But he
had but a handful, after the long and prostrating march. His numbers
were wholly inadequate to storm the defences of the capital. Grant had
sent forward, in haste, two army corps to defend the city, and Early
was compelled to retreat across the Potomac to the Shenandoah Valley,
with the sole satisfaction of reflecting that he had given the enemy a
great "scare," and had flaunted the red-cross flag in front of the
ramparts of Washington.
I have not space to describe the cavalry movements of the summer.
Hampton had succeeded Stuart in command of all the cavalry, and the
country soon heard the ring of his heavy blows.
In June, Sheridan was sent to capture Gordonsville and Charlottesville;
but Hampton checked and defeated him in a fierce action near
Trevillian's, and in another at Charlottesville; pursued him to the
White House; hurried him on to James River; and Sheridan crossed that
stream on pontoons, glad, no doubt, to get back to the blue infantry.
Hampton crossed also; penetrated to Dinwiddie; defeated the enemy at
Sappony church, capturing their men and artillery--everywhere they had
been routed, with a total loss of more than 2,000 prisoners.
Such were the events which had taken place during my tedious illness.
They came to me only in vague rumors, or by means of chance newspapers
sent by my neighbors.
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