Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1864-05-28
TEE LATEST Fnom T'HE UNITED STATE.


We are indebted to the Major Robinson for copy
of the New York Herald of the 24th irst from which
we copy the following extracts
FROM BUrLER's ARMY.
: despatch dated Fortress Monroe, May 2lst, says
GENERAL wIsTAR GONE NORTH.
Briqadier General Wisar passed through here last
evening en- route for the North. He goes home on sick
eave In const qusnee of the fatigue and exposure Of
the recent campaign having caused MS oo WounuS 70
break out afresh.
axN sHxRIDANs EXPEDITION.
Colonial Howard, Chief Quartermaster and Captain N.
Hall. Acting Chief Commissary, OF Gen. Sheridans
exoedton were here to-day for supplies, but have re-
turned to the command, which will at once commence
active operations.
TEE WOUNDED oARED FOR
Aiarge number Of the officers snd men who were
wounded in the a!le Of Palner's Greek have WITHIN
the last foreight hoars arrived at the Hampton and
other hospitals in this vicinity Their friends atthe
North viii be pleased learn that they are ali doing well
and progressing rapidly and favoraoy IS can De e1
pecsd. Dr.. Ely Mcclellan, Acting Medical Director OF
the post assisted by large and ecient sIa OF sur
seans ana nurses s doing all in his power to relieve
tho sufferngs of The brave men condded to bis care
MAJOR GENERAL Buffers HEADQUARTERS,
In the Field, May %. 1864.
A MIDNIGHT ASSAULT.
Shortly before midnight, after nearly every one worn
ont With the stiguss Of hard days work. had gone 10
r.t avoley of musketry, resembling the distant rum
Hing of an earthquake, started all hands, and before
the echo died away the heavy booming OF cannon took
its Mace and continued for full thirty minutes.
Came time before ten o'clock General Butler receive
message from the front tina. the enemy was massing
on our centre and be in his cool manoer replied, Let
them mass but guard against surprise This message
somewhat prepared for what was to come, and aso
Lsnt our valiant troops thus menaced on the ALERT Sure
b forces for one grand assault to pierce our lines and
bo6 va NOT discovered his inention the atempi would
nrobably have succeeded. As it was it resulted in
most disastrous defeat to the foe.
Our piekets in front CT Gen. Ames line received the
rebl fire with great steadiness, and never hnched-
Thew returned yoey for vOsy aud gradually retired on
the reserve.
THE AErILLERY cPEE FIRE.
When the rebel column approached it was received
with most whitening fire. and our men dropped to al
low the artillery play on tSe enemy The siege guns
and LIGHT batteries commenced their work then The
sdyauce OF the rebels was moved down like grass but
ss naua thew came up to the breach ike veterans, fill
inc no tho gaps 90 the fell Another and another
m1rderous fre from our batteries at Lass halted them
and the con6dentfoe at last bal'ed in his mad career
A REBEL cAIssON EXPLODED.
Capt. Langleys battery, the lst United States aIt-
on the rebel force with great effect ABOUT
90 minutes alter the Eight had commenced 20 FOUNDER
Parret she'll struck and exploded rebel caisson goat
tering death and destruction ell around. At this sight
the most dsaening cheers went up from our lines, to
the great discontinue of the rebels
TIE GUNBoATs. s-sl
Tha eunboa.s on the James and Appomattox rivers
also their batteries and sheed the woods around
nakrg il decidedly uncomfortable for the rebel
At last, when the enemy found that VIC were well
prepared for his advance and having already lost very
heavily he thought best to withdraw, which he did
alter giving cur metal fair and impartial test.
THE LOSSES.
The fight lasted about thirty five minutes and soor
as il was over our men proceeded to bury the rebe
| Filled left on the field learn from good authority
that two hundred and sxtythree were inferred oy ou
forces.
.bout fhy wounded as we had all the advantage on ou
sdecon family on the defensive and the enemy march
ing boldly up to our intrenchment'
IL oe. o. OUR DETHscEs &oft
are almost mpregaable CONSTRUCTED by such able en-
rineeripg talent as Major General w Smith, Genera
| Gbdfrey w itzel and Captain W FMquhar, United
States army, they cannot be Otherwise. snoaid Lee
entire rebel horde pounce upon ten. Butler, the ate
could still hold his own.
I THE FLEET
in the James and AppOmattOx rivera is great auxiAr!
Rstweep the respective chief commaudsrs--MGo
Gsneral Butler an Acting Rear Admiral P Lee-tht
very bes. understanding exists, and the latter at al
times heartily seconds every wish of the Commanding
/ General.
The sor.ie of the enemy lines last night is b!
ma means the first instance Of the kind made by th'
wiley rebel General Beauregard. 1t is bic style of doing
business; but it has never ye succeeded Thus isr
IN every engagement he has fought with our troop
he has been worsted, and will be again.
aRHERAL BUTLKR.
General Butler, although overwhelmed with grea
care in conducting the operations on the southside
which he superntends in person, looks remarkably well
Day and night he is atwork giving directions and how hi
manages to obtain rest ID puzzle 10 everybody. YET
labor agrees with him; without it bis active brain would
be more of torment to him, and become reftys enc
Sn Every moruing, surrounded by his able staff, hs
tides to the 'front.' and remains until dark and If there
Lis the slightest show of battle be leaves the field
until il 70 over.