Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1864-06-02
THE WAR IN VIRGINIA.
UNOFFICIAL DETAILS.
HEADQUARTERS ARMY or THE Potomac,
MOndau Man % 1864

the enemy for several miles, krmishpg at different points
and capturing number of prisoners.
EWes corps in tho of the retreang foe and
when they got to the North Anna they took position be-
hind the earthworks on both sides of the river.
The Second Corps having had the advance on the Bowl
ing Green road remained at Milford the 22d, aud at
M. yesterday up and took position on the left OF
The Fifth Corps, reaching the railroad
On examination it found the enemy held strong
position on the south bank of the river with their advance
on peninsula formed by email stream, which emptied
into the river near the railroad crossing.
Barow's division occupied the right of the railroad,
Birney in front OF the peninsula and Gibbon the right
while the Fifth Corps the road leading the ford
a mile to the right
skirmshing in front of Brney commenced about p M
and at the batteries got TO work and sheed the enemy
while Birneys division ordered to charge and carry
the works and possible get possession Of the bridges
the river The charge made in splendid STYLE
and although met with shower of bullets from the rifle
pits as we'll as shells from the batteries the opposite
side of the river halted until the enemy
driven the bridge and guns placed to
command it, Some of the went halfway across,
and one with rebel flag who forced to throw
it into the river to prevent its recapture.
The highest praise given to the division and its
General by Gen Hancock, for the gallant which
it stomed and carried this strong position. The contest
continued until after dark, each party maintaining their
line.
Our loss in this action was about two hundred and City
in killed and wouaded The loss OF the enemy full
heavy own, and we took a number of prisoners.
About five p. M. Gen. Warren effected crossing, and
taking position thesouh bank, threw up breast
works Soon after he was attacked by large force Of
rebels whom he drove back with heavy loss, their dead
and wounded lying thick the ground in front of lines
afsa al hara dof
hundred in killed and wounded.
About dark Gen Bunsde's corps up and took po-
son between Hancock and Warren, and made prepare
tons to Every body felt in good spirits and conf
dent of victory the coming day.
TUESDAY, MAY PAP. M.
The army advanced at early hour this morning. but
the enemy found 10 have fallen back during the night
and the skirmsh line captured after the first round
1t suspected that this might be ruse and caution
exercised the troops advanced Stimulating took
place several points, but the Second Corps had
force of the enemy up to p NJ, at which time your
correspondent left the front.
Gen. Warren had advanced some two or three miles,
the enemy his front seeming determined to dispute his
advance, although probably falling back
This afternoon u detachment from the cavalry exped
ton under Sheridan arrived at headquarters announcing
the safe return of the command the Pamunkey last
division the railroad twelve miles below Hanover
ton the 2lst burning two bridges and tearing up nile
of the track He encountered body OF the rebel cavalry
behind barbados but could not induce them to out
and attack him. The party had to build bridge
the Pamunkey, at the White House, which they did in
tweny-lour h The entire command passed in safety
it. The horses Of the expedition pretty well ex-
hsuse but few days rest and feed upon the fine clover
to be found in this vicinity will put them in condition for
Gems Sheridan Gregg and Custer entitled to
great praise for the in which the expedition has
been conducted
TUESDAY EVENING, EIGHT o'CLeCK
Firing was heard this morning in the direction Of Port
Royal It supposed to be from rebel battery,
which is reported to have been placed at point twelve
miles below Fredericksburg. Two gunboats went down
the river last night and thought they may have been at
tackled, in the hope Of shaking them
An orderly of Gen. Lee brought into headquarters
to day whom found despatch to Gen Ewel from
Gen. Lee ordering him to fall back rapidly the deences
of Richmond
lieutenant taken two days ago said bis brigade had
been Plymouth and at Drurys Bluff, and after fighting
Butler sent at once to join Lees army in front Of
Grant. The colonel made speech on Saturday evening"
as soon as they arrived telling them they must reach Rich
mend on Monday at 10 A. M. or the damned Yanks"
would be there before them
Tuesday Morning May "a.
The crossing Of the North Anna was effected by the
Second and Fifth Corps at halEpsst p. M. yesterday
The points OF crossing al Tayors Bridge and Jericho
Mills three miles above Our troops this morning occupy
the same positions the south bank Of the river
the left distant only thousand yards from the Vir
GINA Central railroad.
At about six o'clock last evening the divisions Of Griffin,
Crawford and Cutler commenced the crossing at Jericho
Mills two former Ordng the river while the pontoon
being laid, without opposition by the enemy The
nd had tha nI their
Cutler vino crossed the BRIDGE getting into posi-
ton the right when the enemy opened with musketry
and artillery Grins right e0deavor b. flank him.
The fight thus begun lasted hour when the enemy
finding all attempts TO dislOdge futile fell back aud
lines were advanced a mile Beyond the river.
number Of de- perate charges made by the enc
my, but every instance handsomely rrpulsed by
Grins aud Cutters divisions, Crawfords command being
exposed to artillery fire only. Probably from two to
the Assistant Adjutant General OF the South Carolina bril-
eade. Our loss the right will not amount to four
hundred. The rebel force engaged consisted Of Hoods
and Wlcoxs divisions the former OF Lpngseet and the
latter of A. p. Hills corps.
Batteries ID and Of TIE First New York we're posted
on the right during The battle, and effective in
pung the assaults Of the enemy Battery of the Fourth
United States in position opposite Gen Crawiords
division.
The crossing of the Second Corps made two and
bali miles from the Junction at raylors bridge, opposite
which McLaws division Of Lopgstrees corps found
posted behind works constructed by them in 1868 Rebel
also held the island in the river at the bridge
until charged aud captured by Egsns and Perce
If Birneys division The crossing made under heavy
artillery fire from the enemy, which, however, inf ced
but little damage upon our troops.