Civilian & telegraph. [volume] (Cumberland, Md.) 1859-1875, 1864-06-23


yesterday. Nothing to-day from Sher-
man or Hunter. Z. NJ. STANTON.
Secretary of War
WAsHrsoros; D. c., June ls, II P. N.
To Major General DIX. of New York:
Dispatches from General Sheridan
have just been received. He reports a
victory over the enemy at Trevalian Sta
ton. on the Virginia Central Railroad
few miles south of Gordonville, where
Gen. Lee few days ago reported re-
bel victory. The official report is as fol-
lows:
Il have the honor to report to you the
arrival of my command at this point, and
also to report its operations since leaving
New Castle Ferry. l crossed the Pam
unkey river on the 18th inst, marching
via Aylett's and encamped on Herring
Creek. On the morning Of the Sth re-
sumed the march via Po'ecat Station on
the 9th marched through Childsburg and
New Market, encamping on i. II. Z.
Creek, near Young's bridge; on the 10th
marched via Andrews Tavern and Ire
yaiian shore, crossing both branches at
the North Anna, and encampcd at Buck
Child's about three miles northeast of
Trevalian Station. My intention was 10
break the railroad at this station. March
ed through INTERCHANGEABLE out the Cor
louisville and Charlottesville Railroade
near Lyndsay's house and then to march
on Charlottesville, but on arriving at
Buck Child's house | found the enemy s
cavalry in my immediate front
On the morning Of the 1lth Gen. Tor
bert with his division and Col. Gregg's
brigade Of Gen, Greggs division attack
ed the enemy; after an obstinate contest
drove him from successive lines Of Breast
works through an almost impossible
forest back on Trevalian Station. In
the meantime Gen. Custer was ordered
with lis brigade to proceed by a country
road so as to reach the station in the rear
of the onemy's cavalry. On his arrival
at this point the enemy broke into a com
plete rout, leaving their dead and nearly
all Of his wounded in our hands also
twenty officers, FIVE hundred men and
three hundred horses; these operations
occupied the whole of the day AT nigh,
I encampei at Trevalian Station, and on
the morning Of the 18th commenced de-
stroying the railroad from this point to
Louisa Court House. This was thoro-
ughly done, ties burned and rails rendor-
ed unscrvicablc. The destruction of the
railroad occupied until o'clock of this
day l directed Gen Torbert to advance
with his division, and Gen Davis's bri-
gade of Gregg's division in the direction
OF Cordons,ille, ard attack theienemy,
who had cont entrated and been rtinforc-
ed by infantry during the night, and had
also constructed rife pits at point about
four miles frcm Gordonsville.
The advance was made, but as the
enemy's position was found too strong to
assault, no general attack was made on
the extreme rirht ofou lines. \ portion
of the reserve brigade carrie the enemy 8
works twice, aud was twice driven there
from By infantry. Night closed tie con-
! test. | found, on examination of the
command, thai there was not suificiency
OF ammunition left to continue the en-
gagement shc next day. Trains of cars
also came down to where we were engaged
with the enemy. The reports of prisoners
and citizens were that Picket,'s old diyis-
ion, or portion'of i, was coming 10 pre-
vent the taking of Gordonsvile. l.,
therefore, during the night and next
morning, withdrew my command over
the North Anna via Carpenters ford and
Miners bridge.
In addition the animals were, for the
two entire days in which we were en-
gagged, without forage. The surrounding
country ofiorded nothing but grazing Of
a very inferior quality, and generally at
such points as were inaccessible to US.
The cavalry engagement of the 18th
was by far the most brilliant one of the
present campaign. The enemy's loss
was very heavy. They lost the following
named officers in killed and wounded:
Colonel McAllister, commanding regi-
ment. killed; Brigadier General Rosscr,
commanding brigade. wounded; Colonel
Aiken, commanding regiment, wounded;
Colonel Custer, commanding regiment,
wounded.
My loss in killed ana wounded will he
about SIS. OF this number 400 were
wounded. l brought off in my ambu-
lances 81, all that could be transport
ed
The remainder were, with a number of
rebel wounded that fell into my hands.
left behind Surgeons and attendants
were detailed and remained with them
l captured and have now with me $40
prisoners of war, including 90 commits
stoned officers. My loss in captured will
not exceed 100. They were principally
from the 9th Michigan cavalry This
regiment gallautly charged down the
Gordonsviiie road, capturing fifteen
hundred horses and about eight hundred
men, but were finally surrounded and
had to give them up. When the enemy
broke they hurried between Gen Clusters
command and Colonel Gregg's brigade.
capturing five caissons of Penington's
battery, three of which were afterwards
recaptured. leaving in their hands two
caissons. A more detailed account will
be made hereafter"
EDWIN NJ STANTON, Secretary of War.