The Burlington weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1860-1876, 1864-06-11

| A0ANAOu VIC ANStiuoIAOA pIcNlCtCu lOI ulIll
since his check at Spottsylvania-the York
and Peninsula. His next base will be the
Pamunkey and York, the White House
and West Point. Unable to remove the
obstacle on the Threshold Of his proposed
campaign, nothing was left but to abandon
1t, and make his way down the Rappahan-
mock to the head-waters Of the York, a
might have landed on the first Of May, had
not his head been added by his victories
over Pemberton and Bragg"
This is the tone of men who, knowing the
prodigious labor expended in fortifying a
chosen position, themselves compelled to
forfeit its advantages and seek elsewhere
and ominously nearer their capital, new
line of defense. Certainly, if the Richmond
journalists find any satisfaction in the mon
strous circuit the army has made, the point
at which it has aimed, this army is in con-
ditiOn to share the sentiments.
RecrossinE the North Anna on Thursday
night and Friday morning, the corps were
directed on parallel roads down the course
OF the Pamunkey, to the town of Hanover.
in the vicinity Of which two divisions of
cavalry crossed the river at six in the
morning. Three hours afterwards, Rus
sells division of the 9Th corps, after a beau
tiful march of twenty-five miles, made the
passage. The enemy apparently not ex-
pecting the crossing to be made SO far
down the river, had only cavalry force in
observation at this point. The party was
easily driven of, 60 being captured. The
fords were uncovered for the passage of
the army, which was effected during the
day. 1t is certain that it was not till this
movement was fairly under way, that Lee
commenced the maneuvering necessary to
meet 1t. "Grant," says the correspondent
Of the Richmond papers, writing on Fri
day, "last night commenced moving ra-
nj iuht t0nytf1 b 10 uk~~11 E~~o
aud corresponding movements are now on
foot on our side to meet those of Grant =. -
The movement necessary on the part of
the rebels was a simple change of front.
and retrograde march due south along
the railroad, and ten miles would bring
them to the Chickahominy. For us, on
the contrary. 1t was necessary to give a
great development to our left, so that to
reach the same point in which the enemy
could make in a ten mile march, it was
necessary for US to march something like
thirty miles. That 10, We had to march In
q southeast direction to effect the passage
OF the river, and then move westward for
the purpose of striking the enemy or meet
ing his::advance.
This detour or "monstrous circuit" as
the Richmond writer's term it, was neces-
STATED by two different considerations
First, because a flank march of the kind
determined upon is one which is alwavs
somewhat hazardous in the face of vigi-
liant and energetic opponent; and second
~, because 1t was prime desideratum to
open up water base, our communication
having been abandoned when this move
was initiated.
This was secured yesterday. when q cav
airy force was sent down to White House.
and to-day our water transportation is re.
ported at that point. The work Of tine past
three days has been the steady pressing
forward of forces from Hanover town to
the westward, in a line leading to the
Chickahoniny, and the Virginia Central
and Fredericksburg 4 Richmond Railroad.
The advance of Gregg's division on Sat-
urday developed the enemy with his entire
cavalry force, and a portion Of his infantry.
covering those roads, and brought on an
engagement, which, from the losses on
both sides, ranks among the heaviest cav
airy fights Of the war. Gregg's division
lost over $50 men and forty officers. but
drove the enemy, and during Sunday and
yesterday our front has been steadily ad-
vancing. Yesterday (Monday) the Goth.
found our right in front of Hanover Court
House, while our left stretched beyond To-
topatomy Creek, about ten miles from the
rebel capital. The enemy showed in our
front line of battle and skirmish line
formed by part Of the corps Of Ewell and
Hill.
During yesterday evening skirmishing
took place, We feeling the enemy's line.
Early in the morning. Crawford's diyi-
sion OF Warren's corps, moved in support
of Gen. Griffin's division, which was NOV
1t was directed by Gen. Warren to support
Griffin's left, as he advanced. The road to
Mechanicsville ran parallel to the road up
on which 1t was advancing and was held
firmly by the enemy's cavalry and some
infantry. Crawford determined to push
for this road, cross if possible, and advance
towards Mechanicsville.
Accordingly he ordered Col. Harden for.
ward with the first brigade, directing him
to advance the picket line in his front, to
support it closely, and move for the Me-
chanicsville road. It was nealy three
fourths of mile from our left flank.
Harden pushed in and soon found the
enemy's cavalry, which he drove across
the road, occupying II. Forming when
the enemy advanced his line of battle di-
rectly on his flank.
Crawford sent two regiments to his sup.
port, but the enemy attacked on both
TANKS, and finding the force hotly engag-
ed, he moved to the field with his whole
division. The enemy having fanked
Harden when he arrived, Crawford hastily
threw Fishers brigade to hold the right,
iments, to support the line on the left, but
it was too late. He ordered the line to fall
back to the crest of hill. Here he extend
ed it and ordered the men to throw up in.
trenchments.
Old rails, logs, and whatever was handy,
were used, and breastwOrks soon prepared,
after which Fishers brigade was thrown
across q ravine on the right, and nine
pieces of artillery planted to sweep the ra-
vine. Hardly were the men in position
when the rebels advanced their line OF bat
tie directly on our line. Awaiting their
coming until they were within 100 yards,
the Pennsylvania Reserves opened q very
heavy fire. The rebel colors were shot
down and were not raised again, whoever
had them crawled away with them. Twice
they rallied, were advanced, each time
they were driven back, until the men lay
down, when they commenced running
back, and our line marched out of their
works and took several prisoners, among
them six officers. A very large number Of
the enemy were killed, among them a Col
onel, many officers, and 800 dead were left
lying In our front inside Of the line Of skir-
mishers.
Crawford lost considerable number of
men. Brigadier General Ramsay was left
on the field and reported killed. Col. w.
H. Kent, of the 9th regulars, was shot