| Applewood, Caroline [County] |
| March 8, 1865 -- 3 a.m. |
| |
| Colonel Ewell |
| Assistant Adjutant-General |
|
|
| Colonel, |
| Early yesterday morning one of my scouts
reported the enemy in Fredericksburg. I went to ascertain the truth of the report. I proceeded to
Fredericksburg, passing by Hamilton's
Crossing {A station on the Richmond,
Fredericksburg & Potomac RR 5 miles south of Fredericksburg.}. At the crossing they burnt everything of value, some
thirty cars, seventeen of which were loaded with tobacco. The bridge
over the Massaponax was also burned. No other injury to the road.
They captured fifty-six mules and burned the wagons. All the colored
drivers but one went with them. In the city they took and carried
off some 500 boxes of tobacco. The provost-marshal (Captain
Doggett), with most of his men, escaped. The expedition consisted of
two gun-boats and five transports, conveying one brigade of
infantry, under the command of Brigadier-General Roberts, and one
regiment of cavalry, commanded by Colonel Sumner. |
| General Roberts informed Mr. Slaughter
(the mayor) that the expedition was fitted out by General Grant to
break up the illicit trade in tobacco, which he had heard was
carried on in Fredericksburg, and which he was determined to break up. They left at 5 o'clock
this afternoon, and proceeded down the river. I left the city at 7
o'clock, and am now at home on my way to camp. |
| Most respectfully, your obedient servant, |
| L. W. Allen |
| Captain, Co. F, 24th Virginia Cavalry |
| Comdg. at Taylorsville |
|