If you want some good info, check out that "history.net" reference in Post 19. I don't understand which side he was on, but he sure gave us details. He says "YES" Lincoln approved the raid, and specified that it was intended to "...free the prisoners, and sever Rebel Communications". From there the plan went to Stanton, and he added "to distribute some Amnesty Proclamations". The first Raid (Wistar's) included "... carry Davis off" so, that was implied for the second Raid. {Note, the author mentions that before the first Raid, the South was warned of the Raid. that was our guy Norton, in the Front Offfice).Next comes a part I don't understand - the author introduces an unsubstantiated claim that Kilpatrick also had additional Secret Orders and Kilpatrick intended to break the rules and he wanted someone with him who also wanted to break the rules - Dahlgren.
R. E. Lee's attitude was "the Orders showed intent, but nothing was accomplished - don't punish anyone..." or words to that effect.
Read the article, you may get a different take, than I did.
Based on what I read, I think that there were Orders (The Dahlgren Papers) but they were "modified" by the South and published world wide. PS Carrying the "Original Orders" on the Raid was STUPID.
Just what you would expect from an Officer who never had any Command Experience.

At some point, wasn't a handwriting analysis done on the existing copies of the orders to determine if the writing matched Dahlgren's style? I know that Mr. Hall believed they were authentic.

(06-05-2015 08:33 AM)L Verge Wrote:  At some point, wasn't a handwriting analysis done on the existing copies of the orders to determine if the writing matched Dahlgren's style? I know that Mr. Hall believed they were authentic.

Laurie. I think that I read that in the "History.net" thing. Even so, there are always a few good "copiers" around. Another facet - Who was it that said "It looks like Dahlgren's writing, to me"?