Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1865-03-17

Ihqj. .deft. DS,r:
The following rer"r' nj Sheridans operations
has been received by tins department.
l.. NJ. STANTON.
HEAD QUARTERS MIDDLE Mil. Div.
CoLUMBIA, VA, March 10.
Lieut.. Gen. Grant
In my last, dated Wayuesboro. 1 gave yon a
brief account of the defeat of Early by Clusters
division. The same night this division was
pushed across the Blue Ridge and entered Char
Iotteville at > P. M. next day. The Mayor aud
principal inhabitants came out aud delivered up
the keys of the public buildings.
/ had to remain at Charlottesville two days
The time was consumed in bringing over from
Waynesboroour ammunition and pontoon trains.
The weather was horrible, the rain being lnces-
sant. The two divisions were during the time
occupied in destroying the two long iron bridges,
one over the Rivanna river and the other over
Morse's Greek, near Charlottesville, aud the
railroad for distance of eight miles in the d.
rection of Lynchburg.
The division then proceeded along the canal
to Duguidsville, Is miles from Lynchburg, des-
troying every lock and in many places the bank
of the canal. AT Duguidsville we hoped to Sc
cure the bridge across the river, as our pontoons
were useless on account of the high water. In
this we were foiled, as both this bridge and the
one at Hardivicksville were burned by the en-
emy upon our approach.
Merritt accompanied this division. The Sd
division started at the same time from Charlottes-
vile and proceeded down the Lynchburg Rail-
road to Amherst Court House, destroyed every
bridge on the road and in many places miles OF
road. The bridges this road are numerous
and some of them 500 feet in length. We have
found great abundance in this country for our
men and animals. In fact, the canal had been
the great feeder of Richmond.
On the 4th | sent the lst division, General
Diyen, to Scottsyille on the James river, with di-
rections to send out light parties through the
country and destroy all merchandise. mills, fac
tories, bridges, DC, on the Rivanna river, The
parties to Join the division at Scottsville.
l omitted TO mention that the bridges on the
Railroad from Swoop's Depot, on the other side
of Staunton to Charlottesville were utterly des-
troyed; also, all bridges for q distance of 100
miles on the Gordonsville Railroad.
The weather has been very bad indeed, rain
ing hard every day, with the exception of -four
days, since we started. My wagons have, from
the state of the roads, detained me.
At the Rockfsh river the bank of the Canal
was cut and at New Canton where the dam is
across the James, the guard lock was destroyed
and the James river let into the canal. carrying
. away the banks and washing out the bottom o.
the canal The dam across the river at this
| point was also partially destroyed.
have had no opposition. Everybody Is be-
| wildered by our movement.
have had no news of any kind since left
The latest Richmond papers were of the 4tl
but contained nothing.
Up to the present time, we have captured Il
pieces of artillery, IL at Waynesboro and thret
at Charlottesville. The party that sent bach
| from Waynesboro started with six pieces, bu
they were obliged to destroy two of the six, fol
| want of animals. The remainder eight piece:
were thoroughly destroyed. ! have also cap
| I2 canal boats laden with supplies ammunition
rations, medical stores, &c.
cannot speak in too high terms of General
Merritt, Custer and Devin. They have wadeC
! through mud and water during the continuou
rain. and are all in fine spirits and health.
Commodore Hollins of the rebel navy wa!
shot near Gordonsville while attempting to max
his escape from our advance in that direction
! P. II. SHERIDAN, Mai. Gen.