The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1864-06-14
Operations in Virginia.
TnE BATTLE ON WEDNESDAY.

OPERATIONS OF THE NINTH coRrs.
From the correspondence Of the New York Herald.
NINTH ARMY CoRPs,
TEE MILEs FROM RICHMOND. June l--P.M.
The lull along our line this after
noon MAS only the calm before the
storm. Before night our corps, in
conjunction with that of General
llancock, became warmly engaged.
The enemy had deceived US in the
morning, when the indications were
that they had retired and had left
only thin skirmish line to main
tain lhe .semblance of their presence.
The Sixth corps had already start
cd TO the extreme left. The Second
corps waste follow this evening in
pursuance Of the programme of anoth-
er flank movement, and our corps was
TO hold the extreme right. In the af-
ternoon the division of General Glib
bon, OF the Second corps, which join
ed our corps on the right, was ordered
forward, with the double purpose Of
feeling the enemy and driving back
their skirmish line; in order to con-
ceal the Withdrawal OF the corps
Ii Mas about four O'Clock in the af-
ternoon when the diviAi0n became en-
gagged. and there was heavy skirmish-
nag for a few hours, the rebels obsti-
nately contesting their ground.
In cooperation with General Glib
bon, the division Of General Potter,
holding The right of our corps, was
ordered to advance. Il pushed out
from the intrenchments on our right
at che corner OF the angle formed by
the junction of the two corps. Glib
bon found the rebels in considerable
force, and towards evening fell back.
The rebels shelled our advance quite
vigorously, and their missiles came
flying thick and fast, though with wild
aim. Most of them went beyond or
burst in the air.
The movement Of the afternoon
provoked a4f attack from the rebels
later IN the day. Perhaps their sus-
pieions we're aroused that the sortie
fof Gfbbon and Potter covered with
drawal Of our forces, and hence q re-
connoissance from tieir side Cen
eral Wiirox held tfe e4nsre Of our
line with the Third division, tapping
over the First division, which was on
his left and bending back 10 the rear.
Just af dusk the rebels made their
appearance in two strong lines. They
drove back The skirmishers Of the
First division. and General Critten.
den, who was up with the front line,
ordered our men 10 fall back TO the
breastworks, which had been thrown
up during the night and afforded n
sure defence. The rebels came at a
double-quick in most impetuous
charge, and halted only when the
first volleys from our breaslworks
tore through their ranks. Their line
was a very long one, and camc aslani
TO the general contour of our works.
Their right wing was the first to APP
proach our position, the left and cen
ire still being some distance behind,
whether through misealculalion Of
the direction in which our works run
or from some other reason we can on
ly surmise. The rebels on halting
brought their muskets to bear, and
delivered Gre along the extent of
their line. The scene was Illuminated
al once by grand fash Of light. -
Our boys from the breas.works, Where
they were standing ihree and four
deep. owing to the doubling ofihe iwv
divisions, returned the fire, and port
cd in their y0lleys ss rapidly ~ ..isy
ccsld iead and airr. Thrlee ~ res.
els attempted 10 get within the works,
bnt ia vain.
The res; Of the attacking column
had nov swuag IN against Poilera
works, and as the firing lulled upon
the l:ft, where the rebels had given