The National tribune., 1904-06-23

the Union right, instead of resting where
| it really did, was thrown back en- echelon.
Thus disconnected and confused in the thick
| fog, the Confederate turning column with
| drew.
SMITHS WIRED sTUMPs EFFECTIVE.
While this flanking operation was in exc
| Cution, Beauregard assailed energetically
the front of Smiths line, held by the divi-
sions of Brooks and Weitzel. But SO far
from gaining any success here. he met a
severe repulse. This was in large meas
ure due to a novel and ingenious device of
Gen. Smith, who had caused his men q
day or two before to wind large amount
of telegraph wire (here found) around the
stumps of trees, and thus cover their front.
forward to the assault, not perceiving the
wire in the fog, they were tripped violent
ly and shot as shared game by the Union
marksnen.
SMITH RETIRED TO COVER STORES.
Finding that the Union force was mex
pungable by a front attack, Beauregard set
on foot repetition of his turning move in
heavier force against the right flank, this
time made further to the right. The posi-
ton was really untenable by the force at
Gen. Smiths disposal against a serious
effort in that direction, for the Confed-
crates had but to swing their left well
ing directly back to Bermuda Hundred.
Accordingly. on learning this new turning
mOvement-which threatened the trains,
the communications, and even the depot on
the James, which had been left but feebly
defended-Gen. Smith ordered retirement
OF his line to position in the rear. where
he could better cover what was of value
behind him.
BUTLER RETIRED TO BERMUDA HUNDRED.
While these things were passing on
Smiths front, Gillmore's Corns, on the left,
felt the shock of the same attacks that
were made upon Smith. but his left was
entirely unassailed. This was due to the
| inexplicable inaction of Gen. Whiting,
whose position threatened directly the main
line of retreat by the turnpike. Beaure-
entirely disobeyed, and he made no motion
whatever. In this condition of affairs it
would have been fortunate had Gillmores
left been swung forward, for this move
ment would not only have relieved the pres
sure on Smith, but would have taken Beau
regards line in reverse. When Smiths
Corps was withdrawn, Gen. Gilmore con-
formed to the movement. The whole force
was then by Gen. Butler withdrawn with
| in the lines at Bermuda Hundred. The
Confederate loss in this action was about
1900, and the Union loss nearly 1000.
y,
up a defensive line confronting Buffers
intrenchments.
1t was certainly very unfortunate that
Butler allowed himself to be thrown back
| into the cul-de-sac of Bermuda Hundred,
where. If he was secure against attack, he
was also powerless for offensive operations
| against acknowledging, as he himself
said at the time, bottled up and hermetical-
ly sealed. 1T was still open to him, how
ever, TO pass to the south bank of the APP
pomattox and seize Petersburg-the most
| important stroke he could possibly have
executed. This soon became apparent to
Butler, and he had made all his prepa ra
| tons to move on that place, when he was
ordered by Gen. Grant to detach the ma iOr
part OF his force to the assistance of the
Army of the Potomac, which was then ap-
proaching the Chckabominy.
IN SHENANDOAH VALLEY,
! The expedtionary force in the Shenan-
doah Valley and West Virginia was divided
INTO two columns-one under Crook, con-
slsting Of force of infantry and a dyi-
sion OF cavalry under Gen. Averell. to move
by the kanawha to operate against the
East Tennessee 4 Virginia Railroad; the
other, under Sigel. to advance as far as
possible up the Virginia Valley. Both
movements began the 1st of May
Sigel moved up the Shenandoah Valley,
| met the enemy at Newmarket on the 10Th.
ana. after severe engagement. was de-
| feated, with considerable loss, and retired
behind Cedar Creek. Sigel was then super
seded by Gen. Hunter, who Immediately
| took up the offensive under instructions
| from Gen. Grant to move on Staunton and
destroy the railroad thence toward Char
| lottesville: IL he could reach the later
| place. and thence move on Lynchburg, he
| was TO do so. Hunter encountered the
Confederates the 9Th of June, at Pied
mont, and. after an action Of several hours,
defeated them. capturing 1900 prisoners
and three pieces Of artillery. This result is
attributable to the fact that Lee had ven-
tured on detachipg Breckinridges Division