Delaware State journal and statesman., 1864-06-07


Special Dispatches Of the N. " Tribune.
WASHINGTON, ID. C., June 4, 1864
Your special correspondent. Beta, sends the
following
Hps. Army OF THE PoroAAc, June ]. 1864.
Yesterday afternoon Sheridan encountered the
enemy's cavalry on the Mechanicsville pike, and
after quite heavy engagement drove them tn
Within about five miles of Richmond, holding his
ground. The 9th Corps soon after pressed for
ward and formed his rear support aud this
morEing the 9th Corps swings around from its
OLD position on the right and moves down to Coal
Harbor and Mechanicsvle. Barlow's division
Of the "a Corps again distinguished itself last
night, just before dark, in charging upon and
carrying two lines OF the enemy's rifle pits.
The 7th N. Y. Heavy Artillery, just came, ao-
quilted itself with distinguished gelantry, aud
sustained a loss of nearly l50. Our entire lines
were considerably advanced last night, and the
impression seems to prevail that Lee has with
drawn his main force within the inner lefences
of Richmond. His losses the past two days
mu st have been very severe, largely in excess Of
ours.
This night headquart,r rs are again in the sad
die, but where it will light does not vet
see m to he generally understood. The sound Of
all our cannonading is distinctly heard In Rich
mo nd, and the fugitive cOntrabauds who stroll
int . camp report the citizens there US in the
hi CHEST state Of excitement aud trepidation.
The scene in front Of Warren yesterday morn
iT'g was sad aud sickening to the last degree.
| The enemy had left all his dead and such
wounded as were unable to get themselves away
in utter wantonness, and there they lay when the
I breaking light of morning revealed ghastly
heaps OF dead, dying, horribly manged and
more eighty wounded, piled upon one another
ana strewed about the field in oil directions.
There can be no question that the enemy wiful,
ly abandoned his seriously wounded to our care
with the deliberate purpose Of imposing the
burden OF their care upon us.
NINE, a. Nj Hancock is still hammerug
away at the enemy's advance picket line, elicit
ing thus far little or response.
Capt Platt of the Commissary Department,
who was captured yesterday, it is stated, was al
the time reconnoitering outside our lines
Our extreme left to day rest upon the line of tht
South River Railroad, giving US line Of some
six to eight miles in extent.
THURSDAY, June 2-s a. IN.
About p. N. yesterday the 9th Corps on oul
Q extreme left below Coes's Harbor made heay,
charge supported by Baldy Smiths forces, which
+ had come up and taken position. Gen wrigh
:, made desperate onset, resulting in carrying
the enemy's first lines of works, and the oapiuri
. OF from SIX to eight hundred prisoners. Thj
9 affair is spoken Of by Gen. Meade as one o
; great gallanty and advantage to us.
An hour later, and Warren was assailed afte
tho Olu pldh VI huEhhB mhbBeu COLUMNS unOl
his lines, but having his infantry well posted be
hind earthwOrks, and his artillery well in posi
y tiOn, the enemy were repulsed 10 three desperat
i charges with frightful slaughter. Warrens los
is given at about 300. The game attempts wer
II also made upon Hancock's line and repulse,
Y with equal stubbornness and valor. At times
Just prior to and after dark, our entire line
o would be engaged, but in no case did our troop
waver, or give an inch of ground though III
Il
have had since Spoitsylvania. Gems, Meade an,
Grant participated with the men in feelings o
the highest satisfaction over yesterdays work.
The main attack was upon Griffin, but his mel
stood their ground like rocks, and wherever tb,
Rebel masses were hurled against any particula
point deadly fire from our entire line wa
poured upon them, so that while our losses vii
. not exceed five hundred in ALL that of the enem
, must have beon two or three thousand Sucl
frantic assaults ast the enemy made upon our earth
WORKS. with the repeated annihilRtion of hi
r troops eau only be accounted for by his des
:, peration aud madness.
Our corps occupied the following order yester
"a day' hsneook's right near Bethsada. Burnsid
" 9e4., warren IN center, nearly fronting Alytt
= station, then Wright stretching down 10 1nl
Harbor, supported Ly Baldy Smith. WHOSE force
i were also more or less engaged at times Bnrn
L sides corps was also heavily assaulted n, ,;,aa
and acquitted themselves most creditablv III,
ID new troops for the first time under ire have w.
special commendation for their heroic enduranc
and bravery. Despite hard marching hard an,
10 irregular sleep and rations, aud despite some 4
: the most stubborn fighting of the war are s,i
y hopeful. even jubilant. Every move our Arm
J. now makes is in the desired direction and th
= men are inspired thereby.
Baldy Smith visited headquarters for the fri
time last night.
Our left to day rests upon the line Of the YOr
River Railroad, giving us line Of some six
eight miles in extent. BETA.