The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1865-03-09

cighteen thousand men. Four brigades
sro reported O. sent to Lynchburg to
get there before Sheridan, IF possible.
[Signed] U. 8. GRANT.
CrrY Po1xr, VIRGINIA,
March Ga p. N.
Hon. f. H. Stanton, Secretary Of Var:
Refugees confirm the statement Of de-
serters as to the capture of General
Early and nearly his whole force.
They say it took place on Thursday
last, between Staunton and Charlottes-
vile, and that his defeat was total.
[Signed] U. s. GRANT,
Lieutenant General.
The reader will readily perceive how
little of truth there is in the foregoing.
Commenting on this news, the New
York Herald, editorially, remarks:
Thus, as indicated in the news now
published, every day brings us nearer
to the final issue of our recent and rapid
succession of victories. Gradually the
armies of the nation are enveloping the
centre and last stronghold of the rebel
lion. Grant holds Lee at Richmond;
Sherman, with the veterans of the West,
is sweeping up from the South, driving
the enemy irresistibly before him; Sheri-
dan now pours down from the North,
directly menacing theAlast resource Of
the enemy by the Lynchburg railroad
and Candy, ere this, is brushing away
what remains of the rebellion in Ala
bama- The days of Richmond and the
rebel Confederacy are verify numbered.
The Herald also publishes map of
Northern Virginia, which it heads as fol-
lows: Capture of the Rebel General
Early -Sheridan's New Movement up
the Shenandoah Its Success Race
for Lynchburg- of the Lines
Around Richmond"
A correspondent of the Herald, wri-
ting from Winchester, March Sd, gives
the following about the setting out of
Sheridan's expedition
l am authorized to announce the fact
that, on Monday, tie 9th ultimo, large
cavalry force left this Department on an
expedition up the Valley. The expedi-
ton was we'll equipped, commanded in
person by General Sheridan and his SUI
bordinatos, Generals Merit, Custer, De-
wins, Forsyth and Gibbs. No informa-
ton has been received from this army
since it left here.
The same writer adds something about
an alleged conspiracy to capture General
Sheridan:
A few days ago, three Winchester
families, by the names of Sherrard, Lee
and Buncll, were sent without our lines
on the charge of disloyalty. 1t is alleged
they censpired together to get up a soci-
able ball, to which General Sheridan was
to be an invited guest, and that during
its progress detachment of Mosby's
guerrillas was to seize the General, take
him captive, and convey him to Rich
mond, la Kelley and Crook. The plan
was frustrated, and the ladies @ who
concocted it are now in full communion
with those for whom they have exhibited
such warm sympathy.
A few days ago, a scouting party,
under the command of Sergeant Multi
gan, went up the Valley on special duty.
On their return they were met by a body
of guerrillas, who attacked them, killing
q scout by the name of Hall. and Sc
verely wounding private Golf, Of the
Seventeenth Pennsylvania cavalry. The
affair took place near Midd;etown, thir-
teen miles south of this town.
An order has been issued discontinue
ing furloughs to officers and enlisted
men. This looks like an early resump-
ton of active military operations.
FROM SOUTH CAROLINA A FLAGSHIP
SUNK.
A dispatch from Philadelphia, to the
Baltimore american of Monday after
noon, gives the following, which is all |
the Northern papers have from Sher-
mans field of operations: