Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1864-06-10
THE BURLINGTON FREE PRESS

uoecu ~ Jul AoiCcc-
WASHINGTON, June 81 M.
To MAJ. Gen. Dir:
A dispatch from Gen. Grants headauar-
tiers dated halfpast O'Clock last night, has
been received. 1t states that about I p. NJ.
Friday, June 3, the enemy suddenly attack
ed Smiths brigade of Gibbons division.
The battle lasted with great fury for half an
hour. The attack was unwaverIngly
repulse. Smiths losses were inconsiderable.
At p. NJ. Wilson with his cavalry fell
upon the rear OF brigade Of Beth's division,
which Lee had thrown around to his left,
apparently with the intention OF envelOping
burnside. After q sharp but short conflict
llson drove them from their rifle pits in
confusion. lie took few prisoners. lie
had previously fought and routed Gordon's
brigade of rebel cavalry.
During these fights he lost several officers,
among them Col Preston, lst Vt. cavalry,
killed; Col. Benjamin, Sth n. y, severely
wounded. Gen. Stannard, serving in the
18th corps, was severely wounded yesterday,
Friday.
Oar entire loss in killed wounded and
missing during the three days operations
around Coal HarbOr will not exceed, accord
ing to the Adjutant Generals report. : 800.
This morning Saturday, June 4th, the en-
emy's left wing in front of Burnside was
found to have been drawn in during the
night
Col. Cesnola, in command of 1000 men,
arrived here yesterday, having marched from
Port Royal.
Ielegraphic communication between Cher
" Stone and Fortress Monroe continues I'M
interrupted.
dispatch from Gen. Sherman, dated yes
Jcrday, June 4th. \. NJ thirteen miles
west OF Marietta, reports that his left is well
around covering all the roads from the South
to the railroad about Ackworth. His caval-
~ has been in Ackworth, and occupies in
force all Altoona pass.
No other military intelligence has been re-
cciyed by this department.
E. NJ. STANTON,
Secretary Of War.
A Northern machinist from Richmond re-
ports Lee fallen back into Richmond en-
trenchments ON the LIST inst Mayor Mayo
has been placed IN Castle Thunder for pro
posing to surrender the city instead of burn
ing az proposed. Every man and boy, even
foreign subjects, had been pressed into the
service.
The rebel papers complain of Joe Johns
ton and say he Is whipped.
Lee il sick and confined to his bed in
Richmond. Grant has kept him SO busy for
the past month that he has had to succumb
to the great fatigue.
A rebel major came into Gen. Buffers
u. II L.. L. l..
that the federal forces are at SecessiOnyille,
and threatening Charleston. The command
er has telegraphed the rebel authorities for
reiniorcements, saying unless be received
them Immediately Charleston is lost.
The Cincinnati Commercial has accounts
from Sherman 5 army up to May Slst. There
was sharp and bloody fight ON the 18th of
May between lockers corps and the rebel
General Hoods command near Dalton. The
battle began at , clock IN the afternoon.
The second division under Gen Williams
drove tine enemy from their first line Of works
for distance Of two miles. The division
was soon relieved by the lst and 81 divisions
under Gems. Gcary and Buttcrtield. who adj
vanced steadily under a terrible musketrv
FIRE and proceeded within 10 yards Of a con-
cealed battery, which opened upon them
sudden and murderous discharge Of grape and
The first division in this charge
lost goo men. The battery was finally IL
fenced and the enemy driven away. Few
prisoners were taken on either side. Our
loss was probably greater than the enemy's,
and amounted 10 about 800. The sub
stantial points Of the days work were the
gain Of two miles Of ground. favorable po-
sltion, two pieces OF artillery, and a better
arrangement Of our line for subsequent oper-
atoms.
On the Goth a general engagement was ex-
nected, but Gen. McPherson's corps did not
come up. There was good deal Of skirnish- /
M with musketry and artillery firing.
Prisoners report that reinforcementS had /
increased Johnston's army to 10000 men.
On the 9th there was a severe fight on |
he left Of Hoods division, and Scribners |
brigade Of JohnstOn's division lost 400 men.
On the 2Sth there was heavy picket firing. |
On the 29th the rebels made a night at |
ack but were repulsed with heavy loss
On the 3lst Hooker and Mcpherson were
moving their troops 70 the left of our posi-
ion their right resting on Dallas and left
rear the railroad, eight miles from Altoona.
The Hralds correspondent with the
Amy of the Potomac. has details of
y cdn,sday's fighting. He says our line of
'attle extended fully ten miles Hancock's
inc was on the Mcchanicsyillc road in rifle
It's wrestcd from the enemy two days before.
}urnslde's corps was next, on high ground.
Warren was thrown little forward, pro-
ected in front by double and triple lines Of
most formidable breast-works. Wrght's
orTs was marched 10 the left with two divis-
)ns Sheridan's cavalry was in front and
ank. An attempt was made with rebel In-
Intry early in the day to drive our cavalry
rom Cold IlarbOr. but resulted in their
epulse, killing and wounding large number
nd taking between 200 and 300 prisoners.
he rebels were reinforced for another attack
ut Wright coming up enabled us to hold
ne place and take more prisoners. Wright
'llOwed up his success, and brought on an
Engagement which lasted till an hour after
ark. At that time we had carried the reb-
line of rihe-pits and driven the enemy TO
River.
The enemy then made furious assaults, late
! the evening. upon our right and center.
hey marched in three lines upon Warren.
stermined to pierce the center and throw
le line into confusion. Attempt after att mpt
as made and the men were hurled TO Ger
in destruction The battle ragged fully
ree hours in front of this corps Our loss
were only 1.-THE of what the enemy sus-
med.
The attack on Hancock WAS nearly stimuli
neous. lie not only repulsed the enemy,
1t pressed them back SO far that he was
avn into bad position and compelled to
axe hasty retreat, and resume the ground ,
, occupied at the outset. The object Of
ancock's advance, however. was apparently
ruse, as he was Immediately ordered to
'andon his position and move his troops +
Dm the right to the extreme left
Another correspondent with the 18th Corps 4
rs Of the fighting at Cold Harbor. The
envy were in heavy force between Cold
lrbor and Gaines Mill. strongly entrenched
the edge of dense wood They had rifle b
Is and earthworks thrown up At half n
81 four the troops were in three lines Of
tile At five skirmishing commenced. 4 a
ttery Of 20-pounders opened on the rebels. A
halt past five the order was received for
tn corps, 9th and 18th, to charge the rebel Z
,rks in front. Brooks and Devins pushed
rough the woods and poured like'a tornado
er tho nucn fald III, -obol. o,>a..al