Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1865-04-08
sheridan.s Work In Virginia.

Maj. Gen SHERIDAN reported to the War
Department, on the 18th inst, from the
bridge of the Richmond & Fredericksburg
road, across the South Anna River, that hav.
ing destroyed the James River Canal as far
to the east as Goochland, he marched up to
the Virginia Central Railroad at Fallsville,
and destroyed it down to Beaver Dam Sta.
ton, totally destroying fifteen miles of the
road. Gen. GUSTAV was then sent to Ash
land, and Gen. DEvIS to the South Anna
bridges, all of which have been destroyed.
Gen. SHERIDAN says that the amount oil
public property destroyed in his march is
enormous. The enemy attempted to prevent
his burning the Central Road Bridge over the
South Anna, but the 9Th q. S. Cavalry
charged up to the bridge, and about thirty
men dashed across on foot, driving off the
enemy and capturing three pieces of artil-
lery-2O-pounder PARROTS.
The Richmond Wing of the 18th says
Lynchburg papers of Monday and Tuesday
bring us some of the details of the raid
through the upper country, which, in view OF
the fact that Sheridan has communicated
with Grant from Columbia, we conceive to
be puerile to withhold, and therefore lay
them before our readers"
"The Virginidn says that the Yankee divi-
sion sent in that direction followed the Or
ange and Alexandria railroad as far as Buffa-
10 river, burning the railroad bridge at that
point Every bridge between Charlottesville
and Buffalo, a distance of more than forty
miles has been destroyed, and much of the
track torn up, though the extent of damage
has not been ascertained. The nearest APP
proaeh they made to Lynchburg was New
Glasgow, IL miles distant where small party
of them burned the railroad depot. On Wed
nesday party estimated at from 1000 to s, :
900 appeared at Bear Creek, supposed to be
making for the south side of the James river
The fine bridge over the river being burned
on their approach, they contented themselves
with loud curses upon our reserves, who
were stationed on the other side of the river.
They burned the boat of the James River
company at Bent Creek. They had captured
four OF our scouts who were left in the hands
of an equal number of their troops, who, be-
ing cut off from the main force by the burn
ing of the I've river bridge, gave themselves
up to their prisoners, and were brought to
this city. The raiders burned every mill
they could find along the James river, de-
strOyed al! the tobacco and tobacco houses,
and carried away all the horses and negroes
they could lay their hands upon. They shot
about 800 of their broken down horses on the
plantation of w. r Cabell, below New Mar
ket. and took off all the horses belonging to
that gentleman they could find. It is said
that 800 Yankees crossed the river opposite
Columbia, on Friday, but retreated TO the
north side.
'The Republican says that the raiders COM
menced at Bear Creek the work of destruction
to the canal, which is reported to be very
badly damaged from about % miles below
here TO Columbia, aud possibly further down
towards Richmond. Every lock on the canal
is said to have been destroyed. In several
places the banks have been blown away
The aqueduct at Columbia is said to be badly
damaged The destruction of private prop.
erty along the route of the raiders is repre-
scented TO be immense. The people were
stripped OF horses, negroes, meal and bread.
and many were LETT without morsel of food
Dispatches state that Sheridan arrived on
the North bank OF the Pamunky, few miles
from White House, on the 18th. The n Y.
Times correspondent, writing from White
House, saws:
Sheridan has DESTROYED more property
than was ever before destroyed in any one
expedition In one day he captured two
million dollars worth. The Kanawha and
James river canal could not be repaired in
wo years. The banks are cut and levels
drained, frequently at points where rapid
streams wash out the very bed of the canal
tself At one point, near Scottville, the bed
before our troops left, had been washed out
TO a depth of ten feet, and powerful noun
tain feeder was making it deeper every hour.
From DavidsVille to GoOchland every ferry
lock and every level is destroyed so tho
roughly that every portion will have
to be rebuilt. General Sheridan's command
has Obtained supplies for horses and men in
thirteen counties traversed The supplies
consumed and wasted, and issued to starving
poor, would have sufficed to feed Lees army
for months"
The following details of movements after
leaving Columbia are given:
A movement was made northWard, striking
the Virginia Central railroad at several points,
where it was broken up. While on the way,
Gustav learned that Early, with two hundred
men, four hours before, was flying towards
Richmond. This was the first heard of him
since WaynesbOro. At. Frederickshall sta
ton dispatch from Early was found, saying
that he was about to attack Sheridan's flank
with 200 men at Goochland; but he was too
late by twenty-four hours.
Two days were occupied in destroying the
Central Railroad. The next move was to
the Fredericksburg road, marching to two
crossings on the South Anna. One was found
defended by infantry, behind earthwOrks A
charge was made. The rebels scattered, and
their guns were captured.
Gustav moved forward to Ashland station
and on the way he heard of Early again. He
promised furlough to the man who captured
him. They pushed on with cheers Capt
Burton of the staff, having the swiftest horse,
got up with Early's adjutant. Burton think
ing that the adjutant was Early, demanded
his surrender. His answer was a shot, that
wounded his horse, causing him to fall, and
throwing the captain to the ground. Early
escaped again, but was finally forced to ford
the South Anna at a dangerous spot.
By this time Pickett's division under Long
street, was hurried up to near Ashland. Its
advance was met and driven back. Skir-
mishing ensued, in which first one, then the
other, was compelled to fall back. General
Sheridan finally moved eastward to the Pa
munky.
The HeralFs City Point correspondence, of
the goth, says Sheridan reached White House
on the 18th. He lost only fifty men and two
officers. Nearly 200 negroes came in with
him, and h. bad TO turn back a large number,
as he was wholly unable TO feed and protect
them. Latterly, however, he could do bet
ter The negroes managed to procure their
II.