The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1864-03-05
BY TELEGRAP PHI
TO THE-
EVENING PAPERS.

oe"s hHPotTscNS uocemc1tSs
New YORK, March 4.-The Heralds Wash
ington dispatch says note from the Army of
the Potomac dated $50 A. NJ. to-day says that
messengers have come through from Gen. Kill
patrick, who they left ten miles to the south
ard Of Hanover Junction on Wednesday morn
ing. The command had thoroughly and efiec-
tually cut the Va. Central X. r., from Beaver
Dam TO Hanover Junction, and the Richmond
and Fredericksburg X. X. from the Mattipony
bridge to the Pamunky River, the entire dis
lance being over 40 miles. Phere had been
some .skirmishing during nhe advance, but it
was confined mostly to the right flank of Gen.
Kilpatrick's forces.
squad of Hampton's rebel cavalry are
known to be occupying the country to the
west of the line taken by our cavalry and it is
probable that his is the only rebel force that
has been engaged. II the spoilation upon the
lines OF the two roads is complete as represen-
ted Gen. Lee will be compelled to move his ar
myfrom its present position to subsist, for it
will take them four weeks to repair the dam
age.
Lee has never been known to have more
than or 10 days supplies on hand.
1t is reported that Fitzpatrick found the
country through which he passed destitute of
food for man or beast, and in consequence
has been compelled to push on with ali pos
sible speed. The rain storm of Monday night
and Tuesday was great drawback to his
movements, but as it has been clear and cool
for the past two days it is hoped that they can
obtain supplies.
Another dispatch says one of Kipatrick's
scouts has arrived who left him fourteen miles
from Richmond, and that he had been Joined
by force from the Peninsula. They had de-
stroyed the Pike and X. r., in their rear, and
had encountered no serious opposition.
nQearfars fho nhotr 80 al.
bridge over the Pamunky river, and that Lee
had sent'a formidable force of cavalry and in
fantry to see what the matter was. When
Gen. Custar was ascertained to be in the rear
of Charlottesville, Ewell's whole corps was
sent there to resist our advances.
The Tribune's dispatch says Fitzpatrick
reached Louisa Court House Monday night.
He destroyed the railroad for several miles,
He was to have been in Richmond Wednesday
morning. A captain, lieutenant and fifteen
privates were captured by his force in eros
sing the Rapidan.
Confidence in his success is weakened only
by the arrival of Longstreet's forces in Rich
mond.
Gen. Fitzpatrick has 500 men and several
mounted batteries, and marches in three col
umns.
WASHINGTON, March 4th.-The President
has received a dispatch from Gen. Butler sta
ting that Gen. Fitzpatrick arrived yesterday
within our lines with loss Of something less
than $50 men, having had skirmishes on the
way.
Among the missing are Dahlgren, Cook and
Litchfeld. Dahlgren and Cook are supposed
to be prisoners.
Gen. Fitzpatrick destroyed large portion
of the Va. Central Railroad, and several mills
along the James river and other valuable
property. He penetrated TO the suburbs of
the outer Notifications of Richmond.
Admiral Lee telegraphs to the Navy De-
partment from Newport News, Va, that the
small side wheel steamer Scotia was captured
by the Connecticut on the first inst, having
run out from Wilmington on the Goth.