The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1864-05-26
FROM GExERAL BUTLER.
A ReeonROlssance-Rebels Near CIiy
P0lnt.



Correspondence Of the New York Tribune.
HEADQUARTERs GEx BUTLER, Nav IS
There was an alarm last night on the
right, held by General GiIlmOre's 8 forces.
and the troops were called to arms be-
tween one and two o'clock A. M. A
reconnaissance was at once sent out,
and details made for work on the en-
tTenchments, which ought to have been
done days ago. The ree0nnoitering
party soon ran into the "Rebs" who
were moving down upon us. The day
has been occupied with work upon the
lines and heavy skirmishing. Riding
along the front, one could not but no
tlce the activity displayed by General
"eitzeTs troops in strengthening an al
ready strong position
The gunboats and monitors have ar
rived of our right, and add greatly 20
the safety Of Gen. Terry's troops. IL
is purpOsed 10 make a landing here.
and then the supplies for the army can
be more readily distributed. To-day the
''rebs made q demonstration on Gen.
Kinks, at City Point, coming down the
road with two pieces Of artillery and au
infantry support They had only time
10 FIRE half q dozen shots when our gun
boats got the range and speedily drove
them away. A body of rebel cavalry
appeared on the opposite bank Of the
river, evidently to FecOnnOiter our posi-
ton A few compliments in the shape
of iron cards from the gunboats gave
notice 10 the mounted visitors that their
presence could be dispensed with; they
took the hint kindly and "vamosed
Prisoners captured to-day state that
the force in front Of us has been large
ly augmented, and If all their stories
be true, at least twenty thousand gray
backs under Beauregard confront Us.
One Of the prisoners, a German. stated
that they suffered severely in the tight
Of Monday last, one company Of ninety
men coming out Of action with hat
eleven men. There is no doubt they
were punished severely.
Another prisoner said that a large
force was going to NeWbern, where they
understood was collected n large amount
of supplies and ammunition, which they
expected to get for Lees army; that
Writings division was already 10 Pc
tersburg, on the way down.
80 you expect to get these supplies
and ammunition, do your" said Gen.
Butler.
les, sir"
" Well, think you viii, think you
particularly the GmHtnitOH p
It is believed that the force now
threatening our line Of works Is doing
so in order to throw up works and OBJ
struct roeds in front Of u.s. Had Gen.
Buffers orders as to the completion of
our works been executed promptly. he
would have attacked the enemy to-day.
But we hold position in which il wiz
not do to leave anything to chance Our
force will not be idle long, however, and
tomorrow may bring an attack.
Gen. Butler to-day sent man Of the
name Of Curtis, who has been a pilot on
the James river, and who prOfessed 70
know the position Of the tOrpedoes, 70
Admiral Lee, with the characteristic
suggestion, "lf he faithfully and truly
performs his duties and answers all
queries, return him 10 me at Bermuda
Landing; if not hang him at the yard
arm This was dictated 70 Curtis, 10
whom the general then remarked.
Now, my good man, 60; you have
your life in your own hands" The in
dividual certainly seemed to realize
this fact, and il is to be hoped that Ad-
miTaI Lee will follow out the iniunc-
tiOu