New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1864-06-17
KAUTZ TAKES THE REBEL WORKS.
GRANTS MOVEMENTS A PUZZLE.
BUT HIS ARMY IS DEMoRALIZED.
AND HE CAN DO NO HARM.
THE WAR IN VIRGINIA.
DARING ATTEMPT or KAUTZs CAVALRY To cAPTURl
pETTlsBURI.
From The Pelrr.bars EEpre... June 10.

From The Petersburg Ezpre,s. June n.
Yesterday was another day Of excitement In our
midst; but little was done by our citizens than 10
prepare for tie stern realities Of the crisis which stared
thcin In tho ficc
81 cannon heard in the direction Of their whereas
bons and at carly dawn pckes were driven In on
'hc City Point and Prince George Court-Ilouse roads
1t subsequently ascertan9d that these moVements
were out fents TO divide our forces. while the real
movements for the surprise and capture Of the citv were
on the Jerusalem plank roed coming into Petersburg
from a souiherly direction.
On the two first named roads tie enemy appeared In
considerable numbers early ss O'clock and brisk
diminishing kept up for some time. At o'clock
The Court house aud engine bells rung. 70 which
the citizens responded with their usual aao rity and
manifested every disposition TO defend their homes and
frcsdcS.
In the meantime, the cnemys gunhoatS nsccudcd the
Appomattox River. and oTsned fnIious fire on Fort
Clifton and various other points along the river for
the obvious pnrsn OF occupying the attention of our
troops In Chesterfield.
At9 o'clock our pickets on tho Jerusalem plank rond
drycn in and before 10 the enemy showed himself
in overwhelming numbers. filing the road and woods
residence OF Timothy ivee csq. on the ie,, 70 sna
aeTgss the roadway and beyond The house o' hr. ~
4 Gregory the right. Tho enemy maueuyercd FOR
Willie thinking probably tina, our raw troops would
ahaIdon their position without tight
But never we're the Yankees more mistaken Our
men made Of sierner stuff, and. inspired by the
cool determination Of their leaders Gen. Colston and
Col f. III. Archer mAintaine their ground BIKE vets
Finally the enemy ordered charge, aud came down
TO our breastvorks with yell their drawn sabers Hash
ing in the sunlight. When within forty PAGES Of The
flrtlcations the order 20 fire given and the
Yankees reooled and fell back
prisoner taken subsequently, states that the noto
ious Spears led and that be had 0kicd and wounded
This charge WIS repeated twice. but with ike results
when the enemy resortcd 10 the Ranking process which,
by reason O! his overwhelming numbers, be was ena
bled 20 do with much ease. short time aiterward,
regiment came round Ryes's house eft another
appeared on right. and large body came down IN
font We had hut 40 all told. and II was impos
ibe with this number % guard center right and left,
along augth of thIee.quarters OF milo or more.
The order was given 10 retreat and In few minutes
the enemy had possession Of our works our camp and
were In full pui suit of men. Courers had been DIS
patched for reonforcements but they did not come up
IN time 20 save Notifications and many Of Peters
burgs best and most gallant fell in the ARRAY some
killed and others wounded.
The enemy came ON In double columns with sabers
drawn until they reached the Hill opposite the waer
works when they planted cannon for tho purpose OF
sheling the city. They then started down the hill and
.hcIr advance column actually took possession Of
bridge which crosses Powers Run at tie foot Of the
wateI-wOIks bill
They were almost In Petersburg could It's spires
and sccpcs and many Of the houfes on our suburban
limits; but agnn tbat Divine which has been so
often oustretched. saved US from tho tread OF the
ruthless invader.
Just ut this opportune moment Graham's battery
reached the Reservoir Ill., numbered in an Instant
and with precision and rapdty which We have heard
spoken Of being almost without precedent, threw
into the ranks VI the enemy q shower or shell
The missiles Of death coming So unexpectedly to The
foe be at first seemed overwhelmed with surprise and
halted. neither advancing or retreaiingi but minute
or two later another branch Of service made is a
pearanee which quickly determined the enemy Is 10 the
best course for Linn 10 pursue.
bearings cavalry brigade quickly dismonnted, ard
descending the hill with yell charged upon the enemy
in beautiful style. This more than they expected
(since they had encountered but few militia in the
breastworks and had advanced nearly mile Without
seeing apy rcguafs) and they instantly wheeled their
horses and slfried back up hill in great confusion.
Giahams battery continued 10 play upon them. and
l ILa ptu nd pIn1fl a nm
posite hill in good STYLE their carbLcs keeping up
regular and musical faslade upon Kau1 and Spear and
their rapidly rc,reaiing followers Upon reaching the
top Of the opposite bill the enemy hoped TO make
stand Here another column which they had sent on TO
tie city for the purpose Of entering by the Brenioid
Church road hove In sight
movement but to their surprise too they had encoun
cred Sturdiyant's battery. which had gone out by
another road and the two columns met and continued
their retreat tho speed not nt oil slaokcncd by Confed
fast among them.
In Jacksons field a mile from Blentford
Church we captured handsome cannon and sr
horscs, which the enemy were compelled to abandon IN
their fight
Our forces pursued them for few miles, killing and
wOundng many and taking some prisoners. iester'
ay AFTERNOON late our pckets extended for several miles
out on The Jerusalem Plank Road but signs of the
enemy could be seem and u Is supposed that they have
reireaied 10 the river This Ia only suppoeiton how.
ever and the yandals will bear constant and yigilnnt
watching.
Kautz was In command of this force. and prisoners
takon yarously estimate II from 1000 TO 200 There
IL no doubt il was intended 10 capture the city, and al
the circumstances are strongly corobora've OF this
view Thanks to kind Providence who has revived
the hearts and strengthened the hands OF our brave
men, We have been again preserved
The enemy cTept up behind the residence OF Wm: a.
Gregory. assembled to the roof and knocking of the
shingles were enabled not only 10 obtain excellent
view, and ascertain the number Of our forces. but
through tho opening thus made fired upon and killed
many Of our men behind the breastworks.
The residence Of Timothy Rives esq fell into inc
possession Of the invaders. After forces had re
eaed the scoundrels not only ransaeked and robbed