The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1864-05-27
FIRING FROM THE HOUSES-OFFICERS WOUNDED
AND CAPTURED.

FIRING FROM THE HoUsEs-oFFICERS WOUNDED
AND CAPTURED.
As they left the town they saw several of the
enemy make their appearance and it was de-
cided to make another charge into the town to
drive them of. The rebels retreated into the
houses, and as our men passed through,
poured q murderOus volley into their ranks,
wounding Capt. Motley, Lieut.. Smith and
Lieut.. E. PaysOn Hopkins, son of Professor
Hopkins of Williams College, Massachusetts,.
and who was left motiOnless in the road, and
all fell into the hands of the enemy. We also
lost about twenty-five men in killed and
wounded, who likewise fell into the hands of
the rebels. 1t was at first intended by General
Davies to shell the town in retaliation, but hav-
ing accomplished everything for which he
had started, and aware of the approach of Gen.
Stuart, with large force, he retired to our
main column.
We were now within sixteen miles of Rich
| mond, and at once took up the line of march
directly towards the city, the first division in
advance and tho second in the rear. We
| marched and fought all day and night, the en-
envy being constantly reinforced, until at day
light, when within three miles of Rinhmond.
the force opposed to us in front were two brig
AIDES of infantry and brigade of cavalry, while
in our rear was Stuart, with two brgades of
cavalry, together with every man that could
be raked up in Richmond. We now turned to
the left on the Meadow bridge road, leading to
Mechanicsville, pressing the enemy steadily
back.
GEN. CUSTER CHARGES UPON AND CAPTURES
THEM.
When about four miles on the road we found
the enemy strongly intrenched behind fortiti-
cations, composing the outer line of the Rich
mond defences. The position was q strong
MA In.r eft tnd Il
our whole corps, and our preservation depend
ed on our driving them ont. General Sheridan
was equal to the emergency. The enemy was
already pursuing US closely in the rear.
The General ordered General Custer to take
his gallant brigade and carry the position. Gen.
Custer placed himself at the head of his COM
mand, and with drawn sabres and deafening
cheers charged directly in the face of wither-
ing fire captured two pieces of artillery, up
wards or hundred prisoners. together with
caissoBs, ammunition and horses, which he
brought Off in safety. IL was, without cXcep-
ton, the most gallant charge of the raid, and
when it became known among the corps cheer
after cheer rent the air The rebels retreatcd
behind the Chickahominy destroying in their
flight Meadow bridge.
JEB STUART IN TIE EEAR-HE IS WHIPPED.
In the rear of Col. Gregg's brigade, of the
Second division, and portion of the Third di
vi>ion under Gen. Wilson were holly cngag
Gen. Sheridan thai the enemy were driving
him slowly back. Gen. Sheridan sent word
thai ''he must hold the position at all hazards:
that he could and must whip the enemy" Col
Gregg's brigade. being reinforced by regi-
men: from the First brigade, charged the enc
my, and drove them nearly a mile The day
was now ours. The enemy had disappeared
from our front, and we succeeded in reb iding
the Meadow bridge, and the First and Third
divisions crossed covered by the Second divis
ion, which, in turn, withdrew and also crossed
without being annoyed by the enemy
TORPEDoES IN THE ROAD-HOw THEY WERE
REMOVED.
The rebels, previous to crossing the river.
planted 4 large number of torpedoes III the
road, two of which exploded, Fortunately,
however, killing nothing but two horses. Tie
rebel prisoners were at once set at work and
compelled to dig carefully with their fingers
Tor the remaining Internal ma, hines Twelve
OF these beauties were Unearthed in sue space
OF couple of hours and placed in the cellar of
a lady, with strong rebel procliyities, living on
the road. She protested in the strongest terms
against the indignity but was told that if she
did not handle them they would not explode
A FEIST-GAINs' MILL-ARRIyAI. AT BorroM's
BRIDGE
The rebels still continued to show themselves
in our front until we had passed Mechanicsviile,
where Gen. Merritt by making a demonstra-
ton rs though the column was moving towards
White House, caused them to destroy bridge
when we turned short to the right upon the
road to Bottoms Bridge.
We now eucamped on the old Gaines Mill
battle field, and moved at seven O'Clock on the
morning of the 18th marched in Il southeast
erly direction, crossed the York river road q,
Dispatch Station and campcd early in the day
at Bottoms Bridge.
APPROACHING GEN. BUFFERS FORCEs-rHE
GUNBOATS FIRE ON Us.
1t was now necessary to ascertain the where
abouts of General Buffers forces. For the past
three days it had rained necessarily; our men
were without ratiOns and horses without for
age, and the entire command fatigued, hungry
and jaded. An officer OF General Sheridan's
staff, with two men, was sent in the direction
OF the James river, to ascertain the Whereabouts
OF the gunbOats. He re urned at daylight and
reported that he could find no sign of them.
An escort of sixty men was at once despatched
10 yorktown to have supplies forwarded TO
HaXalrs Landing, where the balance Of the
corps marched, distance of ten miles.
Arriving in proximity to the Jane. river the
looming OF cannon and whistling of shot over
our heads admonished us that our friends were
at hand. but had mistaken us for enemies.
Japan Wilson, the efficient signal officer of
the sec ond division. was sent to the front and
,laue signals. No attention was paid to him,
however, and continued firing was KEEP: up,
and one man killed.
captain Wilson was compelled to advance to the
pank VI 'ne river, where he hailed the fleet boat
th Vas SEM 10 IN shore the officers and crew having
e ps!os IN nand and fully cooked evidently NIL
uussaS US AS soon as it became knO ~ n v no we
were tne sailors gave three he ty cheers aud our
Column advanced to near the bank Of the river our
oanos playing 1.-The Lincoln Gunboat, Come"
1hNEhAL shEh'DAH ooMMUNIo ,IEs WITH GENERAL BUT
LfR HARD TACK AND uAy
Major Gereral Sheridan at once .et ont To eommu-
nlcate WIN MAJOR General Blu Ter. appri.ing hum of
our arrival ana the scany state of our forage and "a
tons. Our immediate wants were prOmn,iy Sunn,,aJ
and despatch boat instantly provided to- stas Sar
Fortress Monroe to communicate with tho Va ~.
pirtment Our men for three days previous to onr
arrival at the James River had litea " lived Of sha
country. as many poor families who have Loaf , ,o
whole of their ecanty supplies can testify mr. Pro.
vOst Mar.has used their utmost endeavors to nrota
with the men, they would refer You 70 the scts -