The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1864-05-12
COMBINED LAND AND NAVAL
MOVEMENT UP JAMES RIVER
BUTLER At PETERSBURG
ten MILES FROM RICHMOND
TWO DA VS. FTGHTYNG-THE REB-
ELS DRIVEN TWENTY NILES.
Forward Movement.

L
ry division, accompanied by portion of a
canvass pontoon train, moved yesterday
evening towards Richfordsville, and was
engaged, until fte at night, 10 repairing
the road to Ellis Ford. Soon after mid
night that division moved to the ford named
and established crossing. At midnight
the Sd cavalry division. with another por
ton of canvass pontoon train, left for
Germania Ford, five or SIX miles above
this place, to establish crossing 1t is re.
ported at this hour that both efforts were
successful
The advance ofthe Cd corps, Hancock
commanding, broke camp at midnight and
moved aown StevedSburg and R,chfords-
vile road towards Ellis Ford. The entire
corps were on the march before O'Clock
this morning in the same direction and ex
pected to effect crossing soon after day
light.
The 9th corps, under Gen. Warren. com
menced moving at mdnight. the advance.
consisting Of two divisions ofinfantry and
portion Of artillery. passed through Ste.
vensbusg at midnight, closely followed by
the remainder Of the corps, all marching
towards Germania Ford.
The 9th corps was closely succeeded by
the 9th, under Sedgwick, which Quilted
camp at 4 a. m. and both the 9Th and 9th
corps are understood to be crossing the Rap.
idan at Germania Ford.
The entire movement resolves itself into
the crossing of the Rapidan at two fords
towards the right flank Of the enemy; plac-
ing itself after crossing on line nearly par.
allel with the river between Orange G. H.
and Charlottesville. At the present hour
the movement is under way, and there is
probability that it will be successfully &C.
complshed without severe opposition Ey
Lee, to whom this bold push must be more
or less surprise. 1t is not probable any
serious engagement will lie Tough, to- dav.
Cavalry skirmishing and artillery duell-
ing will likely make up the days fighting,
unless the enemy contests our advance in
force.
Washington, May s.-Gen. ingalls, says
we have fought two days. The enemy are
said to be retiring. There seems to be on
doubt that although nothing decisive has
yet occurred, the enemy has been foiled in
his confident expectations Of driving Gen.
Grant back before his operations could he
fully developed, and that Lee has been com
PEELED to give way. The fact is. the en-
envy has uniformly been able to strike his
heaviest blow at the outset. Thus their
success has always been owing. He has
now failed.
The casualties reported are Gen. HAYS
killed. and Gems. Getty and Gregg and
Col. Hays and Gen. Owens wounded -
Gen. Hancock is reported to have received
a Sigh: wound while rallying his men TO
resist A, P. Hills onset. Two Of Gen.
Burnside's staff are reported wounded while
carving di spatches.
WASHINGTON. May Their seems to be
no doubt Of the death of Gen. Hays Of Pitts.
burg, Pa. He held the position which bore
the brunt Of A. P. Hills attack, and fell at
the head OF his command inst at the mo-
rnent that support had been ordered forward
to reach him.
At the latest dates Gen Banks was at
Alexandria, and intimation has been given
that he designed to leave that position. -
Positive orders from Grant require Gen.
Banks to afford a protection to the gun.
boats in Red River. His force is strong
enough under competent command, to bid
defiance to any force the rebels can bring
against him. Arrangements for supplies
will be made with energy and celebrity by
Maj. Gen. Candy who has gone forward to
the field under special instructions.
WASHINGTON, May 8.-The Republican
Extra says. 90 gtr af
Grant hurled his entire army against the
reoel army on Friday. Lee was driven
three miles, leaving 5000 killed and 10 900
wounded in our hands. Grant is master
of the field. Lee is in full retreat. Grant
is in hot pursuit.
[Herald's Extra
FT. MONROE, May 6-8P M.-Our troops
under Butler are in possession Of Peters
Tribune's Dispatch.
WASHINGTON, May 8.-News has reached
the Government that Sherman is fighting
his way through Tunnel Hill successfully
and pressing upon Dalton. The enemy is
falling back leaving his dead and wounded
in our hands. The news is glorious as far
as heard from.
Wounded Sent 10 Washington.
The following dispatch from Was hlngton
to Gen. John A. Dix. at New York, has
been received.
Washington, May So a. m.
I'VE have no official reports from the
front but the Medical Director has notified
~