The independent. [volume] (Oskaloosa, Kan.) 1860-1874, 1864-05-21
THE INDEpENDENr osKALoosA KANSAS MAY
dan. in command of our cavalry. be-
tween Lee and Richmond:

dan. in command of our cavalry. be-
tween Lee and Richmond:
To Major General Dir:
An official dispatch from Sheridan.
dated Bat,om's Bridge. via Fortress
Monroe, May 18th. states that on the
9th inst. he marched around the enc
my's right flank. and Oh tho evening
Of that day reached the North Apna
river without opposition.
During that night he destroyed the
enemy's depot at Beaver Dam; three
large trains Of 100 cars, two fine loco.
motives. goo. 900 pounds Of bacon, and
other stores. amounting in all to mil
lion and . half of rations: also. the tele-
graph and railroad track for about nine
miles. embracing several cnlverts. re-
captured 378 Of our men. including two
Colonels. one Major and other OH
GERS.
On the morning of the 10th he re-
sumed operations; crossing the South
Anna at Grand Squirrel Bridge. and
went into camp about daylight.
On the nth he captured Ashland
Station; destroyed there one locomo-
tive and train Of cars. an engine house.
and two or three government buildings.
containing large amount Of stores.-
He also destroyed several miles Of road,
embracing six culverts and trsstle
bridges. and the telegraph wires.
About 2 o'clock, A. NJ, on the 1lth.
he resumed the march on Richmond.-
He found the rebel Gen. Stuart with
his cavalry. concentrating at Yellow
Tavern. Immediately attacked him. and
after an obstinate contest gained pos
session Of the turnpike. capturing two
pieces Of artillery and driving bis forces
back towards Ashland, and across the
North fork of the Chickahominy. At
the same time q party charged down
the back road and captured the 6rst
line Of the enemy's works around Rich
mond. During the night he marched
the whole Of his command between the
6rst and second lines Of the enemy's
works on the bluffs overlooking the line
of the Virginia Central Railroad and
the Mechanicsville Turnpike. After
demonstrating around the works and
finding them very strong. he gave up
the intention Of assaulting. and deter !
mined to cross the Chickahominy at
Meadows bridge. l, had been partial
ly destroyed by the enemy. but was re-
paired in about three hours, under a
heavy artillery FIRE from rebel battery.
Gen. Merritt made The crossing. attack.
ed the enemy aud drove them of hand |
somely. the pu'sui, continuing as Gar
As Gaines Mills.
The enemy observing the recrossing |
VI the Chickahominy came out from his |
second lire Of works.
A brigade Of infantry and large
number Of dismounted men attacked
.ae divisions {: Sens. Gregg and Will
son. but after severe contest were re-
pulsed and driven behind their works.
Greggs and Wilson's divisions, after
collecting the wounded. recrossed the
Chickahominy on the afternoon Of the
l9th. The corps encsmped at Walnu.
Grove and Gaines Mills on the morn.
ng Of the 18th. The march was re-
'umed to Bottoms Bridge. The com
nand is in 6ne spirit. The loss Of
horses will not exceed 100. All .he
wounded we're brought of except about
80 cases Of mortal wounds. and these
we're veil cared for in the farm houses
II the country. The wounded will not
exceed ESQ. and the total loss not over
$50.
The Virginia Central Railroad
'r'dges over the Chickahominy. and
'ther trestle bridges Of $50 and 100
md l20 feet in length. and the rail-
Dad for long distance south Of the
we're destroyed.
N C~.-...