Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1865-03-17
y. S. GRANT,
Lieut.. General.
FROM THE DAu,IES

UivlSiOH, SoiuHpist, d., 1ota'
To Lieut.. Gen. Grant, commanding the
armies of the United States:
General-In my last despatch dated
Wayucsboro, l gave brief account OF
the defeat of Early by Custar's division.
The same night this division wa:
pushed across the Blue Ridge and enter
td Charlottesville at 2 p. NJ. The nex'
Say the Mayor of the city and the princi.
pal inhabitants came out and delivered
Up the keys of the public buildings.
I had to remain at Charlottesville two
days. This time was consumed in bring
ing over from Waynesboro our ammunl'
ton and pontoon trains.
The weather was horrible beyond
description, and the rain incessant.
The two divisions were, during this
fine, occupied in destroying the two
large iron bridges--one over the Rivanna
river, the other over Morse's Greek near
Charlottesville, and the railroad for a
distance Of s miles in tie direction OF
Lynchburg:
On the 9th of March sent the LIST
Division, General Devin commanding, to
Scottsville, on the Jsmes river, with d.
fections to send out light parties through
the country and destroy all merchandise,
mills, factories; bridges, &C., on the
Ravanna river-the parties to join the
division at Scottsville.
The division then proceeded along the
canal to Duquidsvile, Is miles from
Lynchburg, destroying every lock, and
10 many places the bank of the canal,
At Duquidsville we hoped to secure
The bridge to let US cross the river, as
our psntoons were useless on account OF
the high water. In this, however. We
we're foiled, as both this brid &c and the
bridge at Hardinckville, were burned by
the enemy upon our approach. Merritt
accompanied this division.
The 81 division started at the same
fine from Charlottesville. and proceeded
down the Lynchburg railroad to Am
herst Court House, destroying every
bridge on the road, and in many places
niles of tho track. The bridges on 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. LII
fkct the canal had been the great feeder
Of Richmond. At the Rock Fish river
tke bank of the canal was cut, and a,
New Canton where the dam is across the
James, the guard lock was destroyed, and
and the James river let into the canal,
carrying away the banks and washing
Cot yhe bottom of the canal. The dam
across the James at this point was also
partially destroyed.
have had no opposition. Every body
il bewildered by our movements, have
had no news of any kind since | left
The latest Richmond papers was Of the
4th, but contained nothing.
omitted to mention that the bridges
On the railroad from Swoop's Depot on
the other side of Stanton, to Charlottes-
vile, were utterly destroyed; also all
bridges for distance of ten miles on
the Gordonsville road.
The weather has been very bad indeed
~-raining hard every day, with the ex-
ceptions Of fou, days, since We started.
Ny wagons have, from the state of the
road, detained nc.
Up to the present time we have cap
tured IA pieces of artilery-eieven at
Wayncsboro and three at Charlottesville.
1he party that l sent back from Waynes-
boro started with six pieces, but they
were obliged to destroy two of the six
for want of animals, The remaining
eight pieces were thoroughly destroy.
Cd.
We have captured up to the present
time II canal boats laden with supplies,
ammunition, ratons, medical stores
&c.
cannot speak in too high terms Of
Generals Merritt. Gustav and Devin, and
the officers and men of their commands
They have waded through mud and water
during this continuous rain, and are all
in iue spirits and health.
Commodore Holiing, of the rebel navy
vas stoi near Gordonsxille, while at.
tempting to make his escape from our ad.
vance III that direction.
Very Respectfully.
your oded't serv't,
p. II. SIBERIAN,
Major Gen. comd'g.
New YORK, March, IS.
The TriJunes Wilmington correspon'
deuee of the 18th says;
Advices deemed reliable state that
6herman's army passed into North
Csrolina at least by the 81 inst.
II rebel forces under Hardee were
reported lying on the two sides of tht
Peree, which river Sherman successfully
crossed. placing himself between Hardet
end Beaurcgard.
Later from North Caroiina-Gen. .Scho
fields Account Of the Battle Mu Ktns
fcn--1He Enemy Leaae their Killed ana
Wounded on Tie Fietd-Lec Report
HAM ton TO hare Whipped Kapatricj
-Rebets Still Claim Etctory in N
Cnrotina.
WAR DEPARTMENT
Washington, Mar. 1873: As p. m.
Maisr General Dix:
The following dispatches have been re
seived BY this department:
[Signedl v. N. STANTON.
Secretary of War.
City Point, March 3D.
Hon. + n. Stanton
The following is just received I
Nyise's Fork, March 10.
r~x.l 4, r,,,t