Delaware State journal and statesman., 1865-03-17
FROM GENERAL SHERIDAN
The Rebel Commodore HOllins Shot.
OFFICIAL FROM SECRETARY STANTON.
WAR DEPARTMENT,


WAR DEPARTMENT, I
C1suSa1oE, D. c., Mar. ID, l866-lO a. m.
MAJoR.GEN. DIX The following re
hort Of Gen. Sheridan's operations has
Been received by this department.
EDWIN NJ. STANTON, Sec. of War.
tlr POINT, Va, March ~, 1867 p. nj
lion. EDWIN NJ. STANTON, Secretary Of
Em The following dispatch is just re-
r4iycd. u. ). GRANT, Lieut.. Gen.
Hpoas. MIDDLE MILITARY DIVISION, !
r5lruDlA, Va, Friday March 10, 1865.
inl.Gen D. S. Grant, Commanding A7mie,
iaiisd Safes
GENERAL; In my last dispatch, dated
Eaynesborough, gave you a brief account
4 t6e defeat Of Early by Clusters Division.
Fhe same night this division was pushed
srloss the Blue Ridge, and entered
charlottesville at 2 p. m. the next day.
Thc Mayor of the city and the principal
Inhabitants came out and delivered up the
keys Of the public buildings.
had to remain at Charlottesville two
hy,. The time was consumed in bringing
oser from Waynesborough our ammunition
nj pontoon trains. The weather was
horiJh beyond description, and the rain
lscessant. The two divisions were, during
lli- tine, occupied in destroying the two
K hrge iron bridges, one over the Riyanna
River, the other over Moose's Creek, near
. cbarlottesyille, and the railroad for a
f,aucc of eight miles, in the direction of
Luchburg. On the 9th of March sent
{ G, First Division, Gen. Devin, command
( b., to Scottsville, on the James River,
uiih Instructions to send out light parties
foush the country and destroy all mer.
eandise, mills, factories, bridges, &c., on
y b. Riyanna River, the parties to join the
diy.ion at Scottsville. The division then
Proceeded along the canal to Dugurdsville,
l5miles from lIynchburg, destroying every
bk, and in many places the bank of the
rnal At Dugurdsville we hoped to
ncure the bridge to let us cross the river
Ne our pontoons were useless on account of
1Ae high water.
In this, however, we were fOiled, as both
Rhishridge and the bridge at Hardwicksville
Ffr burned by the enemy upon our
Sappdoach Merritt accompanied this divis-
~ The Third Division started at the
fanc time from Charlottesville, and pro-
csclel down the Lynchburg Railroad to
Anhcrst Courthouse, destroying every
bridge on the road, and in many places
nile Of the road. The bridges on this
pll are numerous, and some of them five
hndrel feet in length.
We have found great abundance in this
country for our men and animals. In fact
lhe canal had been the great feeder of
Richmond. AT the Rockfsh river the
hlk ui the canal was cut, and at New
Nnion, where the dam is across the james,
+ ~ lulrd-lock was destroyed and the James
lFyf lei into the canal, carrying away the
als' and washing out the bottom Of the
anA.
The dam across the James at this point
~, also partially destroyed.
a have had no opposition. Everybodyis
|eNvl'dyrcd by our movements. l have
ny TO news Of any kind since left.
The latest Richmond papers was of the
aNi but contained nothing.
omitted to mention that the bridges on
'Ee railroad from Swoop's Depot on the
oshcr side Of Staunton to Charlottesville,
Were utterly destroyed; also all bridges for
distance Of 10 miles on the Gordonsville
niroad,
lhe weather has been very bad indeed,
iunlng hard every day with the exception
y iour day., since we started. My wagons
naVe from the state of the roads detained
Pto the present time we have captured
earteen rpeces of artillery, eleven at
SMayneSborough, and three at Charlottes-
The party that sent back from Waynes-
pro started with six pieces, but they were
'ehged to destroy two of the six for want
y animals. The remaining eight pieces
HtIe thoroughly destroyed,
We have captured up to the present
pile twelve canal boats laden with supplies,
Nnunlton. rations, needed stores, etc.
cannot speak in too high terms of Gen
nals Merrill, Custer and Devins, and the
elcers and men Of their commands. They
aAVe u waded through mud and water during
vi continuous rain, and are all in fine
APTlts and health.
Commodore Hollins of the Rebel navy
sas shot near Gordonsville while attempt
lps to make his escape from our advance
y that direction.
very espectfully your obedient servant,
T. H. SHERIDAN, Maj. Gen. Com'g.
Lhules' and ChIIdrem's Hats
, r,'9s9 styles at CHARLES oAKPORD SONS, Cont.