalry and infantry, with which he skirmished sharply until night. Hearing nothing from Kilpatrick, except his guns, heard early in the afternoon, and rightly believing that he had failed, Dahlgren withdrew, designating Captain Mitchell, 2d New York cavalry, to command the rear guard. In the darkness the column became broken, Dahl gren, with leqs than 100 men going in one direc tion, and Mitchell in another. Mitchell suc ceeded in joining Kilpatrick at Tunstall's with about 260 men. Dahlgren creased the at Hanover Town, and the Mattapony at Ay lett's Ford, and about midnight fell into an ambuscade and was killed. Others were killed and 'wounded, nearly all were captured. Captain Mitchell that of the 500 men of IWilgren's command 61 • were killed and wOunded, and 138 captured. The total loss of Kilpatrick', command, including Dahlgren's, was about 350. Consult 'Official, Records) (Vol. XXXIII); Humphreys, 'From. burg to the ; The Century Company's 'Battles, and Leaders of the Civil (Vol. IV).