New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1864-06-14

a rapid march, a SURPRISE and fight, crept on Mt q
snails pace feeling its way Officers present aver that
with the exception of capturing tho outer pckets there
was no attack made, and no attempt made to attack
but that on the contrary the troops we're withdrawn
coming up to the ntrenchmens. Both officers and
men ask each other wha, they went out for why they
didn't take Petersburg. when it could have been done
SO easily; at least why they didn't Try TO take it. 1t ID
safe to assert that with the exception Of the General In
command Of the expedition (and perhaps, his military
family, or saD there not General field or line
officer in the column but anxious to make the at
tempt upon the place Prior 10 the moving OF the OK
petition, the best and most Trustworthy information
gave the force at the place at eco Confederate infantry
and three or four companies Of cavalry Then there
was the militia composed Of WHAT Boys
between l6 and 10 years and old between so and
IS years. able to muster say 1000 200 This
gave the total force at soy 1900 men. Tic ntrench
men's were about 10 miles long, and this was al '
force they had to guard and fight that line. Gen. Butler
agreed 20 make such demonstration along our line and
upon Fort Clifton" as should prevent rsenforcements
from being sent This DONE and no troops went ia
Petersburg after daylight nor before for that matter
While Gen. Hinks and Col. Hawley 9th ConnecticuD,
who comm anded the brgades respectively await
such demonstration upon them should give evidence
Of their strength weakness, Gen Gilmore gave or
ders to to retire TO Baylors Cross Roads TO effect
junction-they were only mile spart-and 10 avail,
news from Gen Kauiz. Now it was distinctly under
stood that Gen Gilmore TO attack u divert
attention from Cen KautHs attack The cavalry rode
over the rife pits and intrenchmens OF tie enemy but
Gen. Gilmore suiereK, 800 men, all eager for fight,
"a, Lib - .f,,f1. L. nj han f.llh o.4k
II is proper that the public, who latterly have been
swift 10 Gen. Butler. should understand the
facts relative to this last movement. Let add that
these only part and that further evidence can be
adduoed should occasion require.
Yesterday afternoon the Rebels brought battery
down into the woods opposite our let and commenced
firing at the signal tower. The frat two shots ie
short the third 0pound Parrot. went yhi1ing over
the battery. and landed In Fort Wisconsin, They were
beautiful line shots The guns nom Capt Folcits bat
tory IN charge Of Lieut. Thompson at once opened
upon them and the Rebels soon beat rclreat WHO
the firing going on, two naval captains, command
ing gunboais tie river, and who Glanced TO be
ashoIe came into the battery One Of them yas ex
ceedingy excited and instead OF Rebel battery OF T,
or three guns firing at u.s. one would have supposed
irum lis actions that We were attacked by th'
whole Southern Confedoracy They soon left fol
their boats and the Commodore reuy Tas dropped
down stream aud opened fire from her 9iHeh guns
Entirely unnecessary The land batteries had done
| the work. Now the sequel. The Com PERI
left TO 60 down 10 Bermuda for ammunition. The Gen
Putnam came up and commenced firing foIn 24Poundei
brass pieces long after The Rebel battery lad done FIR
ing. Gen. Graham. commanding army ganboats, sent
the Captain word that 1t unnecessary. and Trims
could stop. Even after that four shots were fred
w.H.L