The Maine bugle ... campaign; 1-5 Jan. 1894-Oct. 1898 - Maine.gov

WITH GENERAL SHERIDAN. 313
we did not feel downhearted ; though we had lost some ground
we still held the key that opened the way to the enemy's right
and rear, and our own communications were all intact, and we
still kept the Dinwiddle Hotel.
In his official report General Grant says that in this battle of
Dinwiddle Court House General Sheridan displayed great gen-
eralship, and the lieutenant-general is good authority. It is
hoped that the reader has been able to see how the general dis-
played generalship : in extricating his command from the com-
plications in which it was involved by the difficult nature of the
country and the superior strength of the enemy ; in keeping
employed this formidable force, which might have caused
infinite annoyance to the left flank of the Army of the Potomac ;
and at the same time retaining his hold of the strategic point
from which new efl'orts could best be made, and where his
presence was a standing threat to the enemy's communications.
When it became evident that the enemy had no intention
of making any further demonstration, General Sheridan retired
to a small house in rear of our lines, and sent off a dispatch to
the lieutenant-general briefly narrating the events of the day,
and adding, for his information, that the force of the enemy
was too strong for us, left him to take such action as he might
deem proper, while assuring him that our command would not
leave Dinwiddle until compelled to do so. The dispatch reads
as follows
Lieutenant-General Grant,
Commanding Armies of the United States:
Cavalry Headquarters,
DiNWiDDiE Court House,
March 31st, 1865.
The enemy's cavalry attacked me about ten o'clock to-day,
on the road coming in from the west, and a little north of
Dinwiddle Court House. This attack was handsomely repulsed
by General Smith's brigade, of Crook's division, and the enemy
was driven across Chamberlaine's Creek. Shortly afterward the
enemy's infantry attacked on the same creek in heavy force, and