New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1865-04-13

widdie Courthouse was ordered TO leave one brigade
in charge of the wagon trains and rapidly TO the
scene of action Before he could arrive however, Gen.
Deyin began to reti;e The whole Of his men were
fighting foot he nature OF the country making II
| impossible to fight mounted) About 81 T. No. he was
ordered by Gen. Merritt TO retire the Brookss Road
and cover the oydtown Plank road lie retired slowly
and in good order before the enemy closely contesng
every foot OF the ground Tho enemy then swung their
left upon Gen. Daves's right and drove him back also,
until they reached point within about two miles Of
Dnwiddie Court House. At this juncture, Gen. Gus
tar's well-known Gag was coming to the rescue
His arrival greeted with hearty cheers by the men
of Gen. Crooks Division and Gen. Gibbss Brigade,
which had been cut of from Gen. Devins's left Up TO
this time the enemy had succeeded by overwhelming
numbers in driving back our whole Cavalry line, but
with n terrible loss on their side.
Gen. Merritt ordered Gen. Custsr into position and
this checked the cnemys advance and they began
throwing up breastworks.
The enemy did not disposed TO conlnue the con-
test that night. and Darkness approaching our
troops went into camp In their front The result Of the
days operations decidedly to tho advantage OF the
Rebels regards position and ground gained. but they
paid dearly for these their losses being very argede
ntely asccTtained to be over two thousand killed and
wounded, while loss did not exceed four hundred
killed. wounded and missing.
At this tune the wagon trains still in the rear,
coming up fast the roads could be corduroyed by
the troops Of Col. Weiss brigade ofGea Custats Div
sion. who were guarding them ILIIgomy.
From Our Special Correspondent
GIN. sHEMDAs's HDQRs. Is TIE PmtD,
Saturday Evening April J. 1865.
Boot aud saddle sounded at ) n. III. Morn-
ing clear and beautiful-ali quiet along the lines.
Eyerybod in good spirits The horses had been fed.
and ammunition having been served out during the
night, the all seemed anxious TO 20 il again and
regain the ground lost yesterday. Generals Sheridan
Merritt, and Cusnr rode ont from their respective
headquarters ut and near Dinwiddie Court House,
down TO the groat and examined the eneinys line.
They had thrown up breastworks and had strong
position under of the woods About ills time II
wss reported that the Filth Corps Gen. WARREN had
been ordered 10 report 10 Gen. Sheridan and that 1t
was moving upon our right to attack the enemy.
The report soon spread among the cIvalrymen and
they at began cheering and Gen. Merritt finding
them in the right hnmor, ordered an edynncc.
Gen. Dcvin took TIE TOAD TO Brooks Gross Roads,
driving the enemy back and rcghinipg the position heid
yesterday morning. Col. Stages Michigan Brigade
marched out on Five Points Road, Col. fitslugRs
Brigade being on his let. Cen Dcyinss Regular Bri'
gade remaining At the rookss Cross Road
the advance Of the Fifth Corps joined Gen DeTin aad
were massed in the field, near Brookss House. At
this time Gen Sheridan and staff rode down the road
As soon as his presence known the greatest ex-
oiiemcnt prevailed. and the Finh Corps Infantry
pressed down the sides Of the road 10 get sight at
the conquering hero Of the Shenandoah Valley As he
passed. they swung thoir cape in ic air and ehecred
as long as he was in sight
Cen Merritt rode with Gen Sheridan and these two
famous cavny leaders appeared to be In earnest con
suhation Gen s looked exceedingly belgerent.
He rode his fsyorile horse-tbe made celebrated
by buchanan Readc IN his verses entitled "Sherldans
Ride from Winchester" He is enormous coal
IsoL ol,.rrur very neet and powerful Sheridan, IKE
Grant IL IN inveterate smoker and usual, he was
INDUCING In the weed. The short. quick pulls Of
smoke the sharp glance Of bis eye at the arms and
aoeout Of the troops be passed by them. ana
he quick gestures Of his right hand showed the native
energy Of the map
Gen Merritt handsome young officer was aCap-
taia in the Cd United States Cavalry, was formerly
Chief Of STAFF for Gen BufoTd, and commanded the
First Cavalry Division until the cavalry of the Shenan'
douh Valley started out Oh The hrst OF Ai0rch zen lac
assumed command Of the cavalry belonging to sheri'
dsas army, which selected fof the late raid GA the
Virginia Central Railroad and James River Canal he,
has an army reputation as cavalry ofhcer second 70
none and il Admired by his fellow soldiers for bis gal
antry under FIRE and for the rare good Judgment
shown in the sDe did manner IN which be handles his
troops Oh all occasions
Ger CGstaI had gone Ia with the Second Brigade OF
lie Division with Pcnniugtons and Capeharts formed
on the Dinvddie Court Honse and Five Points Road.
Tho Second Brigade found the Rebels about two miles
from the Court House and pushed them back until II
crossed the Chamberlain Bed Creek where II met with
considerable resistance. but. about / p ~, Joined
Deyins lef he having driven Tie enemy back to within
half a mile Of Five Forks. Here the enemy made a
stand and the firing became more rapid. All our men
g ere dismouncd except the Regular Brigade and LIST
Michigan Cavalry Lieut.. Col maxwcll) line was
formed and an advance ordered but very little progress
was made at first About half an hour later gallant
mounted charge was made by the LIST United States
Cavalry under Capt. Floyd, aud the lsi Michigan
under Lieu. Col. Maxwell They drove the enemy's
skrInish line and charged through tho woods up 70
breastworks. where a heavy infantry line OF the enemy
WIS developed. They returned, bringing WIN the"
100 prisoners belonging to Pic!etts Division Ihere
was now "A cessat on Of smallarm firing Tor WINE
but tl Rebels kept up heavy fire from their batteries
the shot and shell from three batteries tearing ana
screaming through the deep pine woods Ike something
Internal. \ wondering what our side was waiting iof'
Atla.t q few shots were heard on our right ana soon
crash Of muskety showed where the fifh corps were
engaging the enemy The bugle sounded and the
cavalry went In and the contes, soon became very Sc
we're For aboa: half hour the firing ragged furiousy
and many ofBoers and men were brought TO the rear
..o,.1.d An,n,o .e,. ~ s,a Mai Smith LIST New. York