The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1865-02-13

OOservatione ana tnen suddenly disappearing. Ine
troops, however, thus far encountered opposition
The Rowanty creek is about twenty feet wide and not
conveniently forbade. The old bridge was longer
in existence. The column was accordingly delayed
for . short time, while the pioneers were en-
gagged In constructing temporary bridge The
process Of bridging was simple. Two trees upon
the bank, and transversey at the proper distance
from each other, speedily felled by the sturdy
axemen Of the pioneers in such manner that they fell
the stream. These formed the strngers upon
which was constructed solid bed Of boughs. The men
worked with difficulty, and, though covered by detach
ment Of light infantry the sharpshooters Of the enemy
harassed them from the cover Of the wooded banks
The impromptu bridge having been completed in order
10 lodgment beyond the sres and protect the
construction Of bridges for the passage Of the
whole force, the Third Brigade Second division,
Brevet Brigadier General Gwyn commanding, advanced
in column . trot across the bridge. The opposite
bank steep and difficult Of ascent, and short dis
tance beyond rife pits obscured line Of naemen In
numbers unknown Undaunted by these uncertainties
Gwyn hastened his men forward. In . few minutes
scattering ensued and In few minutes after quiet
by the Of the pits forces
Gwyn lost but one man. The enemy several besides
twenty two prisoners.
GRsao's cAvALRY oPnArIoNa
Az have stated Gregg led tho column Of the
Fifth corps. Instead Of delaying his movements
at infantry pace, he struck out boldly and
reached Ream's station very after daybreak Thus
far encouncring opposition, he extended his march
once the direction Of Dinwiddie Court House. The
enemy by this time fully aroused, and portion Of
Hamptons cavalry foot covered by brcastworks and
a cam, eadeavored to check the advance The Thir
teenth Pennsylvania cavalry Col Nevn commanding,
dismounted and advanced skrmishers, gaining adj
vantage The Second Pennsylvania cavalry drew sabres
dashed through the skirmshers the bridge
gaop; the skirmishers rallied and followed up at
double quick A wonderfully small duration OF time
settled the ARRAY the enemy left his works and scam
pered through field; the men mounted pursued
and harvested about twenty Of the fugtives.
The enemy no longer obstacle, the dismounted
airy returned to their saddles and under the potage Of
negro moved for the Court House. The troops, with
infinite difficulty made their way, as the route in the
phraseoogy Of civilian, clay by short cut through
ploughed fields, woods nterminable, and mud belly
Deep The horses struggled and In the multiplication Of
their difficulties the officers entertained doubts TO the
fidelity of their guide few hours however, thoroughly
established his character The column entered Din
wIdde Court House without previous ALARM and greatly
the surprise Of the inhabitants The results Of this
unexpected visit colonel and rebel mail captured
A scouting party also captured rebel train.
Dinwidd:c Court House is station the main wagon
route Of supplies North Carolina and Richmond
Posted In the notice discovered, beseeching
citizens to sell lend all their surplus food to Lees
army. This unquestionabe evidence Of short diet
in Richmond
Before Gregg left the Court House body Of rebel ca
vary from Bellened moved up thwart his further
progress preliminary brush sufficiently dampeneA
the ardor Of the enemy and he returned to Bellehed
Having satisfied the object Of his movement Gregg
turned to Rowanty creek and bivouacked being less
three duty The enemy had destroyed the BRIDGE
which, however, was replaced by the pioneors
One brigade Immediately crossed tho stream. At
A. NJ the men again astrids their animals, and
reached the Bydton and Vaughn road daybreak and
took position n warrens rear miles from Hatchers
TOTAL or THE DAYs 5ru
Both corps had secured foothold across Hatcer's
run Tho Second corps repealed several assaults OF
the enemy, at time reaching o force Of four
divisions. His punishment was severe, and la the
nigh. withdrew, leaving his dead and wounded the
field. The Fifth corps held the position taken in tho
afternoon. The cavalry ransackcd the region in tho VI
entity Of Dnwddie Court House. Tho whole OF fo
losses part was about two hundred.
THE sECOxD DAT
The morning OF the 9th inst found the army refresh
ed by undisturbed night early breakfast, and in
line ready for something 70 turn up The positions were:
parties in }rons The lines we're covered byhsy breast
works, timber, and the roads led with mud The morn
Ing was spent ~ strengthening the defenoes and cordu
the Second corps made reconnaissance and developed
the fact that there was no force between me new lines
and the old works below Petersburg Tho Fifth corps
passed the morning In taking positions Of attack General
SIGNS OF LIFK
Early In the afternoon the enemy disclosed column
moving towards the right. Our main movements
rnr ADVANCES ov rHr FIFTH CORE
At noon the Third division, Fifth corps, moved 10 tho
right from the Duncan road towards the Boydton plank
road. The skirmshers were soon engaged, and run
ming nht ensued the main body following up closely
the enemy retired In the vicinity Of Da6neys mill the
nf
n ~ss Se %o
engaged in an irregular Interchange q bullets through
n sd %Ssi enemy ss
came evident that he was STRENGTHENING his lines for
determined stand and an offensive strike at the proper
emergencies Ayres' division was ordered IN 70 the SUP
port Of Crawford, and while moving in column was
Ss Brigade and Sysn sss
the support OF Gregg cavalry Subsequent movements
ns an intention 70 cut 81 owa
his FROM
tons made TO receive the enemy, who, Il evil
dent felt disposition To- abandon slight advantage he
had secured Gregg, during this time, fighting his
cavalry foot and held his own on the Vaughn read
| against Hahonc's division.
The enemy had already engaged Pegnm's, Gordon's
and He,hs divisions. Malone unable 70 gain any nd.
vantage over Gregg, suddenly withdrew In north
westerly direction, and fen upon tho left OF the
but 10 no avail IL was crumbcd upon the
centre. The ammunition OF part OF Crawfords divi-
sion this critical became exhausted This por-
ton Of the line broke OF and In few minutes the entire
lire became wreck The Third division lWhcaton's Of
| the SNth corps which left iB camp that morning,
crossed Batchers during tho height Of Cawords
confusion and also lot Its self possession. The lighting
became dcsuioy but desperate and both forces On
tered into the work In earnestas matter OF life or
death The country between Hstchers and the mill
Is covered with heavy wood the ground scftened by
swamps and cut up by ravnes The road upon
which the columns and trains were obliged TO move was
narrow filled with stumps and above all knee deep with
the difficulties The column moved forward with the
exhausng exerous and instead Of being fresh for
men lost their shoes, their clothing dampensd,
and their arms In many Instances rendered
unit for immediate The artillery and trains suf
fered than the Animals tossed about In their
useless exertions exricatc themselves and their
depa This being case the operations Of the troops