Weekly Trinity journal., 1865-05-27
Letters from One of Sheridan's Raiders
Sad Fate of Trinity Soldiers.
FRONT OF PETERSBURG, Va.

March 2S. 1860.
EDITOR JOURNAL Our great raid is completed.
We started from Camp Russell, Winchester,
February 27th and marched early and late for
three weeks. We destroyed the canal bordering
James River for Is miles, besides burning three
large Railroad bridges on the Virginia Central.
1t is estimated that more than $40. 900 900 worth
of property was lost to the enemy by this last
movement. Sheridan successfully closed his
second winter raid over roads that most people
would declare impossible, so bad that our horses
were almost up to their knees in stiff, heavy
clay beaten by 10, 900 hoofs.
You can Judge of the hardshps of the march
when you know that out of the whole command
only one-half came into camp at White House
Landing in serviceable condition. Since then
we have been remounting, and now are on the
eve of another movement, possibly to join or
cooperate with Sherman. We were nearly three
weeks without any news, except through rebel
sources and much of this was encouragin The
people generally seemed to have had enough of
war, and considered themselves already subjuga-
ted. Our Cavalry, they say, can go anywhere
without opposition
! Our march was marked with but little incident.
At Waynesboro, Custar came upon Early flanked
him right and left and captured 400 out of his
whole force of 800, and nine pieces of artillery
At Ashland our forces were in too bad condition,
and the roads too heavy to admit of offensive
demonstrations against the rebel force in our
| front.
Right here there are interesting demonstrations
almost daily, with the advantage generally on
our side. Prisoners assure us that the Confed-
eracy is thing of the past, and our army here
says that the rebs do not fight with the old spirit
and energy that marked the war two years ago
For instance, may relate that day before yester-
day, just below us and within easy hearing dis
lance, fort captured from our men, the
pickets having been asleep deceived by false
representations of supposed deserters, and gar
rsoned by some 5000 Of the enemy but an
immediate charge being made by our forces to
regain the fort, our men surprised to find
the enemy already formed, with arms stacked.
for surrender. They marched almost without
orders to the rear
Volunteering is spirited. The whole country
seeus W sce the Necessity Oh supplying all the
demands our armies may make, so as to render
assurance doubly sure and prevent even the
slightest possibility of a relapse. Victory has
crowned us in every action, and the South, cut
OF from all hope and opportunity of aid from
foreign sources, has but slight dreams of sepa-
rate existence Davis will die hard but Lee
so our Generals think, will not be so bad a sol
dier as to lose his army in a desperate effort to
&C hieve mpossbilities.
And now, while this wicked rebellion is in its
last throes, our army is jubilant and full of spr-
it, eager to commence the last blow at the de-
parting spirit They hope that our - misguided
brethren" will see the folly Of further opposition
to good Government, but if they blind to
their own interests and good, then they must
take what is in store for them.
The health and appearance of the army is
good men neat and we'll clothed, and quarters
excellent, while Sheridan's g rough riders,
tramping day and night, through mud and mire,
storm and rain, present rough and bronzed
front. They have, however, won a good name
and the veterans of the Front have given them a
kind and cordial reception. Possibly, we shall
meet again soon, on tnis sapie ion'i W oe III AZ
the death of the monster, Secession, aud in joy
GUS rivalry join in the last demonstration. May
1 it be very shortly at hand, is the wish of every
soldier.
! Lieut.. Passage rejoined us at Jones Landing,
l. just returned from leave of absence. He i'm
proved his time home by taking unto himself a
better half whose appearance by Photographic
proxy justiies one in giving Johnny credit for
! tolerable nice taste in such matters. May the
way of all transgressors be as easy
! Lieut. Mcintosh is at Camp Remount, Pleasant