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

.... OIL. r"''''.
The Fourth Flank mevcmens-Dcrnifs Of
Operatioss-EnIian Conduct Of Our
Men-E aldy Smiths Gveat succcss-Me
In On Hand In the Nick Of Timc-A Gu
rious Rebel Letter.
From Our Special Correspondent.
HEADQUARTERS SIXTH ARaY CoAPs.
MAR oID HAKyoR. Thursday. Jtne 2, 1854.
Grants fourth grand flank movement is now
in process Of contamination and judging from The re-
suits Of yesterday opxa,on,in the capture Of prison
ors and positions-we may reasonably look for sue
cessful Issue. s...s.
A hotly contested battle. coHtnencing at about p
H. and continuing far into the hight took place yesier
day resulting in the capturing Of $50 prisoners and the
carrying Of tie principal works Of the enemy. The
gallant old eth Corps bore the brunt Of the battle the
division Of Drgader Gen. Ricketts, having tie honor Of
the grand charge In which the stated number Of prison
eTs was taken. .r
On Tuesday. at milngh the 9th Cp,ps left Its posi-
ton on tie extreme right u the army. opposite Swift
Run. and under corer Of the remaining corps moved
toward Cold Harbor via Old Church. Rickettss 81
Division took the advance followed by the lst AID 3D.
reaching Cold HHbor In the p m. and relieving the
cavalry divisions Of Gems Torbert and Gregg who on
from his position At the crossroads.
On arriving al the cross roads at Cold Harbor. the
division Of Gen Ricketts, was dcpoycd to the right Of
,hc Gaines's Mill road IN line Of battle Gen. Rasee
following with ue u Division. Immediately formed OF
Reksiss len ALE Nell took np position on the ez
troaso len
Batteries A. let Massachusetts III. LIST Ohio the 81
New York Independent a. lat New York. and L. lei
Rhode Island commanded respectively by Capt Nc
Caltny. Dorsey. Ham. HeHammer and Rhodes were
soon In position and Mt O'Clock were cugzgod in O
rapid exchange Of solid shot ard sheT.
Al about O'Clock an advance ordered. and fiss
whole line moved forward. r
Anarrow belt Of woods interveBed between Rckettss
division and the enemy AID emerging from into
plove,l field the position Of the eDomy was plainly
yisIlA on A wooded crest beyond heavy FIRE Of mus
kerry ard artillery Immediately opened upon them
by the Rebels In their works but through this deadly
storm our men steadily advanced over powcd field
through asintcrvening swamp. and. with gallant
determination never before cxcellcd In the history o
tlo war at the point OF the bayonet drove TIE enemy
from his carthwoIks, aud held them during tho night
against repeated and furious assaults.
In this splendid charge the division Of Gen. Rockets
captured $50 prisoners together with several stands of
colors The extreme galantry Of the men Of Rckettss
division Ia this Instance. Il emphatic denial of the
imrutaton Of insiicency with which they were
charged W the battles OF the Wilderness, by certain
corrcspoadcns who failed TO investigate the facts in
The case.
TIC follow Ing letter speaks for Itself
Mu.Gsr wRrcHr.-Plen.e give my thanks to Bis. Gen.
Ricketts, and bis 81 IN. eouHand. for the very hehd9n.
in which tey have eondneiec 'henseyes hs
low up, viii materially I'D, snee o.f operations hrpeeuu"y
yours, oto u MEADE NJ''oen' 'on'H'a"'"s'
By order Of Gen. Ricketts, the men of his division
Immediately set to work to strengthen their position
In which occupation they were during the night fire.
quenty interrupted by desperate charges oil the enemy
who was IN every instance repused with fearful loss
Meantime, Brig Gen. Russell. commanding the ls
Division was also advancing in the center, CALAMITY
lending the charge at the head Of his old brigade.
mile Of forest and cleared ground was rapidly passed
before the works OF the enemy were discovered beyond
a field exposd to a murderous FIRE from the encmys
guns, commanding every approach. Under the crcum'
stances 1t was deemed advisable by Gen. Russell TO
Lat his command which done on the crest OF Hill
where defensive works were Immediately thrown up
and occupied until this morning.
Cen Neill on the extreme left also advanced but
owing TO the unfayorabe character Of the ground was
unable to possess the enemys works
On the right Of the 9th Corps, Badly smith with the
18th Army Corps met with almost unexpected success
carving tho entire limo Of Rebel works in his front
with tho loss Of 800 men, and holding them until morn
ing in spite Of the efforts Of the enemy to regain them
at intervals during the night Badly" has made de-
ced impression among the troops. and henceforth the
soldiers Of the Army Of the Potomac will cordially fra
ternye with the men Of the 18th Army Corps who have
fully demonstrated their wOrhness to stand with them
side BY side in tho great struggle for tho Union.
The opportunc moment at which Gen. Smith arrived
and formed junction with Gen. Wright, and to CO.
onerato with him IN bis attack the Rebel works at
Cold Harbor, is worthy Of special mention. The juno
ton which was formed near Old Church, midway be
tween Hanoyertown and Cold Harbor yesterday p. m.
reveals the fact that the Army Of the Potomac is under
the guidance OF minds possessed of mastery ability.
The men are jubant their success, and reviewing
the past are hopeful for the future.
While write the cd Army Corps is moving 10 the left
Of the 9Th Corps 1t ef It's ntrenchmens tie right
last igh at dark without opposition. and 1t is under
stood will cross the Chiokahominy at Summers Ford
this forenoon The remaining corps will probably take
new positions during tho Day. ,l1...I .rUfHI
The battlefield Of yesterday Ia but short distance