Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1865-02-08

Tue Following OmClal despatch Wus IeceNeuu ~ tue
War Department yesterday.
HEApoRs ARMY NORTHERN Va,
Feb. 6, 1865. :
Gen. 3. Cooper;
The enemy moved in strong force yesterday to
HSteher's Run. Part of his infantry, with Greggs
ca valry, crossed and proceeded on the Vaughan
Road, the infantry to Cattail Greek, the cavalry TO
Dinwiddie c. H., where its advance encounter ed
portion Of our cavalry and retired.
In the afternoon, parts Of Mills and Gerdon's
troops demonstrated against the enemy on the left
Of Hateher's Run, Armstrong; Mill. Finding
him intrenched, they withdrew after dark. During
the night, the force that had advanced beyond the
creek returned to it; and were reported ~ be re-
crossing.
This morning, Pegram's division moved down to
the right bank Of the creek TO reconnotre, when
vigorously attacked The battle was obstinately
contested &c veral hours, but General PegraIn being
killed while brayely encouraging his men, and Col.
Hoffman wounded some confusion occurred, aud
the division pressed back TO its original posi-
tion. Evans division, ordered by Gen. Gordon to
support PsgranS, charged the enemy aud forced
hun back, but was IN turn compelled to retire
Mahone's division arriving, the enemy was driven
rapidly 10 his deiences on hatcher,s Run.
Our loss as reported be small; that OF the enc
my not supposed great. r. l.. LEE.
The Yankees, according TO adyices received
through the Philadelphia Inquirer Of the 4th,
believed that Zen. Lee had sent four brigades of
Aahone's division, viz; McRay's, Finnegan's Kings
and Neisigers, south, to operate against Sher-
man. They, however, found enough under arms to
meet and repuise them.
We learn, in addition, from the Petersburg Ee-
press OF yesterday, that captain Floyd, of Florida,
was killed. and Colonel Scott, from the same State,
painfully wounded. Captain Young, OF General
MeRae's staff, was also severely wounded.
Prisoners and deserters report this movement of
the'enemy to be, to gain possession of some inyit.
ing woodland down the Vaughan road, wood at pres.
ent being very scarce within their lines and growing
thinner each day. There may be some Truth in the
statement. For some time past, Grant. has been
cutting and hauling wood from points between III.
opposing lines in this direction; and we know, SAYS
the cypress from positive assurance that the wood
question Is very serious one in his lines To more
eiiectualy accomplish his object his cavalry raid
towards Dinwiddie Court House was planned and
executed, to give the infantry time to intrench--
This aud more important objects may be held in
view, however.
As matters now stand, the Yankees have only
extended their lines two or three miles, but not
advanced them.
THE NEW SECRETARY OF WAR
Gen. John G. Breckinr ige took charge yester-
day ofthe portfolio of War, in place of Hon. James
A. Seddon, resigned lie enters upon the impor-
tant duties of his position with the full conf
dence and best wishes Of the whole country Gen.
Breckenridge was born near Lexington, KY, Jan.
2lst, 1921 and is grandson of John breckenridge,
L. S. Senator ard Attorney General. He studied
law at Pennsylvania University--movcd to Iowa to
practice lis profession, but soon returned to Lex
ington, in his native State. At the opening of the
Mexican war he entered service as Major of the Sd
Kentucky Volunteers. On his return to Kentucky,
at the close Of the war, he was elected member of
the Legislature, where he exhibited great powers
as a debater In 1851 he defeated Gen. Leslie
Coombs for the United States House of Representa-
tiyes, by handsome majority, in district politi-
cally opposed TO him. He declined in So the mis-
sion to Spain, tende red him by Mr. Pierce In 1856
he was elected President of the United States
on the same ticket with amcs Buchanan, and pre-
sided over the Senate with marked dignity and abil-
ity In 1850 he was candidate for the Presidency
and Though defeated, received the electoral of
almost all the Southern States. Since the COM
mencement of the present war, the gallant part he
ton OF the history Of our struggle.