Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1864-10-03

SSEPTKMBE Err 80, 8 A. M.-General Grant had
an intervie W with General Butler, at the 'front.'
at O'Clock this morning, the plans for the
operations to-day were matured. It is re-
ported that two trains loaded with rebel rein
forcements-one train OF fifteen and another
OF seventeen cars-passed into Richmond yes
terday. They are believed to consist of Hoke's
division. - -Ta s-.' '..s ~"
By an Official dispatch confirming our OBJ
at i've O'Clock yesterday afternoon was within
six miles Of Richmond. It reads as follows
Main line Of battle within six miles of Rich
mondi cavalry nearly mp to the city, and from
large number of rebel prisoners have Just
reached these headquarters under a heavy es-
Cort. - .r =, .-.ifut ..-'
A rebel paper of last evening saws that Sher-
idan is at Waynesburg, place southeast OF
Staunton, on the road to Charlottesville, with
in twenty miles of that point. - 80
The behavior of the negro troops throughout
yesterday was of the most gallant character.
In one instance Gen. @. w. Paine's division OF
negroes charged and carried a line of works
directly outside OF our position at Jones' Neck,
without even firing gun, but with uneQualled
steadiness OF purpose and frmness OF nerve
charged it at the point Of the bayones. Their
dead thickly scattered on the scene nobly at.
tested their gallantry and courage Their line
officers suffered sadly. The common opinions
Of in oDs
great and essential modifca tons.
The Tenth Corps.
HEADoUARTRRs, TENTH ARMY G oRPs, in
the field, before Richmond, Sept 29th.-Again the
summons "on to Richmond" is sounded. Once
more the rebel capital is in peril at the hands
of the Union forces, and it is my pleasure to-
night to pen of hasty despatch with the
spires and domes Of the centre and capital OF
rebellion plainly visible before my eyes To
the Tenth corps is due the honor Of penetra-
ting farther within the consecutive and unend.
ing and intricate mazes Of batteries and defen.
slye works that protect that famous city.
This corps broke its camp before Petersburg
at three O'Clock yesterday afternoon, and by q
rapid march, extending throughout the cight
crossed the James river at Deep Bottom at
daylight this morning. General Birney and
his staff had reached that point at g late hour
on the previous evening, and by the time the
troops were up had perfected his plans for an
immediate attack. @l
The campaign we are now prosecuting is
waged, as far as at present developed, by the
Ths Eieaseentn CORPS crossed the river sim.
ultaneously with the Tenth, their field of
operations being on our left, their flank resting
on the river The Tenth corps, therefore,
crossing iabove them and swinging around on
their flank, had much longer march to make
The operations OF the Eighteenth were closely
Identified with those Of the Tenth, but will be
detailed by your correspondent with that COM
mand.
The 10th Corps met the enemy Immediately
On starting away from Deep Bottom, and Skin
mished with them up the roads and across the
nelds inter vening between there and the New
Market road. The grand work assigned to the
10Th was the possession Of the New Market
road. This was occupied by the enemy, who
was strongly intrenched on the New Market
Heights, and obstinately contested our, ad-
vance. Their position npon the heights, in adj
dlt1on TO Its strong natural character, was rem.
dered doubly formidable by the aim ost impen-
etrable slashlng that covered the slopes. The
colered troops OF Gen. Paine's division of the
18th corps, temporarily assigned to Gen. Bir-
ney, Were directed to carry this position. Their
charge in the face Of the obstacles interposng
was one Of the grand features Of the days ope
rations. 1t was made with vigor and deter
mination that would have done credit to the
best organization OF white troops in our armies.
They never halted or faltered, though their
ranks were sadly thinned by the charge, and
the slashing was filled with the slain and
wounded OF their number The successful &C.
confusion, and sent them in rapid retreat MP
the road toward Richmond. The really COM
plete and formidable character of the works
constructed tor the defence OF the New Mar
ket road has hitherto been an insuperable OBJ
stacle to our possession of that important
thoroughfare. The immediate presence of Gen.
less much to do in holding them steady against
the tremendous fire to which they were ex-
posed, and in the accomplishment Of the i'm
portant work committed to them.
General But1er came on the field during the
above struggle, and soon after Lieutenant Cen
eral Grant came np. The appearance OF this
the widest enthusiasm the moment he was
recognized, and as he passed along the lines
the shouts and cheers OF the men were beyond
example.
Three miles above New Market the enemy
have an old work, OF a very strong nature,
running across the road But with such vigor
did BirHey pursue his advantage and press
upon the rear OF the retreating columns OF the
rebels, that they had no opportunity Of re-
forming in this line. They held it with thin
picket line and a few sections OF artillery until
before our steadily advancing forces.
Two miles beyond this is the junction of the
Earina road, up which the 18th corps were
advancing Beyond the Narina road, and run
ming parallel with it, the rebels have con.
structed a strong line OF redoubts, perfect in
their character, carrying heavy artillery, and
sibie to force a column OF troops through them.
These works cross the New Market road Just
beyond the Laurel Hill Church, and their guns
sweep the roads In all directions.
Gen. .Birney at once determined to carry
such OF these works as lay in his front by q
general assault. For this purpose his line was
formed, with Fosters division on the right,
Brigadier Gen. William Birney's division OF
colored troops on the left, and Paine's and
Terry's divisions supporting and In reserve.
The gallant Birney himself reconnoitered the
ton of his lines, in so doing exposing himself
TO one OF the most furious storms Of shells that
It has ever been my lot to witness. The escape
OF himself or any portion Of his staff was truly
miraculous. One shell passed under his horse
and exploded between him and Lieut.. Colonel
JACKSON, Chief Of Artillery, who was riding
With him. The horse OF the latter was badly
wounded, and the C0lonel's saber nearly bro
ken In two: The General, verV singularly,
escaped with the loss of a roweI from one of
his spurs. - ~, -
The assault was made at precisely two y. M,
the men giving a cheer and Starting forward on
Rrun. They were met W it'll the most murder
Gus fire of grape and cannlster, and unceasing
volleys of musketry that worked terrible havoc
In their ranks. Still unfiinchingly they held
on their way. In crossing an Intervening
crest OF open land they exposed themselves to
q frghtfuI enfiladirg fire Of artillery, especial
" on the right and the casualties were terri.
ble Still the line pressed forward.
!, On approaching the redoubts the character of
the works was found TO be even more formida-l
Bile than had at first been supposed. A perfect
abattis held them at bay while the rebel in
fantry literally moved them down. Those
who succeeded in passing this barrier found
were completely surrounded by broad ditch,
eight feet In depth, the works themselves hav-
ing no sally ports; but being entered by draw
bridges over the bitches, which were not drawn
up, some of our men, particularly the colored
troops OF Brig. Gen. BirneY, on the left. leaped