The New York herald., 1864-05-19
Mr.. George w. Clarke's Despatch.
BERMUDA HUNDRED, May IT, 1854

bERhUDA HUNDRED, may IL, 1903
The enemy took advantage OF the and the
Of night to give surprise yesterday morning. Such
movement was feared ana .he necessary precautions
wore taken for 1t. But The circumstances were all
favorable that tho rebels succeeded extent
withstanding all our vigilance care. Their great
demonstration made on the right Of line, and
Of those variations Of siege known sorte, in
which, under a. circumstances the advantage is with
the bcsegcd TIC previous evening the rebels received
renforcemonts from Richmond. Among these
brigade OF cavalry and General Gracies division OF Ala
bama infantry.
The assault Of tho enemy right was made with
cavalry, artillery aud infantry and directed by
General Ransom who il command OF what the rebels
call the district Of Richmond. At this point becomes
necessary to convey idea Of how troops
posted on the extreme right Nextthe James river
two sduadrons OF coiored cavalry then the Ninth
New Jersey infantry, then tho Tweutythird Massachu
sets, then the Twenty and Twenty seventh hassa
chusetts all OF Heckmaus brigade, OF Weitzes DIVISION
OF Smiths corps. GiImores corps held the left and let
centre Our line OF battle was the Notifications, except
the right, for they did not extend down the
river Prominent among our batteries on the right
battery e. OF the Third New York artillery twenty
FOUNDER PARROTS and the First Rhode Island battery The
the right reserve Colonel brakes brigade OF the Tenth
corps, was temporarily posted-the One Hundred and
was severely wounded, holding the advance A narrow
belt OF timber screened our reserves from the view Of the
rebels on the right.
rm ArrRoAcH DAY.
Ominous silence had prevailed since two A. NJ. II
now after four Tho misty atmosphere eavo kind OF
terror to almost every object loomed unnatural
proportions and outlines from the dark hazy shadows OF
departing night All was vigilance and anxiety, except
where and there Icy weary soldier sumbering on
his moist and earthly pillow.
THE srEtrTRY ADVANCE
But sns enemy crep. cautiously upon our right as ns
without notice The rebels stole between skrmsh
around our right flank aud actually into the rear Of
han fhru FRAT dtaaa al
by that regiment 10 its rear they believed them to be
some OF our own troops One OF the officers challenged
replied friends, and stI pressed on "wha, resmentT
demanded the officer. "The Third Virginia." replied the
the command "charse bayoucis." The Jerseys fought
valianty though taken At SO great dis
S sUd 0's r. their So,s ss%
the rebels n the signal for the assault upon
Two brgades and two batteries OF flying artillery
rushed forward past pckcs succeeded In capturing
most Of those right and sssaied Its front with
great desperation, while tho Second South Carolina
cavalry attacked is flank with charge. But General
Hecxman and his mon were determined not TO be- cap.
flank In moment and fought gaantly from behind their
intreochmens In the front Tho peang notes Of battle
INTO the rebel ranks, the enemy struggling hard In The
meantime 20 pass the brcastworks. Bot owing TO the
be used while that Of The enemy ,hundsred away
lines with the greatest fury. Thoir huge shells bursed
desperate ne rebel force II sSs rear Of our line assin
ssaed " No reinforcsmenu had yea arrived 70 Heck
mans brave brieade, except sls assistance from
some OF thc Eleventh Maine and Regor's Fret Rhode
fsand artillery. Surrounded all sides the enemy with
loud demanded 10 surrender but defiant voleys
GnruRAL HDcKMAw nrxlHo.
General Hickman wss now missing. A few moments
before ne was seen struggling bravey with the enemy
and encouraging his men BY hts example, Colonel Ia
Sinske, OF the Ninth New Jersey, Was wounded and
many other chlcers Our brave ranks thinned by
0Vy
stip the hghs went on the enemy literally blasting his
path into our lines though Al every step bis trail was
marked by the blood Of fallen companion.
um GRnAr sTapoclR,
The Union line was doubled up. One Of Bslger's can
sons exploded We lost . gun Battery n Of the Third
New York lost one OF their twenty FOUNDERS by the DO
sructou q their horses and the sudden appyoaoh of tho
ensmy upon them through the fog. Our line yte6
Ing 10 tho dreadful pressure, when 10 The pave n