New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1864-05-18
The Enemy Driven from their Fret Line
of Works-A Rebel Gun sileneed-Pro-
gress Of the siegc-Our Batteries Open
ing Along the Line-Short Rations and
Little Ammunition Among the Rebels
The Navy Heard From-Why it had
been Detained.
From Our Special Correspondent.

From Our Special Correspondent.
HEADQUARTERS GEs. BUTLER HALFWAY HoUsF,
Richmond and Petersburg Pike, May "a, 1864.
As anticipated, the success of Gen. Gilmore
left compelled the evacuation Of the nt line Of
works held by the enemy which they did upon the adj
OF Gen Smith this morning after a brief resist
ance. This line of works is formidable and pierced
commanding points for artillery. II extends from
beyond the railroad across to the James Riding out to
The right from the highland the river cOlld
the Rebel works ct Chapne Farm the north bank Of
the river end supporting the works upon this eide Of
the Tiser. AS our troops advanced With HiokDan's
brigade on the right of the pike the Rebels male an
assault and charged them bat were no better pleased
with the result than former occasions Sendily but
surely our lines advanced Follctts and Belgers bat
feries hitting their works from the Halfway House.
where now drenching rain came, but
operations were continued Gen. Butler being deter
mined push matters vigorously. Gen. weitzel quick
~ got his batteries Folletts Co. d. 18th L. g. and
Belgers Co. F. lst r. L. into position using the en-.
brasures from this side the enenys inrenchments 70
fire through ride along the center and right showed
the enemy be very strongly posted On the left Of the
pike Gen. Brooks with bis brigade occupies the Rebel
Entertainments, men having about foo, and n
half of level ground to stand upon between the ditch
which surrounded the works and the embankment.
Here they lie against the slope carefully watching
while the line Of skrInishers in the woods beyond tell
by their continual popping Of the presence Of the foe
TO the right Of the road in rear of the Rebel works
now our front If an open field, and beyond that is for
midable earthwork, with curtain connecting other
works, bastions, &C.. evidently bu with great care
Over this haunts the Rebel flag and on IL seven guns
have been discovered They kept up sharp fire for
awhile, bat were soon silenced by our FIRE Here on
the paTspes Of first line of works, our sharpshoo
posted and keep close watch against the I'D
proach Of any Rebel marksmen who may aim to shoot
down our artIlerymen. Still further along our Skin.
mishers are doployed through the woods and Heck.
mans gallant men lay their arms, ready for any
emergency. Here your correspondent encountered
Gen. Weitzel seated upon log quietly smoking his
pipe the shells from both Union and Rebel batteries
flying over his head and the singing ofmin6bas occa
sionally becoming unpleasanhy loud. The General
has been lit he laughingy SAYS, for the
first time fragment Of shell striking his
whiskers. BE waits for the artillery on the left TO
commence shooting" before he opens with all mis- guns
which he has been 1assng bear upon the redoubt IN
front Of us. AS look puff of white smoke from
embrasure, followed almost instantly by report
from the battery behind u.s. and the shells raversed
the air crossing each other in their deadly Eight The
Rebel shell exploded to the rear Of our battery while
struck the Rebel work just at the entrance and the
gan Immediately withdrawn. Our fellows watch
the appearance Of gun the fort and then rattle
away at it until it taken off Beyond the Rebel work
other defenses stretching away toward Fort
Darling situated the next bend Of the river Tie
Rebels are evidently outstanding their resources OK
peeting an assault AS We ride along We encounter