March 13, 1865
We have a long telegram from Sheridan, dated Columbia (a
small place on the James, between Lynchburg and Richmond). His raid has been a
complete surprise. After defeating Early utterly at Waynesboro', he met with no
further opposition, but entered Charlottesville and destroyed the rail and
bridges; then struck south and got to the James, where he destroyed all
destructible parts of the Lynchburg canal, and continued the work as he marched
down the river. If you will look at the map, you will see how important it is
to break these routes, for they leave only the road via Burkeville Junction
open to their great base, Lynchburg. The canal was especially important for transportation
of supplies, just as the Erie Canal is so essential to bring to market the
grain of the West. . . .
SOURCE: George R. Agassiz, Editor, Meade’s
Headquarters, 1863-1865: Letters of Colonel Theodore Lyman from the Wilderness
to Appomattox, p. 320-1
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