The New York herald., 1864-05-17
SHERIDAN!
The Great Cavalry Expedition
Through the Rebel Lines.
Special Dispatches to the
Herald.
Lees Army Flanked and His
Communications Cut OF
HE SUCCESSIVE DAYS FIGHTING.
]. e. B. Stuart's Forces Well
Whipped.
DestructioR Of Locomotives, Cars, Bridges,
Culvsrts, Tracks and Supplies
--------------~~--~~--
Capture of Men and Gums
from the Rebels.
The Rebel Capital Reached and Its
Outer Defences Taken.
-~~-~~~~~--~~~~~>>~~>-
eallantry Of General Custer
and His Command.
THE G A S u ALTIE S,
-. Co.. &a
The Rebel Capital Reached and Its
Outer Defences Taken.
eallautry Of General Custer
and His Command.
HE G A S u ALTIE S
-. Co.. Ga
ms. 3, II. Bulkley's Despatch.
.Ns HEADQUARTERS, CAVALRY CoRps,
HAxHALL's LANDING. ON JANIS RIVER,
Nav 14-3 p NJ

Nay 14-3 7. NJ
HnNr WHAT HAS ACCOMPLISHED.
ne cavalry corps OF the Army OF the Potomac. under
- command Of Major General P. H. Sheridan, have
ring the past ten days covered themselves with glory
- accomplished the decisive results Of the
1sy have fought and defeated stuarts boasted cavalry
nine successive days, fanked bis army destroyed all
- communications with Richmond, captured and de-
eyed three long loaded with commissary stores,
esther with Arst class engines recaptured three
1andred and seventy eIght Union prisoners including
10 oooncls, lieutenant colonel and several officers
lower gsado captured three pieces OF artillery and
obsus hundred prisoners taken the outer line Of
Nsstocations the north side Of Richmond, whipped
0sr cavalry and infantry within the sound Of the
aAurch bells Of their capital, and brought
- command safely through 10 the James river under
- protection OF our gunboats.
mis- has only been accomplished BY the most deter
nined and stubborn fighting and with the loss Of large
hanber OF brave officers and men.
Our operations have been entirely the flank and
ssar OF Lees army so much that have had oppor
sa,sy OF sending you any dispatches hitherto but will
How endeavor to give full account as possible
q all our doings since crossed the Rapidan.
coxroarioH COMPROMISING RArrpAs.
me cavalry corps composed Of three divisions, and
ombered time crossed the several thou
annd mounted men. General farbert, commanding the
1rs division, taken sck being entirely disabled BY
- sbscess his back, that the command OF his dvi
ssp had given General Merritt Brigader General
hcM Gregg the Second division, and General
J. r. wilson, recently OF the Cavrry Bureau, the Third
Ensh division had two batteries, numbering in all about
xhArty guns.
On the morning OF Wednesday, May 4, General Greggs
alvhou crossed the Rapidan at Elys ford, driving in
and capturing portion Of the rebel picket stationed
nsrs. This movement accomplished by Major Hugh
q yaneway, with battalion OF the First New Jersey
cavalry, ard by sunrise had taken up line OF
rch towards the battle field of Charlottesville. We
blvouacked two miles beyond the famous Chancellorsvlc
House. and awaited the arrival Of Sheridan with
~ Tirst division.
REcoySossAScE, ADVANCE AND FIGHT.
u the meantime General Wilson, with the Third divi
s crossed the at Germanna ford and started
upon a reconnaissance In the direction OF spotsyvana
Uourt House. Al OF the 6h also marched In the
direction spottsylvana and when arrived at Todds
tavern which was the len flank Of General Hancock's
sorps we encountered General Wilson 10 full retreat
vNh his division, having been driven back some
Eve miles BY Fitz Hugh Lee and handled
yasher roughly. General Gregg, who never allows bis
Ayison driven under any circumstances, at once
started for the front With General Davies Brigade
putng in the TTsi ew Jersey and squadron Of the
T,rst massachusetts, drove the enemy steadily compc
bs him fall back across the Pc and behind bis orth
pAtlons.
OUR Iossrs.
Our loss IN killed and wounded sharp hight was
Sstween seventy and eighty. Here Captain Hart and
fssutepaut Mitchner, OF the First New Jersey, were
sounded and Captain Lawrence Hopkins, Of the First
uassac chuscts had his horse killed by shell and him.
yea wounded In tho foot he calamity leading his
squadron into the nght wo held the battle Geld that
sisht
IL MAIN ARMY ESGAoED-sruART ATTACKS us Fur u RS
On the morning OF the dth, at daylight. General Han
sock opened upon the enemy right, aud tho mus
kssry drna the most terrific and ncessant that
sver hoard Tho battle ragged furlousy Tor Eve or six
hours at time approaching seemingly near TO US, and
mon rscoing. indicating not only held our own
tus pushing the enemy back.
LAto Ia tho day Stuart made demonstration upon both
right and left tanks but handsomely repulsed
~ Curtis brigade, OF tho First DIVISION on the right
and Colonel Grcgg's orsadc OF the Second division OF
sAs loft. General Custor went into tho azht with h.
ssual impetuosity having his band playing parlot,
Airs In 'front.' himself charging at the head his br cade
md tho artillery playing Into tho enemy at the sam.
Nme.
suuuaAr GREGG DURING rHs rcur-exSxRAL pAvWs' VAR
RsCApE.
ne attack The eft very stubborn, and looked
spr time AZ though would be successful but Genera
orsse. who n the coolest man under trying clrcum
ances ever saw tho field, ordered Colonel Gregg
ssod In the First Mane and drive "inoso peopen away
ne eeasral always spesks Of the enemy Is "those pco
,.p Besides the First Maine, the Second, Fourth
uen,n Pennsylvania regiments engaged tho LEFT.
Irorro, 70 mention that the 9th, Brisadsr General
-t1h his ks~rrt .hA~s IA