The New York herald., 1864-05-17

oneer rent sAs air. rhs rebels rstreaed behind the
Chtckahomisy destroying In their bght Meadow bridge
us sSUARr IN rss mAR--Hz wHIprsp
and portion Of the Third DIVISION under General wilson,
we're nos1y ENGAGED with stuart General Wilson sent
slowly back ss word ~drs that he
must bold the position at all hazards; that
he could ard must whip the enemy" Colonel
from tho First brigade, charged tho enemy,
and drove them nearly mile. The day now ours
cseded in rebuilding the Meadow bridge the First
and Third divisions crossed covered by the Second dv
on, which, In turn, withdrew and also crossed without
ToRPKDoRs IN The RsAD-Bow THEY WE'RE REMOVED
Tho rebels previous TO crossing tho river paoted
large number OF torpedoes In the road two OF which
ploded, fortunately however, killing nothing but two
horses. The rebel prisoners at Get at work.
remaining Internal machines Twelve Of these beauties
were unearthed In the OF couple of hours and
ties living the road she protested the stropgea,
terms against the ndgnity bus told that she dd
not handle them they would not explode.
A FnNr-GANRs Mur-ARRIvAL AT BOTTOMS BRIDGE
The rebels still continued TO show themselves IN our
front until we had passed Mechapcsvile. whore Cereal
Merritt, bv making demonstration as though the column
were moving towards White House. caused them to de-
stroy bridge when turned short 10 the right upon
the road TO Bottoms Bridge
We encamped on the old Gaines' Min battle field
IN moved O'Clock the morning OF the l3th.
marched 10 q southeaseriy direction crossed the York
river road at Dispatch Station and camped early the
day at Rottoms Bridge
ArnoAcarys Gsr purxRs FoRcxs-mp euNsoars rrRp
II now necessary 20 ascertain the whereabouts
General Buffers forces For the past three day had
horses without forage and the entire command atgued
hungry and jaded. An officer OF General Shert
direction OF the James river TO ascertain the where
abous or the gnnboats He returned at daylight and
reported that he could find no sign Of them IN escort
OF sixty at despatched 10 Yorktown, to
have supplies for warded to Haxaps Landing where the
balance Of the corps marched, distance teu miles
Arriving prov unity the James river the booming
Of and whstling or shot heads admon-
shed that friends were at hand bu had mistaken
us for enemies. Captain Wilson, the efficient signal
officer of the Second division, the front
made signals. No attention was paid TO him. however
and continued firing kept mp, and ono Killed
captain Wilson compelled to advance TO bank
~ the where he hailed the eet boat sent
to the shore the officers and crew having their pistols in
hand and fully cooked evidently mietrusting us As
as IL became known who were tho sailors cave
us three hety cheers aud our column advanced % ne
the bank OF the bands playing The Lincoln
Gupboats Come -
GENERAL surR-pAr COMMUNICATES wrrp crswe. gtrrys
Major General Sheridan at sent ont 10 communi-
cate with Major General Butler. apprispg him OF
rival and the scanty state or forage and raons Our
immediate wants werepromptly supplied and lespa,ch
boat instantly provided to start for Fortress Monroe 20
three days previous To arrival the James river
had literally lived Off the country many poor families
who have ost the whole OF their scanty supplies
testify. Our provost marshais used their utmost
deavors 70 protect the families of ct2ens but upon
demonstrating with the they would refer YOU
acts OF barbarty committed by the rebels at Fort Pillow
and elsewhere.
GENERAL SHERIDAN
ia emnently the right man in the right place He is
without exception the best cavalry commander the Army
OF the Potomac has had He is quick TO perceive
and bold TO execute and has already the entire
ndence Of bis command.
BRIeApIER GENERAL D. MN. GREGG
was General Sherdan's right hand man. He consulted
him all occasions, and placed IN him the utmost conf
dence He knew that where Gregg was, with HE fight
ing division everything was moving aong smoothly.
THE COMM nANp-iEp sruAH WOUNDED
All officers and men seemed TO vie with each other in
deeds OF galantry and daring and all actuated by
the same feeling OF determination TO succeed or perish in
During the fight the morning OF the 18th prisoners
captured from the enemy reported General f. b. stuart
orr xrnws Ioss,
from the time we crossed the Rpidan until we reached
Haxall's Landing the James river, according
OF the Medical Director OF the corre, about
dred are estimated killed. miss ng viii dou btess
amount 70 one hundred and atty 70 two hundred more
Most Of our dead and all Of our wounded with the ex
or BY Our means OF transportation very limited
Having ambulance train with We were compelled TO
captured from the enemy The suffering Of the wounded
during tho slow and edou: march vas necssri great
10 our barbarous foe
Each all staff officers performed bercnlean Ia
bors working night and day, regardless OF personal com
forts, and only intent on carrying out the plans Of
their generals. Many OF them were exposed TO great
danger while carrying dispatches but all providentialy
escaped uuhurt Captain II g. wier, Assistant AojuaDt
General OF the Second division shot under
him while leading a charge.
Our wounded the kndes care and treatment,
our surgeons working night aud day in TIC performance
Of their painful duty Among those who ws.o
active were Surgeons Phillips Rezuer Hackley, hoteh
kiss, Tut, and Surgeon Mc'i Medical director Of TIE
corps Nothing lett undone TO alleviate the sunering
of our wounded officers and soldiers.
TrK EsEmy
IS at least twice great had preponcc
OF artillery, and they were most OF the time
the attacking party. The ground over which we drove
them both Todd Tavern and within the fortihcaions
around Richmond. literally covered with their dead
and wounded Their loss IN officers was dsproportion.
atey large
by General Sheridan by his spen0 raid. are OF the
greatest importance and magnitude y will doubtless
compel ecs army TO tall back Richmond which ~
an wholly unlocked for the Southern people and
for which they totally unprepared. Both railroads
have destroyed In such q thorough manner as 10
render their repair least the work Of two weeks The
very morning were occupying the road on the i2th,
the Richmond papers stated that tho roads only
ss hly damaged and would be In running order the
next day; but who how completely General
sheridan had performed his work, will be deceived oy
these lying statements OF the rebel press.
Tue expedition was upon the whole, the bodies, and
most successful OF the war Is very boldness made
successful
large number u horses gave out the march, ard
many shot in battle The dismouned men, MS well
whole distance. This toward the close OF trip be
difficult matter. as the heavy rain bad rendered
the aim st impossible.
Union CAVALRY VERSES CAVALRY.
II 10 demonstrated beyond the shadow OF Doubt
that the rebel cavalry no match ior ours heard
rebel captain whom captured say that at the COM
OF the they could whip but that nov
whipped them every time, matter how they fought
The recruits. general thing fought nearly as
well as the veterans. MEM
General sheridan rs very proud Of his new command,
and expects TO achieve great things with them during the
summer campaign. the government could furnish
horses the large number that dismounted, he
would have the finest command In the army.
GENERAL DAWES. or NEW YORK.
Briaadier General II. h. Davies one of New York's die
tngushed sons, commands brigade in the Second di
vision. Although young in years he veteran IN the
service and has bis way the proud position which
he occupica by hard services IN the dcd. He 10
brave almost 70 fault and 10 always IN tho front when
his brigade His brigade during the recent
heavy lights have done fully their share and always
Quilted themselves with honor
coArosrrfoN SECOND DIVISION
Brigsder General D. McM. GREGG commanding.