The Portland daily press., 1864-06-01
BY TELEGRARf
rorHE
Portland Daily Press.
OFFICIAL NEWS DISPATCH.
From the Army of the Potomac.
Zen. Grant within Seven Miles Of
Richmond
Desperate Attack on Gen. War
ren's Corps.
Meeting Of Citizens to consider the
Surrender Of Richmond.
IMPRISONMENT OF THE MAYOR OF
RICHMOND.
ATTACK ON GEN. BUTLER,S
FORKS.
Desperate Attack on Gen. War
ren's Corps.
Meeting Of Citizens to consider the
Surrender Of Richmond,
IMPRISONMENT OF THE MAYOR OF
RICHMOND.
ATTACK ON GEN. BUTLER'S
WORKS..
WAsHINGroN. Nav aI-4PM.

WASHINGTON, May 81 p. M.
To Major Gen. Dix.-We have dispatches
from Gen. Grant to O'Clock yesterday after
noon. There seemed, the dispatch says, to
be some prospect of Lee making a stand north
of the Chickahominy. His forces were on the
Mechanicsvilc road, south of the Tatapotomy
Greek, and between that stream and Haines'
shop, his shop resting on Shady Grove. Dis
positions for an attack were being made by
Gen. Grant Wilson's cavalry had been Or
dered to destroy the railroad bridges over the
Little river and South Anna, and break up
both roads from these rivers for two miles
southwest Of Hsines' shop, where the head
quarters OF our army were established. There
is as yet no telegraphic line Of communication
with Washington.
A dispatch from Gen. Sherman, dated yes
terday, Both, at s P. NJ, reports no change in
the position of the armies. Some slight skir-
mishing had occurred subsequent to the affair
OF Saturday.
No intelligence from any other quarter has
been received by this Department
lSigned) EDw. M. STANTON,
Secretary OF War.
WASHINGTON, May 81, Pm.
Mo Mqj. Gen. Dir A dispatch from Gen.
Grant, dated O'Clock this morning, at Harris
Shops, has just been received. 1t is a. fol-
lows: The enemy came over on our left last
evening, and attacked them. They were cas-
lily repulsed and with very considerable
slaughter. To relieve Gen. Warren, who was
on the left, speedily, Gen. Meade ordered an
attack by the balance OF our lines. General
Hancock was the only one who received the
order in time to make the attack before dark.
He drove the enemy from his entrenched Skin
mlsh line, and still holds il. have no report
Of our losses, but suppose them TO be light.
Other official dispatches, not from General
Grant, were received at the same time, aud
give more details. They were dated yester-
day, May Both, o'clock P. NJ. In the course
OF the afternoon Warren has pushed down on
our left until his flank division under Craw-
ford reached point abreast of Shady Grove
Church. Crawford having got detached from
the lest of the corps, was attacked and crowd
ed back a little.
The enemy then threw a force which an
pears to have consisted Of Ewells corps. upou
Warrens left, attempting TO turn it, but was
repulsed The engagement was short, sharp
and decisive. Warren holds his ground at
distance OF seven miles from Richmond. He
reports that he has taken considerable num-
per OF prisoners, and that there are many reb-
Ell dead on the field. Ofhis own losses he has
not yet made report His latest dispatcb
says that the enemy are moving troops to his
lefs, apparently TO cover the approach TO Rich
mond in that direction.
On our Right all active conflict has been
raging ever since dark, but was just closed.
Ar soon as the enemy attacked the left of
Warren, Wright and Hancock were ordered
to pitch in, out do not seem to have got ready
until after nightfall. No report has yet been
received from them.
The other dispatch above referred TO Is dat
ed at o'clock this morning, and states that
in Haucock's attack last night, Col Brooks
sfrn 40 nf ~f~< Il
skirmish line, and holds It, The losses are not
reported.
Burnside's whole corps got across Totopo-
tomac Creek last evening and is In full con-
nection with Warren's corps. The left OF
Hancock rests upon this side OF the creek.
The 9th corps Is upon Hancocks right and
threatens the left flank of the enemy.
Smith ought to arrive at Newcastle by noon,
whence he can support Warren and Burnside,
if necessary.
Sheridan, with Gregg's and Tsrbit's divis-
ions OF Cavalry, is on our left flank. Wilson
is on the right and rear for purposes reported
in former dispatch. The country hereabout
is thickly wooded with pines, with few good
openings.
The indications this morning are that the
enemy has fallen back south Of Chickahomi-
ny. Nothing OF . later date has been receiy-
ed by this Department.
tSigned) EDWIN N. STANTON,
Secretary Of War.
WASHINGTON, May lI-l1.25 Pm.
To Mqj. Gen. Dir:-The following dis
patch has been received from Gen. Butler:
Heavy firing was heard oil day yesterday in
the direction OF Mechanicsville. Six refugees
from Richmond reports that Grant was on
the Mechanicsville turnpike, fourteen miles
from Richmond, yesterday; that they heard
the firing, and that Grant was driving Lee
woman reports that a meeting was held
yesterday while Leo was In Richmond, to see
whether the city would be surrendered or
burnt. The Mayor advocated surrender, and
was put into Castle Thunder.
The enemy attacked my lines yesterday and
were repulsed. To-day they have been DEM