The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1865-03-16
OFFICIAL WAR BULLETINS.

ns WAN DEPARTMENT. w ashington March ID.
Maj Gen. Dix - The following report Of
Sheridan's operations has been received by this
Department. [Signed] f. NJ. STANTON.
HEADQUARTERS MIDDLE NIL. DIv.,
f.sss- Columbia, Va, March 10. :
Ls-Gen. Grant: Gensral-ln my last. dated
Wsynesborc, gave you q brief account. Of the
defeat of Early by Clusters division. The same
night, this division was pushed across tho Blue
Ridge. and entered Charlottesville at P. NJ. the
next day. Tho Mayor and principal inhabitants
came and delivered up the keys Of the public
buildings. I had to remain At Charlottesville
two days, which time WAS consumed in bring
ing over from Wsynesboro our ammunition
and pontoon trains.
The weather was horrible, and the rain in
cessent. The two Divisions were. during this
time, occupied in destroying the two b,idges-
one over the Rivanna River, and the other over
Mouse's Creek, near Charlottesville, and the
railroad, for distance Of eight miles, in the
direction Of Lynchburg.
On the 9Th Of March sent the First Dives
ion, Gen. Devan commanding, to Scottsville on
james River. with directions to send out light
parties through the country. and to destroy all
merchandise. mills, factories and bridges on the
Rivanna River. the parties to join the Division
ct Charlottesville. a
The division then proceeded along tho canal
to Duguidsville. fifteen miles from Lynchburg,
destroying every lock, and in many places the
banks ofthe canal. At Duguidsville we hoped
to secure the bridge to cross the river, rs our
pontoons were useless on account Of high water.
In this we were foiled, As both this bridge and
the bridge at Hardwicksville were burned by
the enemy upon our approach.
Merritt accompanied this Division. The
Charlottesville. and procesdep down the Lynch
burg railroad to Amherst Court House. de
stroying every bridge on the road. The bridges
on this road are numesous, and some Of them
are Eve hundred feet in length.
We have found great abundance in this coun-
try for our men and animals. In fact the canal
had been the great feeder Of Richmond. At the
Rockfsh river the bank ofthe canal was cut, and
1t 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 bottom Of the
canal. ..- "a. -. -r;s-g
The dam across the James at this point VA
also partially destroyed. have had no oppo-
sitiou. Everybody is bewildered By our move
ments. have no news Of any kind ,since
lea.
The latest Richmond papers were Of the 14,f
bat contained nothing. omitted to mention
that the bridges on the railroad from Swoopi
Depot on the other side Of Staunsoa 70 Char
louisville. wsre utterly destroyed.
Also. all the bridges for . distance Of Ter
miles ON The oordonsville Railroad.
The weather has been very bod indeed
raining very hard every day. with the exception
Of four days. since We started. Ny wagon.
have. nom the state Of the roads detained m.
up TO he present time. 81
We have captured 6urtesn pieces Of artillery
slssen..at waynsshoro and three 1t Chariosss
vile. Ths party that ] SAINT back from