Charlottesville was occupied by Sheridan’s Cavalry, U.S.A., arriving
March 3rd, 1865, and leaving on the 6th. Their entry was from the West,
and troops encamped in many sections of the town: “above the
University,” South of the University (Piedmont), Belmont, Park Street,
what is now Locust Grove, etc.
A committee from the University secured guards for that institution and
it was uninjured. There was no burning in the town with the exception of
the Woolen Mills, East Market Street, which had furnished material for
Confederate uniforms. All approaching bridges were destroyed. Searching
homes for hidden arms was almost universal, and there was considerable
looting, followed in some instances by mobs of negroes and disorderly
whites. A detailed, edited letter in the _Magazine of Albemarle County
History, Vol. 14_, gives the following information:
“As a general thing the citizens suffered little. Parties were sent
out in all directions, and did an immense amount of damage. Our
country friends suffered dreadfully. Corn, meat, flour, hay, horses,
and negroes were in great demand.... I suppose the County has lost
many hundred horses, and from 1500 to 2000 negroes. Some families lost
almost everything they had, their household stuff being taken away or
destroyed.... Hundreds of watches must have been carried out of the
County. Poor Mrs. Harper (Farmington) not only lost in servants and
horses, but had her house ransacked from garrett to cellar.... Her
pictures were spared, her wines, of course, all taken.... I told my
servants they had my full consent to go, ... but none of mine left.”
(Quartered in his home, 713 Park Street, were Col. Battersby, 1st N.
Y. Lincoln Cavalry, his Hungarian orderly, and a negro servant.) “He
and his orderly appeared to be perfect gentlemen and conducted
themselves in all respects as our guests.” He furnished guards for two
neighbors. “Col. Battersby had a fine Newfoundland dog.... He returned
to my house the day after his master left, and is now with me. I have
written to Col. Battersby and sent my letter to Richmond to go by flag
of truce.” Family tradition states that shortly after Appomattox the
orderly came for the dog.
Col. Sheridan’s headquarters were successively No. 408 and No. 522 Park
St. Major-General Wesley E. Merritt was quartered at 303 East High
Street, and Major-General George A. Custer at The Farm—the beautiful
house designed by Jefferson, now 1201 East Jefferson Street. It was at
the time the home of Capt. Thomas L. Farish, C.S.A.