The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1865-03-18
SUMMARY OF NEWS.


work be was set about with thoroug6ness
aud his usual success. After defeating Early
at Naynesboro', he took possession the next
day of Charlottesville, the Mayor and the
principal inhabitants coming out and deliv-
ering up the keys of the public buildings
Detained at Charlottesville two days by the
bad weather, Sheridan employed his forces
in destroying two large bridges and the rail.
road for eight miles toward Lynchbapa. On
the 9th, dividing his forces into two col
umns, one proceeded to Amherst Court
House, in the direction of Lynchburg, de-
stroying all the railroad bridges, many of
them long and costly structures. The other
| column struck the James river at Seuttsvillc,
destroying as it moved all the merchant
mills, canal locks and bridges on the Ripan-
ma river. 1t was Gen. Sheridan's intention
to cross the James River below Lynchburr.
but the enemy burnt the bridges, and The
high water rendered his pontoon train use.
less. Returning down the river, the .James
river canal was effectually destroyed. At
New Canton the guard lock was DESTROYED
and the swolle waters of the river were let
INTO the canal, carrying away the banks and
washing out the bottom. The dam across
the river was also injured. Twelve canal
boats laden with supplies of ammunition.
rations, and medical stores were CAPTURED.
Gen. Sheridan says he had found great album
dance OF food, both for his men and ami.
mails, the canal having been the great feeder
of Richmond. Since the defeat of Early
our forces had met with no opposition, the
enemy being completely bewildcred by our
movements. All the bridges on the railroad
between Stanton and Charlottesville, and for
distance of ten miles toward Gordonsvile
were also utterly destroyed. Commodore
Holllns, OF the Kebel navy, formerly a resi-
dent Of Maryland, who deserted our service
al the commencement of the war, was shot
near Gordonsylle while attempting to make
his escape. Gen. Sherdan's despatch is
dated at Columbia, on Friday week, and was
sent direct to Gen. Grant. Columbia is
small village in Fluvanna county, at the con-
finence OF the Rivanna and James rivers.
and on the James river canal. EGy-tvo
miles from Richmond. l. !. about the same
distance from Burkc's Junction, the inter.
section of the Richmond and Lynchburg
Road and the Richmond and Danville Roads.
OF course nothing is said of Gen Sheridan's
further movements, but should he succeed
IN crossing the James river, Burke's June
ton would be tempting prize. The de-
structlou OF the railroad there would com
pletely sever communication between Rich.
mond and Lynchburg. The work done by
Sheridan is, however, sufficiently important
1t 1t has already ended. After several prc.
vious failures by other commanders. he has
succeeded in reaching and DESTROYING the
James river canal, through which Lee has
received at least one half of the food for his
army He has also destroyed beyond pres
ent repair all the Rebel railroads north of
the James river between Richmond, Char.
lottesvllie, Staunton and Lynchburg. Add
to this that he has given Early another whip
ping, captured nearly two thousand prison.
ers and fourteen guns, and we have substan-
tlal results that must satisfy even Cavalry
Sheridan
The Richmond journals of the 10th inst,
announced that the removal of the gold belong-
ing to the banks ct that city had already com
menccd, and in the strongest language the Leg
lslature and people are called upon to put stop
to this exodus of the precious metal on the
ground that if removed it will nearly all 60 into
the hands of the Yankees, and that upon its
retention depends the safety of the Rebel Capt.
tai itself. The Richmond editors are very angry
over the recent seizure at Fredericksburg, Va
by national troops, of some two hundred thous-
and pounds of tobacco, which had been sent
thlther from Petersburg. They say there was
understood to be an agreement on both sides
that the tobacco should go safely through their
lines, and that they should receive bacon in
return for it, and they consider its capture
Yankee trick, with which General Singleton, of
Illinois, who has been in Richmond for some
time past, is supposed Of having had something
to do Senator Hunter, of Virginia, in his
speech in the Rebel Senate on the negro soldier
bill, said he should obey the instructions
and vots for it, " but that it was IN opmsitior
to all his views of public policy, and amounts to
an abandonment of the cause for which thcv
made war; overtllrows the last hope of the Con.
tederacy; leaves no cause Of dispute with the
Yankees, and ushers in abolition and negro
equality"
- An arrival at Fortress Monroe brings
the intelligence that General Sherman's
army had reached Fayetteville, and his
scouts came into Wilmington on the morn.
ing of the 18th inst. His troops would rest
at Fayetteville preparatory to another on
ward movement. The Navy Department has
official intelligence that Gen. Schofield's
forces have occupied Kinston, the Rebels
retreating towards Goldsboro'. 1t is hardly
probable that they will remain there long.
as Shcrman's next movement will flank
them. gentleman who was recently ex-
changed at Wilmington, and who was some
hours at Goldsboro' on his way to Salisbury,
reports that, contrary to general expecta-
ton, there were no heavy Notifications at
AAc anu pdSScu through ma
leigh in the day time and saw no fortfca-
tons there. Advices from General Grant
state that General Sheridan, at last accounts.
was on the way to White House, from whence
he will easily form junction with our forces
on the north side of the James. This raid
is regarded as the most successful and i'm
portant in the history of the war.
- On Monday, the 9th inst, an expedi.
ton, planned some time ago, consisting of
thirteen transports, with troops from Fort
ress Monroe, accompanied by the gunboats
Commodore Read and Yankee, proceeded
up the Rappahannock, the object being the
capture of large quantity of tobacco, sent
from Richmond to Fredericksburg, to be
struggled into our lines. A schooner bound
" with cargo of salt and whiskey was first
captured by the Read. The crew were Sc
cured, the cargo removed and the schooner
blown up. The Rebels skedadded from
Fredericksburg, and our troops captured the
tobacco, valued at $3.50, 600 The railroad
depots, bridges, rolling stock, etc., were
destroyed, and four hundred prisoners taken.
The expedition returned on Wednesday
night. 1t appeared that the Rebels at Fred
ericksburg, on the approach of the expedi-
ton, believing it was the French feet com
ing up for large quantity of tobacco stored
in that place, which had been purchased by
the French, Immediately went to work and
cleared their torpedoes out of the river, ia
cilitating the passage of our vessels. Their
disappointment and CONSERVATION on dis
covering the character Of the expedition