Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1864-05-16
Immense Destruction of Propert
REBEL CAVALRY UNDER STUART DEFEATED.
GENERAL STUART KILLED
The First Line of the Encmy's
Worries Around Richmond
Captured.
WASHINGTON, May 14-1l:4O A. M.

WASHINGTON, May 14-1l:4O A. M.
To Major General Dir:
An official dispatch from Sheridan, dated
Bottom Bridge, via Fortress Monroe May
18th, states that OH the 9th inst. he marched
around the enemy's right flank, and on the
evening of that day reached the North An
ma river without opposition. During that
night he destroyed the enemy's depot at
Beaver Dam, three large trains OF cars and
l00 cars, two fine locomotives, 100000
pounds of bacon and other stores amount
ing in all to million and half of rebel
rati0ns. Also the telegraph and railroad
track for about ten miles, embracing sever
al culverts; recapturcd 37S of our men, in
Guiding two Colonels, one Major and sever
al other officers.
On the morning of the tenth, he resumed
operations; crossing the South Anna at
Grand Squirrel bridge, and went into camp
about daylight on the 11th. He captured
Ashland Station, destroyed here lOcOmo-
tive and train of cars, an engine house
and two or three government buildings,
containing a large amount of stores. He
also destroyed several miles of the road
embracing six culverts, tressle bridges and
the telegraph wire.
About o'clock A. NJ. of the 18th. he re-
sumed the march OH Richmond. He found
the rebel General Stuart with his cavalry
concentrated at Yellow Tavern. He i'm
mediately attacked him, and after an obsti-
nate contest gained possession of the Brock
turnpike, capturing two pieces of artillery
and driving his forces back towards Ash
land and across the north fork of the Chick
ahOminy. -r.#-
At the same time party charged down
the Brock road and captured the first line
of the enemy's works around Richmond
During the night he marched the whole OF
his command between the first and secOrd
line of the enemy's works on the bluffs
overlooking the line of the Virginia Cen
tral Railroad, and the Mechanicsvile turn-
pike. After demonstrating around the
works and finding them verv strong, he
gayeup the intention of assaulting, and de-
termined to recross the Chickahominy at
Meadow Bridge. 1t had been partially des-
troyed by the enemy, but was repaired in
about three hours, under a heavy arGllleI y
fire from rebel battery. General Merritt
made the crossing, alta ,ked the enemy and
drove him off handsomely. the pursuit con-
tinuing as far as Gaines Mills; The enemy
observing the recrossing of the Chickaho-
mny, came out from his second line OIL
works. A brigade of infantry and large
number of dismounted attacked the divi
sions of Generals Gregg and Wilson, but
after severe contest were repulsed and
driven behind their works. Gregg's and
Wilson's divisions, after collecting the
wounded recrossed the Chickahominy.
On the afternoon of the 18th, the corps
encamped at Walnut Grove and Gaines
Mills. On the morning of the 18th, the
march was resumed. The command is in
fine spirits. -
The loss of horses will not exceed one
hundred. All the wounded were brought
off except about thirty cases of mortal
wounds, and these were well cared for in
the farm houses of the country. The wound
ed will not exceed two hundred and fifty,
and the total loss not over three hundred
and fifty.
The Virginia Central railroad bridges
over the Chickahominy and other trestle
bridges, 160 feet in length, l30 feet, l20 feet,
and the railroad for long distance souh
of the Chickahominy, were DESTROYED. -
Great praise is given the division COM
manders, Generals Gregg, Wilson and Mcr-
ritt, and Generals Custar and Davis; Colo
nels Gregg, Diven, Chapman, Mcintosh and
Gibbs, and all the officers and men behaved
splendidly. -
MAY 10, 1890 A. MIN a dispatch this
moment received from Admiral Lee, he re
ports to the Secretary of the Navy that the
Richmond papers of yesterday mention the
death of General Joe Stuart, shot in battle.
This no doubt happened in the battle with
Sheridan.
[Signed. i. NJ. STANTON,
Secretary of War.