The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1865-02-08
Potomac Army Advancing.
Headquarters Army Potomac,
February S. {

February S. {
The Army Of tho Potomac is once more
in motion aud ere this dispatch reaches
You the objects intended to be accomplish.
ed will not only have baen developed bu,
the degree of success resulting will also
no doubt be known BY that time.
At 8 O'Clock this morning the 5h corps,
preceded BY Gregg's cavalry. started on
the road to Ream's station. No force ol
the enemy was met on the road, but the
roads at various points we're picketed by
cavalry, all OF whom reireated as the col
umn advanced. About noon the column
reached Sshwar,zs's Greek, over which q
bridge of considerable. length had to Be
constructed. occupying several hours -
About p. m. the I'd Pennsylvania cav
airy under Major Hess were sent out TO
make connection between them aud the I'd
corpe, the I'd and Sd divisions Of which
had gene on. on the Vaughn road as far
Hatch's Run 10 demonstrate in that di.
reotion. On reaching the run the Isl
brigade of the 81 division of the Cd corps,
charged and took twelve Of the riff +. pits
90 the west side losing but few men -
They advanced about . mile across the
river driving the enemy's pickets before
them. Here strong line of breastworks
vas erected in short time, making the
position perfectly secure.
The 81 Pennsylvsnia cavalry after eros
sing a short distance south of the Vaughn
road advanced sou.hward and sosn
net small force 10 ambush. who poured
a sharp volley into our men, killing. it ID
said, and wounding several, besides q
number Of horses. A part of the 81 d.
vision Of the I'd corps here came to the
-upport of the 81 Pennsylvania cavalry
aud drove the rebels of, and soon after 4
connection with the right OF the 9th corps
vas reported made.
Up II this time very little fighting had
taken place. The 5th corps being scarce
" engaged a. all. The Cd division Of the
2i corps under Gen. Saith, before reach
ing Hatch's rua. turned to the
right and advanced ia a northwest dircc-
ion towards Armstrong; mill, but before
gong more than three -fourths of mle
he enemy were discovered in strong DO
siiinn aud in considerable force
Four divisions OF Gen. G,rdon's corps
were reported 10 the vicinity. Here some
)f our men erected Temporary breast
works on part of the line. " bile the bal
ince only had time TO throw up email
Frsnch ra = pits. Ski.mishins was going
IN all this Tins. between the enemy and
our sharpshooters.
About 4:30 o'clock the rebel batteries
opened for the purpose Of developing our
p ,sition and strength, but no reply was
made. The rebels at length appeared.
advancing 10 line Of battle with strong
sklrmlsh line. Throughout the advance
pur men were ready for them, and as they
charged in handsome style scroes an open
held they received such CALLING FIRE as
10 cause them to -rail back iu disorder,
earins maay dead and wounded on the
field, and after repeating the attempt to
iislodse our men and fsiling each lime,
4 relief force was sent round TO turn the
right flank The division uader Colonel
Murphy, Of the 69th N T.. commanding
The 2I brigade. was ppsted here with his
right resting in swamp and was fully
for such movement. Here
again The rebels suffered severe loss. a.
they attempted to break our lines. They
we're finally forced TO give it up and soon
alter dark firing ceased. the rebels failing
back TO their works. Our loss during the
day was quite light, proba bly, not over
hundred altogether. although the exact
number was not known. COL M.rphy
was wounded in the knee, not severely,
while giving orders to his men. His AS
sistant Adjstant Gen, Capt. McFsrsh,
vas mortaiy wounded. 1t. Graham, OF
the i4lh Conn, was wounded in the
breast severely. 1t. w. N. T,bbetts Of
the 9Th Mass, and 1t. A. Bartlett, OF
the 10Th Conn. we're killed.
The correspondent of the New York
Herald was captured, and after being rob-
bed, succeeded 10 escaping and reached
our lines 10 safety.
TIE enemy's loss must have been very
heavy. as they repeatedly charged our
lines, each time suffering severely.
We took about thirty prisoners. Some
If than reported having received orders
in the morning TO keep sharp lookout.
as they believed our army was on the
move.
Gen. Smyth deserves much praise fT
the manner in which he handled his men,
being himself present all over the field.
Watching every move Of he enemy. We
expect great battle to-morrow, with
more decisive results.
The weather tonight is clear and cold,
and 10 suitable for movement 10 this
country.
(Sigued) w. D. MoGRreoR.