February 29, 1864 (Monday): Stuart Moves to Meet Kilpatrick's Raid

Colonel Ulric Dahlgren

ORANGE COURT-HOUSE, February 29, 1864.
SECRETARY OF WAR, Richmond, Va.:
    Enemy's cavalry near Charlottesville. If two or three regiments or a brigade can be spared they had better be sent at once to Lynchburg.


     R. E. LEE.

[Indorsement.]

General BRAXTON BRAGG, Richmond, Va.:
GENERAL: I send a telegram received from General Lee. you can best judge what force, if any be disposable, to send to Lynchburg. Perhaps a regiment or two may be available at Petersburg.
    Very truly, yours,


    J. A. SEDDON,
    Secretary of War.


ORANGE COURT-HOUSE, February 29, 1864.
Major R. F. MASON:
    If the enemy should advance in the direction of Charlottesville take command of all the mounted men detailed or furloughed at or near Charlottesville. At last advices enemy was at Madison Court-House.


    J. E. B. STUART,
    Major-General.


ORANGE [February] 29, 1864.
(Received 6 p. m.)
Major MASON:
    I am moving to your support. Save the artillery and wagons if possible; infantry coming to your assistance. Communicate with Rosser, who is moving to help you.


     J. E. B. STUART,
     Major-General.


LOUISA COURT-HOUSE, February 29, 1864.
General S. COOPER,
Adjutant and Inspector General:
    A scout reports to General Long at Frederick's Hall, the enemy's cavalry, say 1,000 strong, moving toward Richmond on the main road from Louisa Court-House, about thirty-five miles from Richmond, at perhaps 5 p. m.


     W. N. PENDLETON,
     Brigadier-General and Chief of Artillery.



LOUISA COURT-HOUSE, February 29, 1864.
General S. COOPER,
Adjutant and Inspector General:
     GENERAL: The enemy on a raid near Frederick's Hall. General Long there with artillery. Second Corps has no infantry. I have informed General Lee. Can troops go up form Hanover Junction?     Anything done shall be prompt. The down train returnd to Gordonsville.


      W. N. PENDLETON,
      Brigadier-General.

Official Records, Series I., Vol. 51, Page 2, Pages 823-824.

By late in the day it was obvious Kilpatrick was moving on Richmond.  Finding troops behind the lines to move to block the raid was difficult.  The best plan was to form up at Hanover Junction, but the Union cavalry had the inside track.