The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1864-05-20
Movement Against the Richmond
and Petersburg Railroad.
sspondence of the N. Y. Tribune

| CORE spondence of the n Y. Tribune
In THE FIELD, May 9.-FOrming on the bat
tie field OF Saturday, our army moved forward
this morning promptly at daybreak, with Gen.
Smiths corps on the left and Gen. Gilmore's
on the right. The troops moved in columns
cautiously feeling the way through the thick
woods which characterize the country herea-
bout, and about o'clock General Smith struck
the railroad at Port Walthall junction. AL.
most at the same time the 10th corps reached
the road at Chester Station, three miles nearer
Petersburg. Here very material damage was
efected by ripping up rails, burning the ties
and destroying considerable of the rolling
stock.
This operation having been so completely
executed, it was determined that the success
should be followed by further advance. Gen.
Butler ordered both corps forward and by four
o'clock the army had formed line of battle. Our
sklrmisnerS found the enemy in considerable
force about two miles from the Port Wathall
Junction, but they retired on our approach,
and the main body crossed over a deep stream
called Swift Creek, making a stand on the
further bank of the stream One brigade of
them at least remained. however, on this side
and posted themselves strongly in redoubts and
rifle pits They were engaged by the gallant
brigade of Brig. Gen. Hickman, of Weitzels
division.
True to their splendid reputation as fighters
this brigade fiercely attacked the enemy driv-
ing them from their works by a charge, and
compelling them to abandon, in their precipi-
tate flight, all their dead and wounded. At
other points of our line desultOry fire of ar
tillery was kept up all the afternoon, and at
dark the skirmishers on either side and sharp
shooters were vigorously shooting from the
opposite banks of Swift Creek. We expect
the rebels to make stand with all the trOOps
they can command at this deep and swift
stream, and if Gen. Butler should determine to
advance upon Petersburg, there will probably
be hard fighting tomorrow morning. Our losses
to-day have been very large, and the enemy
has been severely punished.
The cOlOred soldiers of Gen. Hinck,s hrioodo
made cooperative movement with the main
body. They started from City Point, and fol.
lowed up the left bank of the AppomattoX he.
ing protected on the flank by Gen. Graham.
After proceeding several miles beyond Point
Walthall, the rebel Notifications on the Apo
mattox, which command both the land and
water approaches to Petersburg, opened fierce
fire, which Gen. Graham answered with his ac-
customed energy. Hinck's gallant boys were
also prompt to reply but the engagement had
not lasted long when weli.aimed shot
from the fort struck the gunboat Brews.
Ter, Captain Bladenheiser, squarey in
the magazine, which exploded, completely de-
moilshlng the vessel. 1t is somewhat singular
t9at only four lives were lost of those on
BOARD. After this unfortunate affair, the attack
upon the fort was temporarily intermitted.
IAus far we have been extremely unsuccessful
On the rivers here, having lost three vessels
first, the navy gunboat Commodore Jones by
torpedo; and then the Shawsheen and this
army gunboat Brewster, by explosion.