The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1865-03-18

threatening the right of General Cal
ter's line. Captains Tracy and Ford, 0
General Coxs staff, both made marrow
escapes, while passing this opening, Il
communication with Colonel Giassoni
brigade, of Palmers division, then clos
ing towards General CsIter's right
Had the rebel General persevered il
his attack and advance through this
opening his advantages might have
been greatly increased. But General
Cox had anticipated such a movement
and gave orders that the cavalry be
pushed cut through this opening and
contest the rebel advance with stub
bornness.
General Ruger, just in this oontin
| gency, made his appearance with his
Western lads, all alive to the demands
of the hour. Colonel MeQuinston's I'd
Brigade was promptly in line, and with
Colonel 0rr's lst Brigade on the right,
was pushed forward, driving the enc
my's line of pickets, and, after conneo-
ting with General Palmer on the right,
completed the line, and thus formed
left General Cox in position to take the
offensive.
Lieutenant Colonel Waters, of the
I23 Indiana, in charge Of General Ru-
gers skirinishers, having developed the
enemy's position, now reported the for
nation to be two lines Of battle, in
front Of strong earthworks. Prisoners
captured, were brought in at the same
hour, and reported the enemy as rein
forced by D. H. Hills division, that
officer commanding in person; that
they had marched from Kinston with
sixteen regiments of infantry, and two
battalionB of cavalry, and that reserves
were to follow them Others reported
that S. D. Lees corps of Hoods old ar
my had joined them. This,is consid-
cred probable They report having
marched from Georgia, leaving Augusta
to their left
This information, corroborating the
report of Colonel Walters, it was de
cided an advance at that time vas sd-
visable, and the troops were according
ly ordered to strengthen their position
for the night
That they should have left strong
position on the west bank of the creek,
cross, and attacked our forces with
such vigOr, proves that they had either
received reinforcements, or that, in ex-
pectation of such aid, they hoped, by
bold show of strength to arrest our fur. /
ther advance until such forces should
actually join them.
The point selected for this, their first
resistance to our advance, is naturally
q strong one, and is the same place
where our forces IN their advance two
years ago were engaged. At this point,
and at the crossing of the Neuse, they !
must make stubborn defense, for our
forces, once over the streams, would
hold KiHston at their mercy. Here
they must make defense, for Kinston
and Goldsboro once in our possession
the fate OF Richmond and Lees army
is decided. For the defense of such
posts it is not unlikely that
they have sent additional forces, and II |
may prove that just here Is to be fought
one OF the decisive battles of the war.
The dispositions Of General Schofeld |
dare not be referred TO just at present,
but it is sufficient for the eouutry 70 I
know that they ara Euch as will speedl-
ly insure the. possession Of these imp0r-
tant points.
Brevet Brigadier General Styles hav-
ing been ordered to report to General
Cox for assignment. takes command OF
the 1st brigade, lst division, 23d army
corps. OMEGA