The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1865-03-21

Everything was unusually quiet on
this side of the James yesterday. Shcri-
dan has made his hasty raid from Staun.
ton to the White House, passing through
the counties Of Augusta, Albemarle
Nelson, Fluvanna, Goochland, Louisa,
Hanover and New Kent, and leaving
some desola;ion in his track 1t is re-
ported that he destroyed a large quantity
of subsistence in bis route. We have
heard Of many individuals who were
robbed by his brigands. From the White
House it is conjectured his forces have
proceeded to Grant, either across the
country or up James river in trans
ports
There wasa very considerable bonn
bardmcnt near the Jerusalem pl ankroad,
on the Petersburg lines, SCOUT daylight
on Saturday morning. The firing was
begun by our troops. Xhc results, if
any, are unknown.
A VICTORY ~ NORTH CARoLINA-GENE-
RAJ. JOHNSTON MAKES TIE ATTACK AND
ROUTs TIE ENEMY.
The following official dispatch, from
General Lee, was received yesterday:
"UfApaCAgIHEs AKMIEe CONFEDERATE STATES.
March 20. 1865. !
s'Hon. John c. Rrech,"'iaqc, Sccretaty IF Var:
General j. T.. Johnston reports that, about )
T. NJ Oh the 18Th instant, he attacked the enemy
near Bentonsy;lle, routed him, capturing three
guns. y mile in rear the enemy rallied upon
flesh troops. bat was forced back slowly until 6
o'clock T. NJ, when. receiving more troops, he APP
parent!v assumed the offensive, which movement
was resisted without difficulty until Dark This
morning he is intEenchcd.
"Our loss is small. The troops behaved admira-
bly, we'll
Dense .hiclets prevented rapid operations.
ar. Z. LfE.'
Bentonsvillc is sixteen miles south of
Smithficld, and Smithiicld is twenty
five miles southeast of Raleigh. The
report is, that the battle was renewed
yesterday.
CHARLESTON.
By recent advices from South Caro-
lima, we learn that the Yankees posted
at Charleston send out daily foraging
parties, devastating the plantations on
the Santee. All able-bodied negroes are
being dragged from their homes to fill
the Yankee ranks.
The South Carolina railroad is ope>
rating to five mile. north of Summer
Vile, twenty-five from Charleston. Dr.
A. G. Mackay, the famous Masonic au-
thor, has been appointed by the Yankees
street inspector of Charleston. The
editors of the Courier call him an old
and well-tried citizen. Sanitary inn
proyenents are progressing in East Bay
and Church streets.
The Yankees are fearful Of the advent
of the sickly season, and are purifying,
TO be prepared
On the night of the 9th Of March, a
fire destroyed the whole block on which
is situated the warehouse Of John Fra
ger & Company.
The roads to Charleston arc lined with
people, white and BLACK, going to
Charleston On foot to trade and for pro-
lection.
Fosters command are treating the
ladies brutaIly and outrageously in raids
from Charleston.
IRON THE TRANS MISSISSIPPI.
Mobile papers, of recent date, have
reliable information that Kirby Smith
has twenty five thousand negro troops
armed, equipped and organized under
their masters, and operating in the
Trans Mississippi Department. The
muster-roll of that Department contains
over one hundred thousand names, Of
which eighty thousand are effective for
service.
We should prefer to hear that General
Kirby Smith was moving some portion
Of this immense force to this side of the
Mississippi river.