Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1865-02-10
Army Of the Po,omnc in Motion.

Army Of the PotOntac III NAoleu'
headquarters Army of the Potomac, Februa-
/ ry 5.-Ihe Army of the Potomac is once more
in motion, and before this dispatch reaches you,
the object intended to be accomplished will have
been not only developed but the degree of sue
cess resulting with also no doubt to be known
by that time
At 3 o'clock this morning the 5th Corps, pre-
ceded by Gregg's cavalry, started on the road
to Ream's Station. No force Of the enemy was
met on the route but the roads at various points
were picketed by cavalry, all of WHOM retreat
ed. The column advanced about noon to Row.
anitz's Creek over which bridge of consider
able length had to be constructed, occupying
several hours,
About P. NJ, the Third Pennsy ylvana Cav
airy, under Major Hess, were sent out to make
connections between them and the Second Corps
the second and third divisions of which had gone
out on the Vaughn Road as far as Hatcher Run
to demonstrate in that direction. On reaching
the Rum the first brigade of the third division
of the Second Corps charged and took the line
of rife-pits on the west side, losing but few
men. They advancedabout a mile across the
Run, driving the enemys pickets before them.
Here strong line of breastworks was erected
in short time, making the position perfectly
secure.
The Third Pennsylvania Cavalry, after cross
ing short distance south of the Vaughn Road,
advanced southwards, and soon met small force
in ambush, which poured a sharp volley into
our men, killed two, it is said, and wounding
several, besides a number of horses. A part
of the Third Division of the Second Corps here
came up to the support ofthe Third Pennsylva-
mia Cavalry, and drove the rebels of, and soon
after connection with the right of the Fifth
Corps was reported made. upto this time very
little fighting had taken place, the Fifth Corps
being scarcely engaged at all.
THE ENEMY DISCOVERED.
The Second Division of the SecoRd Corps uu-
der General Smith, before reaching Hatcher's
Run, turned to the right and advanced iq
northwestern direction towards Armstrong;
Mills, but before going more than three-quar-
ters of mile the enemy was discovered in a
strong position, and in considerable force four
Divisions of General Gordon's being reported in
the vicinity. Here some of our men erected
temporary breastworks on paIt of the line while
the balance had only time TO throw up small
French rifle-pits. Skirmishing was going on
all this time between the enemy and our sharp
shooters
About 4:3O O'Clock the rebel batteries open
ed for the purpose of developing our position
and strength, but no reply was made.
A BRISK FNeAGEMENT-REBELs DRIVEN IN pIsoR
DER.
The rebels at leangth appeared advancing our
lines with strong skirmish line thrown out in
advance. Our men were ready for them and on
they charged in handsome style across an open
field. They received such gallant fire as to
cause them to fall back in disorder, leaving many
dead and wounded on the field After repeat
ing the attempt to dislodge our men and fail
ing each time relief force was sent around to
turn the right flank of the division. Colonel
Murphy of the 69th New York, commanding
the I'd brigade was posted, here with his right
resting a swamp was full prepared for such
movement. There again the rebels suffered
severe loss as they attempted to break our lines.
CASUALTIES OF THE BATTLES
They were finally forced to give it up, and
after dark the firing ceased the rebels fall
ing back TO their works. Our loss during the
day was quite light probably not over hum
dred altogether, although the exact amount is
not known
The correspondent of the New York Herald
was captured, and after being robbed succeeded
in escaping and reached our lines in safety-
The enemy's loss must have been very heavy,
as they repeatedly charged our lines, each time
suffering severely. We took about twenty
prisoners, some of whom report having received
orders in the morning to keep sharp lookout,
as they believed that our army was on the move
General Smith deserves much praise for the
manner in which he handled his division, being
himself present all over the field, watching
every move of the enemy.
GREAT BATTLE EXPECTED.
We expect great battle to- morrow with more
decisive results than were obtained to-day The
weather tonight is clear and cold, and is Just
suitable for movement in this country.
W. d. NcGREGOR
The Times City Point correspondent of the
9Th says of the movement south of Petersburg:
The result is, however, that our forces came |
up with large train of rebel commissary stores |
On the Boydtown Plank road, doubtless one |
grand object of the raid, which they completely |
and took possession OF, capturing a |
number of rebels and driving the others back; }
also destroyed three large grist mills at Fishers
Run, supposed to be the last upon which the en-
emy have to depend Whether or not it is con-
emplated by the present movement to bold and
sxtend our lines beyond the Boydtown Plank
road is not yet known, but the uninitiated have
every reason to think it very probable to end in
is retention.