New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1864-05-12

From ono spot could see green rayino, few hund
red Yards wide running north ard south just beyond
which lay the railroad, and the Rebel force was waiting
there with a little flag flying, hut perfectly quiet.
Now came several hours of halt, during which the
line was stretched in front Of the rayine, Burnams
brigade being upon the left. Having forced his way
through the tangled woods the left 10 the front Of
line. and found it impossible to see more than few
rods your correspondent rode back To his orme! posi-
OF observation and saw skirmishers crossing the
railroad and creeping up the knobs beyond They ad
vanccd cautiously but surely but the evacuation OF the
ravine was a fact the railroad was left with sho'
having been fred on our own side and hut harmless
volley or two By the Rebels. Crossing with inquiry
the Iayine, your correspondent assembled the rlsps
ground and stood upon the coveted railroad 1t was
Port Walthal junction, a point from which branch
runs directly east TO the Appomattox The former az
saints upon the road were made mile or two hor'h %
this. Richmond lay seventeen miles NORTH PETERSBURG
four miles south, and Port Wathal four miles east
few platform cars standing on the idngs were are'l
blazug; some piles Of wood and an old tank met the
same fate In a few moments Cen Butler rode by with
his staff taking the road southwark, on Whlch INC
Rebels had rotroacd; and it was now noon' WIN re
tersburg apparently tie destination
Noon passed and the 4th Artillery filed the road
for there was another halt II was on the leit OF
the railroad and the intention Of the Rebels became
evident TO make their stand at Swift Creek about 'he
bridge. which was mile ahead. Several more hours
= scd in waiting. Meanwhile, Secesh boy OF Twelve
arrived from Gen Terrys position, who related story
that he heard the telegraph operator at Chester town
two miles from Port Wahall, read dispatch that Lee
had fought Grant three times and driven him seven
miles; that JEFF Davis went down TO Drnry Bluf ana
read the account TO the troops there and that Lee had
also sent ten thousand men 10 Petersburg IL was
poor Scccsh device, though committed to an uneon'
monty smart boy; bat under crossexamnnion II fell 10
pieces The boy sent back. and placed under
guard Wcitzcl's division lay on the right Burnhams
and Marsions brgades next them on the len, yanly
cropng for the railroad and each other. Smelling, at
intervals came from wetzc's guns the right, and
the afternoon wore away.
Half past three and the advance was ordered. Bat
tiers was sent down the railroad track toward Swift
Creek and your correspondent followed. noting with
surprise the new rails piled by the road side the fresh
appearance of those already in the track and in gen
eral. the good condition Of the road
At o'clock the battle had begun in earnest. The
position was as foows On the left facing the bridge
was an irregular scmcircle Of smooth field bordercd
by woods; on the left Of the bridge itself lay the Rebels
extending also across in long line 10 the right side
of the track they lay the further bank protected
also by rayine. The left Of line consisting OF
Sanders brigade (nOw Martindales) rested upon the
creek: next came Marston's touching tho bridge; on
tie right Of the bridge Heckmans, by which most Of
the fighting was done. Al the track there was occa
sional artillery fire. and some little skrmshng with
musketIy; meanwhile regiment detailed for that pur
pose was tearing up the track About O'clock, yigor
ous cracking yoleys indicated hot work AZ tie right
and endcavored to make my way through the thick
woods in that direction; but though the shells were
whizzing overhead, nothing whatever could be seen
Making my way at last came upon the scene Of ac
tioD which was broad and smooth turnpike, running
parallel 10 the railroad and also crossing the creek
little 10 the westward Off The action over but In
space Of not than two acres lay at least 20 Rebels
of whom but three or four had escaped mortal wounds
most Of them being shot directly through the head
Across the turnpike stood a country church. about
eight rods back. In the woods near the church the 25t
Massachusetts, Of Heckmans brigade had beer
lying fired upon by company OF Rebel sharpshcotcrs
through the church windows. Portions of the 18th
South Carolina and several others from that State here
made charge passing across the road when they IN
oxpectedly encountered the 27th Massachusetts, which
was then advancing and voley given at short range
leyeled them like grass before the scyhc. The Rebels
had light battery posted at the bridge, and used II
with great spirit, driving back battery which Of
tempted to dslodge them lull ensued in the fir
ing during which this battery amused itself by firing
upon any person who crossed the road particularly upon
horsemen Despite all warnings, there was more or
less crossing and the shells wised at intervals along
tie road. frightening many but hitting 1t was
noticeable that no one drew tie fire quickly than
three negroes who persisted In stumbling across.
IT was quiet along the line soon after S. and at the
little church which was rddled with bullets Near it
1e giment or two lay in field and orouchcd behind
fences bat nothing stirred; directly lay the
Rebel wounded, TO whom our men were bringing water
and medical aid as fast as possible Yet the ambu.
ances containing Rebel wounded were fred as they
crossed the road IL is reported and the last thing
saw. as left the field at o'clock, a rifed solid
shot which was sent at two men who were carrying q
Rebel over the road stretcher Can there be doubt
AZ to the atsocties charged upon the Rebels at Fort
Pilowi
Quite number Of prisoners from these South Caro-.
lima regiments taken in the charge and It is
ported two guns also. I passed squad Of twenty
prisoners on my return. and Of them native Of
Charleston, educated at CoumbIColege Is. c.. says
their commander is Lieut. ID. p. Hill Of North Carolina
Raons have been sent on 10 the 'front.' and the troops
remain, TO recommence tomorrow, j, indeed the night
passes without further action
The summary is that We have pushed the Rebel line
back several miles Petersburg. and have the rail
road at our mercy At T. when i left the lines were
unchanged from the opening Of the two hours fight.
Swift Greek still being the boundary between the oppos
ing forces Yet there will be steps backward but
steady advance The latepcss Of the hour at which
the fight concluded precudcs any particulars as to our
loss which was not great and certainly fell short OF