The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1864-06-07

VIC 4NaPPdAduuOch 10 the NeaQ-WdLers
of the York, monstroUs circle, to
reach point where he might have
landed on the first of May. had not his
head been added by his victories over
Pemberton and Bragg
This is the tone Of men who. know
ing the prodigious labor expended in
fortifying a chosen position, themselves
compelled to forfeit its advantages and
seek elsewhere and ominously nearer
their capital, a new line of defence
Certainly, if the Richmond journals
find any satisfaction in the monstrous
circuit the army has made, the point
at which it has aimed, this army is in
condition to share the sentiments.
Recrossing the North Anna on Thurs
day night and Friday morning, the
corps were directed on parallel roads
down to the course of the Pamunky to
the town of Hanover, in the vicinity of
which two divisions of cavalry crossed
the river at six in the morning. Three
hours afterward, Russell's division Of
the 9th corps, after beautiful march
of twenty-five miles, made the passage.
The enemy apparently not expecting
the crossing to be made so far down the
river, had only cavalry force in obser-
walton at this point The party was
easily driven off, 80 being captured
The fords were uncovered for the pas
sage Of the army, which was effected
during the day. 1t is certain that it
was not till this movement was fairly
under way that Lee commenced the
maneuvering necessary to meet it.
"Grant," says the correspondent of the
Richmond papers, writing on Friday,
"last night commenced moving rapidly
toward our right with his whole force,
and corresponding movements are now
on foot on our side to meet those Of
Grants
The movement necessary on the part
of the rebels was simple change of
front, and a retrograde march due south
along the railroad, and ten miles would
bring them to ChickahOminy For US,
on the contrary, it was necessary TO give
a great development to our left, so that
to reach the same point in which the
enemy could make in a ten mile march,
it WAS necessary for us to march some
thing like thirty miles. That il, we had
to march in a southeast direction to e.
feet the passage of the river, and then
move westward for the purpose of stri-
king the enemy or meeting his adj
vance.
This detour or "monstrous circuit,
az the Richmond writer terms it, was
necessitate6 by two different consider
atoms: First, because a flank march
oe the kind determined upon is one
which is always somewhat hazardous in
the face of vigilant and energetic OPP
ponent, and secondly, because it was q
prime desideratum to open up water
base, our communications having been
abandoned when this move was mi
tiated.
This was secured yesterday, when a
cavalry force was sent down to White
House, and to-day our water transpOr-
tation Is reported at that point The
work of the past three days has been
the steady pressing forward of forces
from Hanoverton to the westward, in a
line leading to the Chickahominy and
the Virginia Central and Fredericks-
burg and Richmond Railroads
The advance of Gregg's division on
Saturday developed the enemy with
his entire cavalry force and portion
Of his infantry covering these roads,
and brought on an engagement, which,
from the losses on both sides, RANKS
among the heaviest cavalry fights of
the war Greggs division lost over $50
men and 40 officers, but drove the
enemy; and during Sunday and yes
terday our 'front.' has been steadily adj
vancing. Yesterday (Monday) the
Both, found our right in front of Hano-
yer Court House, while our left stretch
ed beyond Totopatomy creek, about
ten miles from the rebel capital The
enemy showed in our front line of
battle and skirmish line formed by part
of the corps of Ewen and Hill
During yesterday evening skirmish-
ing took place, we feeling the enemy's
line
Early in the morning CrawfOrds Di-
vision of Warren's Corps moved in sup
port of Cen Grifin's Division, which
was moving out on the road toward
Role Creek. 1t was directed by Gen.
Warren to support Griffin left, as he
advanced. The road to Mechanicsyille
ran parallel to the road upon which it
was advancing and was held firmly by
the enemys cavalry and some infantry
Crawford determined to push for this |
road, cross if possible, and advance to-
ward Mechanicsville
Accordingly he ordered Col Hardin /
forward with the first brigade, direct /
ng him to advance the picket line in /
his front to support it closely, and move I
for the Mechanicsville road. 1t was /
nearly three-fourths of mile from our
eft flank.
Hardin pushed in and soon found the
anemy's cavalry which he drove across
he road, occupying it. Forming when
he enemy advanced his line of battle
directly on his flank.
Crawford sent two regiments to his
upport but the enemy attacked on
10Th TANKS, and finding the force holly
engaged he moved to the field with his
whole division The enemy having
lanked Hardee when he arrived, Craw-
ord hastily threw Fishers brigade to
lOld the right. and advanced Colonel
Kitchen, with two regiments to sup
DOrt the line on the left, but il was too
ate. tie ordered the line to fall back
o the crest Of hill. Here he extend
d it and ordered the men 10 throw up
/,
Old rail logs and whatever was handy
7ere used and breastwOrks soon pre-
AIRED, after which Fishers brigade
ras thrown across a rayine on the
light, and nine pieces Of artillery plant
d to sweep the rayine Hardly were
he men in position, when the rebels
dvanced their line of battle directly
pom our line Awaiting their coming
ntil they were within 100. yards. the
pennsylvania Reserves opened a very
eavy fire. The rebel colors were shot
own, and were not raised again, Who ,
yer had them crawled away with ,
lem Twice they rallied, were adj !
anced, each time they were driven !
ack until the men lay down, when
ley commenced running back and our
ne marched out Of their works and &
,Ok seventy prisoners, among them 1
x officers. A very large number OF c
le enemy were killed, among them {
llonel, many officers, and 300 dead I
ere left lying in our front inside of the {
ne of skirmishers Crawford lost a
)nsiderable number Of men, Brigadier- 2