, 1862-06-04


[Cu.regpondence Of the N. 7. Wo,ld.1
HnNTMeros, HANOVER Co., VAL
{o1TEEN MILES NORTH or R1uHAoND,}
Wednesday, May 2s.
One of the most brilliant movements and
achievements yet accomplished by any Of our
armies was consummated yesterday.
The outline Of operations is briefly this: /
For some days past the enemy have been |
throwing forces upon our right flank, in the
direction Of HnnpYer Court House, extending |
their pickets to Old Church, thus annoying |
our right and even threatening our communi- |
sary to dispose Of this force, as well as to cut |
the communications Of the enemy by the Vir- |
ginia Central and Richmond and FFedericks-
burg railroads. A heavy: force was, therefore,
thrown suddenly between Richmond and Han
over yesterday morning, two spirited and even
dispersed with heavy loss, our flank cleared,
and the railroad disabled,
The force selected for this Important work
was Gen. G. ". More1l's division of General
Corps. As elsewhere alluded to, the 22d HAS
sachuEetts went out on the railroad and took
up several hundred feet Of the track, follow
ing up the road to the turnpike crossing at
Peake's Station, just below where the engage
ment took place, Here orders came buck from
Gen. Porter for the I'D to continue to move
up the railroad, ond for all other regiments,
the Ath and the battery below included, to
move forward rapidly, as it was expected to
meet the enemy tn large force at OF near HAno-
marking TINT there were evidences Of an at
tempt BY: the enemy to come upon our rear.
The LIST and ID brigades then moved forward,
but had not proceeded far before cavalry
picket rode in rapidly and informei General
MarttndaIe that the enemy had brought up
force by Iail, which Was now coming swiftly
forward for an attack upon our rear, with the
very evident and confident hope Of getting US
between two fires, and chewing us up at their
leisure. The I'd Maine regiment, Col Roberts,
about and stationed by Gen. Martindale
at the junction Of the road by which
the diyisions bad advanced, with the main
|, turnpike to Richmond running parallel
with the railroad. Between these two roads it
vas supposed the enemy would advance.
They extended their flank, however, SO as to
cover both eides Of the road By which We had
! come, advancing under shelter Of the timber
| The 18th New York, Col. Stryker, were here
| ordered into position on the lett Of Martins
| battery, which was supported Oh the right bT
| the ID Maine. The 25th regiment was also sent
for, it having halted at Dr. Kinley's house, the
| locality Of their spirited engagement, and
were attending to the wants Of their wounded.
| Their brave colonel s0on rallied them, having
| first thanked them in brief speech for their
! gs11antry, and, proceeding to the ground, took
up a position On the left Of the battery, before
which the enemy had already appeared. The
18th was then ordered to depioy into the
woods on the left and clear them Of rebel
| skirmishers, in order to protect one Of our
hospitals which Was some distance in the rear.
They started, but an attempt Of the enemy on
our right flank caused them to be recalled,
and they returned to their position, engaging
now become hot. SIX regiments of rebel
infantay we're in plain sight. Their especial
attention seemed to be the right flank, where
Col. Roberts, having taken 3 good position
il the edge Of the woods, Tas pouring Into
BILE muskctry. Col. johnson was ordered
to relieve Colonel Roberts, and the I'd Maine
filed of to the right, changing front slightly,
but keeping up its fire with telling effect
This movement, through some unavoidable
to IN entllading fire, from which they suffer
ed severely. But the I'd Maine, though Low
in ammunition, still kept the enemy in check
HI piled the left wing Of the Ash desperately:
but it was more than match for him. Col
johnson was here wounded, and subsequentl.
) Houghton, ofthe same reg giment, likewise re
ceived fesh wound in the leg. Majo
Chapin, of the 44th, received two sever
wounds, one In the chest and one in the leg
, Fog in the shoulder; Lieut.. Col Rice had hi
horse killed under him, and bis sWord cut Of
the belt BIZ musket ball. But in vain th
enemy pressed; these three heroic columns
. though losing severely ut every discharge
stood their ground most nobIy, never yicldin
an inch Tic I'd Maine t1HaIly got out of an
4 munition, when Col Roberts appealed for
chance to use cold steel if he could not &c
; cold lead.
: While this hot fight was going on, th
q brigades which were in the advance were It
! turning on the double quick. They formc
G in line On the wheat-feld near where the fir
l. engagement took place, then pressed throug
the woods vigorously, and were soon fac
:" to face With the enemy, who were ev
= dently startled by the appearance Of SO stron
J q reinforcement. Butterfeld threw the 63
q Pennsylvania aad 18th Michigan in on th
" left. McQuade sent the G2d PennsylGsni
e Col. Black, in the timber On the extreme righ
~ deployed mainly as skirmishers, and advaa
y Cass, On the left Of the SD. The 18th Nc
=. York having relieved the Cd Maine, ri
1e joined by the 18th New York, fro
e Colonel Warren's brigade, on our Ie
" supported by Berdan's 9harpshooters, ha
80 of whom wen: in with their sharpe's rifle
u doing sure work at every shot, while the bs
- ance OF the regiments were held in reserg
~ ~ Gri1fin's battery NOW came laundering in, u
50 1imbered, and took position In q twin
y ling, and commenced throwing ahell al
Il ehfapnel with excellent effect. The fre
u regiments now pressed forward, the SD Pen
Y syIvanla advancing under several volleFs, b
e. = reserving its fire for close quarters, losing
se e slightly. The enemy found the pressure
% % the 62d on his left and the other regiments
e: front altogether too great, and, with eeve
sB- Hei os,erted Yo1eys, our advancing coluul
H. soon tnre" ,.:.o into the direst .confusis
- under the cover Of the dense forest In uie =
~ q" The vlctory was OUTS.