Civilian & telegraph. [volume] (Cumberland, Md.) 1859-1875, 1864-12-15
THE WAR NEWS.
From the Army Of the Potomac.

An important reconnaissance from the
army of the Potomac started out on We'd
desday morning 18th instant. The column
under command of General Warren, consist
ing of the Fifth Corps, Division Of the
second corps and two brigades of cavalry
which started South on Wednesday morning
arc known to have crossed the Mottoway river
and advanced in The direction of Stony Greek
without opposition. Descrters who camo into
our lines report that Matthews division had
been sent to oppose our advance. On Thurs,
day afternoon reconnaissance was made IL
the direction of IIatcher's Greek, and the rebe
pickets were driven into their fortifcations.-
Firing WAS heard in the direction Of Stony
Creek indicating that General Warren was al
work On Friday morning shothcr recon,
noissance was made in the direction of Hatch,
er's Creek The force consisted of both in
fantry and cavalry under command of Gen
Miles. Tho enemy's breastworks on the fur
Their side of the river were carried by assault,
their forces falling back to q stronger position
at Armstrong; mill. We held the position
gained at the latest advices.
On the north side of the james Gen But
Ter has also consummated an impor tant move
ment. On Wednesday morning body Of
colored infantry, under Gen. Ludlow, were
moved across the James river in pontoons to
the left bank and made successful Judgment.
Upon cffccting landing our forces at once
captured and scattered the Rebel pickets,,alon9
that bank While this was being accomplish
ed other forces reached point beyond the
northern terminus of the canal, were rife
pit was thrown up for protection against fur
Their assault. The position now held by Gen
Ludlow on the loft side Of the river is strong
one. Soon after noon the enemy's mortar
batteries, which have hitherto paid their ex
elusive attention to the canal, opened with
vigor upon Gen. Ludlow's position, eHecting
no damage however. Shortly before dusk
on the evening of It'll, the Rebel rams moved
down to point nearer the Hewlett House,
evidently with view of precautionary mca-
sures. Nothing has as yet been heard from
them. The Richmond Dispatch of the Sth
speaks of the movement as an important one,
that must "lcad to an immediate battle"
The Dispatch Of the 7th says: We stated yes
terday that Grant had been reinforced by the
Sixth Corps from Sheridan's army. Rrom
the number of transports loaded with troops
that have been passing down the Potomac dur
ing the last four days it is probable that the
Eighth Corps is also moving to the james river
We think it quite certain that Grant is mus
terng forces for the long talked of grand at
tack upon the Richmond lines. His concen-
tration for this purpose will not occupy him
long and if the fine weather of the last few
days continues he may bring on a battle this
week .-Bahinlore american.
General Warren, who commanded tho re-
connoitering column has returned, having &C.
complished what he set out to perform, the
destruction of the Weldon Railroad We
take the following extract from the account
of the affair written by VIM y, McGregor, the
correspondent of the Associated Press
1.-The move may be considered one cf the
most successful of the campaign, and reflects
honor not only on the originator but ON those
to whom its execution was entrusted. 4
most effective blow has been dealt the enemy
by the destruction of some fifteen miles of
railroad which they were using extensively,
some one hundred cars passing over it every
day loaded with supplies. The track was
torn up, the ties piled in heaps With dry wood
from adjacent fences and set on fire with the
rails on top, the heat bending and twisting
them in every shape.
GAN the depots along the route we're burned,
as well as numerous mills, barns and dwell
ings, from Which the occupants had fed, or
from the cover of which guerillas had fred on
our troops. One WAS caught with gun near
where a shot had just been fired. 1t is said
the troops hung him near the Nottaway river.
''Our loss during the entire trip will not ex-
coed forty or fifty in killed and wounded, be-
sides few stragglcrs who we're captured.
The severity of tire weather was the principal
difficulty the men had to encounter but as
there was much wood on the line of march,
and plenty of work for them to do, they
managed to keep themselves from suffering
severly on this account"