The New York herald., 1864-11-02
Another Account Of the Operations
Of the Second Corps In the
Late Movements.
Attempt of the Rebels to Pierce
Our Centre.
They are Driven Back with
Heavy Loss.
&as &sss -
THE SECOND CORPS.

THE SECOND CORPS.
>~>-~~~---~~--~~~~~>~------ H,
y1y. Finley Anders0n's Despatch.
HKADQuAKxRs BsroRs PETERSBURG, Oct. 20, 1864.
PREPARATIONS.
On the night OF Wednesday the Goth inst, everybody
md thing not absolutely required for the protection
or the forts and for tho offensive sent TO
within line OF ntrenchments which had been con-
struoed City Point the defence Of base Of ope
satons for the operating against Richmond. Tho
4uarermaster and commissary depots the ne OF the
rairoad between City Point and the front were tempo
Yary broken in order to have them out Of the OF
any incur pions which might possibly be made by ma
saudng parties Of the enemy.
MOVEMENT.
was provided that those intended to take part IN the
the left should march from their respective
Danps Wednesday afternoon and on Thursday morn
ing al hours which were appointed. The two divisions
sf the Second corps which then 10 reserve ether
with General Greggs cavalry, were directed 10 make .
sOug detour TO the left under command OF Major General
Hancock By taking roads we'll TO the to avoid
the observation Of the enemy, by using every add
Sioaal precauton 10 conceal their movements, it was
expected that this portion Of our army, after
swioe crossing a stream known Hatcner's run,
Anet the Vaughan road and then on the Boyd
Con plank road, would be able TO traverse the open
country, recross the run, and seize commanding
position In order 70 the object OF the enent
30 prevent the enemy changing the positions Of his
ar0ops time TO Illustrate the object Of this movement,
3 was intended that at the dawn OF day, Thursday
morning, Gen. Psrke, commanding the Ninth corps would
make vigorous attack the right OF the enemys
santry in the works to the right Of Ratchers
- supposed that those works yet in unnn.
Nhsd state, and was hoped that BY sudden and
secret movement they could be surprised and carried
/ The part assigned General warren commanding the
Ex,h corps, that Of supporting General Parke but IL
wns arranged that Parke,coud not break the enemys
1ne he shssld rsman confronting tho works, keeping
Mo enemy in them, while Warren should
crOss and recross the stream and endeavor 70
sasn the right Of the enemys infantry, while
Hancock driving back the epemy's cavalry
and pushing on to the objective point Thus II
Dscted that Hancocks command would DO able 10 keep
shear Of the ensmys infantry, snd, having only Hsmp
cons cavalry TO nght would drive II fast before II and
gsn the desired point before sufficient force Of the
enemys infantry could be marched from the irtrench
meats defending Petersburg to intercept him In bis ad
Vsnturous movement.
The plan laid down orders gvep by Major Gene-
ssi Meade commanding the Army cf the Potomac, was
excellent one. Circumstances, however, ioterfered
with its successfu execution. Before starting tho
che should NOT be permitted TO wander from their
bvouacs that large Rres would be allowed, and that
- drum beats nor buge calls would be permitted 70 DO
UOunded
In obedience to the instructions from the headquarters
ef she army, the hsur being designated by the corps
commander the Second and Third divisions Of Han
cocks corps moved at two O'Clock Wednesday after
nonn and, taking line Of march which was prescribed
by him. halted carly In the evening and bivouacked Tor
sbe night Just outside point The left and Of
mreuchmens Az that point the cavalry, upder Gregg
Joined the infantry under Hancock. The original
from the headquarters Of tho army provided that the
command should move at two O'Clock Thursday morn
ang, but during the night the hour changeo 10 hs
PAST three The troops early uuder ready 10
noiiop At the appointed bour. p the absence Of MAJOR
General 6ibbon the Second division wae commanded by
Brgaiier General Egan. The Third division was
Halded b. Breyet MAJOR General Mott
psrRBrTIoS OF IBs ARTILLERY.
Three batteries of artillery, under command of MAJOR
Hazard che. OF artillery in the Second corps formed
part the command ard for cooven ence on tho march,
we're temporarily assigned TO The iufaniry divisions
Batteries aud l. Fnh United states artillery, under
command OF Lieutenant Beck, assigned to General
Igan; and Company X Fourth unliei states, Lieutenant
Roder, aud the Tenth Massachusetts, Lieutenant Granger
command ng, assigned General Motl The arlI
bery occupied proper place in the rulumn as well as the
PACK mules with The bedding and provisions for the
cficers, and ore baf the ambuaaces belonging TO the
aivsions for the wounded M permitted 10
accompany the command except with anmnu tion.
because IL designed to have the infantry column
hight possible In order that 1t coud keep vito The
sG,S's DIVISION IN Tus ADvAscs
6eneral fRan's division mad the advance that day,
sud by virtue Of that crcumstapce was the nrsi as =
sso was The most prominent o tho battle The bead or
Egans division preceded by an advance guard OF The
Si1tn Ohio cavalry, which was Immediately iolowol by
party o. pioneers to clear away the oosroctons that
enemy had placed the way Of advancing column.
1y Telling trees and constructing oarrcades at different
III.
we're suicient 10 deaID the division In it's march.
Motifs division started at four oc ock, immediately In
che Of EaD aud ooa divisions had naokors well
eat either eide, we'll as sxrnisners 10 rrcui.
Greggs cavalry moved out road further 10 the Iei
e shat taken by the Infantry.
STILL oSwAnD--sEiRswBNu.
Soon after the command was in motion We saw lndi.
most impressive ht TO the s1nere looking columns
moving go silently 10 that almost Egyuiian darkness,
After renchns the Yargnan roaa ne nian'y eo'una
aer daylight, when approached The lord or hatc6ers
ynn, and ekumishinG commenced. ~ MS pom, WAS
ascartaned that lbr road obsructei by falen TIM
ber that tho along the borders n the stresm for
souc distance either side VI the road bad besn ca,
Gown, that force OF the enemy was posieh 10 ne
OF ntrsuchnentr situated the elevated ground
the run Ths of the enemy lncD uDknowo to
Ne, but Hancocx ,mnsd sicy detefncsd 70 form rcga
bar line Of battle and I, take the posision by assault
COLUMNS urPloYH0--Ar ASSAULT.
Accordingly Essns division depleTed 10 two lines
across The road, the Ipird brigade. Br'gsier General
sytb COMMANDING forming the 0fst line. aud the cther
ye,v,ed smy,hs brlgeae moved forward Ia spleadid
pyio, procsedcd down ths slo >, plunged into the
sresm crossed u auickly and carried lhe ini'ench
poeuts the other side few prisoners were ca tufoi
~ tho works The taking Of the oailon and Tue reou
ere proved to be an easy oreraion or soon after they
snemy had there very sma Sim ~ detachment 10
guard the ford but proved iasnGlcen for that pur
rose.
rebel letter captured there dated tho day before,
uontaned this item OF INTEL gence'I undefstand every
man Petersburg pnt in the trenches and the old soi.
sirrs 10 whsrs ihey mostly needed. There are
o.y about fAty VI nN ueTo NOV IDc rest nave moved
awo miles Ie near the Infantry are IcIt 10
guard Two dame scrpss ths run. wasn the id vance
across tho run that Lieutenant Colonel Spser OF tho
Fourtn ono, WAS Killed and MAJOR Smith, OF toe First
Delaware wounded fbe remains Of Lieuteuan, Coooel
Batcr are buried near he roadside not far from where
~ tell.
cHcsHyU or nlrcRsR's Rrr
The remainder Feao's disson, together With tho
Whole cf Mors ana the artillery, then crtsrd the run.
Having reached the other sde Egans division moved
ncross ihe open Geld TO the rght order TO reach
shorter road 30 Laonssis mill This road led mostly
shrougn tbck forcs Of pripcey pines Hers he pos.oos
~ the brigades 10 the coinmn necessarily changed
she r1rN Brigade Coonel RugE connsuoina iu sdvancc
r~rl the Second. Col we followed BY tho Third Cen.
enytb. which was relieved in limo ny Dc Trobia,ds. Of
motifs division While the second divFcn moving 10
fhe isbt . portion OF e robrind's brrade-wept for
ward The road iuclpng 70 ,bs iet ana drove
small body Of the crcruy engaged 10 throwing ny tempo
sar, breastworks w 6cd for pnrpore OF pro
syaslns our advance. FgADs division moved ths
eight baud road and iioits o. the lc,t Both divisions