American citizen. [volume] (Butler, Butler County, Pa.) 1863-1872, 1864-05-25
Sheridans Great Cavalry Feat.

WASHINGTON, Midnight, May l4.-To
Maj. Gen Cadwallader, of Philadelphia
An official dispatch from Gen. Sheri-
dan, dated at Bottoms Bridge, via For
tress Monroe, May 18th, states that on the
9th inst. he marched around the enemy S
right flank and on the eve of that day he
reached the North Anna river without Sc
rious opposition. During that night he
destroyed the enemy's depot at Beaver
dam. three large trains of cars, and 100
cars. two fine locomotives, 100000 pounds
of bacon and other stores amounting in all
to million and half of rebel rations.-
Also the telegraph and railroad track for
about ten miles, destroying several culverts,
and recaptured three hundred and seventy
eight of our men, including ten Colonels
and one Major and several other officers.
On the morning of the 10th, he resumed
operations, crossing the South Anna at
Ground Squirrel bridge and went into
camp about daylight. On the 1lth he cap
tured Ashland Station. At that point he
DESTROYED one locomotive and a train of
cars, an engine house and two or three
Government buildings containing a large
amount of stores; he also destroyed six
miles of railroad, embracing six culyerts,
two trestle bridges and the telegraph wires.
About 7 o'clock of the 1lth he resumed
his march on Richmond. He found the
rebel Stuart with his cavalry concealed at
Yellow Tavern and Immediately attacked
him. After an obstinate contest he gain
ed possession of the branch turnpike, cap
turing two pieces of artillery and driving
the enemy's forces back towards Ashland
and across the north fork of the Chicka-
hominy, distance of four miles; at the
same time party charged down the Bro
kel road, and captured the first line of the
enemys works, around Richmond. Dur
ing the night he marched the whole of
his command, between the first and Sec
ond lines of the enemys works, on the
bluffs overlooking the line of the Virgin
la Central Railroad and the Mechanics
vile turnpike. After a demonstration
against the first, and finding them very
strong, he gave up heintention ofassault,
and determined to recross the Chickahom-
my at Meadow Bridge. 1t had been par
TALLY destroyed by the enemy but was re-
paired in about three hours, under heavy
artillery firing from arebel battery. Gen.
Merritt made the crossing, attacked the
enemy and drove him off handsomely the
pursuit continuing as far as Gaines Mills.
The enemy, observing the recrossing of
the Chickahominy, came cut from his Sec
ond line of works. A brigade of infan-
try and large number of dismounted
cavalry attacked the division of Generals
Gregg and Wilson, but after severe con-
test, were repulsed, and driven behind
their works. Gregg and Wilson's Divis-
ions, after collecting the wounded re-cross-
ed the Chickahominy on the afternoon of
the 11th. The corps encamped at Wal
nut Grove and Gaines Mills At nine
o'clock a m. of the 18th. yesterday, the
march was resumed, and our forces en-
camped at Bottoms Bridge. This COM
mand is in fine spirits. The loss of hor-
ses will not exceed one hundred. All the
wounded were brought off, except about
thirty cases of mortally wounded, and
those were we'll cared for in the farm hous-
es of the country The wounded will
not exceed two hundred and fifty, and the
total loss not over three hundred and ff-
ty.
The Virginia Centeral Railroad bridg,
es over the Chickahominy and other tres
tie bridges are sixty feet in length, one
thirty feet and one twenty feet, and
the railroad for a long distance south OF
the Chickahominy were destroyed. Great
praise is given to the division commanders
Generals Gregg, Wilson and Merritt
and Gems. Custer, and Davis, and Coils
Gregg, Devine, Chapman, MIntoish and
Gibbs, Brigade Commanders. All the
officers and men behaved splendidly.
1870 A. Mn dispatch this mo-
ment received from Admiral Lee. He
reports to the Secretary of the Navy that
the Richmond papers of yesterday men,
tion the death of Gen. j. e. B. Stuart
He was shot in battle. This, no doubt
happened in the battle with Gen. Sheridan
(Signed,)
EDWIN NJ. STANTON,
| Secretary of War.