Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1864-05-13
FROI GEN. B1TLER,s ARMY.

Ter, am told Is extensively due whatever cred
1t shall result from the inception and execution
of the plan. When, four weeks since, Lieut..
Gen. Grant visited Fort Monroe, it was for the
purpose of ascertaining the views of Gen. But
Ter respecting an advance upon the rebels by
way of the Peninsula, to be carried out in CO.
operation with the grand Army of the Potomac.
Gen. Grant had considered the various plans
proposed with this object in view but had com.
mitted himselfto none, and was inclined there
fore to listen attentively to what Gen. Butler
might suggest. The sequel proves that the pro-
position of Gen. Butler fully commended itseli
TO the Judgment and and acquiescense of the
Commanding General, and measures were at
once taken to put it in execution.
The project was to advance upon Richmond
by the James river, get foothold as near the
city as possible on the south bank of the stream,
seriously interrupt the communication of the
rebel Capital southwark, and eventually to COM
pei the evacuation by Lees army of their
strongly fortified position on the Rapidan, thus
forcing the rebels to give Grant battle or press
rapidly rearward to the walls of their Capital.
The first step towards organization was made
some weeks since by the concentration at York
town from the various posts in the Departments
of \ orth Carolina and Virginia, the great bulk
of the 18th Army corps. To the command OF
these troops was assigned Maj Gen. ". +. Smith.
IN ADDITION TO IleSe WdT-WOfu neIOeo iioiLl
the coast of North Carolina and the posts in
Virginia nearly all the brave and gallant fell
lows of the 10th Army Corps, under Maj. Gen.
Gilmore, were sent to Gen. Butler to participate
in the movement, forming their encampment at
Gloucester Point opposite Yorktown.
That Yorktown and Gloucester Point, both at
the mouth of \ York river, should have been Sc
lected for the rendezvous of these troops natur-
ally led to the suppOsition that the advance was
intended to be made up the Peninsula.
That the assurance of their deception might
be made doubly sure, brigade of Union troops
was dispatched by Gen. Butler even as late as
yesterday to White House Landing, where at
sunset when we last heard from them they were
seduously engaged in telling timber and con-
stFucting wharf, as if preparing to facilitate
the landing of large army. To aid in the
scheme of mystification all the light draught
steamers were kept until the last moment at Fort
Monroe. whence early yesterday morning they
We're dispatched to the York river, and the
work of embarking the troops, whose arrange
ments for the purpose had been already made,
was then promptly begun.
Gen. Buffers orders to his subordinate Gem
erals made it incumbent on them to repair to
Hampton Roads as quickly as possible after dark
where they were to anchor for the night. At
daybreak the order commanded an advance of
by three army gunboats, under Brig. Gen. Gra-
ham. and naval force consisting of five moni-
tors and eleven gunboats under Rear Admiral
Lee. The cavalry branch of the expedition is
commanded by Brigadier- General A. Y. Kautz,
who with fine body of white troops, left Suf-
folk, Va, also at daylight yesterday morning.
The point at which he aims primarily to strike
is Hickford, town on the Petersburg, Rich
mOnd and Weldon Railroad. The Railroad
bridge there which is a strong one, about 300
feet long, will be destroyed ifpossible, and then
the dashing hOrsemen will do other damage to
the enemy's means of supply, as far as they can
find an opportunity.
Gen. Kautz has received a rowing commission,
and if not too hardly pressed by the rebels may
penetrate as far as Weldon, n. c., returning
when it suits his convenience. We may not
hear of him for month, but meanwhile it is
expected he will make good record.
Starting up the Peninsula, from Williams
burg, another cavalry force somewhat smaller set
out at daybreak-their objectw was to create di-
version in our favor by keeping the rebels excl
ted, and attack guerrillas and the garrisons of
the outposts. Col West would try to cross the
Chickahominy at Bottoms and make his way
TO the main body on the James river.
The advance of Gen. Butler reached Wilson's
wharf about 35 miles below Richmond. Here
a regiment of Gen. Wild s brigade have effected
a landing, and are busily engaged in making,
to hold the place; from this point
up the river to Fort POwhattan, is clear
straight reach of seven miles which it would
never do to leave in command ofthe enemy who
could fortify the bluffs and play the mischief
with our water communications.
Gen. Butler takes possession of both these
strong positions; the stalwart Africans gaily run
up the bluffs, and are soon at work swinging
axes with awill, and the giant trees fall with a
crash under their sturdy strokes
Soon wide space of woods on the high banks
is cleared away, and the rebels approaching from
toward Richmond must come in sweep of our
batteries.
City Point has become ours without a strug-
gle. The Union forces are securely posted in
splendid and advantageous positions, within Is
miles of the rebel Capital. 1t is now 3 clock,
and before nightfall the greater part of the i'm
mense army will be disembarked. Our lines
will stretch across this narrow strip of land, the
left resting upon James river and then passing
over the Appomatox the prolongation of the line
will reach to the James again, holding that al
most insular position called the township of the
Bermuda Hundred. Entrenched here, with both
TANKS of the army protected by gunboats, we
IAN bid defiance to Lees cohorts if Grants
sharp pressing drives them down upon U.S. The
Richmond Lees army is now be-
-ween two fires and should our cavalry raid Sc
-iously impair his communications south, star
ration viii be added to his other troubles.
Washington, May 9th.-Gen. Butler has
whipped Bearegard, and cut the ;Richmond
md Petersburg Railroad. Butler is reported
within 10 miles of Richmond.
New York, May I0.-The Herald SAYS. But
er commenced march on Richmond from the
outh side early yesterday morning; one days
march will bring him TO the James
liver, opposite Richmond. Important news
nav be expected to day.
Bermuda Hundred, Va May IO.-Fighting
yesterday noon and continued till
light between Cen. Hickman brigade and Sc
-eral other brigades under Gen. Smith Gen.
3eauregard commanded in person during the
ight Our forces drove the enemy back three
niles, nearly to Petersburg. Wehold the Rail
Road between Richmond and Petersburg
WASHINGTON, May 10-1:3 P. NJ
To -Ndjor GEN Dial forward a dispatch. |
his moment received from Gen. Butler Ittells |
he story. E. NJ. STANTON.
HEADQUARTERS, NEAR bermuda LANDING,
May 9th, 1864.
Hon Z. u Stanton:
Our operations may be summed up in a few |
5ords. With LOO cavalry we have marched |
~ tle eilllSd1d. IOlueu inc CnlcndnO1nlny, 1
nd safely brought them to present position. |
'hese were colored cavalry and are now hold |
lg a position as we advance towards Richmond. |
zen. kautz, with 800 cavalry from Suffolk, on |
he same day with our movement up the James |
lver, forded the Blackwater and burned the |
abroad bridge at Stony Creek. below Peters,
urg, cutting in two Beauregard's forces at that |
oint.
We have landed here. entrenched ourselves,
estroyed many miles of railroad. and got po-
ition which, with proper supplies, we can hold
gainst the whole of Lees army ! have order
d up the supplies. Beauregard, with large
ortion of his command was left south of the
utting Of the railroad by Gen. Kautz That
ortion which reached Petersburg under Hill, |
ave whipped to-day, killing and wounding
lany, and taking many prisoners aftera severe
nd well contested fight Lieutenant General
rant will not be troubled with any further re-
iforcements to Lee from Beauregard's forces.
b. F. BUTLER,
Major General Commanding.
Washington, May I.-No intelligence has
cen received to-day from Gen. Buffers COM
land, except that 5000 rebel prisoners, inclu-
ing one negro, had arrived at Fort Monroe,