The Soldiers' journal. (Rendezvous of Distribution, Va.) 1864-1865, 1864-05-18


Major General Die:
An official dispatch from General Sheridan,
dated at Bottom Bridge, via Fortress Monroe,
18th, states that on the 9th instant, he marched
around the enemys right flank and, on the
evening of that day, reached the North Anna
river without serious opposition. During that
night he destroyed the enemy's depot at Beaver
Dam three large trains of cars, numbering one
hundred two fine locomotives, one hundred
thousand pounds of bacon, and other stores,
amounting in all to one million and half OF
rebel rations; ALSO the telegraph and railroad
track for about ten miles, embracing several cul-
yerts recaptured three hundred and seventy
EIGHT of our men, including two colonies, one
major. and several other officers. On the morn
ING of the 10th he renewed operations crossing
the South Anna, at Grand Squirrel Bridge, ana
| went into camp about daylight. On the llth ne
| captured Ashland Station, destroying here one
| locomotive and train Of cars, engine house, TWO
! or three Government buildings, containing large
amounts of stores; ALSO destroyed six miles OF
! railroad, embracing six culverts, TWO Testle
bridges, and the telegraph wire.
| About 7 A. NJ, of the 18th, he resumed the
march on Richmond. He found the rebel Cen
eral Stuart with his cavalry concentrated at yell
| low Tavern; Immediately attacked him, and,
| after an obstinate contest, gained possession OF
| the Brock turnpike, capturing two pieces OF ar
tillery and driving his forces back towards Ash
land and across the north fork of the Chicka-
hominv a distance of four miles. 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 march
ed the whole of his command between the first
and second lines of the enemy's works on the
bluffs overlooking the line of the Virginia Cen
trail railroad and the Mechancsville turnpike.
After demonstrating against the works, and
finding them very strong, he gave up the lnten-
ton of assaulting, and determined to recross the
} Chickahominy at Meadow Bridge. 1t had been
partially destroyed by the enemy, but was re-
paired in about three hours under heavy artll-
lery fire from a rebel battery. General Merritt
| made the crossing, attacked the enemy, and
drove him off handsomely, the pursuit continu-
ing as far as Gaines Mills. The enemy, observ-
ing the recrossing of the Chickahominy, came
out from his second line of works. A brigade OF
infantry and large number of dismounted cav
airy arriving at this juncture attacked the d1vl-
| sons of Generals Gregg and Wilson, but after
severe contest were repulsed and driven beh1no
:, their works. Gregg's and Wilson'S divisions,
after collecting the wounded, recrossed the Chick
:, ahominy. On the afternoon of the 18th the corps
- encamped at Walnut Grove and Gaines Mills
Anime A. M. of the 18th yesterday march was
resumed and encamped a Bottom B1qge. Inc
command is in fine spirits The loss OF norses
will not exceed one hundred. All the Woo unoeo
were brought of, except about thirty cases Oh
mortal wounds, and these were well cared 1or
in the farm-houses of the country: The Wound
n Continued on the ITO PageQ