The New York herald., 1864-05-16


An osoia, despatch from General Sheridan, dated a
Bottoms Bridge, Fortress Monroe, May 49, states that
On The 9th Instant marched around the enemys right
aask and on tho evening Of day reached the North
Anna river, without opposition.
puri.s that night he destroyed the enemys depot q
Beaver DAM three large trains Of and one hundred
ears swo One Iecoosve two hundred thousand pounds
Of bacon other stores amounting n oil 70 one million
and half Of rebel rasous; also the telegraph and rail-
rosd track for about miles, embracing several cu
vests recapsured hundred and Of our
nen including two ooonel major and several other
officers
On the morning Of ,he 10th he resumed operations,
crossing shs South Anna a Grand Squirrel Bridge and
went Into camp about daylight
On tho 1lth he captsrod Ashland station, destroyed
here one locomotive and train OF cars, engine house,
and swo or shree government buildings containing large
amount Of Stores also destroyed SIX miles Of railroad
embracing three culvsrs <esss bridges, and she
telegraph wire.
About scven A. n. Of the nth bs resumed The march
on Richnond.
Be found the rebel Gsssrai stuns with hi cavalry
oososu1sssd at Yellow Tavern, Immediately attacked
him. and asr obstinate contest gained possession Of
the Breakdown pike cspsurns two pieces " artillery,
and driving his forces back towards Ashland and
he north fork Of the Chickahominy.
Al the same time q party charged down the Brock
road and captured the nr line Of the enemy's works
around Richmond.
During the night he marched the whole Of his con-
mand between the nrst aad second lse Of the encmys
works on the bluffs overlooking tho line OF the virginia
Central Railroad and the MechanicsviIle turnpike.
Atsr demonstrating around the works and finding them
very strong he gave up tho intention Of sssaung and
determined 20 rsoross the ChckAhomiuy ~ Meadow
Bridge IL had been partially destroyed By the enemy
but vss repaired 10 about shree hours under heavy
artillery nrs from a rebel battery.
| Gsusrai Merritt nads ths crossing, attacked the
enemy and drove him on handsomely. The pursuit
,inusd ~ far Gaines hns
Tho enemy, observing shs rscrossng Of tho chicka
hcminy, came out from his second line Of works.
brigade Of infantry and large number Of dkrsounssd
cavalry attacked the divisions Of Generals Gregg and
Wilson, but after severe contest rspulscd and
l driven behind their works.
ereggs and Wilson'S divisions arscr collecting tho
| wounded rscroesed The Chckahomoy.
On ,bs afternoon Of the i2sh she corps eacampsd a
walnut Grove and Gaines Mills.
On bs forenoon Of the issh yesterday the march
resumed, and " sncampcd a. Bottom Bridge.
rhs oommaad y IN nos spirits.
rbs,oss Of horses win Hos ssoeed one hundred
An The wounded wore brought or except about thirT
oasss = mortal wounds and those ws cared for b
the sAsnhossss q the country.
The wounded viii not exceed two hundred and nsy,
and shs total losses NOT over three hundred and MY
ns Virginia Central Railroad bridges ever the Chick
ahomny, ssd ether tsss,ls brdgesons sixty FEET In
cns'h, one thirty eetand tho railroad for along ds
saacs south q the chkksbcmlny we're destroyed
Great praise = given the division osn~snaers, Gen.
sa essss, wsea and ksrris, and Generals Custer and
Davis. CO'eass ersss. DsvAs. cAapmas. nslssosA and