Editor’s Note: This article was transcribed by Jackie Martin.
THE WAR NEWS.
Early yesterday morning the following official despatch was received from General Lee. It will be seen that it gives official confirmation of the reported success of General Hampton in a fight with Sheridan’s cavalry, of which there have been many rumours in the last few days. Trevillian’s, where the despatch states the fight to have occurred, is a depot on the Central railroad, about forty miles above Richmond. The remainder of General Lee’s despatch, as will be seen, relates to the movements of the enemy in his front on Monday:
“HEADQ’RS ARMY NORTHERN VIRGINIA,
“June 13, 1864—10, P. M.
“HONOURABLE SECRETARY OF WAR:
“A despatch just received from Major General Hampton states that he defeated the enemy’s cavalry near Trevillian’s, with heavy loss, capturing five hundred prisoners, besides the wounded. The enemy retreated in confusion, apparently by the route he came, leaving his dead and wounded on the field.
“At daylight this morning it was discovered that the army of General Grant had left our front.—Our skirmishers were advanced between one and two miles, but failing to discover the enemy, were withdrawn. A body of cavalry and some infantry, from Long bridge, advanced to Riddle’s shop and were driven back, this evening, nearly two miles, after some sharp skirmishing.
‘Respectfully, R. E. Lee, General.”
No later official intelligence had been received from General Lee up to last night. It was reported by persons who came up last night from the front, that no fighting had occurred during the day. The Yankee army was still moving, but in what direction was not known.
THE RAIDERS ABOUT LYNCHBURG.
Information was received yesterday that some of the enemy’s forces that crossed to this side of the mountain and has been engaged in the demonstration against Lynchburg, had crossed to the south side of James river, below Lynchburg, and had cut the Southside railroad at Concord, a station about twelve miles this side of Lynchburg. We saw a despatch dated at Lynchburg yesterday afternoon confirming this, and stating that the enemy had cut the telegraph, but in less than an hour the wires were up and in working order.
After leaving Concord, the enemy are reported to have moved off in the direction of Campbell C. H., and our forces are reported to be in pursuit of them.
All was quiet at Lynchburg, and there were no signs of the enemy moving on the place. The citizens were prepared for the crisis, and determined, if an attack should be made, to defend the place to the last.
FROM THE SOUTHSIDE.
On Monday evening the enemy made a sudden dash with a body of cavalry on the City Point road, near Jordan’s farm, and captured two of our pickets. Graham’s battery, which was in position, opened upon the enemy, emptying a few saddles and causing a stampede. Two of the Yankees tumbled off their horses from sheer fright, and were captured. It was at first thought that they were wounded, but an examination showed that they were unhurt.
It is thought that this demonstration was made for the purpose of preparing the way for a more formidable movement.
The Yankees are still at work on the observatory south of the Appomattox, and from the proportions which the structure has assumed, the work cannot be far from completion.
FROM BOTTOM’S BRIDGE.
Our own correspondent, under date of yesterday, writes: “To-day the whole country in our front has been abandoned by the enemy. The force that occupied that position was the Fifth corps of Grant’s army, which moved off early yesterday morning, as Grant’s main body were on the march in the direction of the White House. Their departure must have been very precipitate, from the fact that their whole camp and the roads were literally covered with whatever of luggage that might be considered to impede a rapid march. Blankets, overcoats, shirts and camp equipage of every description were strewn about in the most indiscriminate confusion. Everything that came within their reach was destroyed. Whole fields of corn and wheat have been trampled down and pulled up in a shamefully wanton manner, going even so far as to batter down the green fruit from the orchards.
“Independent scouting parties of Captain’s Stoat’s company, of the Arsenal Battalion, succeeded in capturing four straggler’s from Grant’s army this morning, among the number an old English cotton spinner, over forty five years of age, who readily confessed not being able to read or write. He said he enlisted on account of necessity, and the bait of sixty pounds bounty—three hundred dollars—was an inducement offered to him by a Federal recruiting officer in England. No wonder Great Britain can contentedly look upon the contest here while she can thus get rid of her unemployed scum.”
LYNCHBURG UNDER THE REPORTED ADVANCE OF THE ENEMY.
At the time it was thought that the Yankees were advancing on Lynchburg the citizens were calm and determined to defend the city to the last. The first reports that reached there were that a party of Yankee cavalry were within four miles of Ar(illegible)ington depot, on the Orange and Alexandria railroad, distant twenty-eight miles from the city; that they had captured part of a wagon train; that they had tapped the telegraph, and that they were making for Lynchburg. In a little while the forces were collected and marched to the defences out side of the city. Detailed men, convalescent soldiers, reserve, second-class militia and volunteers all rushing to arms and forming a formidable force, General Nichols was in command, and prepared to give the enemy a warm reception. All accounts represent that the people of Lynchburg were brave, vigilant and determined on the occasion, and repaired, on the first alarm, to the hills and fortifications, resolved to defend the noble old town to the last extremity. With such spirit as was exhibited we think we may rest assured that Lynchburg like Petersburg, will drive the enemy (illegible).1
Source:
- “The War News.” Richmond Examiner. June 15, 1864, p. 2 col. 1 ↩