New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1862-04-11

,o,v evidently intended TO hold-at any i"'o' w 1
', b;ch 10 make q stand for tinc-a Posi'ioh ""''0
e.,a ,hou.and men might have made WORK
for four times their number. pu'' |
of defending this position, the enemy zen
half a dozen miles to the much s'foueo'
nj Lees Mills, on Warwic River, ""''" y"
Union forces reached yesterday morning, anu VIM,
il is very evident they intend TO defend reso'u''9
with a large force which has been augmented r'"'o
our arrival. The position is about two miles 'foni
lanes River. and sbout ak miles from forktown'
and somewhat lower down on the peninsua than 'nc
latter place. Warwick River, deep ana hhr'o"'
makes up from James River, its head beng iur'ns,
toward the peninsua--a lagoon, rather, WIN 0o''
banks in spots for the rest, swnmps. Accord'ns ~
present information, the enemy have nero Nv"
works or forts. besle extensive rifle-ps, stoct"'o
and other devicea all the wet or upper ''.' %
the stroam and rarne. in the rear IA a "ooo, IA
font an open space OF from twelve 10 hi'een him.
vard,; on the sides woods, thickly studded WIN
underground. On the onemy's night eno "" ''''
The rayine broalens, and into marsh, WIN u'"',
verse ,mllies. Tie stream having been oAinine'
originally for mechanical purposes, this feature LAS
Teen improved upon for the purpose oil miiiIafy u'
Tense, 30 that the water sets back eopsiue'a''o ~
tance Oh the enemys left, rendering hsnk move
rept in that direction extremely difficult, II mol iD
possible.
When Gen. Smiths division came up TO this posl'
lion Yesterday morning, aud on its generai features
being ascertained Gen. Keye' caused Gen. 'Vu'"'
with his division nearer James River, with ITO vie"
Of coming up on the enemy's right. i
The operations Of our forces up TO this morning,
detailed in previous letter. Early IN the Gay ue
skifnishing in the woods on our right. in when
whole regiment, Of Gen. COUGHS division were at
times engaged. was resumed. The purpose Of the
enemy 10 get in on our right was 90 apparent
that this became q point OF considerable inter
20, and some solcitude. Instead OF making any
progress the enemy were rather driven back, at least
cornpel,ed 10 remain on their side Of the river. Al
times the Rebel forts opened quito briskly on our
artillery, which ~ vet had not been regularly placed
in posiiion. Some half dozen pieces replied by plant
ing a number Of shells finely on tie face o, The
Rebels works and in the ior,s. One Of the enemys
shells--a l0-pound PaTrot-tiruck timber oil
CAPTAIN Whesler's battery, nearly demoh'hing
wheel and setting hre to the ammumiion-ooi,
in which there were twenty shells, three oil
which exploded. At the risk Of bsing blown TO
atoms, two men ru,hed forward and put
on, the fire, an act Of real hcrosm worthy Of praise.
Early in the dsy, gen. Keye. started on recon-
noissance on lefl and Gen. Hancock, with con-
adorable force on our night. Gen. Reyes traced The
line of the enemy work 10 james River, and 'en'
Hancock followed tie line 10 the center OF the Ioun
sula.
!. Tl.ouzh MOI 3 sses, deal vss Aore today by way
- Hoaf al fh~p 49,
vas done. Our men on the let captured ssveiA
prisoners, who confirm previous Information, OBJ
.aned Sy recon noisssrce concerning the Rebel line
OF defense. with the additional that the enemy are
being REINFORCED continually from the james River
and Norfolk, and that they have triple line oil
works, which will be defended 20 the last Gen.
McClaus il said 20 be Ia command d, Lees NILS,
and Gen. Masruder ct Yorktown.
AZ vet the enemy have only opened but four guns
Of light caliber-riaed PARROTS. il is thought The
prermp,ion, however, il tina, they have heavier
opes In portion. Even though they have no heavy
oun- tho case is no. materially different, since tho
works end their great strength in the extraordinary
features Of the country aud their peculiar porihon'
Tho state Of things presented TO our Generals re-
ouire, great prudence perfect knowledge OF every
tbuq ,lst relates TO the position and strength Of the
enemy. and time for conrnltstion and dehberaion.
The enemy's works being an extended line, or "A
series Of lines, a variety Of movements and opera
tjop,. or q series OF combined operations, may be
thought necessary. Tie plan, whatever il Is, when
concluded upon, will be vigorously sud, doubt mol,
successfally prosecuted.
thrill, :. rl.-I.ast night Capt. Ayres Chief OF
Artillery Of Gen. Smiths Division directed earth.
works for the protection Of artillery 20 be thrown up,
which was done under the immediate superintend-
encc Of Adiuant Kerusow, Whose capacity and zeal
have given him high sta, ding in The osiimaton OF
The beat commanders. The position selected adj
vnnces orr pieces 10 within about 100 yards OF the
Dsin redoubt Of the enemy. While engaged in the
work the Rebels fired several cannon shots, whici,
though exploding very near, the Vermonters never
eoebed. or for a moment paused, but kept at work
through the night.
About O'Clock this morning, Gen. Mcclellan and
staH. with squadron OF cavalry, reached Gen.
Keye.'s HEADQUARTERS, at Warwick Courthouse,
abouf "A mile and half Of the front line, where
Gen Smith has his headquarters, under tree
Ronsining half an hour in conference win "eh'
K.yes. Gen. Mcclellan rode TO the front, ana hs'!
inspected the enemys works and our own po'''''"'
and returned TO the headquarters of Gen. Reyes
The day ia rainy aud cold, and operations are en-
tirely suspended.
ENau TIE MOUNTAIN DEPART
MENT.