Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1864-05-19
Brilliant Operations Of the Cavalry.
WASHINGTON, May AL 40 D. M.

| " AANy - ~ r AHs
To Maj. Gen. Dix:
An official dispatch from Gen. Sheridan
dated at Bottoms Bridge, via Fortress
Monroe, May 18th, states that on the 9th
inst. he marched around the enemy's right
flank, and on the evening of that day reach
ed the North Anna River without opposi-
ton. During that night we destroyed the
enemy's depot at Beaver Dam, three large
trains of one hundred cars, two fine loco
:, olives, two hundred thousand pounds of
hao ~, and other stores amounting in all
:" - ~. million and half of rebel rations /:
alec !, 70 telegraph and railroad track for
abont i, n miles, embracing several Gull
ver,s 4 'scaptured three hundred and
sanantx-e;y, It of our men including two
colonies, one major and several other Off
GERS On the Il 1orning of the 10th he re-
sumed operation. y, crossing the South
Anna at Grand 81 uirrel Bridge, and went
into camp about d. Wight. On the Ilth
he captured Ashland station, destroyed one
locomotive and train on cars, and engine
house, and two or three go ,vernment build
ings containing large amo, mt OF stores {;
also destroyed six miles of abroad, en-
brac;ng six culverts, two tres.N lie bridges,
and the telegraph wire. About seven A.
M. of the llth, he resumed the M rch on
Richmond He found the rebel General
Stuart with his cavalry concentrate at
Yellow Tavern Immediately attacked HIM
and after an obstinate contest gained pos
session Of the Brock Turnpike, capturing
two pieces Of artillery and driving his
forces back toward Ashland and across
the North Fork of the Chickahominy.-
AT the same time party charged down
/ the Brock road and captured the tlrst line
of the enemy's works around Richmond.
During the night he marched the whole OF
his command between the first and second
line of the enemy's works on the Bluffs
overlooking the line of the Virginia Cen
trail Railroad and the Mechanicsville turn
pike.
After demonstrating around the works
and finding them very strong, he gave up
the intention of assaulting and determined
to recross the Chichahominy at Meadow
Bridge. 1t had been partially destroyed
by the enemy but was repaired in about
three hours under a heavy artillery fire
from rebel battery. Gen. Merritt eros
!, sed. attacked the enemy, and drove him
! handsomely.
: The pursuit continued as far as Gains
: Mills. The enemy observing the recos-
p sing of the Chickahominy came out from
:, his second line of works. A brigade O
! infantry and large number OF dismounted
: cavalry attacked the divisions oil Gems
:, Gregg and Wilson but after severe con
. test were repulsed and driven behind thei
= .-.or.s. Crcrr and Wilson's divisions AZ
Z ter collecting Inc wounded, recrossed TIT
A Chickahominy. On the afternoon of tn
a 18th the corps encamped at Walnut Grov
Il and Gains Mills. On the afternoon OF tn
q 18th, yesterday, the march was resume
m and they encamped at Bottoms bridg
ID, The command is in fine spirits. The lo
D, of horses will not exceed one hundred. A
II, the wounded were brought of exec
IN, about thirty cases of mortally wounds
'gt and those were well cared for in the far
e1 houses of the country. The wounded vi
IN IN not exceed $50, and the total losses n
~ over $50.
" The Virginia Central Railroad brid
els over the Chickahomny and other tresl
Oh: bridges, one GO feet in length, one 30 fe'
hi one 20 feet, and the railroad for a lol
N. distance south Of the Chickahomlny We
I'd, destroyed. Great praise is given to 1
I'd, ! division commanders, Gen'ls Gregg, n