From Our Own Correspondent

City Point Virginia
Friday March 31, 1865
By the way, I hope you’re well informed a correspondent, Mr. E. A. Paul, whose letter I have heard universally praised as by far the best and most current yet published, respecting Sherman‘s last brilliant movements, will pardon too little alterations which I was especially requested to make, by some officers of the fifth United States cavalry. The narrative says: “the 5th United States cavalry, General Davises escort, captain Achilles charged, “etc. Davis is a misprint it should be General Devin; and there seems to be no such person as captain Achilles. It was Captain E.H. Lieb who commanded and led the charge.

Although the 5th United States cavalry has been well spoken of, both officially and in the press, but the gallant action and capturing the bridge over the South Anna, I don’t think I have yet seen any full account of that particular transaction.

This is a full sketch of the whole occurrence.as obtained personally from several of those who took an active part in it. Captain Leib was sent by General Devin to destroy this bridge, which was about 500 feet long. 12 feet wide, and no less than 150 feet high, with the enemy’s battery at the end, protecting it. When they got to the bridge, the advanced guard of 25 men, under Lieutenant Hastings, crossed it with Captain Lieb, leaving about 100 men under Lieuts. Irving and Deney to cover the crossing. As the 25 men dashed gallantly across the bridge, the enemy – doubtless fearing they were coming in large force – ran from their guns, which were soon in the hands of our men. Finding all three guns – 20 pound parrots – in good condition with 500 rounds of ammunition, Capt. Lieb immediately turned them upon the enemy, who were seen advancing in force to retake the bridge, and scattered them in every direction. The work of capturing these guns and turning them on the foe was accomplished in little over five minutes. After firing 28 rounds, the guns were spiked, had their trunions knocked off, and were then rolled down the bank The bridge was afterwards utterly destroyed, the men having to carry the rails away on their backs, nearly a mile, where they were piled up and burnt.

J M Hamilton
New York Times
April 2, 1865
p. 1 col. 3

Note: This account describes the March 14, 1865 fight at Taylorsville, Virginia.