Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1864-05-12
SsHMUpA Huxpasns,

I SsHMUpA HuxDHsns
o.a ME- and a Half aaOps Gig Point. aye-4 A. M
scientific change OF base has been most successfully
accomplished by Nal Gen. Butler in moving his large
from the York to this place in the almost IN
credble time OF twenty hours From the heading OF this
letter you will that have again obtained q footing
almost within sound of shot of the rebel capital
aud this time not ouly in hopes of capturing the
same but every one has the utmost confidence in the
suit
The advance up the James river was led by Brig Gen.
Grahams heet OF army gunboats, Of which the Charles
Chamberlain is the flagship The navy followed with the
iron cads and double enders, after which the
ports. laden down with troops The gunboas started
from Newports News on the 4th instant at dusk
Just previous to Gen Graham reaching City Point he
some distances but owing to its light draugh and its
ductors being familiar with every creek and bayou Of the
James river the rebel gunboat escaped capture.
At Harrison's Landing rebel signal station OBJ
served operating at full blast The signal officer
ing his flag to his partner City Point Our signal officer
was called upon TO interpret the Signals and be
could decpher it meant whether there any thing new
from Richmond The navy called upon fire at this
officer but no response given, except that they had
orders not to fire.
Passing Fort Powhatan a portion of Gen Wd's coored
troops sent shore and found the place deserted
Two regiments left there to garron the place Had
The rebels been of coming that way this point
offered facilities for most determined opposition Az il
however, not soul was to be at the fort or in
it's vcinity--not even guerrilla.
AT City Point we met the steamer New York hap-oE
truce boat charge Of Major John E. Milford having
board four hundred rebel prisoners who were taken up
the 4h instant and had yet been delivered TO the
rebel authorities AT this place Gen Buffers beadauar
tiers boat the Grey led the advance closely
followed by Gen Ed W. HnAs. with his colorsd division
1t nearly dark aud the transports arrived they
were sent ahead. t. @t @ @ Rely
One mile aud half above City Point is ANAL place
called Bermuda Hundreds situated in Chesterfield county
The banks of the river at this place nearly level with
the water aud bluffs in the vicinity On reaching tina
Point orders issued for the immediate GO strucon
of wharf which consisted Of patent arrangement in
vented BY Captain Andrew Answorh, master transpor
taton of this department In very short time troops
landed and skrmshers thrown out guard against
surprise Kinks division Of coored troops led the advance
into the country and bivouacked several miles from the
place of Decentralization In the mean time the remaiDnr
forces rushed ashore fast possible and disposed
of in the most advantageous localities.
The weather is all that be desired. The storm Of
Monday night of the utmost Importance laying the
dust and the roads in the very best condition The
nights bamy aud cheerful and although the sun pours
down his somewhat strongly the day time yet the
weather. in the main, all that be desired for cam
paign. The spirit of the troops is the very best.
BERMUDA HUNDRED MAY7-6A M
portion of command has advanced into the coun-
try and expect to hear from them at any The
urther operations OF the army necessarily for
the present ur
On the 9Th instant Col West charge Of the Frs and
Second (coored) cavalry regiments, commanded by Coils
Gerard and Cole left Williamsburg for the Peninsula
After sharp tro the brigade crossed the Chickahompv
at Joness Ford. Lieut. Col N P Pond. of the Second
cavalry dsmounted companies and ID, Capt Doard and
Lieut. Smith, and depoyed them skirmshers These
two companies rushed into the camp of the Forty-sxth
Virginia cavalry burned the camp, and after killing some
thirty rebels captured thirty five horses The animals
mounted by Col Ponds soldiers and the wing rebes
pursued some ten miles charge. Being within
few miles of Richmond, aud the pursued rebels having
reached another camp, Col Pond deemed it advisable to
return, which movement he accomplished in good order
On reaching the main column Col Pond highly com
pimented by Col West for his skill and bravery.
CRY POINT, MAY z 1864
Our forces have advanced eight miles from this place
At about o'clock last night heavy firing heard
upon our extreme lett From returned messengers we
learn that Brig Gen c. A. Heckmans DIVISION which had
been dispatched by the Commanding General to tap the
Petersburg and Richmond Petersburg and Weldon
railroads. had taken full of these roads under
great opposition from the enemy. Gen. Hickman now
holds the same with his gallant troops.
Brig, Gen G. X. Graham, with his feet Of punboats
made reconnaissance the Appomatax river and cap
tured rebel fort known by the of Watha stu.
ated between eight and nine miles from Petersburg A
further advance of feW miles disclosed exisence Of
huge earthwork mounting several heavy guns
Every thing is quiet thus far and apprehend no at
tack from the enemy. ..a
JAMES RIVER, MAY Z, 1864.
The United States gunboat Commodore JONES' Acting
Volunteer Lieut. Wade totally destroyed at about ons
o'clock r. M yesterday, the James river about seven
miles below Fort Darling, Turkey Bend 1t appears
that she sent up in company with several small craft
to clear the river OF torpedoes and obsructions While
in the performance of that duty suddenly and without any
warning huge segsr shaped torpedo exploded directly
under her. about mdshps lifting her completely of the
water The explosion powerful that Utterly tore
her to pieces. Lieut. Wade and Acting Ensign g. w.
Adams were blown overheard but subse quenty
saved by cngng b. pieces Of the wreck The Paymaster
of the Commodore jones' Mr.. Il. I. Chapman, was in.
sany killed and about Fifty of the killed wounded
The killed and wounded put board Of the gunboat
Mount Washington and sent down the river quickly as
possible.