Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1864-06-24
FROM WHITE HOUsE,
Rebel Cavalry Assault-Attempt To CAP.
ture Sheridan's Trains

despatch to the Chroniolel
WHITE HOUSE, Va, June 2l.-Ths enemy
maoe persistent though not very desperate
attempt to capture the wagon trains a. this
point, belonging TO Sheridans cavalry corps.
About 6x O'Clock yesterday morning, they
drove IN our pickets with dismox nted cavalry
when heavy skirrnish line was thrown ont
to meet them, which, with the aid of our hat.
tsries, effectuaily checked their advance and
designs. About 9 O'Clock they opened with ar
niIery, when the trains Were ordered across
tne railroad bridge over the Pamunkey on the
road leading to West Point. There were be-
.Ween 600 and 200 wagons, loaded with stores
Gnu aminunition, which, with the cattle, were
All saeiy crossed without the least disorder or
accioent. While waiting to Cross one OF the
sa1y saEaaiy wagons was struck with shell and
snnaI inu ,,nongh IN fortunately withou, per-
From prisoner we learned the attacking
party 10 oe Hampton,s cavalry, accompanied
frcm the latter for fve or six hours, but tne AZ.
euracy Of range from our gunboats and nat.
tries prevented their taking position TO ac-
ccmplis h much damage, and, chaerined At their
failure, they sulIenly Withdrew; but not a mo-
ment too soon for their security, as our cavalry,
which had been momentarily expected, now
, 1t is supposed they intend to harass, II pos
sihle, our trains, when they move across tothe
james. Our cavalry this morning started in
pursuit Of the attaching party, but IL Is not
likely they will succeed In overtaking them.
'FoRTREes MONROE, June g, The steamer
Iolas arrived this morning early, from the
White House, where she left at 10 O'clock yes
terday morning. -g'l.'-.s - p
Gems. Fftzhugh Lee and Hampton made an at
tack by charging on our forces entrenched at
the w hite House, and In command OF General
the enemy driven back. At the ssms .me ana onr
gunboats Commodore Morse, Capt Babcock,
and two others, opened heavy fire, shelling
At7 O'Clock, the enemy having succeeded in
planting battery Of three guns In range, re-
turned the fire upon our gunboats and land
Ii This artillery duel was kept up until u
O'Clock noon, when the Commodore Morse
threw she'll that exploded a caisson in the
enemys battery, causing great confusion
among their men, and thereupon they retired,
taking their guns with them. :,
Our less was only three wounded, one NOR
Al O'Clock p. m, Goth, General sheridan,s
tdvance guard arrived at the White House,
and at fve O'Clock the General arrived with
his command t'a -aAi' 7.- g."
Yesterday morning (2lst) there was skin
mishing among the pickets, and general en-
gagement expected. t..t- -, -S
General Getty arrived and relieved General
Abereombie, who had been previously or
dered to report to Washington for duty
During this siege General Abercrombie re-
ceived a dispatch from General Grant to hold
his position at all hazards, till assistance ar
rived, which, by the aid OF the gunboats, he
General Abercrombie arrived to-day, on his
way for Washington, and will leave here to-
night, via Baltimore. - ~
.. ~ .a. Later. vtHy - o. ,E4. e
The artillery fire on both sides was kept up,
gradually diminishing, until p. m. The enc
my's loss was comparatively heavy.
Prisoners captured say the rebels mistook our
gunbo9ts for transports, and Intended to cap.
ture our troops at the White House before Gen.
eTal Sheridan g command arrived
The enemy's evident intention was to destroy
General Abercrombie's command at WhiIe
House, and thereby intercept General Sheri-
dams safe arrival there. They were defeated.