Waterbury evening Democrat., 1905-01-12

HeHeTdl ITtSS tO move 10 tQe nelu.
 Warren and Gregg had both passed on beyond Humphreys position, but with out stirring up a serious foe. Both commanders turned about to join Hum- phreys, but before reaching the field other re-enforcements had come up from the main Federal lines at Peters burg, and Gregg and Warren moved on beyond Humphreys to threaten the enemy's right flank.
 Finding that the march of Gregg and Warren in the new direction taken meant disaster to the line confronting Humphreys and also to his route of supply, General Lee dispatched the di- visions of Pegram and Evans to avert the danger. Warren's advance division had spirited fight at Dabney's Mills. This division, under General Crawford, first encountered an intrenchcd picket line of Confederates, which was hand somely carried by charge of Bragg's brigade, the pickets retreating to Dab. ney's Mills. Rallying, the Confederates turned around and forced Bragg back: compelling Warren to send in tws fresh brigades under General Ayres.
 A line consisting of Bragg's, Mor rows and Baxter's brigades moved forward and again drove the Confeder ates back into woods beyond small cleared field. The fighting continued until Warren's men had fired away all their ammunition. General Morrow, one of the heroes of Gettysburg, was wounded. Meanwhile General Ayres had pushed forward rapidly, marching his troops by the flank through thick underbrush to ridge where he sudden ly encountered body of Confederate cavalry. Brushing the cavalry aside and not halting to reform, Ayres pushed forward and swept over the Confederate intrenchments near the mill.
 Up to this point the two Confederate divisions of Pegram and Evans had alone battled with the Federal divi- sions of Crawford and Ayres. Warren was getting the best of the affair, and General Robert F. Lee. who was on the field directing the operations. brought out the division of General Billy Mahone to try to turn the tide. Malone led his men into an interval between Evans and Pegram, and the whole line rushed forward gallantly, pouring terrible rain of bullets into the ranks of Ayres.
 The Federals were not to be outdone In gallantry, but rushed forward in turn, and the firing line swayed for ward and back until the ammunition of Warrens troops had all been fired at the foe. The Confederates had field guns in the fight, while Warren had none. When night came on and War ren saw no> promise of aid he drew back bis phe and reformed ready for battle. ,,
 During the fight General Gregg brought up his cavalry on the flank, but was unable to make headway with out the aid of the infantry. Finally, after the Confederate skirmishers had been brushed aside, Gregg's troopers advanced to the attack. but were roughly handled in a close fight with Mahone's infantry and driven back, the enemy at their heels. A fresh brl- gade sent in by Warren held up the Confederate advance. The Confeder- ate General Pegram was killed in this last attack.
 Although not brilliantly successful in fighting for the destruction of Lees bread line, both Warren and Hum phreys held on, and the army was per manently established in new works which extended the left flank of Grants army nearer to the debatable ground. These lines were maintained until the arrival fin March from the Shenandoah valley of Sheridan's mounted column.
 The weather was very severe during this operation on the Confederate flank. and in reporting to the war de- pertinent at Richmond what action he had taken to ward of the danger to his lines of supply General Lee wrote: Yesterday. the most indictment day of the winter, they tthe troops) had to be retained in line of battle, having been in the same condition the two previous days and nights. regret to be obliged to state that under these circum- stances. heightened br assaults and fire of the enemy. some of the men had been without meat for three days. and all were suffering from reduced rations and scant clothing. exposed to battle, cold. hail and sleet. I have directed Colonel Cole, chief commissary. who reports that he has not a pound of meat at his disposal. to visit Richmond and see if nothing can be done. s'' The physical strength of the men. if their courage survives. must fail under this treatment. Our cavalry has to be dispersed for want of forage. FiU Lees and Jomax's divisions are scat tered because supplies cannot be trans ported where their services are re- luired. I had to bring w. F. Lees di- vision forty miles Sunday night to get | him in position
 It was a party of W. F. Lees cavalry which suddenly rode against Ayres' column. as described above. during the attack on the intrenchments near Dabney's Mill.
 GEORGE l.. KIIMER
 She Did and Didn't.