The New York herald., 1864-05-19

land creek. But this, unfortunately, was almost
impregnable. was field work worthy OF the name Of
fort Built OF red clay and surrounded by ditch ten
feet In depth with both aanks resting on Kingsaud
creek, II was alike impossible flank ii carry II by
creek, and repeating his previous manuvre take il by
entering from the rear. This plan, however, could not
DO carried OUT as his column unable TO man@uvre
In front OF the second and formidable line OF earth
works discovered behind Kingsand creek.
POSITION FORCES.
On Monday night Generals Butler and Smith had their
headquarters at Frenchs house, about quarter OF
mile above the Halfway House on the turnpike
Richmond. The advance was about a quarter OF mile
ahead on tho road and stretched the right, along
the rebel works to near the James river. On tho left
Brooks division connected with Gillmores right The
Tentn corps, after fankirg the enemy's works, had
ewung around TO position almost at right angles with
Smith. On che extreme right and upon the banks Of the
cavalry Next to them wns Heckmans brigade with the
REGIMENTS in echeon, while Wstar held the ground on
Heckman's left.
THE RrBErs RxcnvE Rr1NroRcEMENrs
On Sunday evening reinforcements had commenced TO
pour in 20 the rebes from Richmond crossing the pom
toon bridge above Fort Darling and moving without be-
ing discovered to various positions the enemys cft
along the bank OF tho James river. While this going
the enemy manouvred skuy TO impress us with he
IDEA tnat ne was nassing his troops on his extreme right
TO front Gilmore
JEpv. DAVIS AND BRAGG IN THE REnEL RrRKsc1nnrs
About four O'Clock on Sunday afternoon JEFF. Davis,
accompanied by Braxton Bragg his pet general arrived
from Richmond, and Immediately commenced making
They concerted their movements with such secresy and
skill that mtmation their presence reached US,
euher from prisoners or until after tho ac-
tion.
TIRE REBELS ADVANCE.
The night was very foggy and at daybreak on Monday
WAS utterly impossible 10 twenty feet in advance
AZ soon the first evidence OF apparent
the rebels commenced their attack. large force had
stolen through the mist between the negro cavalry
and Hecknan's brigade, selling the pickets
and escaping discovery, and. having secured q
o sev vM nea
and murderous fire Of nusketry Though taken entirely
by surprise and rnabe to SEQ hts assaants Hickman
antat fhn}p akfnn
For an hour they resisted the enemy all Sides and
covered the eld with dead and wounded rebes Finding
that be could not hold bis position Hickman commenced
falling back. The rebels, however, charged upon him in
overpowerng numbers and the iron men, who had stood
the bruUt Of battle for the last three without nch
ing broken aud driven from ded. Hickman is
missing when last seen he galopng along the road
almost through the midst Of party Of rebels who were
killed or prisoner 1t is to be hoped that II is not the
former. No loss would be more regretted in General
Buffers command than that Of the fighting General Heck
TWENTY FOUNDER PARROTS uxprunKp
Atthe same time the attack made on HAokmAn
forco OF the rebels moved down the turnpike and
attempted 70 surprise Ashlys battery OF twenty.
pounders Tne battery in position n the road, and
OWING 10 tho fog the rebels almost at the muzxles
Of the guns before they discovered. Tho gallant
Asay. however. saved most OF the guns The battery
lost heavily IN mon Captain Ashlv himself shot in
tho head bu. was saved from capture BY his remanins
General Smith had issued orders tho batteries
executed or The battery had just come 70 the
point where vas attacked. Captain Belger, Of the
:s % he n,s badly IN, and
piece which lossa horses and could not be removed
This gun was spiked before fell into the hands Of The
enemy.
GENERAL wnrAR ATTACKED tNf
Twenty minutes after the encmy opened on Hickman
they came down on wistar's command. That general,
however, was prepared for them. Holding good DO.
sion, he kept his IN line and received the enemy
dead and wounded Though thinned out on each occa
sion, the rebels returned again and again the attack
al he hia in nf
attempt 70 oust him. until he received orders TO
retire. when Brooks right was forced back the enemy
on the extreme LETT Of Brooks division was attacked
simultaneously with Hickman: but, better situeed and
having potccoi their approach, he gave them warm
reception their appearance in his front that they
fell back after short action lasting about half hour
there for time lull but about nins A. n the
battle commenced again in all its fury.
was made right upon Brooks front. After desperate
nghtiDg both sides the right Of Brooks compelled
the redouot TO make hs charge and hurled them upon
Brooks under Of heavy artillery fire from the
Smith ordered weze to withdraw wstar's brigade and
the whole line fell back 10 the Hallway House.
GENERAL SMITH DRIVES
General Smith received order to reoccupy his
former position about eleven o'clock The troops we're
Immediately formed in echeon Of regiments, and moving
forward on the enemy drove them back the ground
originally occupied by weitzsl The rebels forced
back into their ntrenchmens, and after they had made
unsuccessful efforts to the ground they
ceased firing, quiet eigned the first time through
the day upon the battle field.
TRoors PrrERsBuR6 RsAR.
At almost the same moment Heckman's extreme ad.
vance was attacked by the enemy A force numbering
about five thousand made their appearance on the
turnpike road coming from Petersburg ana attacked
rear The moment the firing commenced, Aymes' brt-
gade stationed at the Halfway House, moved down the
road and engaged them. Artillery was freely used on
both Sides but after conflict Of hours duration the
rebels retired without accomplishing their OBJ ec.
THB RKREL BElNroRcEMENTs.
The rebel reinforcements whose appearance
expectedly in our front brought on the action today
were composed OF the command OF Major General Robert
Ransom, who has been for some time past military
mandan: OF the district OF Richmond. There be
doubt but that Lees advance had arrived in Richmond
and this relieved the large force or fresh troops under
Ransom, who were at once preciptated upon us.
REBEL PRISONERS.
About 900 rebel prisoners were captured. Many Of
them taken the fog before they were aware
they were re- 10 the midst OF our troops Major 7 p
line in tho fog and was captured
THE REBEL WORKS.
The rebel works built to defend approaches to Rich
mond on the south side OF the river immense They
are splendid works OF and succeed each other crce
after circle commencing a Kngsland creek and passing
REru Rs TO srRrScHxxr1s
At dark the order was Issued to retire. and before mid
night tho troops were all behind their ntrenchments,
north or the Appomattox.
Is very heavy numbering perhaps two thousand I'VE hun
dred killed, wounded ana prisoners. The rebel loss
probably greater, as they were badly cut up by both
Hickman and Wstar, and subjected TO An unmsrci-
tul shclling by the artillery.
HEADor ARrgRa, EIGHTEENTH ARMY CoRrs1 =
In THE FIELD, May II, 1864.
General Butler received Richmond paper dated 16th
which Acknowledges that Lee met with = defeat on
Thursday and states that "the slaughter was terrnc
particulars arc known" The paper adds that Jen.
Davis received despatch from Lee which has been kept
secret
CKr. HAUrzs CAVALRY
have struck tho Danvilc Railroad Mattox station and
burned the bridge over tho Appomattox river He
moving on Roanoke station, with the intention of destroy
bridge q
the fret positive intelligence we have received from
Kautz II he Ia successful be will return by way OF City
Point and put an end TO any efforts the part OF the
rebels TO repair the destroyed bridges the Petersburg
nd Wel