The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1865-03-16
Sheridan turns up on the James.
OFFICIAL.


WAR DEPARTMENT, WASHINGTON, March
13.-Maj. Gen. Die The following re-
port of Sheridan's operations has been re-
ceived by the War Department.
(Sgned) E. M. STANTON.
HEADQUARTERS MIDDLE MILITARY DIVISION,
COLUMBIA, VA. March 10.
Lieut. Gen. Grant Gen, in my last
dated Waynesboro, gave you brief ac-
count of the defeat of Early by Custar's di-
vision, the same night this division was
pushed across the Blue ridge and entered
Charlottesville at 2 p. m. the next day.
The mayor and principal inhabitants
came and delivered up the keys of the pub
lie buildings, then remained at Char
lottesville two days. The time was con-
sumed in bringing over from Waynesboro
our ammunition and pontoon train. The
weather was horrible
The two divisions were, during this time,
occupied in destroying the two large iron
bridges, one over the Ravana river, the 9TH
er over Morses creek, near Charlottesville,
and the railroad for a distance of eight
miles III tbs direction of Lynchburg. On
the 9th instant sent the lst division, Gen.
| Devin, commanding, to Scottsville on the
James river, with directions to send out
light parties through the country and de-
stroy all merchandise, mills, factories and
the bridges on Ravana river, the parties to
Join the division at ScottsviIle.
The division then proceeded along the
canal to Dignidsville Is miles from Lynch,
burg destroying every lock and i'll many
places the bank of the canal. At Dignids
Vile we hoped to secure the bridge to cross
the river as our pontoons were useles On 40
count Of the high water, in this we were
foiled as both this bridge and the bridge al
charlottesville 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 r. K. to Amherst Court House.
destroying every bridge on the road. The
bridges on this road are numerous, anC
some of them 500 feet in length.
We have found great abundance in thi
country, for our men and animals in fact
the canal has been great feeder of Rich
Inoud.
| At the Rockfisher river the bank of thu
canal was cut, and at New Canton, wher
the dam is across, the guard lock was de-
stroyed. The James river was let into the
canal carrying away the bank and washing
out the bottom of the canal. The dam
across tine James at this point was also pal
TALLY destroyed. l have had no opposition
Everybody is bewildered by our move
ments.
l | have had no news of any kind since
left, the latest Richmond papers were of thu
4th, but contained nothing. omitted t
mention that the bridges on the railroa
from Swoop's depot OIL the other side
Staunton to Chariot tesville, were utterly DE-
stroyed, also all the bridges for a distanc
of 10 miles On the Cor louisville railroad.
The weather has been very bad indeed
1t has been raining hard every day, wit
the exception of four days since we started
My wagons have, from tine bad state of th
roads, detained me. Up to the presen
time we have captured IA pieces of artillery
IL at Waynesboro and three at Charlotte
vile.
The party sent back from w aynesborc
started with six pieces, but they wer
obliged to destroy two of the six for wan
of animals The remaining pieces wer
thoroughly destroyed. We have also cap
tured twelve canal boats laden with supple
ammunition, rations, and medical stores.
cannot speak in too high terms of Gems
Merritt, Gustav and Devins, and the officer
and men of their commands
They have waded through mud and wa
ter during this continuous rain, and are al
in fine spirits and health. Commodor
Holllns of the rebel navy, was shot nea
.Gordonsville while attempting to make hi
escape from our advance in that direction
[Signed7 P II. SHERIDAN,