General Sheridan moved from Winchester on the 27th of February with two divisions of cavalry numbering about five thousand each. On the 1st of March, he secured the bridge, which the enemy attempted to destroy across the middle fork of the Shenandoah, at Mount Crawford, and entered Staunton on the 2d, the enemy having retreated on Waynesboro’. Thence he pushed on to Waynesboro’, where he found the enemy in force in an intrenched position, under General Early. Without stopping to make a reconnoissance, an immediate attack was made, the position was carried, and sixteen hundred prisoners, eleven pieces of artillery, with horses and caissons complete, two hundred and ninety wagons and teams loaded with subsistence, and seventeen battle flags, were captured. The prisoners, under an escort of fifteen hundred men, were sent back to Winchester. Thence he marched on Charlottesville, destroying effectually the railroad and bridges as he went, which place he reached on the 3d. Here he remained two days, destroying the railroad toward Richmond, and Lynchburg, including the large iron bridges over the north and south forks of the Rivanna river, and awaiting the arrival of his trains. This necessary delay caused him to abandon the idea of capturing Lynchburg. On the morning of the 6th, dividing his forces into two columns, he sent one to Scottsville, whence it marched up the James river canal to New Market, destroying every lock, and in many places the banks of the canal. From here a force was pushed out from this column to Duiguldsville, to obtain possession of the bridge across the James river at that place, but failed. The enemy burned it as the Union troops approached. The rebels also burned the bridge across the river at Hardwicksville. The other column moved down the railroad toward Lynchburg, destroying it, as far as Amherst Court House, sixteen miles from Lynchburg; thence across the country, uniting with the column at New Market. The river being very high, Sheridan’s pontoons would not reach across it; and the enemy having destroyed the bridge by which he had hoped to cross the river and get on the South Side railroad about Farmville, and destroy it to Appomattox Court House, the only thing left for him was to return to Winchester or strike a base at the White House. Fortunately he chose the latter. From New Market he took up his line of march, following the canal towards Richmond, destroying every lock upon it and cutting the banks wherever practicable, to a point eight miles east of Goochland, concentrating the whole force at Columbia on the 10th. Here he rested one day, and sent through by scouts information of his whereabouts and purposes, and a request for supplies to meet him at White House, which communication reached General Grant on the night of the 12th. An infantry force was immediately sent to get possession of White House, and supplies were forwarded. Moving from Columbia in a direction to threaten Richmond to near Ashland station, he crossed the Annas, and after having destroyed all the bridges and many miles of the railroad, he proceeded down the north bank of the Pamunkey to White House, which place he reached on the 19th.
EXPEDITION AGAINST ST. MARKS, FLA.
March 4–12, 1865.
An expedition set out from Key West about the 1st of March, under General Newton, having for its main object the occupation of St. Marks. The troops were landed from Appalachee Bay, near the light house at the mouth of St. Marks river, and encamped about two and a half miles from that spot, in order to await the landing of the artillery, and the cooperation of the gunboats, which were to ascend the river, and assist in the assault. A dense fog unfortunately occurring at the time, several of the gunboats went ashore, and none were able to ascend the river. The enemy, by this delay, received timely information of the movement, and were prepared to meet it.
Previous to landing the troops an expedition was sent to cut the railroad bridge and two turnpike bridges over the Oclokony river, and to destroy the trestle work over the Ocilla river. Another expedition was sent to cut the railroad between St. Marks and Tallahassee. These enterprises were unsuccessful. On the following morning an advance was made along the road towards the bridge over the East river, where it was found that the planking had been torn up by the enemy, who was posted on the opposite side, with one piece of artillery, prepared to dispute the passage.
Two companies of a colored regiment, commanded by Major Lincoln, made a gallant charge towards the bridge over the open space intervening, before whom the enemy fled with great rapidity. They were followed by the two companies, who acted as skirmishers, capturing the piece of artillery, which was immediately turned on the flying rebels.
The bridge was promptly repaired by the soldiers of the Ninty-ninth colored regiment, and, crossing, the line of march was commenced towards Newport. On reaching Newport a dense column of smoke indicated that the bridge which it was necessary to cross, was destroyed.
Leaving Major Weeks at Newport bridge to guard against any attempt of the enemy to cross and get in the rear of the Union troops, a service that he gallantly performed under an incessant fire from the enemy, the column pushed on towards the Natural bridge, some eight miles above, with the design of crossing there. Here it was discovered that the enemy was strongly posted on the opposite side, determined to oppose its passage.
At daylight on the following morning, Major Lincoln, with two companies of the Second cavalry, commenced the attack, and succeeded in driving the advanced posts of the rebels over the bridge; but his further progress was checked by a superior force, who were strongly intrenched, besides being protected by marshes, thickets, and other natural defences.
Reconnoissances were made with the view of ascertaining the practicability of crossing at some other place, but without success, and it was determined to attempt to force a passage over the bridge. Accordingly Colonel Townsend, in command of the Second colored, was ordered to turn the enemy’s flank, and Major Lincoln to make the direct assault, supported by Colonel Piersoll, commanding the Ninety-ninth colored.
Advancing gallantly to the charge, Colonel Townsend drove the enemy before him. They fled precipitately, abandoning their breastworks; but, unfortunately, the Union soldiers encountered, right in their way, a wide deep ditch, impassable to troops, and were compelled to return.