Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1864-05-09

STEELE RETURNS TO LITTLE ROCK,
From New York .

NEW YORK Nav s-There is splendid
chance for exultation here, and we are ievoutly
thankful that City Point has become ours with
out struggle.
The Union forces are securely planted in a
splendid strategic position within IL miles of the
rebel capital
Our troop. are Landing AS rapidly as possible.
1t il 3 o'clock. and before nightfal, the
greater part OF the immense army will he disem
barked.
Our line will stretch across this narrow strip of
land. the left resting upon James river and then
passing the little river Appottsmax The
prolOngatiOn OF the line will reach TO the James
river again holding that almost insular position,
called the ownship of the Bermuda Hundred
Enirenched here, with both TANKS of the army
protected by guuboats, bid defiance to
Lee il Grants sharp pressing drives them down
upon Us.
The position il considered admirable for seri-
ou-ly threatening Richmond.
Lees army is now between two fires, and
should cavalry raid seriously impairs his com
municttons south, starvation will be added TO his
other troubles
The following despatch was received by Gen
John A. Dix:
WAsHlsGroy, Nav So A M-We have no
official reports from the front: but the NJ edical
Director has notified the Surgeon General that
our wounded were being sent to Washington, and
will number from six thousand TO eight thousand.
The Chief Quartermaster of the Army of the
Potomac has made a requisi,on for seven days
grain and for railroad construction trains and
states the enemy is reported to be retreating
This indicates General Grants advance and at
f0rds an inference OF national success on our part.
The enemy strength has always been most felt
in his first blows. and these having failed aud
our forces not only having maintained their
ground but preparing 10 advance, leads to the
hope OF full and complete success; for when
either party fails, dsOrganiZation by Struggling
and desertion commences, and the euemys loss
III killed and wounded must weaken his nerve.
Nothing later than my last dispatch has been
received from Gen Butler.
\ dispatch from Gen. Sherman, dated at 5
O'Clock T. VI Yesterday states that Gen Thorn
as had occupied Tunnel Hill. where he expected
battle. and that the enemy had taken position
in Buzzard Roost Pass. north Of Dalton. Skin
mishng had taken place. but no real fighting
vet.
Nothing later from Gen Banks.
You may give publicity to the information
transmitted to you you deem proper IL is de-
signed to give accurate official statements of
what is known TO the department in this great
crisis, and to withhold nothing from the public
EDwARDM STANTON.
Secretary of War
Admiral Lees squadron which accompanied the
army IN the river:
The NJ ,ivern hag ship; the monitors Tecum-
sch. Conouicus. Stugus. Onondaga and Atlanta.
The sight of the last must be tantalzing TO the
enemy The double enders Utah. Mohican.
Oceols. Commodore Morris, Hunchbsck, Com
modore Jones, Dawn, Delaware, Putnam and
Shawnee
The army gunboats on rounding Turkey Bend,
at.ul.
was made but John Secesh opened his steam
valves and started for home. He could not be
kverhaued
The steamer Western Metropolis. from Fort
ress Monroe on the 7sh, reports that on the 9th
inst, the lst and I'd regiments OF negro cavalry.
under Col West. made dash across the Chick
ahominy river. and two companies dismounted
and charged into the camp Of the 10th Virginia
cavalry. killing 80 men and capturing 35 horses.
The horses were Immediately mounted by our
troops who pursued the rebels to within ten miles
of Richmond
On the 9th inst. our forces who had landed Mt
CITY Point moved on Petersburg, when the enemy
Immediately set fire to the place and abandon
ed IT,
On the morning of the same date the United
States gunboat Commodore Jones. while on
picket duty in the James river. near Turkey
Bend was blown up By torpedo. Several of
nef OtUcerS were klliel anu some Az wounded.
The rebel who bad charge Of the TORPEDO was
shot and two of his companions made prisoners
The Tribune has A letter from the army dated
Thursday night. which contains the following:
Early this morning the march was resumed in
the direction OF Tods Tavern. which point was
reached before noon and our troops placed in
liue of battle
At IL NJ Gen Wilson, commanding Kill
paIrcks former cavalry division, made his
whereabouts known by brisk cannonading
several miles southwest of the Tavern aud in the
vi,inity of Shady Grove Church. where for three
quarters of an hour he was sharply engaged with
y large body of rebel cavalry and considerable
force OF Infantry. by which he was gradually
forced 10 fall back
Had the darkness of evening not prevented
night would have found Gen. Hancock's COM
maud 1T Shady Grove Church. connecting with
Warren on the right
Bv this maneuver We would have occupied the
pike running in a northwestern direction from
Germania Ford
The movements of Lee soon revealed his real
design.
Gen. Warren was directed 10 attack Gen. Hill
nj once, which he did about ] o'clock A NJ A
determined fight of an hour aud half ensued
in which Warren drove Hill from his position
with great loss.
Grifhn's division OF the 5th corps led the at.
tack and suffered severely nearly I 900 being
killed wounded and missing.
Finding his efpr, to break orr centre futile. ,hs
enemy next attempted TO interpose overwhelm
ing force between Warren and Hancock, the lat
ter of whom, in accordance with orders, was
marching his corps rapidly TO torn juno tiou
with the former. Fortunately his advance. con
sisiins of Birneys corps. came up jus, in time &c
ci-rumveut the rebel General. who. at 2:3O T. NJ
commenced terrific onslaught on the divisions
of Birnev Gibbons and Getty The former had
been temporarily detached to form the extrem'
OF Hancock command
The 6gh, rssei until some time after dark. anc
resulted in a complete repulse of the enemy a
oil points
Our loss does not probably exceed l.OOO men
Scarcely any artillery WAS brought INTO requlss-
ton.
The battlefield is covered with thirk growti
OF unierbrush aad medium sized oak trees, ans
II i owing To that fact that our loss Is compare
lively small.