The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1864-05-26
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Portland Daily Press.
Cheering Netcs from the -Army of
the Potomac.
Gen. Grant Pushing on to Rich
mond
1000 Prisoners Captured OH Tuesday.
THE REBELS DISCOURAGED.
ATTACK ON GEN. BUTLER'S
OUTPOSTS.
Tho Paha1c Hapdea,,alu d .,,,,l..l L. ~
ATTACK ON GEN. BUTLER'S
OUTPOSTS.
The Rebels Handsomely Repulsed by Negro
Troops.
WAsurNnrov Nav

WASHINGTON, May 15-9P.M
10 Maj. Cen. Dfz The latest from Gen.
Grants headquarters, received by this Depart
ment is dated Mount Carmel Church, z. M
yesterday. The dispatch says everything is
gong well. Warren has 400 prisoners, Han
cock some 800 and Wright has picked up
some. The whole number of prisoners result
ing from yesterdays operations, will not fall
short OF 1000. Warrens loss is not over 800
killed and wounded. The prisoners captured
are in great part North Carolinians, who are
much discouraged and say that Lee has de-
ceived them. The pursuit is denied on ac-
count of the great fatigue of the men, but
still Hancock and Warren will be at the South
Anna by nightfall.
Gen. Butler, in dispatch dated Headquar-
tiers, In the field, at o'clock this morning, re-
ports that Seen. Fitz Hugh Lee, with eaval-
ry, infantry and artillery, made an attack up
on my post at Wilson's wharf, north side of
James river, below Fort Powhattan, garri-
soned by two negro regiments, Brig General
Wilde commanding, was handsomely repuls-
ed. Lee sent flag, stating that he had force
enough to take the place and demanded its
surrender and in that case the garrison should
be turned over to the authorities at Rich
mond, as prisoners of war, but If this propos-
ition was rejected, he would not ans wer for
the consequences when he took the place
Gen. Wilde replied, 1--WE will try that" Re-
Inducements were at once sent, but the fight
ing was over before they arrived. Our loss is
not yet reported"
(Signed) EDWIN NJ. STANTON.
Secretary of War.
HEADQUARTERS ARMY PoToMAc,l
May %.
The advance of our army reached the No.
Anna yesterday forenoon, the 9TH corps arriv-
ing by the telegraph road from Guineas Sta
ton, along which they had followed the enc
my Tor several miles, sarmishing at different
points.
Ewell's corps was in the rear of the retreat
ing foe, and when they got to the No. Anna
they took position behind earthworks on both
sides of the river.
The I'd corps having had the advance on
the Bowling Green road, remained at Milford
on the 22d, and at p. NJ. yesterday came up
and took the position on the left Of the 9Th
corps, reaching the railroad.
1t was found that the enemy held a strong
position on the south bank of the river, with
their advance on peninsula formed by a
small stream. Barlow's division occupied the
right of the railroad, Brney was in front Of
the peninsula, and Gibbon on the right, while
the 5Ih corps were on the road to Milford q
mile TO the right Of the railroad.
Skirmishing in front OF Birneys command
commenced about p. NJ, and at o'clock
the batteries got to work and sheled the enc
my, while Birneys division was ordered to
charge and carry the works, and II possible
get possession of the bridge across the river.
The charge was made in splendid style, and
although it was met by a shower of bullets
from rife pits, as well as shells from the bat
teries on the other side of the river, our men
never halted until the enemy were driven
across the bridge. and our guns placed SO as
TO command 1t. At about o'clock Gen.
Warren effected crossing and took position
on the south bank and threw up some breast
works. Soon after he was attacked by large
force Of rebels, whom he drove back with
heavy loss. Skirmishing took place at several
points, but the I'd corps had met no forces at
2 p. NJ, at which time your correspondent
left the front Gen. Warren had advanced
some two or three miles, the enemy in his
front seeming determined to dispute their adj
vance.
PHILADELPHIA, May IS.
The Bulletin has the following special dis
patch, dated at Washington, and taken from
the Republican extra
1T gives us pleasure TO be able to announce
that Intelligence has reached this city that
Lee, after falling back from the North Anna
river, commenced hasty retreat and had
reached point beyond the South Anna river,
pursued with great vigor by Grant. The lat
ter is in the saddle all the time, directing the
movements in person, and is evidently en-
barrassing Lee. Unless the rebels stop to
fight to-day, we shall next hear OF a grand
conflict for the city of Richmond. Advices
say that JEFF Davis and his cabinet left Rich
mond some days ago. There Is little doubt
but that Richmond is by this time pretty we'll
cleared of inhabitants and is nothing less than
fortress.