Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1864-06-10
From THE ARMY or THE POTOMAC.

in an extra:
Heddquartors Army of The Potomac, June o.
Yesterday afternoon Sheridan encountered
the enemys cavalry on the Mechanicsyille
pike. and after quite heavy engagement
drove them to within FIVE miles Of Richmond
helding his ground.
The fugitive contrabands, who stole into
camp, report that the citizens were in terri
BILE state Of excitement and trepidation. The
enemy had left all his dead and such wound
ed as were unable to get themselves away in
utter wantonness.
ga m. Hancock 10 still hammerng away
at the enemy.
On the lst Sheridans cavalry drove the
enemy on the Mechanicsville pike to within
Eve mile Of Richmond
Our left to-day rest upon the line Of the
York river railroad giving rs line Of six to
eight miles in extent.
The attack on Wsrren's and Hancock
corps on Wednesday afternoon At five o'clock,
resulted in loss to the enemy Of from 1000
to 5000.
Our loss was not over 500. Burnside
corps was heavily assaulted at the same time
and acted its part oredtably.
HEADaUATERs Army OF THE PoToMAo, !
June 3,-9P NJ. i
Fighting has been going on all day nearly
along the lines, but principally with artillery,
casualties being quite large. When Gen.
Barlow's division charged the enemy's WORKS
this morning, he succeeded in getting pos
session Of IL guns. besides $50 prisoners,
but not being supported and subjected to a
hot fire he was compelled to evacuate the
works he had so CALAMITY taken, and aban-
doned the guns.
Gen. Warren's corps on the right were at
tackled at p. NJ. by heavy force of the en-
envy, but were repused handsomely with Sc
we're loss. Our loss was for the past two
days near Coal Harbor will number nearly
5000 killed and wounded, while the enemy 4
will be nearly the same The change in 20
silion to-day has been very little, our advance
being about one mile beyond Coal Harbor.
New YORK, June 6.
The Tribune's correspondent, writing from
near Coal Harbor, June ID, says she fourth
grand flank movement is now in progress
and Judging from yesterdays operations, will
prove a success.
The battle yesterday severe as it was, re-
suited in the capturing $50 prisoners aud the
enemy's principal works. Our cavalry en-.
tered Mechaniosville last evening. General
Grant has thrown the left wing away to the
east Of Richmond and is threatening to cross
the Chickahominy at Bottom bridge Line
Of the White House is now open upon the
south side Of the Pamunkey.
Another correspondent with the ! 9Th corps
says of the fighting at Coal harbor The
enemy were in heavy force between Coal bar,
h. III III l..
the edge of a dense wood. They had rifle
pits and earthworks thrown up. At half past
four the troops were in three lines of battle
AT five diminishing commenced. A battery
of twenty pounders opened on the rebels
At half past the order was received for both
corps, 9th and 18th, to charge the rebel
works in front. Brooks and Devins pushed
through the woods and poured like tornado
over the open field. The rebels opened with
grape. canister and heavy musketry fire, aud
the first line was badly cut up. The second
mingled with 1t, and then the third, and al
most Immediately after wild inspiring cheer
rang out above every sound as the rebels were
driven pell nell from their works through the
woods. The rebels were rallied behind their
reserves and ATTEMPTED to recapture their
lost position. They rushed forward but
were received with so close and murderous
fire of artillery and musketry that they
broke and fled in confusion. Again and again
they rallied and charged only to return to
greater slaughter.
The same correspondent says $40 rebel
soldiers, belonging to the 10th and 18Th
Georgia volunteers, came into our lines at
day break on the I'd. They say ;hey are tired
OF fighting and don't want any more of it
They advised our men to go in and fight it
out, as this was the last fight for Richmond
aud we could take it this time. They repre-
sent the rebel army becoming each day more
and more demoraGzed with constant reverses
The Herald's correspondent: has details OF
Wednesdays fghthing. He says our line of
battle extended fully ten miles. Hancock $
line was on the Mechancsville road in rifle
pits wrested from the enemy two days before
Burnside's corps was next, on high ground.
Warren was thrown little forward, protect
ed in front by double and triple lines OF most
formidable field breastworks. Wright's corps
was marched to the left with two divisions
Sheridan's cavalry was in front and flank. An
attempt was made with rebel infantry early in
the day to drive our cavalry from Coal harbor
but resulted in their repuse, killing and
wounding args number and taking between
200 and 500 prisoners. The rebels we're re-
iniorced for another attack, but Wright COM
ing up enabled us to hold the pace and take
more prisoners. Wright followed up his sue
cess and brought on an engagement which
lasted till an hour after dark. At that time
we had carried the rebel line of rife pits and
driven the enemy to the Chickahomny river
The enemy then made furious assaults, late
in the evening upon our RIGHT and center -
They marched in three lines upon Warren,
determined to pierce the center and throw his
line into confusion. Attempt after attempt
was made and the men were hurried to certain
destruction. The battle ragged fully three
hours in front of this corps. Our losses were
only 1.-THE Of what the enemy sustained.
The attack on Hancock was nearly simulta-
neous. He not only repulsed the enemy,
but pressed them back SO far that he was
drawn into bad position and compelled to
H.. .