Delaware State journal and statesman., 1864-06-17
From The baltimore American.
The Attempt on Petersburg.
GEN. a1LLMoREs FAILURE.

A correspondent gives the following account
Of the recent attempt on Petersburg:
HEADQUARTERS IN THE FIELD, June 0, 1864
Last evening there was an unusual stir around
headquarters. staff officers and orderlies ar
rived aud departed in quick succession. An un-
deiunble feeling of expectation was experienced
by everybody. la General Buffers tent council
Of war was held. General Gilmore and Kautz
had arrived shortly after sunset and remained
in consultation with the Commanding General
for several hours. During tho still hours Of The
night troops were moved down and across the
easterly side Of The Appomattox river. A pom
toQn bridge, seven hundred feet iu length, had
been thrown over the river, about quarter Of a
mile below Point of Rocks. On the bridge had
been placed thick covering Of hay, 10 deaden
the sound made by the troops As they marched
across. They numbered about four thousand,
and were composed of infantry, cavalry and ar
tlery. Generals Gilmore aud kautz were 10
command.
The expedition took up its line OF march for
Petersburg nbout three o'clock this morning.
The roads were dry and in capital marching con-
iiiion. Skiriashcrs were sent ahead and also
placed on either flank, After marching unmO
cste Tor about two miles, General Kautz, with
his veteran raiders, turned sharply off to the left,
unl General Gilmore, with regiment of cav
airy, the infantry, oOlored troops, and several
we're to reunte their forces in the city of PeterB-
burg. But "man proposes and God disposes."
The line of march OF General Gillmore's troops
was through pleasant county. Vegetation Of
oil kinds grew with tic greatest luxuranoe.
The fruit was fast riRcning on the trees. On
either side Of the road were fields Of wheat,
clover aud grass almost ready for the sickle of
the reaper or the mowers scythe. Occasionally
a house was seen, from the windows and doors
lsal 1..al. 4 4
with wOnderment aud alarm on the passing
troops. Large numbers of quail were started up,
and occasionally a frightened rabbit scampered
acio5s the road.
ln a shurt time few shots were fred at Cen
eral Gilmore and his Smf, while iding at the
bead of the column None Of the shots, how
ever, took effect. Tho Generals escort, pushed
ahead, and again volley was fired This time
one soldier was wounded and several horses were
waimed. Until the column arrived within about
iao miles Of Petersburg the skismishing coniinu-
el but no large force OF Rebels was encounter
el
On arriving within sight Of Petersburg Gene
raj Gilmore, accompanied by Drigadier General
Foster, accommodating the euemy's works, and
found that Beauregard, for the defonoe of the
city, Ind thrown up most elaborate and per-
ieCi series of works. few mounted men were
ordered forward, When the fact was asceriained
tlat the works were fully manned and tho rebels
an the alert to receive our troops
During General 0illmore's march up from the
river woman had come forward with the intel
gence that BoauregaTd had received informn-
t0u Of our intended movement as early as one
O'clock ?. NJ Gu Wednesday, just twelve hours
before our troops began to march. She fur lher
aided that being in Petersburg on Wednesday
for the purpose OF making some purchase, the
people there advised her not to return homo for
Ut least forty eight hours, rs the Yankees were
coming up on Thursday.
After giving the subject due consideration,
and consulting with his staff officers, General
Gilmore decided to return to the Appomattox.
No word had been received from General Kautz,
aud no firing had been heard except from the
gunbOnis and batteries on our 'front.' We pro-
cee1ed OF a very leisurely pace on our way back
tO tho AppOmattox and arrived there safely about
Eve o'clock this evening General Gillmore's
Oss, all told, is about twenty-five wounded.
did not leain that any deaths had taken place.
General kautz, with his tried and veteran
raiders, about eighteen hundred in number, rode
considerably to the south, and finally struck the
turnpike leading to Petersburg. They then rode
triskly forward, and appear to have taken the
enemy considerably by surprise for they managed
10 enter the rcbsl works, aud actually penetrat-
Ell, for a shot distance into the city. Finding,
however, ,.that General Gilmore and his troops
lad hniled in the cooperating movement, aud
llAl he was in danger Of being surrounded and
cat oil, retreat was ordered. They, however,
managed to bring Uif with them large number
Of prisoners aud several pieces Of light artillery
The destruction Of the bridge WAS not effected,
u consequence Of the rapidity with which the
Rebels we're gathering in his rear and on his
llhks.