SHERIDAN’S CIRCUIT: Occupation of Columbia in the Rear of Richmond; RICHMOND IN DANGER (3/14/1865)

New York Times - Times Machine ^ | 3/14/1865

[Homer_J_Simpson]

[OFFICIAL.]

WAR DEPARTMENT, WASHINGTON, D.C., March 13 -- 10 A.M.

Maj.-Gen. Dix:

The following report of Gen. SHERIDAN's operations has been received by this department.

EDWIN M. STANTON, Sec. of War.

CITY POINT, Va., March 12, 1865 -- 7 P.M.

Hon. E.M. Stanton, Secretary of War:

The following dispatch is just received.

U.S. GRANT, Lieut.-General.

HEADQUARTERS MIDDLE MILITARY DIVISION, COLUMBIA, Va., Friday, March 10, 1865.

Lieut.-Gen. U.S. Grant, Commanding Armies of the United States:

GENERAL: In my last dispatch, dated Waynesboro, I gave you a brief account of the defeat of EARLY by CUSTER'S division. The same night this division was pushed across the Blue Ridge, and entered Charlottesville at 2 P.M. the next day. The Mayor of the city and the principal inhabitants came out and delivered up the keys of the public buildings.

I had to remain at Charlottesville two days. This time was consumed in bringing over from Waynesboro our ammunition and pontoon 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 Morse's Creek, near Charlottesville, and the railroad for a distance of eight miles in the direction of Lynchburgh.

On the 6th of March, I sent the First Division, Gen. DEVIN commanding, to Scottsville, on the James River with directions to send out eight parties through the country and destroy all merchandise, mills, factories, bridges, etc., on the Rivanna River, the parties to join the division at Scottsville. The division then proceeded along the canal to Duguldsville, fifteen miles from Lynchburgh, destroying every lock, and in many places the back of the canal. At Duguldsville we hoped to secure the bridge to let us cross the river,

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Free Republic University, Department of History presents U.S. History, 1861-1865: Seminar and Discussion Forum
The American Civil War, as seen through news reports of the time and later historical accounts

First session: November 21, 2015. Last date to add: May 2025.
Reading: Self-assigned. Recommendations made and welcomed.

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Link to previous New York Times thread

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[Homer_J_Simpson]

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[Homer_J_Simpson]

Sheridan’s Circuit: Occupation of Columbia in the Rear of Richmond – 2
Army of the Potomac – 2-3
North Carolina: Official Dispatch from Schofield – 3
From the Gulf Department: Expedition from Baton Rouge – 3
West Tennessee Thrown Open to Trade – 3
Rebel Reports: Whistling to Keep Their Courage Up – 4
News from Washington – 4
Editorial: Sherman and Schofield – Very Significant Operations – 4-5
Editorial: Sheridan’s Bulletin – 5
Editorial: The Retirement of Lord Lyons – The New British Minister – 5
Maximilian on Toleration – 5
The Brig Castilian Ashore – 5
Escaped from Jail – 5