The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1864-05-20
FROM JAMES RIVER.

BERMUDA HUNDRED, May 12-At daylight
this morning the rear guard advanced. At 8
A. NJ, Gen. Butler and staff left the old head
quarters. At 10 A. M. the whole force was in
the direction of the Petersburg and Richmond
railroad. -tNFA y - =
entertainments. The 10th New Hampshire
charged and drove him out. Thre was skir-
mishing all the afternoon on our right, but no
general engagement
A number of prisoners were captured, inclu-
ding one colonel. AAtN F-N
There has been no fighting on the left. Off,
GERS and men in good spirits.
The Petersburg Express of the 18th says
Gen. Lee is in Richmond wounded.
The telegraph lines between Petersburg and
Richmond have been cut several times, as well
as the railroad.
HALF WAY House, May14.
Hon. E. NJ. Stanton, Secretary Of Var: oo
Gen. Smith carried the enemys first line on
the right this morning at A. NJ. The loss is
small. The enemy have retired in three square
redoubts, upon which we are now bringing
our artillery to bear, with effect.
(slgned) B. F: BUTLER,
Major General Commanding.
FORTRESS MONROE, May 14.-The latest ac-
counts from Gen. Butler state that there was
no hghting on the 18th and 18th. All is quiet
ana mas been since the rebels fell back The
enemy kept out OF sight and did not show
themselves In any force through the day.
Yesterday rebel battery stationed on the
shore of James River near Turkey Island.
opened fire upon some of our gunboats. The
| gunbOats commenced shelling the enemy and
he retired evidently in great haste
The cavalry force of Gen. Kautz arrived
back on the 18th, with lao prisoners.
They report having destroyed several miles
of track on the Norfolk and Petersburg Rail-
road and the Petersburg and Weldon Railroad
| 1t is also stated that they destroyed all the
railroad bridges over Stony Creek and other
| places.
At the time of the destruction of the Sho.
shone, Capt. Phelan was seen to swim ashore
| towards rebeldom, and it is evident that he
was subsequently shot and thrown into the
river.
| 1t is reported here that Gen. Sheridan has
made detour in rear of Gen. Lees army and
Joined Gen. Butler. This needs confirmation.
Large supplies of cOmmissary and medical
stores are being forwarded up the James river,
and the Sanitary Christian Commissions are
well represented. The friends of the soldiers
can rest assured that all is being done that can
be for the comfort Of the men. We expect to
hear of fighting from Gen. Buffers army by
next dispatch boat. The troops were under
arms to move early yesterday morning.
We are still before the base of the enemy's
works at Drury's Bluff and Fort Darling.
| dent at Bermuda Hundreds dated the 10th,
says in the course of the morning, Gen. Butler
received a flag of truce from the enemy signed
by Gen: Bushrod Johnston, containing three
propositions:
LIST. Asking permission to come within our
lines to remove their wounded and bury their
dead.
I'd. Asking an exchange of their wounded.
Sd. Asking general exchange of prisoners
on both Sides
The the first General Butler replied that
the work was already done, and as to tie
second he announced himself perfectly
willing to assent. To the Sd he replied no ex-
change of the healthy and well prisoners
could be effected until the rebel authorities ac-
knowledge coloerd soldiers prisoners of war.
| On the 18th the enemy made no demonstra-
ton except to feel our pickets with their cav
airy towards evening.
There was brief engagement be-
tween our gunboats on the Oppotomatox
with that fortifcstion near Petersburg, fort
which blew up General Graham's armed steam
| er. Brewster. The other day shells were
thrown into the fort with great precision and
the opposing fire was feeble.