The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1864-05-24

ly IT. the eycs q all. During ghe en-
eacement section of Woodburys
battery was captured by lhe rebels,
and reeapiured BY u Sixth Connec-
licat, Who brought { ID IN Safety
The engagement ronfnued ior nearly
three hours, and sinaiy, repulsed and
ihwarsed at every ioini, the rebels
retired. thoroughly Nhipped.and dis
heariened. They Ame down from
Richmond the night before. and did
not anticipate meeting any large
force ol men on oar right flank. .--
They expected 70 have captured Col
onel Howell's force anil gained the
works on our rigla and our base.
After the fight had nearly closed
Ames' division cafae up followed BY
Misfar's hrigaass ads sfurheF's diSis-
ion. A new lino was formed but no
rebels we're ia sight. The line was
then extended across all the approach
es from Richmond, and the commune
/ cations from the force on The Peters
burg pike rendered secure.
HEApQUARTts TESrn ARMY CoRPs, !
Haichcr's, Va, May II, 1864.
Yesterday was day Of rest and
quiet to the army, save to that portion
engaged in strengthening the i0rtifea.
tions. They had their hands quite
full. At night it was reported that
the enemy were massing their forces
fear our picket line on our right and
centre, aud that there were some in
dications Of night attack on our lines.
Although no apprehensions were felt
OF the enemy's success should they at
tempt an assault, yet preparations were
made for a severe fight, .and by day
| light this morning we we've ready for
the attack at every point.
The enemy did not make his ap-
pearance, and before sunrise an impor-
tant movement against the enemy,
planned the day previously. was IN
process of execution. A heavy force
from both corps was sent out, under
the command Of Gen. Gilmore and
| Gen. Smith, to prepare safe route
for Gen. Kautz, with his cavalry fair
/ ly through the enemy's lines. Gen.
| Gilmore moved to the left and took
up a position on the roads leading from
! Petersburg, where be could guard our
rear and flank from the enemy's ad.
vance, should their forces deem il de-
sirable to undertake such movement.
Then he waited 10 line OF battle all day
and biyouacked OH his line Tonight,
holding the railroad and the man
roads between Petersburg and RICH
mond.
Gen. Smith, with large force, NOV
ed to the right up the Richmond turn.
pike, and encountered, little above
Wer Bottom church, the enemy's skir-
mishers, and engaged them.
The enemy then made determine
ed stand for while in a strong posi-
ton, and held our skirmishers il check
for short time, using two pieces oI
artillery against them. aid shelllng our
supports. vigorously. The engagement
became quite sharp and spirited, but
finally the enemy again gave way and
retired slowly to new position, when
they again made a stand and were
again driven from it, The skirmish-
ing continued until dark, At which
time we had driven the enemy about
two miles, and beyond Proctor's creek,
where our pickets are now stationed
Our advance will probably be con.
tinued tomorrow towards Drury 5
Bluff, where the enemy have the cele-
brated work called Fort Darling and
quite force Of troops. From oul
front Fort Darling can be plainly seen
!. about three miles in a straight line
, Ii is built upon hill in the midst Of 4
level plain clear Of woods, and evident,
ly an immense wheat field. From
Richmond our front is only nine miles
A.cayalry raid started to.day,while
we were engaging the attention OF the
enemy at Petersburg and Richmond
: with the design Of operating on ihe
railroad communications between the
rebel capital and the South. should
not be surprised If the Richmond anc
: Danyille road, the only line now lei
the rebels to the South might receive
visit from Con. kautz and his boll
| riders.
HEADQUAnTERs, TENTH ARMY CoRPa, !
| ABovE CmEsTER JuscuoE, Va, May IA, !
The operations on the left OF ouI
line yesterday were u brilliant ans
highly successful character. Gen
Gillmoreswilh greater portion oI
Gen. Terry's division Of the Tenil
army corps, moved from the positi j
, he had held on the Richmond, pike
aud marched TO Chester junction,
where be reached the railroad and ad
, yanced up it towards Richmond while
Gen. Smith, with the Eighteenth and
: division Of the Tenth army corps,
moved up the pike in the same di-
rection, towards Drury's Buff
, While Gen. Smith was making 0
. heavy demonstration on the centre
of the enemy's line, Gen. Gilmore
, pushed forward with a real operating
column, and, without meeting any re-
sisiance. reached Chesterfield Court
House, on the eneny's right. Still
continuing his progress, but diyerging
10 his right. he cane across a forfnid