193

War Records No. 60, page 202, March 8, 1864.

I cannot close my report without expressing my appreciation of the conduct of Colonel
Bradley T. Johnson and his gallant command.

with a mere handful of men he met the enemy at Beaver Dam and he never lost sight
of them until they had passed Tunstall's Station, hanging on their rear, striking them
constantly, and displaying throughout the very highest qualities of a soldier. He is eminently
fitted for the cavalry service, and I trust it will not be deemed an interference on my part to
urge as emphatically as I can his promotion.

War Records No. 60, page 216.

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF HENRICO, March 8. 1864
General Orders No. 10.

The Major-General commanding congratulates the troops upon their completely
successful defense of the City of Richmond and its rescue from the ravages of the invader.
. . . To Colonel Bradley T. Johnson and the officers and soldiers under his command the
thanks of the Major-General are especially due for the prompt and vigorous manner in which
they pursued the enemy from Beaver Dam to Richmond, and thence to the Pamunkey and
down the Peninsula, making repeated charges and thwarting any attempt of the enemy to
charge them.

BY COMMAND OF MAJOR-GENERAL ELZEY

T. O. CHESTNEY, Assistant Adjutant-General.

(The order thanks Colonel Stevens. Brigadier-General G. W. C. Lee and Major-General
Hampton and their respective commands )

Thus, by these few men, was prevented the consummation of one of the most
diabolical crimes ever conceived by human mind, and the names of Ulric Dahlgren
and Judson Kilpatrick will be infamous for all time, for upon the inanimate body
of the former was found the following paper, which needs no interpretation:

HEADQUARTERS THIRD DIVISION CAVALRY CORPS

Guides, Pioneers (With Oakum, Turpentine and Torpedoes), Signal Officer, Commissary. Scouts
and Picked Men in Rebel Uniform:

Men will remain on the north bank and move down with the force on south bank, not
getting ahead of them: and if the communications can be kept up without giving an alarm it
must be done. Everything depends upon a surprise, and NO ONE must be allowed to pass