The Portland daily press., 1864-10-03
The Operation Around Richmond.


speaking of the operations OF that corps in its
advance on Richmond, says the corps broke
camp at 8 P. M. on the 28th, and by a rapid
march reached and eros sed the James at day
light on the 10Th. , s~.~,. 80
At Deep Bottom, Immediately on advanc-
ing, they met the enemy and skirmished up
the road and across the fields until near New
Market road. This road was occupied by the
enemy who were strongly entrenched on a
height and our advance was obstinately con-
tested. This position. in additionto its strong
natural character, was rendered douby form
liable by al almost impenetrable slashing that
covered the slopes. The colored troops UNI
der Gen. Paine were ordered to carry this po-
sition Their charge was one of the grand
features Of the day. They never halted or
ialtered though their ranks were sadly thinned
as they advanced a ~
The successful Accomplishment of their task
put the enemy to confusion and sent them
rapidly up the road towards Richmond. Gems.
Grant and Butler came on the field during
this struggle and were enthusiastically receiv-
ed by the troops. .assa
When the former rode along the lines the
shouts and cheers of the men were beyond ex-
ample.
Three miles above New Market the enemy
have very strong works, but Gen. Rirney
pressed his advantage and pursued the retreat
ing rebels SO closely that they could not stop
to reform in his front at this work. Two miles
further on, the rebels have a strong line ofre-
doubts, perfect in their character, carving
heavy artillery and located at such brief inter
walls that it is impossible to force column of
troops through them. These works cross the
New Market road just beyond Laurel Hill
Church and their guns sweep the roads In all
directions.
Gen. BirneY at once determined to carry
such OF these works as lay in his front by a
general assault, reconnoitering the ground
himself amid a storm of shells have never
seen surpassed. The assault was made at 2
P. NJ, the men cheering aud starting on the
run. They were met with murderous fire
of grape and canister and unceasing volley
of musketry that worked terrible havoc in
their ranks, Still unainching they held their
way. In crossing an intervening crest of open
land they were exposed to frightful enfila.-
ing fire of artillery and the casualties were
terrible, still the line pressed forward On
approaching the redoubts they were found
even more formidable than at first supposed
A perfect abattis held them at bay while the
rebel infantry literally moved them down.
The forts were surrounded by ditch s feet
deed into which some of the colored troops
leaped only to find themselves penned in with
no door of escape. The works had no sully
over the ditehes, these Of course were drawn
up. The line was then Withdrawn to the
further side Of the crest, which position was
held until night when demonstration was
made against the works in the ditch of which
our men were cooped up, thus giving them an
opportunity to escape. Though an advance
up the road from hall TO headquarters of
mile was accomplished 1t cost us dearly. The
corps lost over 500 men in killed and
wounded. a a4A
At the same time this was going on Gen.
Kauts's cavalry dashed boldly up to the very
gates of Richmond, which fact he reported to
Gen. Butler who at once dispatched a division
of infantry to his support. This division
marched unresisted to within musket range
of the city and probably might have marched
into the rebel capital though it was clear they
could not have held it. On arriving in the
suburbs of the city they found that Gen. Kautz
had withnrawn for wise purpose. The d.
vision was then ordered to tesurn. g s.
Although our ADVANCE was checked at Lau-
rel Hill our expndition is by no means termi-
mated.
The Hersld's Correspondent, with the 18th
Corps, gives the following account Of the part
taken by that corps in the movement. er
Gen. Heckleman's and Stannards lines
crossed the James at Aikeu's landing, and a
mile was marched before they came in con-
tact with the enemy, Tho rebels showed no
dssire to nght and fell back rapidly. Four
lines of rife pits were thus abandoned.
When they REACHED their main line however,
they showed resistance and opened with sharp
shooters and artillery. Immediately in front
of Stonnard and commanding the road was a
large fort mounting eleven guns. Frepara
tons to storm It we're iaade, and when ready
Gen. ord gave the signal. The men rushed
across the field ia the face of artillery and
musketry, and captured thu fort its guns and a
number OF prisoners. 1900.
Gen. Ord was wounded Just as he entered
Cne iort, and Gen. Burnham was killed as he
Was WAS Apo ABOUT TO epter. Col, Stevenson, of the
E 5S.n 4eY hampshire, was badly wounded
os Stanarys Lieut.. Judd and Capt Converse,
o. olannaTas stan, were all wounded. Lieut
Horn, Of ord's staff, was badly bruised hv ~.
horse being killed and falling upvn him y 'i's
Gen, Hickman TOOK conn mfnsnd IL III III
after Gen. Ord was disabled, and made as sa vurpS
despeiste charges to capture The cnern Ssseaal
ond line But owing to the fact of the n =
! corps and Paine's division OF the 18th co r.n
not joining US until noon, no further success
was met with, The number of ggns captured
amounted to TWENTY-FIVE, nearly all heavy.
New York, Oct. 2.
| TIE Herald's correspondent at Buffers
headquarters writes, under date of Sept. 30th /;
Early yesterday morning Gen. Butler had cap
| tured all the fortiacetions save one immediate
| opposite Fort Darling, and we still hold them,
| notwithstanding the vigorous shelling by the
rebel rams. The fact that one of our hospi-
tails was located within three miles of the city
throughout yesterday, is significant.
Gen. Grant last evening expressed himself
/ to an old army officer as being entirely salts
fed with the operations If this day, and add
ed that more had been accomplished at the
! period of the undertaking than he had expect
ed would be. 6 Ssh
Gen. Grant had an interview with General
| Butler at o'clock this morning,
It is reported that the rebels were rushing
reinforcements TO their left by trains of from
fifteen to seventeen cars each. We have cap
tured twenty guns in all.
Refugees from Richmond report great des-
pondency there, and jeff Davis was seen on
the streets on the 30th exceedingly abject and
worn In his appearance.
Citizens are leaving the city by hundreds
Thnv say Tee was aauQht manning this 4ima