Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1864-06-03

SPECIAL DISPATCHES.
By TELEGRAPH TO THE FREE Press.
GRANTS ApvANcE-lOOOF PRISONERS CAPTURED.

GRANTS ADvANcE-l00O PRISONERS CAPTURED.
WASHINGTON, May %.
In the battle ON Tuesday between the
North Anna and Little River we captured
1000 prisoners chiefly North Carolinans, they
appeared greatly dispirited and in this res
pect differed Intirely from those captured
near Spottsylyania Court House. They say
that the retreat of Lees army has greatly
impaired its morale.
LEES SURPRISE.
Lee expected our forces to attempt cross
ing at the Lower Fords of the North Anna,
which he had heavily guarded. Hence he
was surprised by Warren's appearance at
Jericho Ford, FIVE miles Northwest of Han
over Junction, and was unable to make any
efectual resistance. 1t is hardly probaOle
that any more news will be received from
Grant for two days.
ARMY APPOINTMENTS AND CHANGES.
Brig. Gems. Gibbon and Dodge were to-
day nominated Maj. Gems. of Volunteers.
Maj. Gen. 0glesby has resigned and Maj.
Gen. Buell. has been mustered out.
ten. Oglesby has rendered his resignation
three times and it is accepted now to make a
vacancy for Gen. Dodge.
Gen. Buell. was mustered out for refusing
to accept a command under Gen. Candy.
Eraufss AdVaure
WASHINGTON, May 20.
Your correspondent with the Army of the
Potomac sends the following interesting ac-
count of the battles on the North Anna,
dated Gen. Grant headquarters, Mt. Car
mel Church. 3 miles north Of the North An
ma, May 23d-9 P. NJ.
Another day of uniform success has been
added TO the record of the Army of the Po-
tomac. The whole army was in motion soon
after daylight, all the / corps were TO move
towards the North Anna The old telegraph
road from Washington via fredericksburg
was the line of march for all the troops
In the course Of the morning 1t became
positively certain that the whole rebel army
had the start Of US, and that IN the move
ment towards Richmond it was put in mo-
ton on Saturday afternoon. Ewell's and
LOngstreet's corps starting direct from
Spotsylvania c. II for the telegraph road,
and Hills moving towards it via Chitsburg
The head Of Warrens column was not
many hours behind the rear of Ewell's and
II was only by reason Of the absence Of the
cavalry that their trains got safely away.
The Fight al the North Anna
Hancock reached the vicinity Of the river
about P NJ and discovered the enemy in
force. lie formed his corps in line about
half mile from the river between and to
the right and left Of the two roads. About
. p NJ orders We're given to attack. Glib
bon encountered hardly any opposition in
advancing toithe ridge bordering the river,
but Birney and Barlow met serious rsist-
ance. rs soon as Biraey's line emerged
from the woods at the base OF the ridge the
enemy opened upon it with muskotry and
with an enfiladlng fire of shot and shell from
some Is pieces OF artillery stationed in sec
tons ut different commanding points Motifs
brigade was checked, but Birneys gallant
men pushed steadily forward up the slope OF
the ridge, swept the rebel sharTsh0Otcrs out
of the rifle pits and charged towards rcdan
to the right of the road. The enemy beat
precipitate retreat across the river pressed 50
closely that they had no time To burn the
bridge. They retreated 20 their works on
the south bank.
Our men pushed Immediately over the
bridge and established themselves on the
other side a short distance from the south
end. Several of our batteries were ordered
up. and went into position on the north bank
and soon drove the rebel artillery away
The whole Of Ilancock's line then established
itself, Birncy's division being on the ridge,
it had crossed.
Night prevented a further advance by the
"a Corps. While Hancock gained the North
Anna at Chesterfield bridge, Warrcn's troops
became seriously engaged, advancing in line
with Sweetzer's brigade on the left, ana
Bartlett's in the centre and Ayres on the
right. After a short engagement the enemy
were driven back and ridge in the woods
gained by our troops. The upper d.
visions Of the 9Th corps now crossed
the river as quick as possible and went into
line on the right and left of Grifin's The !
line was Just formed and entertainments |
thrown up, when about p. NJ the enemy |
attacked it in heavy force consisting of Viii /
cJx's whole division Of four brigades They /
attacked in front and at the same time tried /
hanking movements along the track Of the /
Va. Central r. K. running east Of south and I
not far from the right Of Cutler. Griffin re-
pulsed them in front with great slaughter. |
but Cutters right was forced back. Griffin |
perceiving this sent three regiments Of Bart
let's brigade TO their support. The first |
yolley broke the rebels and they fell back in
confusion, leaving many prisoners in our
hands.
About P. VI. the enemy fell back from
our whole front, discounted Our line
then advanced capturing several hundred
prisoners, mostly men that had dropped on
the ground. terror struck with the severity
OF our fire. The darkness put an end to the
pursuit.
The result Of to-day's operation is that we
have secured the passage of the North Anna
rives and inflicted defeat upon the enemy
wherever we encountered him. 1t would
scarcely be correct however to say that the
enemy were intent upon resisting us They
meant to delay our passage in or
der to gain time to place their whole army
in position on the South Anna. along which
it is known defensive line has been pre-
pared for some time with a view to the posi-
All the prisoners, e. total of nearly 700,
state that Lee will await our approach on
the South Anna.
Later adyices.
Another despatch dated Gen. Grants
Jericho Ford on North Anna
River, Nav "a, p NJ. says Tonight the
whole army is established on the south bank
If the North Anna river. We hold several
miles of the Va. Central r. X.
Another dated May 25th II A. NJ says
important movements are now going on
which it might be improper to mention. 1t
5 sufficient to say that up to this time no
urther fighting is gong on. Gen. Sheri-
lan's cavalry corps Is expected to join us to-
hight.
The late position-Destruction Of the yir-
ginia Central Railroad.