New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1864-05-20
sKIRMIsHING AMONG THE CLOUDS
INDOMITABLE VALOR OF OUR SOLDIERS.
Capture OF Rocky Ridge-The Struggle for
Huzzard's Roost-A skirmish Among
the CIouds-Innccessi OF tho Posi-.
tion from the Front-Eesuit Of the Days
(eo~rasiops.

and o. Gen. Jndah who came up last evening. The
top Of this Ridge is nothing brit Of broken rock
aBd lodges sort Of hogs back not wider than wagon
track. along which only three four march
abreast AT intervals abrupt and rugged edges so
broken that horse cannot travel, and men can only
pick their way with difficulty. Our troops, led by tie
l25th Ohio of Gen. Harkers brigade took the highta
Yesterday and advanced to point one-third Of tho
way along the crest. mile further is the cleared
knob used by the Rebels for signal station
" course II il impossible to put many men in posi-
ton in such place. The enemy have 8 strong rocky
tpromontory Of triangular shape with inside earth
work elevated above the rocky ridge Immediately in
front TO render artillery useless. Even musketry
fire is wasted against these rocks One advantage to
Us is that much Of the enemys fire passes over the
heads OF our Gems Mclean and Wagner Of the
4th Corps are also up here. With evidently
than by aLy possibility be well used except to
guard AGAINST flank movement which seems to be
ticpa;ed up spur Of the mountain the center Of
OIL position. To guard against this mile of stone
wall has been constructed along the east edge Of the
crest and McLean's brigade is drawn along it in two
lines 70 repel any such attack
Firing is brisk in front, and some wounded are com
ing 10 the rear among others Major Rust Of the 27ti
Illinois Volunteers. not dangerously wounded in the
head; half dozen priyatas have also been
wounded. The Rebel position is Il rocky castle with
no to approach t the tanks except by cihgins
70 the rocky sides Of the mountain where they are ex
posed 20 the IRE Of sharpshoOtes stationed in the trees
and in the fort. Gen Haiker pitching into the place
with desperate pertnaoity. but should Judge with
poor chances Of di-lodging the enemy With the en-
envy on this crest, the southern end Of which leads
into Buzzard Roost gap effort TO capture or hold tie
latter position would be- practicable. Hence the noces
siiy OF driving them out A line Of Rebel works is
visible in and extending across the valley TO the east
which connects with earthworks on the hitler slope II
the opposite ridge.
A battle in the Alps cond only equal the contest now
going here half way 10 the clouds among rocks and
stony gorges Of the hills From this eyrie the whole
couutry lies like map beneath the eye now however,
obscured by thick haze which oyerspreads the lower
ibis and valleys. Cannonading Is going on toward
Azzard's Roost but there is general engagement.
e iIoofs perfectly line the crest lying down among
the rocks until called into action Having advanced to
within about 400 yards Of tho Rebel works, yainy on
deayoring get a view Of the position through the
trees and finding the place dangerous by the frequent
arrival Of eaden missiles which pass over singing, or
drop among the soldiers fall back in good order, to
witness what is passing in the valley below
Gen. Mclean is about Withdrawing bis brigade. to
Cooperate WIN INC ~eu Noi p'h. "Ehcf
is moving one Of his regiments down upon the LEFT spur
Of the mountain 10 intercept any Rebel approach from
direction. ore cannot visit this place without
feeling how almost hopeless the task must be dsodga
an enemy thus ntrenched by nature The position may
be turned, but il difficult 10 capture as it
would 10 storm the Palisades from the Hudson. Tho
Engineer Corps has been busy telling the trees which
have been converted into abats 10 protect the steep
sides Of tie HILL and space OK halfa mile is thus laid
bare. from which the view is magnificent Following
an eIemporizcd road down the right or west face OF
tho mountain, which, i forgot 70 mention, was this
morning used which to drag up by hand. two 6pound
Rodman lguns descend to the valley opposite Tunnel
Hill
THE TwESTY-THIRD ARMY CoRPss ADVANCE.
MAY 10. EvESNG.-Gen. Schoheld's command. port
OF which had been lying near the northern slope Of
/" Rocky Face was moved through gorge Of the
mountain about oi o'clock to attack the enemy in the
valley east OF that stronghold The I'd Division, Gen.
Judah in command led the advance. The road, which
led through the gorge lined with thick growth Of
timber but in the valley emerged into open country
which to the right, looking south. contained corn and
wheat fields crossed by two three raynes, skirted
by low underground. Long. sloping spurs Of Rocky
Face" put out at right angles to the valley, thicky
wooded TO The borders Of the fields.
Tie opposite side Of the valley formed by ridge
30 to 20 feet in hight also thcky wooded with strip
of meadow at its base through which ran ditch. The
cleared land also extended this side Of the valley for
about two miles while heavy belt Of timber in tho
middle filed up the opposite side. running up the
tain To the left, in an obique line. about one and
half miles distant upon steep grassy bluff OBJ
served line of earthworks. Gen. Hascall advanced
his skirmishers into these open fields and placed his
brigaleI in two lines of batle-the lllth and 18th
Ohio in the first ne and the iO1th Illinois and 27th
Michigan in the second with the 18th Kentucky pro-
tecting his right flank
The LIST Brigade, Gen. Mclean was formed IN the
same manner upon his immediate left. and Gen. Cox,
commanding the Sd Division. formed upon the left
ridge Gen. Hoveys LIST Division Of new Indiana troops
was held In reserve. The enemy occupied the ers
ridge aud opened fire upon skirmishers as they de-
ployed and rapidly advanced from one position TO sn-
other across the fields The troops followed with their
banners gayly and goriousy displayed by fresh south
ern breeze which blew along the valley. The Union
roops which lined the crest Of the mountain at the right
broke forth into prolonged cheers the Union forces
with their regiInental lines drawn out advanced.
The administers did their work well, keeping the
enemy's pickets on q lively Only two or three
men were wounded during this advance pntii we
reached the woods The 2Jth Michigan. Goth Indiana
and 9Th Tennessee soon came TO the corner OF the
woods when as they ascenaed rise Of ground, they
wera met by rapid discharge OF shot and sheh RON
the enemys battery at the lett now distant about loo
,srs The first shot struck plump into the line OF the
o5,h Michigan. which killed one man and wounded two
49, Tho sOth Indiana also had ono OF two men