Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1865-03-16
Gen. sheridan,s Report.

NASutNuiON, warren Id : w AR DEpART-
MENT, WAsHINoToN- 10 Maj Gen. DiD:--
The following report Of Sheridan's opera
tions have been received by this depart
ment. (Signcd) Il. M. STANToN
HEADQUARTERS MIDDLE DIVISION. Co
LUMBIA, Va, March 10 Lieut. Gen Grant
General: In my last, dated Waynosboro, /
gave you brief account of the defeat of
Early, by Clusters division. The same
night this division was pushed across the
Blue Ridge, and entered Charlottesville, at
2 o clock p. m., the next day. The Mayor
and principal inhabitants came out and
delivered up the keys Of the public build
ings. had to remain at Charlottesville
two days. Time was consumed in bring
ing over from Waynesboro our ammunition
aud pontoon train. The weather was horri.
BILE and rain incessant The two divisions
were during this time occupied in destroying
two large iron bridges, one ever the Rivsnna
river, the other over Morses creek, near
Charlottesville, and the railroad for q
distance of miles in the direction of Lynch
burg.
On the 9th inst, sent the lst division,
Gen. Devin commanding, to Scottsville, on
the James river, with directions to send out
light parties through the country, and de-.
stroy merchandise, mills, factories and
bridges on the Rivanna river, the parties to
join their divisions at Scottsvile
The division then proceeded along the
canal to Dugondsvile, fifteen miles from
Lynchburg, destroying every lock and in
many places the boats of the canal. At
Dugendsville he hoped.to secure the bridge
to cross the river as our portoons we're use
less ON account of the high water; in this he
was foilsd, as both this bridge and the bridge
at Hardnandspn were burned the enemy up.
on our approach, General Merritt accom-.
panied this divisomD. The Sd division star.
| ted at the same time from Charlottesville
and proceeded down the Lynchburs railroad
to Amherst 9. H., destroying every bridge on
the road. and in inady places miles Of the
road. Ths bridges on this road are numer.
Gus and some of them five husdred feet in
length. We have found great abundance
| in this country for bnth men and animals; ID
fact the canal had been the great feeder oil
Richmond. At the Rock6sh river the bank
OF the canal was cut, and at New Canton
where a dam is across the James river, the
grand lock was destroyed and the river let in
to the canal, carrying away and washing ou,
the bottom of the Q NAL. The dam acros,
the James at this point was also partially de
stroyed.
have had no opposition. Every body i,
bewildered by our movements. have haC
no news Of any kind since left the lstes
Richmond papers were Of the 4th, bu
contained nothing. omitted to mentor
that the bridges on the railroad from Swoops
depot on the other side of Staunton Il
Charlottesville, were utterly destroyed. Alst
all the bridges for distance Of 10 miles OF
the Gordonsvie railroad. The weather bas
been very bad indeed, raining hard every
day, with the exception Of four days, since
We started. My wagons have, from tn,
state Of the roads, detained Inc. Up to tn,
present time VIC have captured ID pieces o.
artillery, / at WaynesborO and g at Char
lottesville. The party that | sent bach
from Wayncsbero, started with pieces, but
they were obliged to destroy 2 Of the six
for want Of ofaniinsls. The remaining 8 gum
were thoroughly destroyed We have alsc
captured II canal boats laden with supplies
ammunition, iatons, stores, &c. | cannot
speak in too high terms oil Generals Merritt
Custer and Dcvins aud the, Officers and mel
Of their command. They have wadec
through mud and water during This con,in
uous rain and all are in fine spirits and health
Commedors Hollina. ofthe rebel navy, wa
shot neof GOrdonsville, while aitempting e
make his escape from our advance in tha
direction.
(Signed,) P. II. SHERIDAN,
Major-General.