The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1864-06-07
THE FIGHTING IN VIRGINIA.
From the Richmond Enquirer June r.

THE FIGHTING IN VIRGINIA.
From the Richmond Enquirer, June /.
THE NEW POSITIONS OF LEE AND GRANT.
br;l,;ont affair occurred below the Nlechan-
;;osv;lle turnn;Ie on Monday evening, which dis
,con,Gtted the enemy considerably, and gave dash
Of tvelcome bv our army of the enemy to their new
line on the immortal Chickahominy. The enc
,mv,s skirmishers on their left flank desiring to
nrobe the depth of interest entertained for them
by Gen. Lee, engaged portion of our army in
their front, and while they were INDUCING them
selves in the amusement, suddenly discovered
themselves faHked by two Confederate brigades,
Battles and Daniels, and made all haste to get
out of the way They,received some CALLING fires
from our men, and left, besides over hundred
prisoners. sundry wounded and dead In our hands.
On Yesterday morning an engagement occurred
five miles beyond MechanicsViile in which consld-
cradle artillery appears to have taken part. The
firing commenced at an early hour and continued
sharply until an advanced hour in the day. Va
rious rumofs were afoat as to the result, all of
which were favorable, but up to 6 o'clock in the
evening no authentic Intelligence was received.
We ascertained last night that the enemy COM
menced moving his right, soon after daylight: in
the direction of Tunstals Station, on the York
River Railroad. Our troops were engaged in pay
; ing attention to their movements, when q portion
of our skirmishers, in Hills front, from Lanes
E two miles east of Shady Grove church, and about
: five from Mechanicsvie. The enemy Immediate
ly threw out their skirmishers, while the main
body of the brigade seized a favorable position
and commenced throwing up breastworks, while
our skirmishers engaged those of the enemy. Our
line of skirnishers being inferior in numbers to
those Of the enemy, were forced to fall back,
whereupon the enemy's supports advanced in
three lines, intending 10 drive our from their
bod of ad hon
yards before sections of Walkers artillery opened
: raking fire upon them creating terrible havoc,
and causing the enemy to break in confusion and
retreat our infantry aiding the artillery 10 accee-
rating their speed. This fight commenced about
~ o'clock, and the cannonading continued until
about three. Skirmishing commenced at different
points in the vicinity early in the forenoon, and
was continued until late in the afternoon. Our
loss was very slight. The field occupied by the
enemy in their assault upon Lanes brigade was
dotted with dead and wounded Yankees. They
lost heavily.
The situation Of the enemy is between the Pa;
,munkey and Chickahominy rivers, their right
resting east of Atee's, on the Central, and their
left near TunstalPs, on the York River Railroad
Their cavalry pickets extend their lines up to
Hanover Town ard vicinity. The Central rail-
road is'entirely clear. An inspection tour to the
scene of their recent occupation of this road, be-
tween Hewlitts and Anderson's stations, disclos
cd the fact that they had torn up and mutilated
the track for the distance of five miles, rendering
about two miles and half of the ren entirely
worthless for railway use. The track will never
theless be speedily repaired.
Persons from the army on yesterday report that
Butler has landed with the best portion of his
my at West Point. Every indication points to a
speedy renewal of hostiities, but until Butler
completes his junction with Grant, no such renew
al will be initiated by the latter.
RICHMOND, June 2.-Hoke's division encoun-
tered the enemy left yesterday morning and in
ficted upon him heavy loss, capturing battery,
stand of colors, and number of prisoners. Col.
L. NJ. Keitt of South Carolina, was severely woun
ded.
The following dispatch was received this morn
ing at headquarters
ARMY OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA.,
June lst, 1864.
TO the Secretary of Var: There has been
skirmishing along the lines to-day. Anderson
and Hoke attacked the enemy this forenoon and
drove them to their entertainments The brig
AIDES of Breckenridge and Malone drove the enc
my from their front, taking about one hundred
and fifty prisoners. A force of the Yankee nfan-
try is reported to have ar1jyed at Tunstals, from
the White House, extending up the York River
Railroad. They are supposed to be part of But
ler's forces. (Signed) R. E. LEE.
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