Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1864-09-20
REPORTED ExPxEssLr DAILY STATE SENTINEL
MORNING REPORT.
THE Army OF THE POTOMAC.
Great Beef Exploit Of the Rebels
THE UNSUCCESSFUL PURSUIT
NJ " XIC a ~ ~ T. w -.
FROM THE TRANS-MISSISSlPPl.
Military Matters on the Mis-
sissippi.
All Quiet on the James River.
Military Matters on the Mis-
sissippi.
All Quiet on the James River.
&c. &c. &c, &c. NC.
from New York

NEW YORK, Sept l9-The Herald's Poto-
mac Army respondent gives the following nc
count of the capture OF our cattle IN the rear oil
our line pcketed by the lst District OF Columbia
cavalry:
There was a large field in which there were
about 5000 head of very fine beeves. As the
enemy had been constantly sending scouts
through the country thereabouts, he had proba
bly learned the fact, aud resolved to possess him
self oG our treasure Accordingly at daylight
Yesterday morning they were discovered APP
nroaching in front of the lst District OF Columbia
regiment 10 two strong lines Of battle, the first
comprising the troops of VIM. II. Lee, ami the
second being the Hampton Legion and the az
gregate number of men reaching probably o,uUo-
Quietly breaking in front of our pIckets, the
enemy turned by the right and left and moved
around the cattle and drove off the entire herd,
likewise many horses belonging TO our men. All
this was done so quickly that it was impossible
TO get anv reinforcements in time to check the
| bold movement.
A brigade of cavalry under Gen. Davis. and
another party under GautZ we're sent out to inter
cept them
IL is believed they can cross the Norfolk rail
road but their success will all depend upon VINO
arrives at this position first.
At about the same time of the attack on our
| rear, two consecutive movements we're made
against our lines in front of Crawford and Aver
! divisions.
The pickets were driven in on the main body
on both occasions.
This fact leads TO the belief that the massiDg
of troops at this point Is only feint, being IN
fact part of the movement for securing the drove
Of cattle
AT the time OF closing this dispatch nothing
definite has been heard from the pursuing force
The Herald's correspondent says:
y The telegraphc construction corps, engaged IN
nuttinr up wire between this and Fort Pow haitian
numbering forty men under " m. Mcintosh
with six wagons, thirty six mules and twenty
miles of wire, were also captured.
James Mcintosh. Frank Thompson and
colored teamster are all OF the party known tC
have escaped.
In the pursuit we first came upon them in fore,
At a small creek, near Hawkensville OIL the Jeru
salem road. where we found that it was strongly
iutrenched beyond the stream, with the bridge
torn up aud an almost impossible swamp inter
veuing
Col. Stemau, who commanded the adyanc
- brigade made strenuous efforts 10 carry the posi-
ton. but finding it too strong, Gen Davis OF
IS dered up the second brigade, under Col Smith
aud Clark's battery for a combined effort.
- The Sth and 10Th Pennsylvania, and the Is
Maine regiment formed on the left Of the roaC
while the lst Massachusetts, and the 9th Obi
were on the right.
y Nature Of the ground compelled them to hgt
dsmounted.
After a vigorous artillery FIRE general assau
was ordered which was obeyed with will. b'
without success.
The enemy's line was formed both longer AZ
- stronger than ours.
The lst Massachusetts, regiment in chars
n became ntermingled with the enemy anu ioug
them hand to hand, bat we're obliged TO "a
l back The enemy had SIX pieces Of artiile
while We had only four
10 the meantime We could hear nothing fro
Gen kautz although prisoners informed Us ih
had captured whole regiment Of hauiz cot
mand with sixteen shooting guns
Ii this be the case it must be the lst ID.
regiment. they have only sixteen shooters
A. il now stands our chances of re-capturl
'cs the beet are very slim. and We will have to o'
the rebels have outwitted u this time and ma
the best OF il
Our losses to-day in the 2d division are U
" more than % or 80.