Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1864-05-27

An attack was made les. night our right flank by
the enemy; but Warren's corps met ard drove them
back TIC attack caused some interruption on the road,
aud trains returned to Fredericksburg on the double
Quick. None we're captured, as vas reported.
liz s uselesa for friends Of those who have fallen in
battle "a come TO the front at this time TO procure their
bodice as the request is@enied in all cases. All the
dead are carefully buried and their names placed
upon boards over their graves 60 that their friends
Gan fiad them after the army has advanced.
The Herald says
Official dispatches from Mr. Secretary Stanton, dat
at Washington the night of the 20th the
receipt Of official reports from General Grant up TO nine
o'clock that morning. The following is given ss tie
substance Of the dispatches from Grant; =,
on Thursday evening an effort was made by EWells
corps to turn our right They promptly repulsed
by Birneys and Tylefs divisions and some OF Warrens
troops that were on the extreme right About three
hundred prisoners fell ints hands, besides many
killed and wounded Our loss was little over sx hum
dred wounded and one hundred and City killed and
missing out General Grant Is of opinion hat thess
figures may be exaggerated. kr. Stanton assures US
that over twenty-five thousand veteran achievements
have been sent 10 Gen. Grant; thatthe condition of his
contemplated operations entirely satisfactory and
that the amy is sbundanty supplied.
PaEyERRKD THE REAE.
Speaking Of the fight of the 18th, one OF the Her
slds correspondents Gays:
The most OF the troops engpgsd conducted them
selVes with commendibie bravery; few, however,
principally rac recruits determined to fall ia tie
rear, and some had to Be kept IN the ranks by the Is
closing at tie point of tie bay5ast. am glad to state,
to the hon0r Of the Second OOrp that there we're but
few such.
FROM BUFiER's Array.
Appearances on General Buffers front indicate that
the enemy have in progress important operations.
Our news Is to the Is H. and indicates that reconnois
sauce in force made by,Geaeral Foster disclosed the
fact that nearly the whole force Of the enemy was under
arms on the 18th Instant to cover and conceal very
extensive movement of wagon trains Whether this
movement for Bsauregards retreat or an attemp;
to supply and provision Richmond, could Lot be mace
out.
We have Official Information Of General Shermsn's
operations in Georgia up TO Thursday evening He had
pushed his column from Kingston that day to Cas-
vile and had a skirmsh with General Hardees forces
The informs that severe fight ia anticipated
1t Atlanta.
TIE GREAT BATTLE on THE soUTHsIDE.
The New York Herald has four or five column &C.
count Of the great battle on the Southsde near DreWry
Bluff. We copy the most interesting portion of it:
The great demonstration of the enemy ives made on
TIE right Of our line, and of those variations
of siege known AZ sore, in which, under all crcum-
stances the advantage is with the beseged. Tee pre-
Vcus evening the rebels received reinforcements from
Richmond. Among these was brigade OF cavalry and
General Gracie's division Of Alabama infantry
Tbs assault OF the enemy right was made with
cavalry artillery and infantry. At this point IL becomes
necessary to convey some idea of how troops
posted u the extreme right Next the James rver
Wers two squadrons OF oolored cavalry, then came the
Nlth New Jersey infantry, then the Twenty third Mas
eachusetss, then the Tsenty-hlth aud TWenysevenlh
Mass ehusetts all of Heckman's brigade of Meix ds
division, of Smiths corps. Gmore's corps held the
left and left CENTRE Oar line OF battle the FORTH
cations except on the right for they did not
extend down 70 the river. A narrow belt of timber
screened eur from the view Of the rebels on
the right
THE APPROACH OF DAT.
Ominous slarce had prevailed since two, A N. 1t
was now after Jour- The misty atmosphere gave kind
Of terror TO anos! eVery otject and oome up in IN
natural proportions and outlines from the dark, haxy
shadoEs Of departing hight. All was vigilance and
anxiety except where here and there lay weary SOL
der, numbering on hS moist and eastby pillow.
TIE sIEALTHr ADVANCE OF TIE REBELs
But the enemy crept cautiously upon our right, ss
the eoppehssd does upon his prey aud they Rprung at
without noice. Toe rebels stole between our skir-
mishtrs around right flank, and actually into the
rear Of the Ninth New Jersey. When they we're first
discovered by that regiment in its they believed
them 10 be SOME Of cur own troops. 0le of che Off
GERS challenged them, however, demanding who they
were The rebels replied friends, and still pressed on
"Wnat reg;msnti" demanded the officer. 1.-THE Third
Virginia" rel lied the rebels pouring in voley and
rushing upon our men a. the com nAnd, charge baJ-
onets" The Jerseys fought vAianty, though taken at
80 great disadvantage and repelIed tneir assal
ants in the rear But the first voey from the rebels
ths signal for the ASSAULT upon cur froat
and Alnk.
tbs ASSAULT.
Tive Or gsdes and two batteries flying artillery rush
ed forward passed our pckets succeeded in capturing
thtss on our right and assaled the front with grss
desperation while 81 South Carolina cavalry attacked
his flank with charge. But owing 10 the fog and the
DO soa OF our pickets our artillery could not be used
while that Of the enemy Numbered away at our lnes
wi the greatest fury. Their huge shells bursed among
our men, Rounding many.
THE GREAT tTRUGGLE.
The Union line was doubled up One of Belgers cal
sons exploded. We lost q gun. Battery L, of the ID
New York, Loot one of their 2O-pOunders by the de-
struoon Of their horse and the sudden approach of the
enemy upon them through the e. Our line was yield
ing the dreadGl pressure, when 10 the battle is
neWed With increased intensity on the extreme right.
Colonel brakes brigade has arrived and the ll2h New
York chastisipg the enemy and coming to the
of Hickman.
our ARrILLERY ORDERED TO TIE REAR
Most of Burke's artillery was now ordered to the
rear, and was parked beyond Palmers creek, about
mile and quarter A. Artillery could not be used, so
dense tine fog, and this fact is the explanation of
the disposition of There was lul in the
STRIFE now. Our troops Dau cuangeQ lneH posluOne,
rendered the advantage hitherto derived by the enemy
from ths fog useless. 1t about six o'clock The
rattle Of diminishing still continued and spread more
nCrally llcng the whole lire. The enemy's artillery
murdered away, and the exploding shells compelled
70 move cn ammunition trains and smbulances TO
the rear. Wounded men struggled along to pieces of
security; others borne 10 hospitals bytheir COM
psnons; but Shells soon began to drop into some Of
these and most advanced hospitals was abandoned
but not until the wounded were removed.
oUR FORCES FALL BACK.
In the evening the order to fall back to new posi-
ton was given by General Butler and his column is
in an attitude defy the whole power of Lees army If
il should be driven upon him.
While the battle was going on, which have above
described astsek made on guard In the
direction OF Petersburg. The skirmishing grew warm
but the guDboas up the Appomattdx took part in the
and compeled the enemy to fight at a