Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1864-05-26
AN IMPORTANT FLANK MOVEMENT.
HEADQUARTERS SECOND ARMY Corp
C.,,.J,.. N..It n1...DI 1904

AN IMPORTANT FLANK MOVEMENT. ..t
HEADQUARTERS SECOND ARMY CORPS,
Saturday Night May II, 1864
An entire changein lines has taken place to-day At
twelve o'clock last night the Second Corps under of
the Fifth Corps moved south eastward and striking the
Fredericksburg and Richmond pike beyond Guneys, pur
sued through Bowling Green to Milford Station, crossing
the Matapony river and forming in line of battle about
mile west of the aforementioned point The Fifth Corps
which moved from its position this morning al ten O'Clock
is expected to form junction with Hancocks right during
the night.
Portions of several regiments of cavalry, consisting
about two thousand under the command of Brig Gen
Torbett preceded Hancock's advance The cavalry left
the vicinity Massaponax Church at o'clock this
ing and encountered mounted skrmishers of the enemy
soon after driving them steadily before them.
These tactical manouvers must impe Lee to change
hs lines Immediately and evacuate the Formidable works
which for several days past have confronted army OPP
posite spotsyvania was the intention OF Grant to
consummste this movement Thursday night, had not
the demonstration of Ewel right flank rendered it
inudcious. SO far, the movement has been emnently
successful.
Milford Station up to last night used depot of
supplies for the enemy and it by this that their
wounded forwarded to Richmond. On possessing
the town our troops found small supply sanitary stores
sent by the citizens of Richmond but the greater po
ton removed yesterday in anticipation of Hancocks
movement The appearance of troops seemed to
yesterday The fact Of Grants intentions being known
the enemy occasions small amount of establishment
among the troops.
NEAR MILFORD STATION, (VA.) MAY 81, 1864.
A successful movement made the left flank of
the enemys ne this morning. and one that has entirely
bsfilsd the sagacity OF Lee.
At twelve O'clock last evening portion of tie cavalry
left their camp the woods near Massaponax Church.
and advanced towards Guiney Station on the Richmond
and Potomac railroad The pickets of the enemy drew
tack before their advance only few shots being exchapg
ed between them until they reached Guiney's bridge, a
short distance from the station, the river Ny Here
they somewhat inclined to make stand and oppose
the advance of the column They driven from
the bridge however and the cavalry advanced At Down
ers bridge the rebels made another stand and held their
position tor time, and gave some spirited skirmsh
ing Companies and b, of the Fifth New York cavalry
dsmounted and charged upon them in gallant style drlv
ing them from the bridge with considerable precipitation
and then down the road out of sight.
The column continued to advance the enemy keeping at
cafe distance ahead and retreatlng skirmshers
approached.
at Bowling Green the enemy did not make stand. On
emuence little to the left Of Milford Station the
enemy had mounted battery and thrown up rifle
pits unettes &c. Frenchs battery which accompanied
the cavalry promptly brought into position and he
amused the enemy while the cavalry made flank movement
the left beyond the enemy which proved to be part OF
Picketts division, of Ewels corps The movement
executed with success, aud the enemy, finding himself
| h.nked beat hasty retreat across the Matspony
river Six rebel officers and sixtysx soldiers
| prised in rifle pit and captured
The Second Corps moved from its position the Ny,
SpOttaylVhnla
ing the goth instant following the road opened by the
cavalry Nothing unusual occurred during the march to
Bowling Green, distance of twenty miles The corps
| crossed the Matapony at MifDrds bridge From Mil
fords bridge the column followed narrow aud snuous
| road, running 10 a direction north and south.
About rnls from the river Gen Hancock halted his
column and formed line of battle commanding position
| on the crest of range OF hills When Gen Barow's
division taking its position, about three hundred Of
the enemy cavalry suddenly dashed out OF the woods and
charged down upon it with drawn sabres aud loud yes
w thew To
tack they wheeled about and reiterated faster if possible
than they had charged their pace being greatly accelerated
by single shell thrown into them by of batteries
The enemy's cavalry followed closely in dur
ing the march, acting kind of voluntary provost guard
to pick up the straggers Our pckets in the
driven late in the afternoon by the rebels One Of Cen
Hancocks oderlies captured between Bowling Green
and GuDeys Station while conveying despatch to Gen.
Meade.
| We occupy the railroad between the rebel army and
Richmond which Lee has transported all the supplies
for his army. The effect this movement will have his
plans is obvious lie must vacate his stronghold in the
swamps and forest sposylyana Court House, and
cut his way through the web which he entanged and
march his army Richmondward he must crush the Army
of the Potomac where es What he will do in the pre-
sent emergency remains 10 be seen. aM
The country through which marched is very fertile
one, and in good state Of cultivation Wepassed hun
dreds Of Of wheat which promised fair TO yield
abundant harvest Large quantities of corn have been
planted by the farmers who did not anticipate the advent
Of Yankee army among them The most of the barns
and grauares along the road were well filed with forage
showing plainly that the people not nearly destitute
| as is generally supposed. rs aa Ht
GUINEy's STATION. May 81 1864.
The advance OF the army under Hancock arrived at
Milford yesterday and met force Of the enemy said to
be thirteen thousand strong and drove them through the
town pursuing them distance Our oss is unknown
An attack made headquarters train
Gujneys Station, yesterday afternoon The Hath reei-
ment Of Pennsylvania Zouaves with the 66h Pennsylvania
volunteers formed ne and drove the rebels, consisting
OF the 9th Virginia cavalry, the bridge. One
of the 6Sth Pennsylvania killed. and two three
wounded. Several prisoners were taken.
RETREAT OF LEE TOWARDS RICHMOND.
For the fastest and highly important OF the retreat
Of Gen. Lee TO his Notifications at Richmond, the de-
spsches published under editorial head.