The Portland daily press., 1865-04-19
HEADoUAnrEns NAsHvILLr

Department by Maj. Gen. Thomas
HEADQUARTERS NAsHvrLLE,l
| April 81 80 z. NJ.
10 MAJ Gen. III. w. HGiieck, Chief of staff:
- forward the following report from Maj.
Gen. Stoneman Just received, tor the informa-
ton OF the Secretary of War and the Lieut..
General, and take pleasure in especially invt-
ing their attention to the Importance of this
work performed by Gen. Stoneman, who, in
spirit, FULLY executed the order given before
starting on the expedition. The officers spec
tally mentioned by Gen. Stoneman, Major
Keogh, Capts. Marion, Allen and Chamber
lain. have heretofore on many occasions dis
tinguished themselves by gallantary and cool
conduct Ia battle.
HEADQUARTERS EAST TENNEssRE
In Field, Camp at Siatersville, N. c., April 18th,
Via Jonesville A. III. April 18th.
To Moi. Gen. Thomas, Commanding De-
! pdrtment of the CumberLGnd:-I have the
nonor to report the following as the result Of
our operations since my last dispatch from
Boone. le .Hs ~
1t became necessary to cross the Blue Ridge
into the Yadkin River bottom, in order to OBJ
tain supplies for men and horses, and there we
were detained three Gays by a freshet. From
thence we struck for Christiansburg, On the
route detached Gel Miller with portion of
his brigade TO Wytheville, and Major Wagner
with a portion of the 18th Pennsylvania, of
| lQeSeNtlree
! points were struck almost simultaneously.
Col. Palmer attacked, and after some fight
| ing captured Wytheville, and destsoyed the
| depot OF supplies at that point, and also at
Mory's Meadow.
Maj. Wagner, after striking the railroad at
Big Lick, pushed on towards Lynchburg, des-
troying on his way important bridges over the
Big and Little Otter, and got to within four
miles of Lynchburg. with the main body effec-
tually destroying the road between New River
and Big Lick, and struck for Greensboro, on
the North Carolina Railroad, and arrived. near
Salem, N. g.
directed Palmer's brigade to destroy the
bridges between Danville and Greensboro, and
between Greensboro and the Yadkin River
and the large depots of supplies along the road.
! This duty was performed with considerable
fighting, the capture OF 400 prisoners, and to
my entire satisfaction.
With the other two brigades, Browns and
Miller's, and the artillery under the command
of Lieut.. Reagan, we pushed for Salisbury,
where we found about 5000 troops under the
command of Maj. Gen. w. M. Gardiner, and
IA pieces nof artillery under command of
Colonel, late Lieut.. Gen. Pemberton. The
whole formed behind Grants Creek, about
two and half miles from Salisbury AS soon
as proper disposition could be made, / or
dered general discharge along the entire
line, and the result was the capture of the
whole IA pieces of artillery, 1894 prisoners,
including SO officers. All the artillery and
1l64 prisoners are now with us. The remain
der OF the forces was chased through and
several miles beyond the town, when they
scattered and escaped into the woods.
We remained at Salisbury two days. during
which time we destroyed Is miles of railroad
track, and the bridges towards Charlotte,
and then moved to this point. From here we
shall move to the south side of the Catawaba
river, and be in !position to operate towards
Charlotte or Columbia, or upon the flank of
an army moving SOUTH
The following is partial list of the public
property captured north OF Salisbury, and de-
stroyed by us: -Four large cotton factories,
and 1000 bales of cotton four large magazines
| containing 10000 stand OF small arms and ac-
coutrements; 100000 rounds of small ammu-
milton, 10000 rounds of fixed artillery am-
muntion, and 1000 pounds of powder, $4,000
bushels of corn, $4,000 bushels Of wheat, 160,-
000 pounds of cured bacon, 100000 suits Of
gray uniforms and clothing, 100000 army
blankets, 10000 pounds of harness leather,
100000 pounds of saltpetre; also a very large
amount of sugar. salt, rice and other stores
and medical supplies, valued by the Medical
Director at 100000 in gold.
The depots along the route traversed by our
various parties has furnished us with an abun-
ance of food. The number of horses and mules
| cdpJureu dlOnB tho Fodu nave no medHs Cl
estimating. can say, however, that we are
much better mounted than when we left
Knoxville. We have surplus of lead, ami
mails and sufhcent besides to haul of all our
captures, mount portion OF the prisoners,
about 1000 contrabands, and this after cross
ing Sote Mountains once, the Blue Ridge
three times, and a march made by headquar-
ters since the Goth OF last month, of 500 miles,
and much more by portions of the command.
The rapidity of our movements in almost ev-
erv instance caused our advance guard to her
aid our approach, and made the surprise COM
plete. Gen. Gillen, the immediate command
er of the division, who Is entitled to full
share of whatever is due, will make the de-
tailed report of the expedition.
The only casualties in my staff was Capt
Morrow. A. A. Gen., who while calamity as
sisiing Maj. Keough, my A. d. c., leading the
18th KY. Cavalry in the fight at Salisbury, was
on his 10Th birthday severely but not danger
} ously wounded in the left knee. These two
young officers, as was also Maj. Boscom, A
A. G.; my chief OF staff Capt. Chamberlain
my chief quartermaster, and Capt. Allen, A.
A. g., wish to bring to your especial atten-
ton, and through you to the General In Chief
GEO. SToNEMAN, Maj. Gen.
I,rNorR Tam Anr;l ia
r..od;,;o,, rndar Gem Stoneman wh;ct
r.. NJ Tolp,;iie Tam IN the 10Th Of March
isls nno ~ ~ e.. Tanrassaa Ps;Iroad On nc
5a.ls o.. s -. M n.ha1iio Chr,stianshnro an
SaIann W. ~ pc,asoo,, thAse nlaces "a br;dge.
80 h,s,d "a o. lilo ~ trscL vvore totsI
$1,000. "n" 49, " u'iss sf ~ 49, 49,
and other stores have been destroyed.