The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1864-05-27
FIRING FROM THE HoUsEs-oFFICERs WOUNDED
AND CAPTURED.

FIRING FROM THE HousEs-oFFIcERs WOUNDED
AND CAPTURED.
AS they left the town they saw several Of the
enemy make their appearance and it was de-
cided to make another charge into the town to
drive them of. The rebels retreated into the
houses, and as our men passed through,
wounding Capt. Motley, Lieut.. Smith and
Lieut.. E. Payson Hopkins, son Of Professor
Hopkins of Williams College. Massachusetts,.
and who was left mOtiOnless in the road and
all fell into the hands of the enemy. We also
lost about twenty-five men in killed and
wounded, who likewise fell into the hands OF
the rebels. It was at first intended by General
Davies to shell the town In retaliation but hav-
ing accomplished everything for which he
had started, and aware Of the approach of Gen.
Stuart, with large force, he retired to our
main column.
APPROACHING RICHMoND-BETwKENT TWO FIRES
We were now within sixteen miles of Rich
mond, and at once took up the line of march
directly towards the city, the first division in
advance and tho second In the rear. We
marched and fought all day and night, the en-
emy being constantly reinforced, until at day
light, when within three miles of Rinhmond,
the force opposed to us in front were two brig
AIDES of infantry and brigade of cavalry, while
in our rear was Stuart, with two brigades of
CSS0Ly, GOSCCuCT Will every uuau tuot COuIQ
be raked up in Richmond. We now turned to
the left on the Meadow bridge road, leading to
Mechanicsville. pressing the enemy steadily
back.
THE OUTER DEFENCEs OF THE REBEL CAPITAL
GEN. CUSTER CHARGES UPON AND CAPTURES
THEM.
When about four miles on the road we found
the enemy strongly intrenched behind fortif-
cations, composing the outer line of the Rich
mond defences. The position was q strong
one, being situated upon a hill, commanding
our whole corps, and our preservation depend
ed on our driving them out. General Sheridan
was equal to the emergency The enemy was
already pursuing us closely in the rear
The General ordered General Custer to take
his gallant brigade and carry the position. Gen.
Custer placed himself at the head of his COM
mand and with drawn sabres and deafening
cheers charged directly in the face of o wither-
ing fire captured two pieces Of artillery, up
wards Of hundred prisoners. together with
caissoBs, ammunition and horses, which he
brought off in safety. II was, without excep-
ton, the most gallant charge of the raid, add
when it became known among the corps cheer
after cheer rent the air. The rebels retreated
behind the ChckahomiDy, destroying in their
flight Meadow bridge.
JEB STUART IN THE REAR-HE IS WHIPPED.
In the rear of Col. Gregg's brigade, of the
Second division, and portion of the Third di
vision, under Gen. Wilson were hotly engag-
ed with Stuart Gen. Wilson sent word to
Gen. Sheridan that the enemy were driving
him slowly back. Gen. Sheridan sent word
tina. ''he must hold the position at all hazards;
that he could and must whip the enemy" Col
Gregg's brigade being reinforced by regi-
my, and drove them nearly mile. The day
was now ours. The enemy had disappeared
from our 'front.' and we succeeded in reb Hiding
the Meadow bridge, and the First and Third
divisions crossed, covered by the Second divis
ion, which, in turn, withdrew and also crossed
without being annoyed by the enemy.
TORPEDOEs IN THE ROAD-HOw THEY WERE
REMOVED.
The rebels, previous to crossing the river.
planted large number of tOrpedoes III the
road, two of which exploded, fOrtunutelv
however, killing nothing but two horses. The
rebel prisoners were at once set at work and
compelled to dig carefully with their fingers
for the remaining Internal mach hines. Twelve
OF these beauties were unearthed in tue space
of couple of hours and placed in the cellar of
lady, with strong rebel procliyities, living on
the road. She protested in the strongest terms
against the indignity but was told that if she
did not handle them they would not explode.
FEINr-GAINs' MILL-ARRIyAI. AT BOTTOMS
BRIDGE.
The rebels still continued to show themselves
in our front until we had passed Mechanicsville.
where Gen. Merritt, by making demonstra-
tiOn rs though the column was moving towards
White House. caused them to destroy bridge,
road to Bottoms Bridge.
We now encamped on the old Gaines Mill
battle field, and moved at seven O'Clock on the
morning of the 18th marched in southeast
erly direction, crossed the York river road at
Dispatch Station, and camped early in the day
at Bottoms Bridge.
APPROACHING GEN. BUTLER's FORCEs-rIR
GUNBOATS FIRE ON US.
1t was now necessary to ascertain the where
abouts of General Buffers forces For the past
were without ratiOns and horses without for
age, and the entire command fatigued, hungry
and jaded. An officer OF General Sheridan's
staff, with two men, was sent In the direction
OF the James river, to ascertain the whereabouts
of the gunboats. He re urned at daylight and
reported that he could find no sign of them.
An escort OF sixty men was at once despatched
to Yorktown. to have supplies forwarded to
Haxalls Landing, where the balance of the
corps marched, distance of ten miles.
Arriving In proximity to the James river the
booming OF cannon and whistling of shot over
our neads admonished US that our friends were
az hand. but had mistaken US for enemies.
ESaP!aln tSP Wilson, the efficient signal officer Of
.ne second division, was sent to the front and
made signals. No attention was paid to him,
however. and continued firing was KEEP: up,
and one man killed,
Captan Wilson was compelled to advance to the
as ssn ne rver where he hailed the feet. boat
Mas sent 70 tn snorc the officers and crew having
tnet plstois IN nand and fully cooked evidently NIL
1ers tSa u.s. ssa. As soon az It became kno~n who
,'. o Sanos gave us three he4 ty cheers aud
coiumn advanced to near the bank Of the river our
bands playing 1.-The Lincoln Gunboat Come"
sENERAL ssERrDAN ooMMuNIo .ru WIFE ..r,rvp.,. NM,
LH-HARD TACK AND nay.
Major General Sheridan at once set ont to eommu.
nicate with Major General Bu Ter. snnrinv h,rn "f
our arrival and the scanty state Of our rsy and "a
tions Our immediate wants were promptly supplied
Fortress Monroe to Communicate with the W.. -. ~"
plrtment. Our men for three days previous - - an,
arrival at the James River had ltera u lived Of the
whole Of their ecanty supplies can testify. =, prc.
v0st Aarhals used their utmost endeavors 70 prot
the families Of citizens but upon remonstr 'tino
With the men. they would rser you TO the scts 81