The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1865-03-16

received by this department.
EDWIN NJ. STANTON, Sec. of War.
CRY POINT, Va, March II, 1865.
Hon. EDWIN NJ. STANTON, Secretary
of Var: The following dispatch is just
received.
U. S. GRANT, Lieut.-Gen.
HDoRs. MIDDLE MILITARY DIVISION. !
Columbia, Va, March 10, 1865.
Lieut. Gen. U. S. GRANT, Commandtng
armies United States.
GENERAL In my last dispatch, dated
Waynesborough, gave you brief ac-
count of the defeat of Early by Clusters
Division. The same night this division
was pushed across the Blue Ridge, and
entered Charlottesville at 2 p. M. the next
day. The Mayor of the city and the
principal inhabitants came out and deliv
cred up the keys of the public buildings.
l had to remain at Charlottesville two
days. The time was consumed in bring
ing over from Waynesborough our ammu-
muuition and pontoon trains. The wealth
or was horrible beyond description, and
the rain incessant. The two divisions
were, during this time, occupied in de-
stroying the two large iron bridges, one
over the Rivanna River, the other over
Moses Creek, near Charlottesville, aud the
railroad for distance of eight miles, in
the direction Of Lynchburg. On the 9th
of March | sent the First Division, Gen.
Devin commanding, to Scottsville, on the
James River, with instructions to send
out light parties through the country and
destroy all merchandise, mills, factories,
bridges, &c. on the Rivanna River, the
parties to join the division at Scottsville.
The division then preceded along the ca
nal to Duguldsville, 8 miles from Lynch,
burg, destroying every lock, and in many
places the bank of the canal st Du-
guldsville we hoped to secure the bridge
to let US across the river, as our poutoons
were useless on account Of the high wa
ter.
In this, however, we were foilcd, as
both this bridge at Hardwicksville were
burned by the enemy upon our approach.
Merritt accompanied this division. The
Third Division started at the same time
from Charlottesville, and proceeded down
the Lynchburg Railroad to Amherst Court
House, destroying every bridge on the
road, and in many places miles of the
road. The bridges on this road are numer-
eus, and some of them five hundred 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. At the Rockf5h 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 bot
tom of the canal.
The dam across the James at this point
was also partially destroyed.
have had no opposition. Everybody
is bewildered by our movements l have
had no news of any kind since lett.
The latest Richmond paper 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 Staunton to Charlotts-
vile were utterly destroyed; also all bridg-
es for distance Of 10 miles on the Cor
dousviHe Railroad.
The weather has been very bad indeed,
raining hard every day with the excep-
tlon of four days, since we started. My
wagons have from the state of the roads
detained me.
Up to the present time we have cap
tured fourteen pieces of artillery, eleven
at Wayuesborough, and three at Charlotts
vile.
The party that 1 sent back from
Waynesborough started with six piece,
but they were obliged to destroy two of
the six for want of animals. The remain
ing eight pieces were thoroughly destroy
ed.
We have captured up to the present
time twelve canal boats laden with sup
plies, ammunition, rations, needed stores,
etc.
| cannot speak in too high terms ofI
Generals Merritt, Custer and Devins
and The officers and men of their COM
mands. They have waded through mud
and water during this continuous rain.
and are all in fine spirits and health.
Commodore Hollins of the Rebel navy
was shot near Gordonsyille while attemp
ting to make his escape from our advance
in that direction.
Very respectfully, your obodient SER
want,
z. II. SHERIDAN, Maj.-Gen. Cong.
LATER.
Baltimore, March IA returned Union
prisoner who reached Annapolis to-day.
direct from Richmood, communicates
some Interesting intelligence in relation
to the state of affairs at Richmond. and
Sheridan's movements. He SAYS he was
confined in Castle Thunder, and through
the friends of Union citizens incarcerated
there, obtained much information real.
tive to events transporting about which !
the Richmond papers are silent.
On Saturday night last Richmond was
thrown into state of intense excitement
by the announcement that Sbaridor -