Latest news from the enemy.
--The Baltimore American of the 13th, has an official bulletin from
Sheridan, of his operations in the late pillaging excursion.
The heading is sensational in a high degree.
The following is the bulletin in question:
Official Bulletin — Glorious nows from
Sheridan — Success of his expedition — The capture of
Charlottesville, Amherst and
Columbia —
James River to
Richmond damaged — Numerous bridges destroyed — Capture of Canal Boats — Stores and Ammunition secured--14 pieces of Artillery captured — Rebel
Com. Hollins killed — No opposition encountered.
The following report of
General Sheridan's recent operations has been received by this Department.
The following despatch has just been received.
Headq'rs middle Military Div. Columbia, Va., Friday.
--In my last despatch, dated
Waynesboro', I gave 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 in
Charlottesville two days. This time was consumed in bringing over from
Waynesboro' our pontoon trains.
The weather was horrible beyond description, and the rain incessant.
The two divisions were during the time occupied in destroying the two large iron bridges, one over the
Rivanna river, and the other over
Morse's Creek near
Charlottesville, and the railroad for a distance of eight miles in the direction of
Lynchburg.
On the 6th of March I 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 merchant mills, canal locks and bridges on the
Rivanna river, these parties to join the division at
Scottsville.
The division then proceeded along the canal to Duguidsville.
We hoped to secure the bridge to let us across the river, as our pontoons were useless on account of the high water.
In this however we were foiled, as both this bridge and the bridge at
Harrisonville were burned by the enemy on our approach.
Gen Merritt accompanied this division.
The Third Division started at the same time from
Charlottesville, and proceeded down the Lynchburg Railroad to Amherst Courthouse, destroying 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 abundance in this country for our men and animals.
In fact the canal had been the great feeder of
Richmond.
At
Rockfish river the bank of the canal was cut, and at New Canton, where the dam is across 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 canal.
The dam across the
James at this point was also partially destroyed.
I have had
no opposition.
Everybody is bewildered by our movements.
I have had no news of any kind since I left.
The latest Richmond papers were of the 4th but contained nothing.
I omitted to mention that the bridges on the railroad from Swoop's Depot, on the other side of
Staunton, to
Charlottesville, were utterly destroyed.
Also all the bridges for a distance of ten miles on the Gordonsville Railroad.
The weather has been very bad indeed, raining hard every day, with the exception of four days, since we started.
My wagons have, from the state of the roads, detained me.
Up to the present time we have captured
fourteen pieces of artillery, eleven at
Waynesboro' and three at
Charlottesville.
The party that I 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 pieces were thoroughly destroyed.
We have captured up to the present time, twelve canal boats laden with supplies of ammunition, rations, medical stores, &c.
I cannot speak in too high terms of
Generals Merritt,
Custer and
Devin, and the officers and men of their commands.
They have waded through mud and water during this continuous rain, and are all in fine spirits and health.
Commodore Hollins, of the
Rebel navy, was shot near
Gordonsville while attempting to make his escape from our advance in that direction.
