The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1865-04-01
THE NE VS..


THE RICHMOND AND PETERSBURG LINES.
All continues, and seems likely to
continue, quiet on the north side Of
James river. The enemy are expanding
their activity on our right.
Immediately At Petersburg, in front
Of General Gordon's lines, there has
been no stir since the feu d euter of
Wednesday night. TIE performances Of
that night are quite sufficient to last
considerable length of time. The heroes
Of that dark and sulphurous, but blood.
less, field can afford to rest on their
laurels for the present. General Lee. in
his official report of this affair, which
We received late Thursday night, and
published yesterday, says:
General Gordon reports that the
enemy, at IL o'clock P. NJ. yesterday.
advanced against part of his line. de-
Tended by Brigadier General Lewis, but
was repulsed."
We have quoted this dispatch to call
attention to the fact that, whereas it says
the enemy advanced at IL o'clock
Wednesday night, the cannonade, as
every one in Petersburg and Richmond,
who is not stone deaf, knows, began
before 10 O'Clock, and was at its
fercest before IL. The report to the
contrary Notwithstanding, we cannot help
adhering to our opinion, expressed yes
terday, that there was no attack at ALL
OF course We do not think our officers
wilfully misreprcsented the case, but
that, in the shadow of that darkest of
nights, they were mistaken. We look
with interest to the Yankee account of
the affair, which we will receive to-mor-
row. We should not be surprised if
they have flaming account of repulse
of the rebels, with the usual "horrible
slaughter"
AFFAIRS ON THE RIGHT.
The enemy have pushed q heavy
column beyond our right, southwest of
Petersburg, but we have heard nothing
from that quarter that we can rely upon
as authentic since General Lees report
Of Thursday published yesterday. in
which he says "tberc was skirnishing
near Dinwiddie Courthouse yesterday
"wednesday, without decisive result"
The Petersburg Express Of yesterday
says Grants long-contemplated move
ment to extend his left towards the
Southside RAILROAD has begun, and that
he has forty thousand men on the field.
We make summary Of the Express's
account of the recent operations on our
right:
"On Tuesday night, the enemy adj
vanced up the Military road to within
one mile of the Boydton plankroad,
threw up intrenchments on either side,
built large fort at the Lewis house, and
pushed forward body of troops to
within few hundred yards of the plank
road.
ION Wednesday, this column was
attacked by our troops and driven back
our vanguard entering, and, for time,
holding the. fort at the Lewis house. Not
receiving immediate or sufficient sup.
port, the fort was yielded. After driving
the enemy thus Ear, with beautiful sue
cess, our troops fell hack short dis
lance and offered battle, but the Yankees
declined to accept it, and failed even to
make any pursuit.
"The fighting in the vicinity Of
Hatcker's run on Wednesday afternoon
was quite severe for a while, and the
Yankees suffered heavily.
Yesterday morning, the enemy''s
cavalry were ascertained to be approach
ing the ".Five Forks" on the White>oak
road, leading from the plankroad, near
BurTess's mill, across to the Southside
railroad. This point is about midway
between these two points. This cavalry
column had passed around our works,
and was confidently making for the
railroad. But lion was found in their
path in the person of General Fitx Lee
and his braYe troopers. Heavy firing
was heard pear the " Five Forks sub
sequently, md from the direction it took
at = late hour. tits believed that battle
was joined and the enemy driven.
"Just beyond BURGESS mill, and to
the southeast skirmishipg commenced
carly in the day. Here Grant had his
infantry massed. and his TANKS sup
ported by cavalry, and here the heaviest
fiOhtinp occurred. The discharges Of