New-York daily tribune., 1862-05-05

doors and Windows aud hand out lunch 70 the SOL
diers With cheerful words of encouragement, as '"'
TROOPS passed Oh singing patriotic songs. ,h.
TIE day unusually warm, which canson cs'.. Tho
men TO drink great deal of water, aud, before .,,o
first ten miles had been travelled our trooio of
much exhausted many of them showing "sm ,he
fatigue of dninite character; having pe hv this
20 all night without food or ree', lono" as unite
rapid march, which, under burning pun. 'nsn'
enough TO test the endurance OF str1n5 and
Everything WAS progressing finely, ''nd as
the nrospect of securing our gare was ns &c Cen
could be desired up TO III cloch, H., ~ the NOR
Reno Aids came up and iicri',eu hsJ ,aLep tue
tifying fact that Col. Hawkiu' '' ,on nes out of
80 .V"U ,bicb would enable the enemy 70 ieaoi
Lo -: ~ advance of our troops, make 'i:e,r e.
ica,e from us conn lete, and form "uor ITi,h
,@n.inder of the Rebel force wnioh ici' t
-; IS ,b dav before. These were not lar rom ,nc
SSI;3aa in The vicinity of which were Rebel in-
,',e,n, mis- and batteries TO project the canal al
,Lis nont from whence supplies had been carried 10
Norfolk in considerable quantities.
All hopes OF overhauliDg the enemy ana having an
engagement vanished on learning that Col. Iiaw.
kjnss force was in the rear of Gen. Reno. How
ever. Gen. Reno decided TO push on and make the
recon nois sancc which the chef object OF the
expedition lie could thVs return to ElHaoeth IVY
on the following morning IN order TO coanect WIN
.he boats for Roanoke Island and Newbern, which
poius he was 10 reach by given time, Gen. Buri'-
ienSth Of time be was to be absent.
Our course was il nOrtherly direction from
Elizabeth City, on the direct road to Norfolk AS
said before we had given up all hopes of overhaul
lng tho eneny alter learning that he had succeeded
in Qetiinp AHEAD OF us; but this msbap, however,
diG not cause Gen. Reno to slacken bis speed i'll the
least on the contrary he rushed on all the faster,
that he might be able to complete his niss0n and
return tie sooner. by 10 clock the heat WAS very
oppressive, and the men began TO show signs OF
. e,I - a.. .r,.ts. and raf.I
marcn on empty stomachs Gen. Reno would order
frequent halis for few moments IN order TO give
the troops breathing spell as well az an orpor-
tunity 70 refresh themselves with new supply OF
cold wafer.
AT III o'clock a. M, TO our surprise we were upon
the heels Of the flying foe; of this fact we were
made aware by movement of the Rebel cavalry,
which fell back short distance iii the rear OF their
force aud fired a few shots at our advanced
pckets. On went Gen. Reno's forces, however,
with increased speed, pursuing The enemy unui aDont
O'Clock D. m when it was evident that he had
reached their batteries, and formed n junction wlth
tie Rebel force that left Elizlbeth City the day
before Along the roadside were woods and groves.
and frequent cleariugs. The country wss low, and
under a very poor state of cultivation, and not very
well cleared up, abounding more IN swainPs ana
woods than anything else.
About | O'Clock we came 10 n clearing on each
side Of the road, which was the shape oi d half
circle some two miles through, the square side OF
which was in front, We having entered the curved
-ide Al around this circle were dense woods, the
road leading direct through the center of the circle
in nortLerly direction, which at THE point an
airline, Tor some three or four miles As Gen.
kenos forces reached The center O this haii-tifcis.
and before We had any idea tlst the enemy inieuded
70 make stand, boom went Their batteries and down
this straight roao came tnor eheH, at furious rate
- sudden iuv alton for ~ 10 halt and prepare for
action.
| Your correspondent WIGS on the front wagon
sestcd by The tide Of Wagou-AIastcr Plmnmer, en-
gacel in q pleasant conversation, when tie iIst
shell came within Q few inches Of our heads. Down
the road il went, Just tie heads OF the whole
line laying US all the benefit OF Its is5iDg nOtes.
/ III an instant, all was commot!on and activity.
TIE first movement was TO get tie wagons-wbich
were loaded with ammunition, &c.-out OF the road
aud bring up the howitzcrs, two Of which were
bitched on behind the wagons the other two were
with Col Haw kins, who st this time some four
miles in our rear, with his force.
J Gen. Reno at once ordered bis two regiments, the
2st Mas sehnsetts and 5lst Penny ylvaia, TO take
shelter in the woods /, the night, aud gradually TO
work their way mp on to the right wing Of the ene-
my, and get ready to charge upon him when Col.
Hawkins should arrive With bis force, be having
been rent for by Gen. Reno 70 come forward with
all possible Dispatch
Col Howard Immediately advanced with his two
howilzers which were with Gen. Reno's command.
Lieut. Herbert OF the 9Th n, Y. was captain Of one
and Lieut. Morris of the same regiment captain OF
the other These pieces were run forward in the face
OF rating fire from the enenys batteries until they
arrived within few hundred feet OF their guns
when Col. Howard and his brave men opened IL
brisk FIRE with telling effect, refusing to give an
inch.
The enemy had selected very desirable position,
which enabled them 10 command the approaches from
the road, az well from the field. They were in a
grove the square SIDE of this half circle, sheltered
by the trees and in front Of their position was road
running east and west, by the edge Of the grove.
g We were approaching them on the road which led
directly north raj fence night in front of the
n enemy running east and west, behind which was a
deep ditch which answered the very excellent pur-
r lose of an intrenchment, all msde 10 hand. The
fence which was only separated by this road from
the grove answered the purpose of SHELTER and afo
enabled the enemy to rest their muskets and thus
secure a steady aim, giving them the advantage OF
Z US in every particular.
One Of the enemy's batteries Of four feld-pieces
was located a the head Of the road 'front.'
abling il to rake the whole road for great distance.
! his battery playing upon our howItzers The
other battery, OF four guns belonging ~ the enemy,
commanded the open field which our regiments were
OBLIGED to cross in order to reach the open field
the righ. An ineessant fire from tins battery was
kent up on tho 2et Massachusetts and 5lst Pennsyl-
vania as they crossing the field for the woods
almost within musket range OF the Rebels, TO get
their position. In these wOois there was n thic k
undeTbrush which made it almost impossible for our
troops " advance. And furthermore, they could not
penetrate the woods lar enough TO shelter them from
the enemy guns; they nevertheless pushed bravely
forward in tie face Of ire eager to get as
near the eneInys right wing as possible bofoe The
time came for the charge.
About one hour and half was thus consumed be-
fore Hawkins arrived with but "A slight loss either
SIDE 10 musketry having been fired up TO this time.
Only the batteries were engaged.
At three O'Clock Col. Hawkins came up with the
9th New-YOrk tbe Hawkins Zoueves), the 5J;h
New-Yclk, and 9th New-IIamprhire, with Col.
Howlrd's other two howitzeis. Leutt. Gerard and
Arery Of ihe UniOn Coat Guards, were the caltaina