New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1864-05-21
The Rebel Attnck on Monday-Positions Of
Gen. Buffers Forces-Tbc surprise IN
the Fog-Thc Retreat Ia Infrencb mcnts
Extent Of the Losses.
[DELAYEs LETTER.
IDELANKH LETTER.
FROM Our Special Correspondent
TEArp Army CoRPs NEAR CRY PorST Va,
,nnl NJ M IeIH-


TyArp Amy CoRPs NEAR CITY PoryT. Va,
Monday, evening. May 10, lsG4.
I place the old date at the head OF this letter,
for We have returned to intrenched ne across the
Peninsula the second great expedition from it having
ended.
As bas boon before stated two broad turnpikes run
nosthware " Richmond the westerly being next TO
the railroad and crossing IL several points Upon this
pike and tho railroad itsef tie fight Of week ego
Up the easery pike the army went on Thursday LIST
the u Division Of the 10th Corps under Gen. Ames
being sent toward the railroad u guard against aai
movements from the south On Friday and Saturday
our troops had pushed the Rebels from their outer line
Of works which extend In zigzag course from the rail
rad entirely nearly 10 the james, and were yigor'
ou,ly pressing upon the second inner line. During
SUNDAY they held their with percep,ibe change
either way. the artillery playing night and let, but
there being no infantry fire but an irregular from
the skruish line. Generally speaking the sih Corps
held our right tapping tie easterly turnpike and ep-
tending from It toward the James. and the 10th the
ie bot this order was not rigidly followed, certain
regiments OF each corps being temporarily detached
from the regular positions.
On II. len Of the turnpike which is a largo brick
house where were Gen Buffers day headquarters the
former stopping place. Burnhan'S brigade, Let ID
vision 18th Corps; tapping this, ard crossing tho pike.
was wistsrs. next on the right Hcckmnn's-a fighting
brigade-an three being Of the leth Corps. About )
Yesterday .noraRg. the Rebels took advantage Of the
heavy fog and Of rcSnforocments which they have
doabtedy received. and turned the right OF our line
compelling our retirement Ia old position hero
TAey came on quietly favored by their superior know
enge Of the ground but whether any is Justly
able 10 tho charge u negligence remains 20 be decided
In one place the right they heard by tie eeh
Hew-York then assigned TO Hickman but called out.
begging them not 10 fire their friends. Eepying 70
an interrogaioy 10 what regiment they were, they
answered Twenty third and when the Of the
State was called for, the voice said, Twenty third
'em h-u. boys" Taken by surprise as
they were men fought CALAMITY In the thick fog
against an army they could not but the hight was
turned and there was no reganing the lost foothoid
The right fell back.
The right confer contested It's ground but ordered
10 retire. The left followed and tie Rebels repossesse
themselves Of tho captured works The retirement was
orderly and gradual during the forenoon and about
took my station In tho fields Gas. Of the half way
house. where two or threo batteries and portion of
Burnhnms and Wistars brigadcs woro posted. Tho
Rebels once caIno ont Of the woods With YELL but
discharge Of spherical case sent them back. and moth
Ing was be and nothing heard but the swapping
fires Of administers in the edge OF the woods OF to tho
right an occasional boom spoke OF gunboats on the
river and when left the spot between and S. thero
was ull In the firing and DO indications Of decisive
work