The daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1863-1864, 1864-05-20

Gen Heckman's brigade of the 18th
corps, holding the right, doubled up and
was forced back on the next brigade which
was also thrown into some confusion.
Our naend did not observe the rebels uutil
they succeeded in passing column be:
tween Heckman's right and the river, and
then taking him in the front and rear
crushed him between the columns, and for
the time created some. confusion.
Hickman made gallant fight as long as
he could, but the enemy came upon him so
suddenly and in such overwhelming mum
bers that a successful resistance was quite
impossible in the darkness and confusion.
Some of the brigade was captured after this
operation, having forced back the right. 4
A heavy attack was made on the entire
line of the 18th corps, with feints along the
10th corps line, and the entire right was
forced back some distance, after several
hours of most severe and sangulnary
struggle. GFE
The battle ragged with unexampled fury
until nearly IL O'clock. The rebels threw
heavy masses upon our lines, and finally
succeeded in forcing our lines back nearly
q quarter of mile. Our men fought stub :
bornly with but few exceptions, and res ist-
ed every step, and repeatedly checked the
rebel advance, with terrible slaughter, but
not without some loss on our side. The en-.
emy numbered not less than $4,000, and
pushed int the murderous fire, with reck-
iessness and stubbornness, rarely seen in an
attack On our right we lost gun or two
and it is said that some light pieces were
taken, but it was difficult to ascertain the
number, probably four will cover our loss
of light pieces Finally, after forcing back
the 18th corps, from its position, and re.
gaining their position Of the first line OF
intrenchments, they massed their forces on
the 10th corps, 10 drive it back. They first
hurled their column upon Turner's division,
which held the right Of the corps line, and
joining with the 10th corps. They formed
in a beautiful manner, and moved steadily
on, Barton's brigade on the right; Turner's
division advancing as on parade, and not
firing single shot, but waiting until they
had reached good distance, and Effective
range, when the brigade poured into their
lines such terrible fire, that the line melt
ed away, and the thinned and broken line,
after vainly endeavoring to advance, through
the storm of bullets, fed with terrible loss
to the woods. The rear volley's We con
tinuous and heavy, as musketry of a h<lgade
could we'll be, and such as nothing could
stand against. The rebels were scattered
like chat, aud broke for the woods in dis
organized mass, under their friendly cover.
After great exertion their line Of attack
was again formed, and again the brigade ad
vanced in splendid style, against our lines,
and again did they receive terrible fire,
and pushed steadily on until nearly one
fourth of them lay killed or wounded on the
field, when they broke and rushed quickly
to the cover of the woods. Our boys gave
them hearty cheers, and sent vo'ley after
them, which told on them very much. Al
ter being twice blCodily repulsed, at this
point, they moved further to our left, and
turned their column upon Colonel Hawley's
brigade, and Gen Ferry's division. They
come up in tho same steady and confident
manner. biz: were received by q more rapid
and equally deadly fire, by Gen. Turner's
men, which caused them to run to the woods
accelerated in fight by the music of the
bullets about them. They were determine
ed, however, to break our line and force it
from its position, cost what it would. They
formed again and strengthened by reinforce,
ments, charged again, and after ten minutes
work were disastrously repulsed and driven
back at all points.
This ended any serious effort on their
part to force our position, leaving their
dead and wounded to the number Of l,QOO
on the field
Our line again massed upon Gen. Smiths
front, and attacked his left, aud Gilmore
Immediately ordered Gen. Turner to attack
the enemy on their flank, and ordered Gen
Terry to support him. Turner's attack had
hardly commenced before Gilmore was or
dered by Butler to retire and to strengthen
Smiths corps by forming in his rear. Our
troops fell back slowly and in order, repnls
ing every effort of the rebels to quicken
their movements, and making stands at
every favorable position until the enemy
ceased to follow, and fell back to their first
line Of entrencements.
Gilmore then drew off his corps and form
ed a support for Smith. The fighting
which had been going On with more or less
violence along the entire line, now ceased
at half past two, and preparations were
made to draw off our forces from the field,
and return to our entertainments. The ar.
tillery was sent to- the rear, with the ex-
ception Of one section to cover the rear
guar l. amhulances with wounded, and sup
ply trains were sent to the rear, aud finally
the entire army fell back, the enemy not
pursuing. ..-
The same correspondent says Of Kautz's
raid Oh the Richmond and Danville railroad,
that be has tore up several miles Of track,
destroyed the rails and ties, blown up an
iron bridge over the Appomattox river, at
Mattox station.
Sheridan's forces again started ON raid
around Richmond yesterday. The 18th
cavalry will keep the railroad communica
ton to Richmond cut for while.
Another Herald correspondent says:
Buffers force e safely in their intrench.
ments, and are able to withstand an attack
from all forces the rebels can bring against