The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1904-07-21

INC DIcdSlWOTk, uTTeSteO Tie pTOXfeSS VI
the Confederates. retook Meningitis
guns, and recovered considerable part
of the lost line. The behavior Of most of
the other troops was despicable.
The eneIny's dismounted cavalry now
made an attack against the left. Though
not executed with much vigor,, it was re
sisted with still less by Gibbons Division,
which was driven from it's breastworks.
The Confedera tes. elated at their easy
success pressed on with loud cheers, when
they were met by heavy flank fire from
the dismounted Union cavalry, that, oc-
cupying the extreme left, behaved in q
manner that contrasted more than favor
ably with the conduct Of most Of the in
fantry. This summarily checked their ad-
vance. When, however, the troopers found
themselves second time assailed. and
now by infantry, they were unable to
maintain their position, and were, there
fore, retired to new. line in the rear,
where the troops had been rallied.
BOTH ARMIES GAVE UP THE FIELD.
1t is wonderful and indeed incompre-
hensibe, that the Commanding General.
Informed as he was Of Hancock's situa-
ton, should not have taken prompt meas
ures for his relief. The distance from
Reams Station to Warren's position was
but four miles by broad open road. with
a telegraph line between the two. Yet the
| reenforcements forwarded to Hancock
to wit Motifs Division Of his own corps
and Wilcox's Division of the Ninth Corps
were ordered to take mp their march by
the plankroad. the distance by which was
above double that of the direct and open
route along the railroad. Several circum-
stances occurred to add additional delay
to the arrival Of these troops; but it is
certain that in any event they would not
have rea ached Hancock in time to be of
service. .(2S)
Thus affairs stood when night fell, and
Hancock then withdrew from Ream's
Station. 1t afterwards proved that the
Confederates abandoned the field about
the same hour. Hancock's loss in this ac-
ton was 2.40O killed. wounded, and miss
ing, out of his small command of 5000
infantry and cavalry. OF this number
LOO were prisoners. The loss on the part
of the COnfederates is known to have been
also very severe, but the precise number is
unknown. (29)
MOVEMENT BY THE LEFT.
The hold gained by Warren on the Wei
don Railroad was permanently retained.
and a line Of. redoubts formed connecting
his position with the old left of the army,
on the Jerusalem plankroad. No further
movement OF consequence, beyond recon-
noissances, was made till the end of Sep
tember, when Gen. Grant, being resolved
of the James River, directed demonstra-
ton to be made on the left, with the view
Of preventing the transfer Of reinforce
ments to the troops opposed to Butler.
800 For this purpose Gen. Warren, with
two ID, divisions sion, Of the Fifth Corps and Gen
moved from the left towards Poplar
Spring Church and PEBBLES Farm.
Gregg's Division Of Cavalry at the same
time moved further to the left and rear.
One Of Warren's divisions. under Gen.
Griffin, found the Confederates intrenched
nr hIny hSnr md knn1Sv,
ried a redoubt~ and a line of rife-pits,
taking one gun and about 100 prisoners.
At the same time his other division. un-
der Gen. Ayres, carried q small work OH
the Squirrel Level road. In the aftesnouh'
Parke, moving on Warren's left, towards
and forced back in disorder. Grifin's Di-
vision, however, came to his support, and
the enemy was then checked and repulsed.
Early next morning Gregg met the
enemy's cavalry and forced it back. At.
the same time Motifs Division of Han
cocks Corps was withdrawn from the
lines and sent to reinforce Parke: but ii
did not reach the ground in time to be of
service. During the afternoon Gregg was
heavily attacked on the Duncan road,
where he was guarding the left and rear;
but repulsed the enemy with considerable
loss.
The ID Of October the whole force ad-
vanced. but found the enemy had with
drawn to his main intrenchments. A po-
sition was then taken up, and the neces-
sary works laid out to extend the Federal
intrenched line to the position gained .(31)
The loss in this action was above 2,5O0.
BUTLER's SUCCESS.
During these occurrences on the extreme
left, Gen. Butler had been operating with
the Army Of the james against the forti-
fications of Richmond. Crossing on the
night Of the Sth of September to the north
side Of the James River with the corps of
Birney and Ord, Butler next morning ad-
vanced and carried the very strong forti-
fications and intrenchments below Cha
pins farm, known as Fort Harrison, cap
turing 10 pieces Of artillery and the New
Market road, with the works defending
it.22) This success was followed up by
an assault upon Fort Gilmer Immediately
in front Of the Chapin's farm forifica-
tions, In which the assailants were re-
pulsed with a loss Of about 300 men. The
position being one very menacing to Rich
mond. Gen. Butler made dispositions to
hold it permanently. The Confederates
endea vored, in several determined as
saults, to dislodge him; but he was able
%. The circumstances above referred 10
as causing delay are thus detailed by Han
cock: AS soon as l knew that Wilcox's
Division had been ordered down the plank
road / diSnafohad rot -ca9car IN oo,