The Portland daily press., 1864-06-16
BY TELEGRAPH
EVENING PAPERS,
Oaciai Dispatch from Sec. stanton.


WASHINGTON, June Is.
To Maj. Gen. Dir The movement of The
Army OF the Potomac to the south side of
Richmond across the James River has pro-
crossed far enough to admit the publication
OF general facts without danger of premature
disclosure. After several days OF premature
preparation, the movement commenced Sun
day night. The 18th army corps, under COM
mand of Gen. Smith, marched to White House
ana then embarked on transports for Bermu-
da Landing. Wright's corps and Burpsdes
moved to James Bridge, where they crossed
the Chckahominy, aud marched thence to
Charles City on the James River. Hancoek's
ana Warrens corps crossed the Chickahomny
at Long Bridge, and marched thence to Will
cox, on James River. The James River was
to be crossed by the army at Powhattan Point.
A dispatch from Gen. Grant, dated Monday
evening at halt past five o'clock, at headquar-
tiers, Wicox's Landing, states that the advance
of our troops had reached that place, and
would commence crossing the James River to.
morrow Tuesday, and that Smiths corps
would commence arriving at City Point that
night. No fighting was reported during the
movement except little cavalry skirmishinp
Yesterday Tuesday at one o'clock Z. M,
Gen. Grant was at Bermuda Landing, and
dispatch from him dated three o'clock of that
day, says: Our forces will commence cross
ing James River to-day. The enemy show no
signs of yet having brought troops to the
south side of Richmond.
Our movement from Cold Harbor TO the
mouth of James River had been made with
great celebrity, and SO far without loss or acct
dent.
An unofficial dispatch dated at Gen. But
ler's headquarters, 2 20 p. NJ, yesterday, says
that Smiths corps was coming on, 1900 hav-
ing already landed.
A dispatch from Gen. Sherman's headquar-
tiers, dated at three O'Clock yesterday r. NJ,
near Kenesaw, states that theGeneral is at the
front, advancing his lines on Kenesaw.
Another unofficial dispatch, dated three
o'clock last night, reports some advance to-
day; that Gen. Thomas has gained ground,
and that rebel brigade is nearly surrounded.
1t further reports that the rebel Gen. Polk
was killed to-day, and his body sent to Mari
eta.
In another part of Gen. Shermans East
Mississippi division, our forces have not mel
with a success that has attended competent
commanders.
Gen. Washburn, at Memphis, reports that
an expedition consisting Of 5000 cavalry, 81
600 infantry, and sixteen pieces of artillery,
sent out from there few DAYS ago under
command OF Gen. Sturgis. encountered large
rebel force on the 10th inst, under the com
mand Of Forrest, at Guntown, on the railroad
running south from Corinth, and after severe
fight, in which our loss in killed and wounded
was heavy, our forces were worstcd.
Sturgis was at Collinsvillc. retreatinq to-
wards Memphis. Dispatches state that with
the troops that had lately arrived, Memphis
was safe.
Gen. Sherman having received the news of
Sturgis' defeat, reports that he has already
made arrangements to repair Sturgis' disaster,
and has placed Gen. A. J. Smith in command.
who will resume the offensive again immedi-
ately.
No other military intelligence has been re-
ceived by this department since my last tele-
gram.
(Signedl EDWIN NJ. STANTON,
! Secretary OF War