The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1864-06-17
Grant Digging his way Towards
Richmond,
Close Proximity Of the Federal and
Rebel Lines.

Rebel Lines.
The special correspondent of the Phila-
delphia Inquirer, writing from the head
quarters of the Army of the Potomac,
June 6, says:
To-day Saturday has been compare
lively quiet, nothing occurring save the
Inevitable skirmishing that always takes
place when two hostile armies are as close
as ours and the rebel army are now.
The question with the army now is,
whether it can or cannot make another
approach to Richmond by flank movement
or any strategic maneuvre, SO as to avoid
the necessity of digging our way over the
space now intervening between us and the
rebel capital. What the plans of Gener-
ais Grant and Meade are is, of course, un-
known, but the general impression appears
to be that-but to know this we must wait
till we see.
At present we are digging like beavers
Our men have fully learned the advantage
of this process, and they work with a will.
Crawling forward as near the rebel rifle
pits as possible, without showing them
selves, our sharpshooters having gained a
position to their liking will set to work
quietly with the bayonet to loosen up the
earth, which they will afterwards scoop
out with their hands, tin cup or any in
strument that comes nearest to hand.
At many parts of our line we have our
breastw0rks almost in contact with those
of the enemy, and throughout the whole
extent are able to keep them under such a
fire that a rebel can scarcely show his
head above them without being shot. At
few points they have found their works
untenable, and withdrawn to others a
short distance in the rear, but we cannot
always occupy these abandoned pits, as
they are so constructed as to enable the
enemy completely to enfilade them from
another part of the line.
This is the case in front of General Eus-
It's brigade, Russells division, 9Th corps,
the men of which are throwing up their
own breastworks right against those of
the enemy. Colonel Oross's brigade of
the same division has occupied the rebel
line in their front, abandoned last night.
An enterprising Yankee of the I'd Connec-
ticut heavy artillery, was tempted by the
sight of rebel flag hanging over their
breastworks, to crawl forward and attempt
to take it. Reaching up his hand he
caught hold of the coveted bunting, and
began to pull it towards him. The rebels
on the other side not daring to raise their
heads, caught hold of the staff, and there
was trial Of strength between them and
our friend from the land of wooden nut
megs. The latter succeeded in getting
down the flag, but dared not return with
it on the same path on which he went out,
and has not yet made his appearance. It
is probable, however, that he will work his
way back in the night, and he may also
succeed in bringing off bis trophy.
Our own men, like the rebels, are oblig-
ed to lie quiet behind their works, show
er of bullets from rebel sharp shooters in
stantly quieting every one who exposes
himself to their aim. Colonel Morris, of
the 18th New York heavy artillery, was
shot this morning by one of them, while
walking in company with Gen. Barlow.
Colonel Mexican, of the S1st Pennsyl-
vania, commanding the first brigade of
Gibbons division, was also shot, and it
has as yet been impossible for our men to
venture out and bring in his body.
The repulse of last night was a very Sc
we're one to the enemy Seven batteries,
Dow's Goth MaiHe), Clark's Company B
of tn, 1st New Jersey, Sleepers doth
Massachusetts), Browns Company B 1st
Rhode Island), Arnold's Company A LIST
Rhode lsland), Roder's Company K 18th
United States), Burton's 9th New York
independently, all opened fire at once,
most of them with grape,and canister, and,
as was afterwards found, with terrible eff
feet. Their dead lay upon the ground in
heaps. An assault was made by them on
our right about the same time with the
one On tie left, and was equally we'll re-
pulsed.
Our wounded have nearly all been sent
away.
The enemy have disappeared in front of
Warren and Burnside on the extreme
right, but will doubtless reappear at an
other point
The ShOddyites.