New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1864-05-10
sitirmish OH Friday Night-Is IL Renewed
on snturdny-Benuregar Commands
the Eebels-Dn-h upon the Richmond
and Petersburg Railroad, and n mile
OF IL Torn Up-Great Strength Of
ButIer,s Position-Hot Weather, &c.
From Our Special Correspondent.
HEADQUARTERS GEN.


HEADQUARTERS GES. BUTLER May :, 1854
The skirmish of last night was more serious
than indicated in my last letter Gen. Smith directed
Gen Hickman to advance with bis brigade to find out
what force and position the enemy had in front Of bic
lines on the left. Gen. H. pushed forward driving in
their pckets and skirmishing along the line; pushing
the Rebels back to the Port Wathal Railroad Here
the Secesh had taken advantage Of the railroad embark
ment and forces were received with volley Gen.
Hickman was wounded il the little finger Of his right
hand by Mimic ball. which passed through his coat
trowscrs isaddle.fap, and killed bis horse. Gen. H.
opened them with two pieces Of artillery This the
Rebels thought unfair they had cannon, and called
out to men. Hold on 1anks TIL tomorrow and
then viii get our guns up
The object being simply rcconnolsance. and Gen.
H. being instructed on no account to bring on gen
eral engagement the right Of our line had not got
into position he withdrew his brigade. The Rebs
charged after him. but handsomely repused twice
and our men returned to camp having eight killed ard
forty wounded II was asoertaned that there quite
force there at least two brgades. During last night
trains were heard running up and this morning Gen.
Hickman again advanced down the same road but did
not succeed in penetrating far lie met the Rebels
in still, stronger force, but obtaining good position.
rest of the battery out and firing ceased
after.
The wounds of the men hurt the day before were
caused by rife balls To-day wounds caused by shells
were plentiful Gen. Beauregard was in command Of
the Rebel forces said to number about 200oO, with
which he came up from Weldon. Prisoners belonging
to South Carolina and Virginia regiments. and to tho
Washington battery, We're captured. Meanwhile Gen.
L.. linz, lSt
three brigades, marched down the road Heading to tho
Petersburg and Richmond road He soon encountered
the enemy in force, and fight ensued lastng
with intervals up to six O'Clock. p. IN. These move
ments ware made TO cover third which had for its OBJ
iect the cutting Of the r. p Il. r. For this purpose
brigade OF the 10th Corps under Col Burton. pushed
repldy across the country and succeeded IN reaching
the railroad. and tearing up about mile Of it. Col
Rprton then fell back At sunset Gems Hickman and
Brooks were holding the position to which they had adj
yanced.
Isend list of the casualties of yesterday and the
names Of such wounded to-day have been brought in.
Owing TO the rapdity with which the general move
ment lad to be made nothing was brought along but
what was absolutely necessary and only one ambulance
was allowed to brigade This occasioned much delay
in bringing in The wounded but the Medical Director
who le tie field late said all were well cared Tor. Inc
other amhulanees arrived at the landing tonight ana
are being sent 10 the front The position taken by Ge
Buter is one Of great natural strength extending from
tho Appoma,tox. near Port Waltha on the left to an
onnospc point on the James embracing the WHO'S
peninsula formed by the two rivers In front OF tue m
An impsssable ravne runs down to the AppomatioA'
crossed only at one point by The road along that river
In front OF the hight is dense forest Beyond 'Ho
whole swamp stretches along opposite TIC center
The position is an excellent for defense ana 'nS
ntrenchng now being done renders IL V"us'io"'
place TO attack The gunboas on the James ana App"
mattox protect the tanks
The line is only two anda half miles IN length Aero''
the Appomattox wetol City Point, by another Saor'
line across the Point This position is also protectea
by the guuboats Great confidence Is felt by Gen bu'
er and hs general officers to their ability % hold tue
postion against any force which can be brought 70
attack il. "a
About noon to-day while the gunboa shoshonee &"
tuns) WAS fshsg for torpedoes. near Deep Bo'iom'
battery from Richmond appeared on the north panA.
took poston and opened upon the boat shot paSsea
through the steam chest blowing up the vessel ihos'
nj the officers and crew who took to the north shoro
were taken prisoners few who reached the sou'a
bank were afterward picked up by the army gunsoa''
Chas. Chamberlain A deserter nom Lees army VIZ