The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1864-05-24

from a eonirgband who had worked T
on the intrenehments and was iamil- .
lar with the topography Of the eoun-
Try, il was determined TO aank the .
work on the right.
Col. Hawley's brigade was marched 1
through the woods, and, to the sur
prise Of the enemy, entered the right
flank OF the work in It's rear The /
enemy made sharp resistance, and
finally piled over the superior slope Of
the parapes and fought from the out
side. Our troops in the excitement
Of the moment, thought the intrench-
ment was closed work, and advane-
"a cautiously. Meanwhile Col. Whites
brigade, of Ames' division, advanced
under FIRE and occupied the liue, the
enemy fleeing TO the rear. By this
brilliant mannuvre, We gained before
morning the entire line Of the enemy's
works. as the enemy evacuated his
left during the night, and fell back
to the second line Of inirenehmenis.
Gen. Gillmore's little force bvou-
acked for the night on hill behind
the works, which they fortified and
awaited day light and seige from the
rebels. Communication with the rear
and with our right had been severed
by a body Of rebel cavalry which had
been thrown TO our rear. AT day
light communication was opened by
Turner's division and some of Gener-
al Smiths force, and supplies and am
munition reached the isolated com.
mand from the right, and prepara-
tions were made tor an early move.
Prisoners and deserters who had
been brought within our lines commu-
nicated the fact that beyond the first
line was second one, equally AS
strong as the first, but not so long
and extensive. Its right extended to
the railroad, and IFS left reached to
the river. Against this our forces
were put in motion on the entire line,
and they soon encountered the enemy.
The enemy were driven back with
the aid OF artillery, aud heavy skirm-
ishing continued the greater part of
the day, with considerable loss on
both sides.
The second line we're finally ap-
preached after a hard days work, and
our line was put in position for an
advance upon the works. The enc.
my had fallen back into their intrench-
/ men;s, and prepared for a vigorous
resistance to an assault
The second line was very strong,
with parapet not less than ten feet
in thickness, with innumerable en-
brasures for light or heavy artillery,
many OF which were fiji ed with guns.
a deep ditch fronted the line, and ev-
yrythng about it seemed to indicate
1 great strength. After a careful re-
eonnoissance, under a hot fire, in
! which Major L. b. Brooks, Aid-ds-
\ Camp to General Gilmore, received
a Aesh wound in the arm, the artil-
lery was brought up, aid opened fire
upon the rebels. Our skirmshers
4 and sharpshooters also advanced, and
from an open field, extending at least
seven hundred yards to the woods in
front Of The works, maintained hot
and effective fire. The enemy repli-
ed briskly from their artillery and
small arms, and the engagement be-
came heavy and serious.
Colonel IIawley's brigade, forming
in line, charged splendidly over the
open field in front Of the rebel lines I;
and never hinching under hot fire
from rifles and artillery which swept
il, streamed over the parapet, and car
ried the right Of The enemy's line in
the most gallant manner. The rebels,
frightened and thunderstruck at the
audacty and boldness Of the operations
fed towards Richmond, leaving some
prisoners and guns in our hands -
While the right was being possessed
Gen. Turner's division, after three at-
tempts, which failed, crossed the ditch,
scaled the parapet, and entered the
enemy's line, driving the enemy pell-
nell to the rear, although with consid-
cradle loss. By these grand and bril-
liant efforts OF the Tenth corps we
gained possession Of more than mile
/ OF the formidable intrenchments con-
Il stituting the second line Of the rebel
defences on the side OF Richmond.
/ II VIC succeed in gaining possession
Of the second line throughout, our for
ces will be west Of All lortifcations with
clear road, /, is believed, to the city.
( OF course they may encounter some
new works, but il is believed that all
the old and more formidable ones will
be tetween US and the river.
Gen. Smith has thus far held his
headquarters at the skirmishing line
and seems TO be attended by some
guardian spirit, who wards off the bul
lets Of the enemy. Countless stories
are in circulation among The men Of
his hairbreadlh escapes.
Gen. BcauFegard's troops, or a por-
ton Of them. and Of Gen. lloke' 5
command, rom North Carolina, have
certainly passed Us, and are now IN
Richmond or beyond with Lee, On
tuesday last bis forces slipped by-