" He was now in a perilous position, one from
which but few generals could have extricated
themselves. The defences of Richmond, manned,
were to the right, the Chickahominy was to the
left with no bridge remaining and the opposite
bank guarded, to <he rear was a force from Rich-
mond. This force was attacked and beaten by
Wilson's and Gregg's divisions, while Sheridan
turned to the left with the remaining division
and hastily built a bridge over the Chickahominy
under the fire of the enemy, forced a crossing



SHERIDAN'S RICHMOND RAID, 228

and soon dispersed the Confederates he found
there. The enemy was held back &om the
stream by the fire of the troops not engaged in
bridge building.
^^ Sheridan in this memorable raid passed
entirely around Lee's army: encountered his
cavalry in four engagements^ and defeated them
in all ; recaptured four hundred Union prisoners
and killed and captured many of the enemy;
destroyed and used many supplies and munitions
of war; destroyed miles of railroad and tele-
graph, and freed us from annoyance by the
cavalry of the enemy for more than two weeks."

It is not intended now to criticise either the
conduct or value of this " memorable raid," but
simply to note a few established facts in contrast
with General Grant's enthusiastic statements.
A glance at the map of Virginia will demon-
strate that Beaver Dam Station, on the Virginia
Central Railroad, the most westerly point touched
by General Sheridan's command during this
movement, is about seventeen miles directly south
of the left of the lines hield by General R. E.
