The Portland daily press., 1864-06-02
Attack and Repulse of FItz Hugh Lee.
THE SIEGE OF RICHNOND
BEGUN IN EARNEST.

OLD TAVERN CHURCH, Va, May 30.
we have again flanked the enemy. Our
forces were withdrawn from the south side OF
the North Anna last Thursday and Friday
Gen. Sheridan, with two divisions OF cavalry
marched all night, and Thursday morning the
LORDS on the Pamunkey were In our posses
sion.
At Dobry's Ford Baker'ssNorth Carolina
brigade opposed our advance, and resisted
when we laid our pontoon bridge. Gems Gus
tars and Devens' brigades drove them off to
Hanover Court House, killing many and cap
turing large number of prisoners.
The 9th corps was soon at our heels; then
came the I'd, Sth and 9th. Lee was doomed
to disappointment. His elaborate fortifica-
tions would not serve him. Gen. Grant was
on his right flank, and he was away to Rich
mond.
Saturday forenoon Gregg's division Of cav
airy was fired into near Hares shop. Davies
brigade was on the advance. The woods
seemed alive with rebels, and they soon began
TO resound with the sharp volleys of our car
bines, aud in short time Davies entire brig
ade was fighting in earnest. Col. Gregg was
ordered to the support, and the remainder OF
the division was soon hotly engaged.
Fitz Hugh Lee commanded In person. His
cavalry corps was all fighting, assisted by
brigade Of mounted fire eaters from South
Carolina, commanded by Col. Butler. These
men had just arrived from the seaboard. and
admit the warmth Of the reception which our
troops gave them Conspicuous in the battle
were the Atm and 9th Pennsylvania, 9th Ohio,
and LIST Massachusetts. For a long time these
men held Fitz Hugh Lee back. Ali b caval.
~ engaged behav, with valor.
We found the rebels strongly eutrenehed in
these woods, with heavy guns in posision, but
with every advantage on their side they were
badly beaten, flying from the field in copfu-
sion, leaving their dead aud wounded in our
hands and over 100 prisoners Gregg main
tanned the contest from nooh until 2 p. NJ,
when Cus'ar came UP, 'orn Q I i ito line and
charged their works. Gregg's command ad-
vanced at the same time with cheer. Many
brave fellow fell in this daring assault. The
works were ours, and not an armed rebel
could be found for three miles.
100 much credit cannot he given to this
brigade, which fought with unprecedented
caimness. Our loss is about $50 killed, wound
ed and missing.
The next morning the column moved on to-
wards Richmond. Major Derland had two
squadrons OF cavalry on picket. He held the
road leading from Cold Harbor to Old Church
Tavern. About noon his pickets were driven
in, the rebels appearing in heavy force Col.
Deven sent reinforcements to Major Derland
and heavy engagement ensued. Gen. Mer-
ritt soon arrived with his brigade and opened
battery on the rebels, and the 9th Penn.
charged on their flank. Gen. Gustav next en-
tered, general charge was ordered. and the
rebels fed. leaving large number of killed
and wounded on the field.
Our advance is near Mechanicsvile. On
the left Gen. Warren was using his his cannon
freely all day. He drove in the rebel pickets
four miles. Lees army occupies the trenches
about Meadow and Bottom Bridges. Our loss
is very triAing. The siege of Richmond has
begun.