Evening star., 1865-03-13
EDWIN M. STANTON, Ssc'y Of War


partment:
EDWIN M. STANTON, Sec'y OF War.
"CITY POINT, VA, 7p. m, March 10, 1865
Hon. Edxin A Stanton, Secretary of War: The
following despatch just received:
"U. s. GRANT, Lieut.. Gen
"HRApoUARTKRs MIDDLE MILITARY DE-
rARrMBNT, Columbia, Va, Friday, March 10,
le65-LieIt. Gen. U. S. G-ant, Commanding Ar
rrtss Cnited Stdtes-Geperal In my last des-
patch. dated Waynesbero', 1 gave a brief ac-
count OF the defeat or Early by Clusters di-
vision. The same night this division was
pushed across the Blue Ridge, and entered
Charlottesville at p. IN. the next day. The
mayor OF the city and the principal Inhabitants
came out and delivered up the keys of the pub
lie buildings. had to remain at Charlettes-
willie two days.
This time was consumed in bringing over
from Waynesboro onr ammunition and pom
toon trains. The weather was horrible beyond
description and the rain incessant. The two
divisions were during this time occupied in
destroying the two large iron bridges, one over
the Rivanna river, the other over Morses
creek, near Charlottesville, and the railroad
for q distance of eight miles, in the direction
of Lynchburg. On the 9th of March l sent the
first division, General Devin commanding, to
Scottsville, on the James river, with directions
TO send out light parties through the country
and destroy all merchandise, mills, factories,
bridges, etc, on the Rivanna river. These
parties to join the division at Scottsville.
The Division then proceeded along the canal
to Duguidsvile, fifteen miles from Lynchburg,
destroying every lock and in many places the
bank OF the canal. At Duguidsyille we hoped
TO secure the bridge to let us cross the river as
our pontoons were useless on account of the
high water, in this, however, we were toiled,
as both this bridge and the bridge at Hard
W icksville were burned by the enemy upon
eur approach. Merritt accompanied this Di-
vision.
The Third Division started at the same time
from Charlottesville, and proceeded down the
Lynchburg railroad to Amherst q. H., de.
stroying every bridge on the road, and in
many places miles of the track The bridges
on this road are numerous, and some Of them
500 feet in length. We have found great abun-
dance in this country for our men and ami
mails; In fact the canal had been the great
feeder OF Richmond. AT the Rnrka.h -i-er
tn. ..- % sHe eana. !. ~ns e ssefoss 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 ca
nal. The dam. across the James at this point
was also partially destroyed.
have had no opposition. Everybody Is be-
wildered by our movements. 1 have had no
news of any kind since left. The latest Rich
mond papers was of the 4th, but contained no.
thing omitted to mention that the bridges
on the railroad from Swoop's Depot on the
other side OF Staunton to Charlottes syille were
utterly destroyed Also, all bridges for q dis
tance of ten miles on the Gordonsville Rail.
road. The weather has been very bad indeed
raining hard every day with the exception OF
four days since we started NV wagons have,
from the state Of the reads, detained me. Up
TO this present time we have captured fourteen
pieces OF artillery-eleven at Waynesbero and
three al Charlottesville.
The party that sent back from Waynesboro
started with six pieces but they were obliged
to destroy two of the six for want of animals
The remaining eight were thoroughly destroy.
ed. We have captured up to the present time,
twelve canal boats, laden with supplies, am.
munition, rations, medical stores, &C.
i cannot speak in too high terms Of Generals
Merritt, Custar ard Dorm, and the officers and
men Of their commands. They have waded
through mud and water during this continu.
ous rain and are all in fine spirits and health.
Commander HollIns, Of the rebel navy, was
shot near Gordonsv willie while attempting to
make his escape from our advance in that di-
rectlon.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
fSignedJ =. H. SHERIDAN,
Major General, Commanding,