The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1864-05-27
FROM JAMES RIVER.
Full Particulars of the Rebel At
tack on Butler and their Re.
pulse..Butler Retreats after the
Rebels were Beaten.

NEW lOkh, 1O.-1 Hc AeTUL0S COTnpS-
pondent with Butler gives detailed account of
Beauregards concentrated attack on our forces
at Palmers Creek on the 10th.
The entire length of the rebel lines opened
with artillery, and shells poured upon our DO
sition in showers. A dense fog envclopcd the
countrya at the time and both forces were wrap
ped in u misty veil.
This was the condition of affairs when the
rebels, massing troops, took our wing under
Gen. Hickman, enveloped its flank and took it
in reverse The first blow was dealt with ter
rife force. Gen. Hickmans brigade of the 18th
corps, holding the right, doubled up and were
forced back on the next brigade which was
also thrown into some confusion.
Our men did not observe the rebels till
they had succeeded in passing q column be-
tween Hickman's right and the river and then
taking him in front and rear crushed him be-
tween the columns, and for q time created
some confusion.
Hickman made gallant fight as long as he
could, but the enemy came upon h IN so sud-
denly and in such overwhelming numbers. as
to make successful resistance quite impossible
In the darkness and confusion some of the brig
ade were captured. After this operation had
on the entire line of the 18th corps, with feints
along the line of the 18th corps and the entire
right was forced back some distance
After several hours Of the most severe and
sanguinary struggle. the battle ragged with I'M
eXampled fury until nearly II O'clock, the
rebels throwing heavy masses upon our lines,
and finally forcing it back nearly quarter of a
mile. Our forces fought stubbornly with few
exceptions. and repeatedly checked the rebel
adyance with terrible slaughter, but not with
out some loss on our side
The enemy numbered not less than Is 600
and pushed into the murderOus fire with q
recklessness and steadiness rarely seen in an
attack.
Our right lost a gun or two, and it is said
some light pieces, how many it is difficult to
ascertain, probably four light pieces The en-
envy, after forcing the 18th corps rack from
its position and gaining possession Of first line
of entertainments, massed their forces on the
10Th corps to drive it back. First hurled the
column upon Turner's division, which held
right of corps line joining the 18th corps They
formed in beautiful manner and moved steadi-
ly on Buttons brigade on the right of Turner's
division. advancing as on parade, and not fir
ing single shot, waiting until they had reach
ed good distance for effective range.
The brigade poured into their lines such
terrific fire that the line melted away and they
thinued and broke line, after vaiuly endeavor-
ing to advance through the storm of bullets
and fled with terrible loss to the woods Their
rear vollies were continuous and heavy as
musketry of brigade could well be- and such as
nothing could stand against The rebels were
scattered like chatf and broke for the woods in
dsOrganzed mass. Under their friendly c, :
yer, after great eXertiOn, a line was again
formed and again the brigade advanced in
splendid style against our line.
Again did they receive the terrible fire. and
pushed steadily on until the fourth of them lay
killed or wounded on the field, when they
Iroke and pushed quickly to the cover of the
woods. Our boys gave them hearty cheers
and sent vOley after vOlley among them which
told fearfuliy on their numbers.
After being twice bloodily repulsed at this
point they moved further to our lett and hur-
ried column upon column on Hally'5 brigade
If Gen, Terrys division. They then came up
in the same steady and conf eDt manner, but
were received by more rapid and truly dead
~ fire than they were treated to by Turner
They broke and ran for the woods. accelerated
in their flight by the music of bullets about
them.
They were determined however to break our
line and force il from Is position, cost what it
would, and again formed, and strengthened by
reinfOrcements, charged again. and after ten
minutes hot work were disastrously repulsed
and driven back at all points. That ended all
serious efforts on their part TO force our posi-
ton, and they left their dead and wounded to
the number of one thousand on the field before
our lines.
They again massed upon Gen. Smiths front
and attacked his left. Gilmore Immediately
ordered Gen. Turner to attack the enemy ON
their flank, and ordered Terry to support him
Turner's attack had hardly commenced before
Gilmore was ordered by Butler to retire and
strengthen Smiths corps by forming in his
rear. Our troops fell back slowly and in Or
der. repulsing every effort uf the rebels to
quicken their movements, and making a stand
in every favorable position until the enemy
ceased to follow, and fell back ON their first
line of entertainments.
Gilmore then drew off his corps and formed
a support to Smiths. Fighting which had beeL
going on with more or less violence along the
entire line now ceased. At half past two
were made to draw OF our forces
from the field and return to our entrench-
ments. The artillery were sent to the rear,
except section to cover the rear guard of am
balances with the wOundtd and supply traius,
and finally the entire army fell back, the en-
envy not pursuing.
The correspondent says of Kautz raid on the
Richmond and Danvile road, that he tore up
several miles of track, destroyed the rails and
ties, and blew up the iron bridge over the APP
pOmatox River at Appomatox St,tion.
Sheridan's forces again started on raid
around Richmond Yesterday. The 18th cavalry
will keep the railroad communication to Rich
mond Gus for while.
Another Herald correspondent says Buffers
forces were safely in their entertainments and
able to withstand any attack from all forces
the rebels can bring against them The object
of Butler in making the advance from City |
Point to Bermuda Hundred was to create
diversion in favor of Grant, and was successful |
HertIds Correspondence in the Field, May
II. Butler has received Richmond papers of
the 10th, which acknowledge that Lee met q
defeat on Thursday, aud states that the slaugh- |
ter was terrific. No particulars known. The |
paper adds: JEFF Davis has received dis |
patch from General Lee which has been kept |
secret
Gen. Kautz' cavalry is now moving on Roam |
oke Station with the intention OF destroying |
The great iron bridge over StauntOn River. If
succe sful he will return via City Point and put |
an end to any effort on the part of the rebels |
to repair the destroyed bridges on the Peters |
burg and Weldon roads.
NEW YORK May ia small gunboat an |
parently carrying but two guns came down |
the james River this morning opposite Fort !
Darling and threw several shells into our cav |
llry on the banks of the river and then steam |
ed back again.
Lieu. Col Pond. LIST q 8 cavalry. discover !
ID three insulated telegraph wires this morn. i
ng near the mouth of Kingsland Greek. lead ,
ng to three torpedoes in James river.
The rebel prisoners just captured saw the
enemy lost more killed than wounded in the
ate fights. ei'7
About noon to-day the enemy came ont of
heir f0rtiicatiOns aud attacked General HEX
mans brigade. The fight was with ml,sketry
md lasted until four o'clock, when they were
lriven back 70 their works 4t-H4 70 - PHO
SharDShO<ltArS ara Qnua god alone. tha p~h<yn