Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1862-04-25
[cottt-pondenee of the New York World]
a Gallant Reconnaissance by
the Sixth Maine.
HEADQUARTERS KEYEs' CoRps,

the Sixth Maine.
HEADQUARTERS KEYEs' CoRps,
Camp near Lees Mills, April s.
On the 9th inst. very successful and
important reconnaissance was made by
Brieadier General w. S. Hancock, ac.
companed by Lieutenant Merrill, of the
Engineers, and Lieutenant Bowen, of the
Typographical Engineers, and the Fifth
Wisconsin, Col. Cobb, and the Sixth
Maine Regiment, Col. Burnham. Your
correspondent had the pleasure of being
a witness. The enemy were found posted
along the entire length of a stream this
side OF its works. The skirmishers thrown
out in advance met the enemy at every
exposed and convenient place this side OF
the stream. Our men gallantly drove
them up to the shore, and in several in-
stances across. The enemy's tortifca-
tions were disclosed at all these places,
guns being mounted in them, with a sin
Gle exception.
The Sixth Maine advanced to the top
of the Ravine, descending on this side OF
the stream, ard under its protection
Lieut. Comstock made important obser-
vations The Fourteenth Alabama were
stationed on the other side. Four pris-
oners belonging to that regiment were ta-
ken, and to believe their story, it mum.
bers 100 men, and left Richmond only
a few days ago, which of course affords
evidence that the enemy's position is be-
ing strengthened for desperate resist
ancc While the Sixth Maine held this
place the enemy's troops We're plainly
seen marching down the stream and be-
hind their Notifications. 1t was the
opinion Of Col Durham that this part
Of the encmy's line could be taken. He
sent Major Harris, with an escort of tive
men, to Gen. Hancock to ask permission
to do so. At that moment the General
was with the Fifth Wisconsin inspecting
the works of the enemy further down.
Major Harris was intercepted by small
scouting party Of the enemy. When
meeting them he co " gave orders to
his two men as if he had company, and
ordering them to fire, one of the enemy
was killed; the others fell back and the
Major escaped.
If there existed 4 favorable moment
for occupying that fort it quickly passed ;
but, Notwithstanding the concentration OF
four or FIVE regiments of rebels at that
point, the Sixth held their position for
three hours, and until by Gen. Hancock 5
orders they returned to camp. Farther
down and toward the James River, the
next intrenchment the deviIish genius of
rebellion has devised seems to be a rife
pit. The skirmshers OF the Fifth Wis
consin, under Capt Bean, drove the enc
my at this point down the bank, neck and
heels, over their foot bridges, and out of
sight into their works, whatever they are.
Farther down, and III the same line,
stronger works, FASHIONED forts, each
mounting several guns, were developed
by the Fifth Wisconsin and Sixth Maine
skirnishcrs. The enemy at these points
of this splendidly conducted reconnois-
sanee were compelled to occupy the high
cr ground in front of the plain towards
lHtil liCt. litlC llIC ShNIhS iVli t'lS
highest of the two forts threw shells at
Gen. IIancock's skirmishors, commanded
By Major Lorabee This fort also COM
mands two forts lower down. Lees
Mills was not more than 500 yards from
the top of the ravine, and at this place
the bugle calls, and the movements OF
the cnemy's light artillery, were clearly
heard and seen. While our skirmishers
remained for an entire day at another
point lower down, the fourth principal
work of the enemy was also clearly with
in their view, but during that time its
parapcts were raised several feet. An
eneampment Of rebel troops Is around
all that place. We were so near that
even in the woods their colors could be
plainly seen. First Lieutenant J. u.
Mcfarland, adiutant Of the Sixth Maine,
mounted, captured prisoner within l3O
yards of rebel battery mounting one
gun, and its parapet at the time lined
with rebel infantry, and the gunners at
their posts. He, however, had the good
fortune to keep his prisoner between him.
self and their guns. Lieut.. Col. Chand.
Ter and his officer also captured three
more prisoners.