Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1864-06-29
GENERAL BUTLER'S DEPARTMENT.
Gregs's Cavalry Engage the Enemy-A
Desperate Fight The Rebel Cavalry

Driven Off. ."2 p s.9a .''' = i9i
FUorrespondence of the Phiadei phia Inquirarl
BERMUDA HUNDRED, June 25.-At the close
OF day marked by heat of the most intense
and oppressive character, and which is calcu-
lated to paralyze exertions OF any description,
whether mental or physical. and while every
thing and everybody in this latitude presents
an appearance OF almost suspended amin ati N,
/ proceed to furnish the readers of the Inquirer
with such Information in the shape Of war
news as has transpred since yesterday.
proper, that Is the infantry and artillery COM
posing the commands OF Generals Grant and
Butler, nothing new has TRANSFERRED since the
last news forwarded to the Inquirer, with the
exception that considerable firing was heard
this morning, about II O'Clock, in the direction
Of Petersburg, and apparently very near that
doomed but, as yet, uncaptured city.
Gregg's division Of Sheriaan's cavalry have
had their hands full OF work since Thursday
morning last on the Peninsula, and which
work eliminated Yesterday afternoon in an
engagement marked by fighting Of the 1ercest
character, and during which, owing to the i'm
mensely superior numbers of the enemy, our
cavalry were pretty severely handled.
From participant in the engagement, be.
longing to the 1st Maine cavalry, and with
whom I had short interview, cleaned the
following points connected with the affair: ,
Gen. Grant had made arrangements for q
wagon train, with necessary supplies, to be at
the White House, IN order TO furnish proven
der, &C., to the cavalry who were engaged in
the recent expedition in the direction Of Cor
dons Vile, on the return Of said expedition.
After Wilson's and Torbert's divisions had re-
ceivea what they required from the same
wagon train, they proceeded on their way to
the James river, while portion, or, If mis-
take not the whole OF Gregg's division, were
left to guard the said wagon train in its pas
sage to the James river.
The tram, with its escort, left the White
House on Thursday, on which day cnnsdera-
BILE skirmishing ensnPd. with small losses on
our side. Fighting was resumed on Friday at
different points of the line guarding the wagon
train. until when within about two mile1 of
Charles City Court House, abont ten miles
from the James River, at Harrison's Landing,
general attack was made by the rebel caval-
~ III great force, and with the evident inten-
ticn Of capturing the entira train.
This attack took place about three o'clock in
the afternoon and continued until dark, during
which time our cavalry, although greatly out
numbered by dint of the most determined re.
ssiance, succeeded in saving the train from
cspture and bringing it intact TO the James
River, where at the present time titles under
the friendly cover OF the gunboats Of Admiral
Lee. .-...
1t is thought the losses on both sides during
the fighting on Friday was considerable.
The most Of the fighting in the early part OF
the day was done by our men dismouuted.
When the principal attack was made the op-
posing lines were in such close contact that in
several instances sabres and carOincs FLASHED
with one another, the rebels charging with
drawn sabres, and our boys receiving them
with their carbines. 80