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cavalry division, under command of
Colonel Ulric Dahlgren, to force its way into
Richmond, with instructions ‘to destroy and burn the hateful city, and not allow the rebel leader,
Davis, and his traitorous crew to escape.’
Once in the city, it must be destroyed and
Davis and his cabinet killed.
Dahlgren was killed and his force routed, and these orders were found on his body.
The
Washington government then threatened to execute a number of Confederate officers in retaliation ‘for the killing of
Dahlgren and heaping indignities upon his dead body.’
Confederate States government retorted that the Confederate government would then hang ten officers for every man thus executed by the
Federals.
A
major general of the United States Army was wanted by the
Confederacy, and hence
Captain McKowen undertook to supply the want.
Taking with him a few trusted comrades, who, like himself, knew every foot of ground in that section of country, he made his way in the night time within the
Federal lines, and after many hairbreadth escapes, located
General Dow's tent, which was stealthily approached, the sentinels being secured without noise, and
General Dow captured.
The escape was miraculous, for
McKowen had penetrated far within the
Federal lines, and only succeeded in making his escape by using the greatest precaution.
General Neal Dow was safely brought to camp, and next day, under an escort, sent to
Richmond, Va.
Be it said to the credit of both governments that retaliatory measures at no stage of the war were resorted to.
It was on the 6th day of July, 1863, that the news of the fall of Vicksburg reached Port Hudson.
The gun-boats on the river announced their victory by firing a tremendous salute, which was reechoed from their land batteries, while the Federal infantry, who had worked their way close to the breastworks, shouted the news across the lines.
On the 7th of July, General Gardner communicated with General Banks, asking for official assurance of the news.
If Vicksburg had really been surrendered, he asked for a cessation of hostilities, with the view of arranging terms for the capitulation of Port Hudson,
On July 8th, the Confederate flag was lowered and the enemy entered Port Hudson.
General Gardner could not have held out much longer.
His ammunition
