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614 HISTORY OF MARYLAND.
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 (one mile below Belle Island) and release the prisoners at
the same time. If we do not succeed, they must then clash 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 wTell in hand, and once in the city, it must be destroyed, and JelT Davis
and his 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 Gsneral Custer may follow me, be
careful not to give a false alarm."
There was some dispute as to the genuineness of these papers, an attempt
having been made by the Federal authorities to disown them, and to charge-
that they were forgeries; but the Confederate government had the originals
photographed and sent to the Confederate ministers in Europe, and to the
North. Their authenticity was so apparent that it was at once conceded,
and has never since been denied by any responsible source.
On the 10th of May, the Federal general attempted another coup d'etat
against Richmond. He detached Sheridan with twelve thousand sabres to-
push by Lee's right, and dash into Richmond before any force could be
assembled to resist him. Major General J. E. B. Stuart, with the cavalry
division of Fitz Lee, followed fast in his tracks.
Johnson having been informed of the Federal movement, directed Lieutenant Colonel Brown to proceed towards Beaver Dam and ascertain the force
of the column. Brown came upon them at night and immediately attacked,
but of course was repulsed. His loss was Captain Augustus F. Schwartz,
company F, seriously wounded, and several men killed and wounded.
Finding that nothing could be done except watch them, Brown kept in their
front during the 10th, and in the afternoon reported to Johnson at Taylors-
ville, who had his force there in position to make a fight to save the bridges.
During the night, General Stuart came up, and sent Johnson the following
request:
" Military Dispatch, May 11, {
2 o'clock A. M., 1864. S
" To Colonel B. T. Johnson:
" Colonel—General Stuart directs me to say that he would be glad to obtain one of"
your light batteries to assist him to-day, as he is short of artillery. Our cavalry is interposed between the enemy and Hanover Junction. General Stuart will return the battery
as soon as the present emergency has passed. The enemy encamped last night at Ground
Squirrel Bridge. They had orders to march at one o'clock to-night. General Stuart is-
now moving down the Telegraph Road, and desires you to send the battery by the same;
rou'e.
" Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
" H. B. McCLELLAN, Major and A. A. 67."
| Title | History of Maryland - 3 |
| Creator | Scharf, J. Thomas (John Thomas) |
| Publisher | J. B. Piet |
| Place of Publication | Baltimore |
| Date | 1879 |
| Language | eng |
| Type | Books/Pamphlets |
| Title | 00000649 |
| Type | Books/Pamphlets |
| Transcript | 614 HISTORY OF MARYLAND. 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 (one mile below Belle Island) and release the prisoners at the same time. If we do not succeed, they must then clash 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 wTell in hand, and once in the city, it must be destroyed, and JelT Davis and his 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 Gsneral Custer may follow me, be careful not to give a false alarm." There was some dispute as to the genuineness of these papers, an attempt having been made by the Federal authorities to disown them, and to charge- that they were forgeries; but the Confederate government had the originals photographed and sent to the Confederate ministers in Europe, and to the North. Their authenticity was so apparent that it was at once conceded, and has never since been denied by any responsible source. On the 10th of May, the Federal general attempted another coup d'etat against Richmond. He detached Sheridan with twelve thousand sabres to- push by Lee's right, and dash into Richmond before any force could be assembled to resist him. Major General J. E. B. Stuart, with the cavalry division of Fitz Lee, followed fast in his tracks. Johnson having been informed of the Federal movement, directed Lieutenant Colonel Brown to proceed towards Beaver Dam and ascertain the force of the column. Brown came upon them at night and immediately attacked, but of course was repulsed. His loss was Captain Augustus F. Schwartz, company F, seriously wounded, and several men killed and wounded. Finding that nothing could be done except watch them, Brown kept in their front during the 10th, and in the afternoon reported to Johnson at Taylors- ville, who had his force there in position to make a fight to save the bridges. During the night, General Stuart came up, and sent Johnson the following request: " Military Dispatch, May 11, { 2 o'clock A. M., 1864. S " To Colonel B. T. Johnson: " Colonel—General Stuart directs me to say that he would be glad to obtain one of" your light batteries to assist him to-day, as he is short of artillery. Our cavalry is interposed between the enemy and Hanover Junction. General Stuart will return the battery as soon as the present emergency has passed. The enemy encamped last night at Ground Squirrel Bridge. They had orders to march at one o'clock to-night. General Stuart is- now moving down the Telegraph Road, and desires you to send the battery by the same; rou'e. " Very respectfully, your obedient servant, " H. B. McCLELLAN, Major and A. A. 67." |
