The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1865-02-08


no movement would be made.
The I'd and 5th Corps i'm Notion
They Encounter the Rebels-Particu-
lars of the Fight-The Rebels Fall
Back-The CasuaIties-A Battle ex-
pecied on the 9th.
Press Dispatch
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTo-
MAC, Feb. 5.-The Army of the Potomac
is once more in motion, and ere this dis
patch reaches you the objects to be ac-
compliShed will have not only been de-
veloped, but the degree of success result
ing will also no doubt be known by that
time. At o'clock this morning, the 9th
corps, preceded 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 ot whom
retreated as the column advanced
About noon the column reached Rom-
veg creek, over which a bridge OF con
siderable length had to be constructed
occupying several hours.
About 3p m the Sd Pennsylvania cav
airy, under Maj. Hess, were sent out TO
make connection between them ana the
I'd CORDS, the 2nd and 3rd division of
which had gone OH the Vaughan road as
far as Hatcher's run to demonstrate III
that direction. On reaching the run, the
lst brigade of the Sd division OF the 2d
corps, charged and took the line OF rlhe
pits on the west side losing but few men.
They advanced about a mile across the
run, driving the enemy's pickets before
them. Here IA strong line of fbreastworks
was erected in short time. making the
position perfectly secure. The 81 Pa,
cavalry, after crossing short distance
south of Vaughan road, advanced south
ward and soon met small force III am
bush. which poured sharp NolleI INTO
ourmen, killing two II is SAID, ANA wound
ing several, besides Il number of horses
A part of the Sd division OF the "a corps
here came to the support OF the 81 fa''
cavalry, and drove the rebels OF, ana soon
after a connection with the right OF the
5th corps was reported.
Up to this time very httle hghtlhS
had taken place. The 9th corps had
been scarcely engaged at all The 2d di-
vision of the I'd corps, under Gen. Smith,
before reaching Hatcher's run, turned to
the right and advanced in north west
erly direction. towards Armstrong; mill
but before going more than three fourths
of a mile the enemy were discovered IN
strong position, and in considerable
force -Four divisions of Gen. Gordon's
force being reported in the vicinity here,
some of our men erected temporary
breastworks on part of the line, while
the balance had only time to throw up Il
few rifle pits. Skirmishing was going
Oh all this time between the enemy's and
our sharpshooters.
About half past four o'clock the rebel
batteries opened for the purpose OF de-
veloping our position and strength, but
no reply was made The rebels at length
appeared advancing in line OF battle
with strong skirmish line thrown out
i'm advance. Our men were ready for
them, and as they charged in handsome
style across an open field, they received
such CALLING fire as to cause them to
fall back in disorder, leaving many dead
and wounded Oh the field After repeat
ing the attempt to dislodge onr men, and
failing each time, a large force was sent
round to turn the right flank of the dl-
vision. Col Murphy, of the 6sth New
York, commanding the I'd brigade, was
placed here, with his right resting on
swamp, and was fully prepared for such
a movement There again the rebels
suffered severe loss, as they attempted
to break our line They were finally
forced to give it up and soon after dark
the firing ceased, the rebels falling back
to their works.
Our loss during the day was quite light,
probably not over hundred all told,
thourL the exact number is not known.
Colonel Murphy was wounded Ill the
knee, but not severely; while giving or
der to his men. His A. : General, Lieut..
McFarish, was mortally wounded
Lieut.. Graham, of the l4th Connecticut,
was wounded in the breast severely
Lieut.. VIM Tibbtts, of the 10Th Massa-
chusetts, and Lieut., A. Bartted, of the
l4th Connecticut were killed.
A correspondent of the New York Her
aid was captured and after being robbed
succeeded in escaping and reaching our
lines in safety.
The rebel 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 as having received orders
that mornmgto keep a sharp lookout for
us, as they believed that our army was
on the move.
General Smith deserves much praise
for the way he handled his division.
We expect great battle tomorrow
with more decisive results than were OBJ
tanned to-day
The weather tonight is clear and cold
and lust suitable for movement III the
country. W. ID. McGREGoR.