Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1865-03-22
SHERIDAN.
Further Details of his Late Rald-Its Ex.
tfaordidary Success-The Damage In.
flictcd upsH the Enemy, Etc.

FORTRESS MONROE, March 9oth.-Major
companied by Captain Moore, OF General
Sheridan's staf, and several other officers and
the principal scouts belonging to General
Sheridan g army, arrived here last evening in
the steamer Matilda, direct from the White
House, Virginia, en- route to Washington, ID.
e., with seventeen battle flags, captured partly
near Waynesbofo. Virginia, in the battle
with the rebel General Early's forces, and in
other encounters during the raid across the
State.
I'VE have given an account OF the presenta'
tien OF these flags.-ED.l
The information gathered from these officers
respecting the damage inflicted upoa the
enemy by General Sheridan's forces, does not
materially differ from the accounts already
complished as complete, and SO far as the
present exigencies Of the enemy's position, ir.
reparable.
The damage done the James river canal is
almost incalculable, all the locks, aqueducts
and warehouses for distance OF sixty miles
having been either totally destroyed or greatly
damaged: All the bridges spanning the nu-
merous streams they crossed, and within the
circnit of many miles which was encompassed
by the line OF march, were eftectually rendered
useless by blowing up the piers and stone work
and setting fire to the wood portion comprising
them. The railroads and all the bridges within
distance OF eighteen miles Of Lynchburg
were destroyed, and supplies Of provisions and
ammunition destined for the use OF the rebel
army, which were captured in abundance on
the route, were, with tn warehouses contain
ing the same, given to the flames.
One division of General Sheridan's force
penetrated TO within distance Of fourteen
miles OF Richmond. From the prisoners cap
tured our officers learned that our movements
were creating great CONSERVATION In the rebel
capital.
The Sd division, under General Custer after
leaving Waynesboro, marched in the direction
Charlottesville and -Lyncnburg railroad,
guided by excellent scouts, destroyed every
thing in their path They struck the James
river canal at New Castle, where the division
under General Merritt had already arrived by
way OF SGottsville and Howardsville. From
thence, forming junction, the two divisions
moved again to Scottsville, and thence to Co.
lumbia, on. the James river canal, which is
forty five miles west ef Richmond.
From Columbia, they struck out across the
country, passing over the Sou,h Anna and
North Anna rivers, and destroyed the bridges
over these streams, and succeeded in reaching
Ashland, fourteen miles from Richmond,)
from which point they marched, without OPP
position direct to the White House.
General Sherldanis force, notwithstanding
their great march and other hardships en-
ceuntered, is represented TO be in the very best
condition and order. Officers and men ap.
peared to have suffered very little They bring
In about 800 prisoners and some 800 negroes,
who followed them to the White House. where
the entire force has safely arrived large
number OF the arisoners were taken on the
march, but owinesto the rapidity OF our move
ments, many of these were abandoned, while
others made theufstape, owing to the relaxed
vigilance OF the guards, who appears to be
glad to get rid of them.
The entire fores have crossed to the south
bank of the Panunkey river, where, at last
accounts, they We're resting and recruiting
preparatory to fu. Their operations.
The corps Of tae rebel General Longstreet
vas supposed tot0e lurking in the vicinity OF
the White House, as on the evening of the
arrival Of General Sheridans force at that
place frequent skirmishes occurred between
his advanced pickets and small squads OF the
In 60, s,.s-
Another Account.
CITY POINT, March 20.-Lieutenant Colonel
o. E Babcock, Of General Grants staff, has
just returned froIa White House, and reports
arrived there the night before last, and that
the whole command was In at noon yesterday.
Sheridan lost about fifty men and two officers,
all told. His men are mounted, excepting
about two hundred and fifty. They captured
many horses and mules, and shot all the broken
down animals.
him. Women have Travelled on foot, carrying
children TWO years old, and kept up with his
cavalry all the way from Calumbia. At
Charlottesville he was Obliged to station
rear guard to prevent the negroes following
him by hundreds, as he was at that time
wholly unable to feed them or to afford the
slightest st protection pS Lattsrly he has been
ful during the latter part of the raid, and pro-
cured their own subsistence on the march.
He advanced to within fifteen miles OF
AyucuOuIkS 6uQ came WlLnlu twelve miles OF
Richmond: Not bridge Is left on the James
between the two cities, aAd not q railroad
bridge between StauntoL and Charlottesviile.A
His destruction of the canal is thorough
One viaduct could not be rebuilt in SIX months
in time OF peace. In one or two places the
river was turned into the canal, and washed
it ont fifteen feet below the level for miles.
He carried CONSERVATION everywhere and
mystified the rebels by the celebrity of his
movements. The roads were the worst ever
trayersed or conceived. and the mud indie.
scribably deep. The enemy thought 1t impos-
sible for him to pass over some Of them, and
reckon ed accordingly.
His men will soon be ready for anything.
U The Swedish steam frigate Venadis has
arrived 1t New York. She carries % euna.
grI,es OF 40 horse power -. =