The New York herald., 1864-10-03

10 pas movements Of large army, the nght was
mSusuratsd BY the cavalry. They perform the i'm
oStant duty Of feeling the ssTerssh and position Of
the enemy upon TANKS and 'front.' This
has occupied the attention OF Grsgg's cavalry
to day. and although they have not he'd what in these
days OF bloody battles Is termed engagement tho
whole day has been occupied In series Of skrmishes
with the enemy, by which have learned something OF
bis force, and which will doubtless pave the way for
decisive battle Our operations to-day have
been the left flank Of General Warren whose cop
a. 10 well known, occupies the Weldon Railroad.
An We moved through the various camps We
found preparations In progress for . general
movement OF the whole army. Tents wers
struck kuApsacks packed and musksts in hand and the
troops generally ready at moments notice TO fall into
ne battle for that glorious which
they have SO often and nobly rsked their lives.
rnsR ROUTE.
Upon reaching the Weldon Railroad our column turned
to the e', and marched about miles south Of the
Yellow Tavern tho ReAm's station road. Here what
is known the Wyatt road, running westerly 70 the
Bcynton plank road, connects with tbat 10 Resn's
station.
BKcos,o,EIxcE.
General Grsgg hatod his command Mt this point and
sent the Second brigade under Colonel Smith, upon .
reconnaissance while the First brigade scot out
about mile advance to hold the main road to Rsams
three miles without meeting any largo force OF the
enemy.
Upon reaching the varinA road regiments sent
in different directions 70 ascertain his where.
aoonts. One regiment struck the telegraph road
leading from stony Creek Z station 10 Peters
burg, and destroyed about half a mills OF
the telegraph About O'Clock the various regiments
had completed their The whole brigade
then retired distance OF nearly miles. and took
position upon the east side Of rsvne and awaited the
movements OF the enemy.
sXMksnKG
II 10 customary for the rebels TO make their attacks
about ave O'Clock in the afternoon and hght conf
IDENTIFY looked for. rew minutes after nve skirrnshng
commenced, and soon grew lively all along tho line
The enemy opened With two pieces Of artillery,
which were promptly replied TO by section
OF battery First United states, artillery under The
command OF Lieutenant Reynolds. For the number Of
pieces engaged the firing very lively, aud decidedly
unpleasant for any the guns. The enemy got
splendid range Reyuolis guns and poured the solid
sno and shell into him at lively rate; but ne returned
shot FOR shot until unlucky shell struck or his
oaissons exploding il. killing one man aud morsally
woundng another This obliged him to withdraw
piece; but he continued ngh.ng with the
other until darkness put an end 70 the
night. While this wn in progress tbs Second Fourth
Thirteenth aud Sixteenth Pennsy and First Maine
regiments were dsmounted ana used their oArbnes 70
good advantage. Tho enomy, although using both
Infantry and cavalry, failed 20 dislodge Us rom
position Our soldiers a,hiing under abe immediate
eyes OF General Gregg and Colonel Smith, and stood up
their nooiy The country entirely unsaitst
mounted charges, our cavslry would have had
opportunity Of using their tavorite and mos, effect.
i've weapon, the sabre. AZ was, they were
compelled TO rely solely upon their carsnes al shor.
range The dghs continued uutn beoams tor dark 70
distinguish the enemy, whom. By mutual consent, the
firing ceased, and each side withdrew coun. ths
ana prepare for the morrow.
cAsuALriSs
The upon SIDE considering the numbers and
length Of time engaged, very far from severe.
Some four or i've killed aud about swenty wounded win
the whole Among them two officers were killed,
wounded and missing. or the killed
particularly sad Captain David P. Smith, OF the
Fourth Penn,yvans cavalry had bssn In the service FOR
three years. His time bad already expired, and At
early hour this morning hs applied to tho mastering
ocsr General Greggs headquarters 70 be mustered
out Of the service In consequence Of the necessary
papers being packed away tae ocer was unable 70 com
ply with his request aud he Joined his regiment, to take
part in what has indeed arnsd out TO DO bis last battle
ear,h Hs ~as mor,ally wounded in the early par, o.
the engagement and his death gloom the
whole brigade.
was taken prisoner and, AS 10 affirmed brutally
murdered after he bad surrendered. MAJOR Peel, o, the
Fourth Pennsylvania, s also reported missing. At the
time o. writing still ho!d the line On which We have
fought to-day and il Is expected daylight viii bring on
renewal o. ihs engagement.
RasuLTs
Among the results o, toe day sons twenty
prisoners several refugees, cootrnbanas, &c.
rHs snGApE
While the Second brigade were occupying the sNen
ton enemy the direction Of tho 3oynton road,
Geo Davies win his brigade, Was thrown out towards
Reams station and Dinwiddis Court Houss TO prevent
aank movement by tho ensmy. Ths frst New Jersey,
under the command OF Major " n Damont had the ad-
wi,hiu supporting distanos, and the Tenth New YORK
and MAJOR Falls battalion Of the ars; Pennsylvania in
serve
Captain Harts battalion ., the First New Jersey
posted road Resm. station, and Captain Hicks
battalion the Dinwiddie Court House road Each o.
tho baiiaons charged she enemy and drove them some
distance, taking number OF prisoners aod several
horses The enemy made several charges and attempted
70 drive them back, but wihou, success.
DO not understand TO have been the In
ten,ion to-day to make anything more than q
reconnaissance and demonstration In this dlrec.
ton. while more important movements were
progress elsewhere. So everything we'll with us,
and cheering reached from other parts Of the
army All are in good spirits and conhdsot Of success
BpspouLRrKRs, GRsaa'E CAVALRY DIVISION,
In rHE FiFLp, Sept 800 P. H.