The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1864-06-03

Mrs CA0ElOB OeSpStCAcse4
HEADQUARTERS THE
DEPARTMENT VIRGINIA AND NORTH CAROLINA,
In THE FIELD May 80, 1854
FIRING
During the day the rebels have been feeling our
strength Several times we have heard tho sound Of
heavy artillery. In every instance the rebels found %
on alert, and Their artillery quickly senced.
Tho heaviest attack made during the afternoon and
the response of tho Union guns convinced them thas our
position was imprcgnabie Up TO the time-mdnight-
which writing they have not renewed the attack.
No casualties have been reported.
RECONNAISSANCE GENERAL BUTLER
About ten O'Clock this morning Major General Butler,
attended by Colonel Shaer and several other officers Of
his staff left these headquarters for tho purpose OF
notering the enemys position. The precise direction he
took unnecessary TO mention, and the object he bad
In view will be understood by the rebels about tho time
this despatch reaches you shall then explain the mat
ter for the benent OF your readers AT present Is suf
cient TO state that tho General absent about six
hours during which time number Of shells we're thrown
into the rebel lines and arrangements perfected for
peating the dose In larger quantities at early day.
ERoEsH LADIES.
In my last despatch mentioned the fact that The
farmers wives in this vicinity very rous about
army movements. Several Important movements have
recently been made here, 0. which these ladies wers
very anxious 70 know the why and wherefore Tbs
armhousss had become favorite louugiug places foo
many Of officers and men. The ladies were always
delighted to see them but Interestingly ignorant about
military AFFAIRS and desired to be enlightened thereon.
Our fell into tho trap told everythi they knew
and all they surmsed guessed at Strange 70 relate,
Beauregard put 10 possession OF the facts few
hours Afterwards and commenced Smelling works.
This pctticoat spy system was put stop TO to day.
General Butler issued order that to be ~
lowed 10 visit the fsrmhouses without special permit
from himself. Tho consequences are that the would b
| lady killers OF army disguised, the military
studies OF the ladies brought TO an untmey end and
Beauregard deprived OF Information through that
should not be at all surprised the General were TO 70.
commend change Of air for the ladies'
Several rebel deserers have within lines To-
the opportunity to desert They were all comfortably
clothed In butternut SUITS and appeared 10 be stous
tough as pine knots" From some Of .SsmSoonsns 70
South Carolina and other reg,ments-I learned that
Deauregard Is sti IN command on our 'front.' with aeoSs
orders from Lee TO keep the Richmond and Petersburg
open al hazards The road nov n goa
the two cities Before they left was reported In their
lines that Joe Johnston bad defeated General she.
| said to be lighting a great battle today; but no
results had been reported y was not Beauresards
taught him that tanks too thoroughly protected
One Of the men talked with said be was Canadian and
had been forced into the rebel service about eighteen
months since During all that time he had been seeking
opportunity to escape Their rstions for some CON-
OF and thirteen OF meal per day None
OF the had any supcrfuous flesh their bones The
rebel Generals Hoke and H. B. johnson are with Feature.
gard After the had been examined by General
Butler they were sent or 10 Bermuda Hundred, under
guard. - -
Shortly after General Buffers return 70 camp this ~.
terpoon very heavy cannonadinG was heard 10 north
westerly direction. The same sounds, although much
fainter, had been heard a Intervals during the whole
| day. AZ about six O'Clock, however, the firing
was heard with great distinctuess Tho reports
were heavy and rapid. Prom that hour until
sunset the sounds Appeared TO approach gradually
nearer and heard with greater dstinctness The
telegraph reported "everythng quiet along lines
But the rapid and heavy caunonadng told thai great
| battle In progress. The sounds came from Tho
northeast and the question asked was, "whose gune
could they bey" The answer was, "0enera Grante.'
Daylight anxousy looked for We then hope TO be In
formed that General Grant has again anked tho rebel
sition and compelled Lee 70 fall back on Rchmond.
MAI 31--y n,
Everything has been perfectly quist during the Might
and no news has YET boon received by u 70 satsfacy
explain the cause OF heavy Asag hoard here last
evening Il has nos yss been resumed.
HEADQUARTERS, m IN FnD, Nay 81, 1904. n
An ARruLRx ponz-
About nine O'Clock this morning the rebel srtil Avy
opened on right Of position which 10 held by Ma
Tor General O. Girzors, commanding the Tonth Army
corps Brissdsr General Alfred II. Terry, cor handing
the First division ~ that had charge Of b nrencA
L