The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-10-15
War News Fifty Years Ago
CTrom the Daily Dispatch. Oct To- 1868

All was quiet below Richmond yesterday.
The Fcderals seemed to have been satisfied In
measure with their defeat OF three days ago,
and willing enough to remain in their entreneh-
mcnts. The rebel boys did not mind taking
All OF the reports from Petersburg yesterday
and last night were to the effect that there was
more than the usual quiet. The auictude on
the part of the Fedcrals was. perhaps, due
to the fact that yesterday election day.
That is to say. 1t was the date of the State
elections In OF the Northern States, and
all of the soldiers entitled to vote. and
therefore relieved Tor the time being from
military duty to perform a civil duty
From in formation received by tho Central
Railroad yesterday. it is learned that Shcridans
troops, acting under his implicit orders. de-
Browns Gap. and ID. S. Lewis. son OF the pro-
prictor. mere youth. and all other persons
connected with the operation OF the works, were
taken prisoners and treated such.
Confederate raiders have caught two or three
OF Shcridan's messengers to Washington On
the person of one OF these was found report
TO the War Department at Washington in
which Sheridan boasts OF the destruction to
private property he has ordered He names
various Valley estates he has devastcd and
brought TO waste and destruction. lie estimates
that he has destroyed 1000 barns filed
fact that the torch he ordered set has destroyed
more than 200 old Virginia country homes.
Federal flag OF truce boat reached Varina
yesterday afternoon, on board of which there
were 16S Confederate commissioned officers and
about many enlisted men. all OF whom were
brought to anchor for exchange. Colonel Guild
and Captain Hatch, having received the above
information. will go down to Narna to-day
the Confederate flag Of truce boat and
properly effect tho exchange
Fifty Federal prisoners. captured from the
bombardlng feet that confronts Charleston
have been transferred from the Confederate
prisons in Columbia. S. c., and brought to Rich
mond for safer confinement. This conglomera-
ton reached here last night, and they were
hurried to the Libby Prison In appearance.
these. prisoners, they passed down Main
street. seemed much better and looked much
better. than any others OF the Northern horde
OF prisoners that have touched these shores.
They ere all gcnteely dressed, and each one
Carried we'll packed valice hand trunk.
Every man appeared to be In good shape and
there was no doubt OF the fact that they were
we'll dressed and apparently had but little fears
OF the immediate future
In General Lees official report OF the fight
down. the river. he takes occasion to say: The
enemy endeavored to advance ween the
Darbytown Road and the Charles city Road.
but was repulsed In every attempt. The most
strenuous effort was made late in the after
noon, say about o'clock. Our boys had been
expecting this attack all day. and when it
came late in the afternoon we were more than
ready for it. The result was kind OF night
battle. in which the enemy was badly worsted"
letter from Newberne. y. c. tells of dis
couraging matters in that good section. The
letter tells OF forty -odd deaths from the great
disease is doing its most work among the col
ored people, who have little idea OF the
value OF sanitation, and i'm tile camps OF the
Federal troops the outskirts Of the town
but it is also true that the disease is getting
among the uptown people and the bon-tons of
the town
From East Tennessee and Southwest Virginia
General breckenridge makes an interesting
port Il synopsis of which is here given. This
gallant officer, under his bold signature,
reports that force OF the Federals came 10
Greenvile on the 18th, and defeated in
handsome style by General Vaughan. A number
OF prisoners were taken, were also two stands
OF colors, more than 100 horses and various
kinds OF good arms that will be mighty useful
to our good old rebel boys.