The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1864-06-04

says: This morning finds our advance
pushed three miles south of North Anna
river and across the Virginia Central Rail-
road, which has been effeetually destroyed
No engagement has occurred. The main
body of the rebels appear to have drawn
back to the South Anna river, which is a
line they have been long preparing, and
mean to defend 10 the last. Their advanced
line rests along Long Greek one mile north
of the South Anna.
Advices from near Hanover Junction,
25lh, are as follows: There has been no
general engagement thus far, although our
advance beyond and possession of the south
bank of the North Anna has been retarded
by the presence of the enemy. Skirmish-
ing continued throughout the entire day.
and there was hardly an interval during
which artillery was not engaged on either
side. Hancock, before night, had thrown
his entire corps across the river on the left,
near the railroad, and our position was Ia
ken mile and half in advance of the riv-
or, along Bull Marsh Greek. The Ninth
army corps was commanded to cross late
in the day, and were all over last night
| Preparations we're made for an assault on
the enemy's works toward evening, but the
sky rapidly darkened by a cloud which
! gathered and burst in most furious storm
of thunder and lightning and rain, and the
most sublime discharge of heavy artillery
in the clouds. superseded an attack which
was to have been made Warren holds his
position along the Gordonsville road on the
right. We have several lines of the enc
my's works which they seem to have aban-
doned without any very obstinate resist
ance, but their present position is very
strong. It is impossible to tell, without q
reconnaissance in force or battle, how
strong the enemy is in front, but it is gen
orally believed that after opposing US to
gain time they will fall back again toward
Richmond. The enemy destroyed by burn
ing, yesterday morning. the large railroad
trestle bridge across the North Anna.
Grants headquarters are beyond the North
Anna, near Jerico Mills. Sheridan, with
cavalry, was heard from, and they have
made most excellent report of them selves.
They have been circulating around Rich
mond, destroying vast amount of proper
ty and rendering useles for some distance
the DanVille railroad, the enemy's cavalry
being entirely unable to offer them any OPP.
position.
LATER-Our right has not been able to
communicate with our left this side of the
river. The enemy is not reported to be
confronting US in force. The Tribune's
correspondent from Headquarters, 1 l a. N
the 25th, says at the same time that Biz.
ney IS division carried the rifle pits and North
Anna Bridge, our right wing under Warren
advanced, cutting the Virginia Central and
establishing himself in position at Noel's
Station. The rebel line forms two sides OIL
a triangle its apex being opposite Oxford,
where Burnside crossed the night of the
Gath from the apex of the rebel line. The
right line extends in a northeasterly direc-
ton, crossing he fredericksburg railroad
at an angle of fOrtyfv degrees, and COW
ering the junction. The left wing extends
in a southwesterly direction, cutting the
Central railroad and fairly northwest,
! Hancock confronts the enemy's right wing
on eur left, ard extends his line parallel
with that of tie eneCv across the Rich
mOnd, Fredericksburg q Potomac Railroad
Burnside's line is in position opposite tne
apex of the enemy's works, and faces souGH-
ward. The enemy's works in front o.
Hancock can only be carried With great loss
Dispatches of the 29th: The Times
Washington special of the 28th says Col
onel. who has just arrived from the front,
which he left yesterday friday morning,
informs me that during Thursday night and
Friday morning Lee evacuated his strong
position on The South Anna, and with his
whole army is in full retreat towards Rich
mond. Our troops are following him close
IL. We took a few prisoners, and they state
the damage done by Sheridan has been re-
paired, and that Beauregard's army, or the
main body of it, was within the entrench-
ments of Richmond on Wednesday.
A special says Grants reconnoissanc e
showed the enemy IN a powerful position in
our immediate front, somewhat in advance
of Little river. The ground was very ia
vorable to him, and he had also occupied
every hour in fOrtifying it; if driven back
from here, he had deliberately prepared the
| line of South Anna to fall back nnon.