Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1865-04-04
CITY POINT, April 3-11 A. M.


An Account of Fridays Fighting.
New YORK, April 3.-The Tribune's
special gives the following account of FRI
days fighting: 7
At daybreak a movement was made to
secure position to advance upon the enc
my, covering White Oak road, the object
being to possess that road, which intersects
the Claiborne road, leading to the South
Side railroad. At o'clock Ayers division,
supported by Crawford's and Griffin's, ad
vanced, and Immediately met resistance
from rebel skirmishers, who were pushed
back within mile of White Oak road. At
this junction the enemy massed, and with
their usual yell charged. The column
wavered tor q time and finally gave way,
retiring slowly toward Boydtown road,
fms 'sdivision, which had just come up, they
took shelter in breastworks. The enemy
made several Intellectual attempts to dis
lodge them, a fierce fire of artillery and
musketry meanwhile pouring death into
the ranks of the rebels. At one o'clock
Miles division was ordered to strike the
enemy on the left flank, while the 9th corps
again essayed to get possession of White
Oak road, by advancing simultaneously.
The 9th corps moved upon the enemy, who
stubbornly held his ground for some time,
when the rapid volleys from the right and
the loud cheer of the successful issue of
Miles attack on the rebel flank, as he rolled
up the enemys' line, now broken,
routed and falling back in confusion, fol-
lowed by Warren's 9th corps, who was soon
in possession of the coveted White Oak
road. The field showed on every hand
cut down by shot, and the ground over
which Miles swept down echelon upon the
enemy's flank, was covered with rebel dead.
While this was going on heavy skirmish-
ing was taking place on our line as far as
Hatcher's run, and our troops in that di-
rection were advanced several hundred
yards and entrenched, while the sharp
shooters were engaged silencing the rebel
batteries. Among the killed Is Major Chas.
J. Mills, Adjutant to General Humphrey,
OF the cavalry fight Friday the Times
special says:
Att P. M. Smiths brigade of Crooks d.
vision rested on Stony creek, west of Din
widdie G. H., supported by Gregg's, Davies
and Fitzhugh's brigades, the latter facing
west and covering a place near Stony creeks
where five roads come together, known as
Five Forks, held by the enemy and which
we tried to take the day, before and failed.
Staggs Michigan brigade was In position
brigade was in reserve. At 6P. M. the en-
envy attacked Smith In considerable force,
but unsuccessfully. An hour later Major
Robbins, of Davies brigade, holding the
bridge over Stony creek with battalion of
the 1st New Jersey, was attacked and driven
slowly back. to their brigade. At this
juneture the enemy moved three col
umns across pu the creek at three
points, and at once, with superior
numbers, was enabled to flank Davies bri-
pade, after stubbornfight with the column
advancing in front. Other command at once
changed their respective positions to meet
the change of affairs. The fight continued
until about 5o'clock p. M, at which time
the enemy had cut off Deyin, with Fitz-
hughes and Stagg's brigades, and forced
them back in a nOrtheastlery direction to the
Boydtown plankroad, o little east of north
from Dinwiddie Court House, and on which
this portion of the command during the
gade for long time held its position and
made two successful charges, in one of
which the 1st U. g., Capt. Lord, and F's
Pa. drove the eenemy's strong line Of infant
nv and captured about 100 men. During
the charge several hundred of the rebels
threw down their arms and attempted to
rush into our lines. Unfortunately the
movement was not generally observed IN
season to prevent volley being opened in
to them. This caused q hesitation long
enough for their officers to cover them. with
fire from the rear.
AT & o'clock Gibbs had fallen back to
within one mile of Dinwiddie Court House,
and was here relieved by Capeharts brigade
OF Clusters division which was soon
strengthened by the arrival Of Col. PEN
nington with part Of his brigade. From
| this time until after dark Custer had the
fight and the enemy did not advance to
A-aeeAgA