The New York herald., 1864-10-17
THE TENTH CORPS.
Mr. Thomas M. Cooks Dispatches.


HEADQUARTERS TENTH ARMY Coars,
BEFORE RICHMOND, Oct. 13-Midnight. !
BRISK FIRING FRONT.
Another day of activity leaves this command IN the
position 1t has maintained its the
north side of the James We have been less hoty
engaged with the enemy since daybreak this morning;
have lost number OF brave and good men;
have inflicted much loss upon the rebels have discovered
their positions and the character OF their works and
again occupying their old camping ground ready for
another summons 10 battle.
REooyyoHsASoE-A REBEL FLAG !.
Yesterday afternoon orders were received by
General Terry temporarily commanding the Tenth
corps, TO move out two divisions to the Central
Darby town road, and reconnoitre the enemy.
who reported TO be throwing up = new
line OF works u that vicinity Tho First division
(rerry's) temporarily commanded by Brigader General
Ames and the Third (colored) commanded BY Brgader
General William Brney, selected for the expedition
The eagerly responded 70 the call and quickly
in line ready for duty They started the march,
and had barely reached the line Of works north OF
the New Market road when order received 10
halt. had discovered thas flag Of
somewhere the left OF the line, which rendered
offensive movement improper This was on unfortunate
circumstance the movement already commenced had
filed the country with clouds Of DUST plainly revealing
70 the rebek that movement Of some nature In
progress From various parts OF their line they had
difficulty In observing the direction OF the movement,
while the delay gave them ample time 70 concentrate
their forces snd prepare for II.
The halt consumed between three and four houre
during which time very opporunely, heavy storm OF
on, rendering the roads much comforta
bic for travelling, and facilitating, by settling the dust,
the concealmen OF the route OF march But il had
become 100 late the day TO proceed, and the whole
plan was abandoned.
Soon after midnight last night the orders for the
nossance renewed at four O'Clock this morning
the troops again In motion the design being 10
reach the enemy position in time TO attack at daylight
with a view to possible surprise Moving by impro-
vsed roads, through woods and fields keeping well
right OF ne the column crossed to the Central
road striking that thoroughfae the farm OF Dr. John
son, formerly occupied by General Kautz. Here they
met the enemys pickets, and after slight skirmsh,
them up the Central road into the that mark
the eastern line OF Jobnson's farm
or RATTLE FORMED.
General Terry Immediately formed line OF battle in
the open fields giving General Ames the right and Gene
Birney the left General kautzs cavalry covering the
right flank and prconging to the Charles City road
skirmsh line that advanced in front Of the Infantry
A brigade Of Fosters division depoycd skir
mshers the left OF main Ine TO make the
with fortified position the New Market road
thus perfectng continuous line from the James river at
Atkins Landing Charles City road distance Of full
ten miles.
When these dispositions had been perfected General
Terry ordered The advance, and his skrmsbers moved
steadily forward into the woods on either side Of
Central road. The moment they advanced the snarp
cracking OF muskets denoted the presence OF rebels
brisk s,rmsn sa'usd which resulted in the re-
our men. Terrys main iine Of battle then advanced
three nunScd yards in advances Of .he De q Sa
quickly discovered heavy slashing covering line Of
occupied By heavy masses IS Of rebel Infantry
that further advance was impolic II not impracti
o ,u- vxr~x,s vvv xoprs n,scoxv,vn
Here, then, was the first discovery, and important
one too. General Terry had previously
foriacations earthworks, while Kautzs cavalry until
Friday last had pickeed this entire region. But infor
ras divisions which the ABSENCE u those eea
disclosure Of the Of those works Another duty
be performed was TO ascertain the extent character
and strength OF these fortincatiops
IMPORTANT SroRxAfior GAINED.
Al about ten A. M General Terry was IN readiness to
ES ssm shers were thrown little forward IL ,he
eoemy's sasbng, and his main line advanced 70 lis
outer edge Then followed succession Of "fesiings"
commanders. Each brigade made charge through the
sashlns close to the rebel works proper caution
would dictate. the results OF these charges and
vations reported coatcd, compared and dgcsted
showing, hrst, that tho new line divsraed from
on laurel Hill, and taking Dorthwestcriy course,
some what varied, formed advanced line of works
u from Of the main line surrounding Richmond and
designed to mke place OF the extended line by
Brney on the 10Th ult The excellent map printed In
the edition Of the Herald OF sunday the 9th inst will
aid in establishing the location Of these works. From
Laurel Hill they follow the course OF CORVALLIS creek,
kccpng behind that stream and crossing the farms Of
Ozark DrnKer and nanby intersect tho Central road
op she farm OF The latter and continue on towards the
Charles City road In the samc general course Next u
ascsrlapcd that the works consisted Of chain OF
redoubts carrying artillery, connected by rife pits the
whole covered By bel. Of shng abou, three hundred
yards wids the construction Of 90 formidable Inc Of
wrks In so short time commentary ON the energy,
sk and perseverance, OF the soldiers brought nso exist
ence By thb war.
Ms oAAsBope n TUE ssv nnHu WORKS
General Ierrys assaults those works developed tbe
act that bey were hsd BY tho divisions Of Hche and
elde 1asng ossthsr stronger force than THAI At hs
disposal for . heYous ASSAULT
L A nyvulSD