| Powhatan Station |
| May 14, 1864 -- 4 a.m. |
| |
| Hon. J. A. Seddon |
| |
| I just returned from Mattoax. The enemy
yesterday afternoon went toward Appomattox
bridge. When about half a mile from the bridge our forces there
opened on them with artillery. The enemy immediately took up line of
march and proceeded to Bevill's Bridge across Appomattox, where they crossed. They made no demonstrations on
Appomattox
bridge. It was supposed their object was to cross Bevill's Bridge
and flank our forces at the bridge. At the time they arrived in our
front we had only about 175 there. Re-enforcements did not reach
there till about 4 p.m. We went from Appomattox
bridge to Chula on a train of cars that brought troops there, and
upon our arrival at Chula we discovered the enemy were already
there, and had torn up some track at that place. Mr. Talcott and men
at once abandoned the engine and train and made their escape good.
The train was off track by rail being up, and of course could not be
gotten away. There is a small force at Swift Creek bridge, between Appomattox
and Chula. When I left Mattoax Colonel Harrison was preparing to
move his troops toward Chula, to protect that bridge. If men are
wanted, there are about 75 of the railroad hands under arms at the
company shop, Manchester, and they might do good service. |
| J. L. Morrow |
| Supt. Telegraph |
| Richmond & Danville Railroad |
|