most into their rifle-pits, where, of course, he communication has been established with found himself a prisoner. Washington, under the efficient supervision of Colomel Markland, special agent of the Post Office Department. MONDAY, June 6-8 A. M. No battle yesterday, but constant firing across from one line of works to the other as soon as any portion of a man's body could be seen. The casualties during the day, all from sharpshooters and intermittent artillery, are not less than four hundred. To these must be added between one hundred and two hundred during the night. A little after eight o'clock a furious blast rang a fierce, discordant metre from the left, where lay Hancock's corps. Judging by the powder burned, it was more than a usually desperate night assault. Soon the following despatch is received: HALF-PAST EIGHT O'CLOCK, P. M.-They at first attacked Wright, but are now rushing down upon me. Apparently no damage. HANCOCK. Tremendous discharges of musketry, and the awful blasts of cohorn mortars continued fifteen or twenty minutes longer, and then like a tornado breaking into fitful squalls and then clearing into fine weather, this tempest of war broke into detached volleys, and finally ceased altogether. It seems to have been brought on by the enemy, as is always the case with these night affairs. He discovered men planting fascines for a new line, and at once assaulted to stop the work, whereupon both sides opened fire right and left. The assault was repulsed easily enough, but neither party seemed inclined to first stop firing, hence its duration. An hour later the Eighteenth corps made some lively shooting, but there was nothing in the nature of an attack. During the night the Fifth corps, Warren's, has been withdrawn from the right, and marched around to the extreme left. There will be other changes of position to-night. From the Richmond Examiner of the third, it is learned that ex-South Carolina Congressman Lawrence M. Keitt, was mortally wounded on Wednesday, and died the next day. Also that General Doles, commanding a division of Ewell's corps, was killed on Thursday, opposite Bartlett's brigade, Fifth corps. The Richmond and York river railroad is being rebuilt that part of it which we most need. The first ten miles from White House will require but few repairs. Quite distant and heavy cannonading yesterday afternoon and evening from lower down the Chickahominy, indicates that the cavalry is operating in that quarter. I suspect Sheridan has been told to take and hold the bridge till a corps of infantry can be sent there. Reinforcements continue to arrive. The slightly wounded of the battle of the Wilder DESPATCH STATION, June 8. The First and Fourth divisions of the Fifth corps reached here this morning. It was three o'clock A. M. when the men began the march. When day dawned, the rebels on the south side of the Chickahominy observed the moving column, and opened on it with two guns of very heavy calibre. Several men were injured while marching in the ranks. Colonel Hoffman's brigade, of the Fourth division, immediately took possession of this side of the railroad bridge. A barricade was thrown across the railroad about half a mile below this station. Between us and the rebels flows the Chickahominy, a sinuous, sluggish stream, bounded on either side by jungles and morasses, from which is continually arising unwholesome dampness, and noxious vapors. At this point the stream is not more than one hundred yards in width; the bridge is three times as long. All the track is in excellent running order. A little rusty from long disuse, but still quite complete, with switches and side-tracks in good repair. During the afternoon the rebels mounted a heavy piece of ordnance upon a truck, and approached within a short distance of the bridge. They threw some six-inch shell over our men, which elicited considerable criticism from those happening to make narrow escapes. Rifle-pits were dug, and a long line of fortifications begun. For a time the skirmishers were friendly, and conversed with each other, across the river. Before dark they were using every species of finesse to cause each other to expose their bodies to be shot. Few of our peaceful readers imagine how skilful and inventive a successful sharpshooter must be ere he enters the rifle-pit, which may prove his grave. It is not enough that he be an excellent marksman. Your good sharpshooter is always a fine strategist. In front of the Second corps, Barlow's division, I believe, is a rebel battery. Our fortified skirmish line is within a few rods of the enemy's intrenchments. This battery for some days annoyed us exceedingly. Throughout the entire day shell after shell would be dropped among the troops in reserve. Shells are noisy missiles. They seldom effect great damage, unless used upon heavy masses within easy range. A screaming shell is little more than a moral effect. I have known a brigade of infantry to be concealed in the woods, while the rebel shells appeared to burst with wonderful precision in their very midst. Scarcely a man would be hit. Upon new troops the effect is terrifying. There is no man, however brave or courageous, but will wince and shrink when he listens, for the first time, to the bursting of shells. One soon gets accustomed to them, and an old sol dier will calmly smoke his short pipe and speculate upon the chances of one bursting in some spot close by, which he has selected. One morning the rebels around this battery discovered a small lunette immediately in front. It had grown up in a single night. Twenty men lay concealed in this small trench. They were but a few yards from the dark muzzles of those threatening cannon. The rebels attempt to work the guns. All efforts are futile. When a rebel shows his head a small jet of white smoke curls slowly above the small semi-circle where our men are concealed. The rebel falls. In this way we render the once formidable battery useless. During the day it is quiet; at night they use it freely. All the old dodges are used freely practised. A man puts his hat on the end of a ramrod, and holds if above the pit. In a trice it is pierced with a dozen bullets. Another exposes his own person slightly, that an associate may get a single fair pop at a rebel." Great quantities of powder and lead are thrown away. About sunset every night, both sides endeavor to push out their respective skirmish lines. It frequently happens that both sides open with cannon and musketry, and keep up a continual uproar for half an hour. Already there have been two such occurrences, which, to those not upon the spot, would assume the magnitude of a fearful night attack. Barlow's and Gibbon's divisions, of the Second corps, are so near the enemy, great precautions are necessary to ward off a collision. Two nights ago there was a savage rattle of musketry and showers of grape and canister exchanged. Every one thought a bloody battle had been fought. Next morning I discovered that scarcely a dozen men had been struck. Bottom's bridge is not quite two miles from here. The rebels had cut the supporting timbers, but were driven away before they could complete their work of destruction upon the timbers of the bridge. A train of cars came to the station to-day from the White House. Near the river is a large saw-mill. A large quantity of lumber was here. It was loaded on the cars and carried off. The cavalry have gone on another raid. Whatever they undertake to do will be well done. ing for the appearance of our army in that direction. June 10, P. M.-The enemy are busy throwing up fortifications in the vicinity of Summer's and Bottom's bridge. The spires of Richmond are in view from the signal stations at these points, and their wagon trains can be seen moving within three or four miles of the city, where the road for a short distance is visible. Very little firing has taken place to-day. No change in position has been made within the past two days. Last evening as Colonel McAllister, of the Eleventh New Jersey volunteers, was riding along the line he was fired at by a rebel sharpshooter, notwithstanding there had been a tacit agreement that no picket firing should take place. The ball passed across the Colonel's breast and entered the head of his orderly, who was riding with him. The entire command was at once put under arms expecting an attack, but nothing further occurred. June 11, P. M.-Our lines are scarcely nearer the enemy than was their position in the case of the battle of Friday, more than a week ago. The troops on both sides, each behind their intrenchments, have kept up a desultory but useless fire, just sufficient to make it apparent that the respective works were not vacant. Both armies, in fact, have been enjoying the repose which was needed after the hard fighting and rapid marching of the three weeks' campaigning from the banks of the Rapidan. To-day the silence is even more marked than before. The sound of a musket has scarcely been heard along the entire line. A few blurts of artillery, and the explosion of a shell or two over the trees, about the centre of the line, have been the only reminders this afternoon of the enemy's presence. From present indications it is not likely that there will be fighting for several days to come; but a storm is brewing, and may burst in a quarter least expected by the enemy. It is not proper at this time to say precisely how General Grant will attempt to discomfit the enemy. Yesterday a general order was issued by General Meade forbidding unauthorized communica tion with the enemy. The men on both sides have been holding intercourse with each other, for the interchange of newspapers and the barter of coffee and tobacco. In this way a great deal of mischief was likely to result, as information of vital importance is always apt to leak out. The opposing lines of rifle-pits, it must be borne in mind, are not one hundred yards distant, and in some parts of the line much closer. For any portion of the body to be exposed the penalty is certain wounding, if not death, but the men are utterly weary with loading and firing. They have kept up this skirmishing for days, and no visible advantage has been gained by either side. June 9th, 1864.-There is nothing especially interesting to report to-day. On a part of the line picket firing has been kept up all day, while at other points it would seem as if by a mutual agreement this practice had ceased. Last evening a battery in Birney's division opened on a house on our left, which, according to a deserter who came in, was occupied by General Wilcox. Three shells went through it, causing the occupants to leave rather hastily. The fire was returned with very good aim, but The fire gradually slackens. Officers become without loss to us. The deserter says that careless about urging the men to their work. Beauregard's troops are posted from Bottom's A magnetic spell influences with equal power bridge all the way to the James River, watch-our own men and their mortal enemies. It is very curious that the combatants are entirely hidden from each other's sight. The last shot is fired, and the lull in the battle-storm is perfect. Adventurous spirits on both sides cautiously raise their heads above the earthworks. "How are you, Johnny ?" "How are you Yank?" are the questions usually bandied. "Won't you shoot?" says one. "No," says the other. "Well, we won't," chime in all; and immediately the parapets are swarmed with men who have been concealed behind them. Out jump the fellows from the rifle-pits, and putting down their guns, stretch their cramped forms upon the grass. Sharpshooters covertly slide down from their perches in the trees, and loll about in utter abandon. Trade is quickly opened, and all sorts of commodities are exchanged. The men have keen pleasure in their singular armistice, bantering each other sharply, and never overstepping the half-way line which separates their respective fortifications. Suddenly the cry is raised, "Run back, Johnnys," or "Run back, Yank," just as it happens to be, "we're going to shoot," and the hostilities begin again. It is always understood, however, that the first shot shall be aimed high, and the veriest pawdler gets back to shelter safely. While this fraternal scene is being enacton one part of the line, the battle rages hot at other portions of the extended front, which measures by miles. Was ever such strange warfare known before? It is easy enough to see, however, that these anomalous episodes may be abused. The rebels availed themselves of such a truce the other day to strengthen a battery, which had been reduced to silence, and had kept still for nearly a week. The work, consequently, has had to be done over again. I have seen a great number of prisoners lately. Their appearance utterly refutes the current stories that the rebel army is in a destitute and starving condition. It is simply idle to talk about starving the army into submission. The rebel soldiers, as a general thing, are stout, strong, and the very picture of health. It is insulting to our brave men that statements, so industriously circulated respecting the feebleness and lack of power of endurance of the Southern soldiers, should be believed. The rations of the rebel troops may not be in as great variety as those furnished our men, but they have proved to be fully as nutritious. This fact cannot be gainsaid. JONES' BRIDGE, VIRGINIA, June 13, 1864. By the left flank, once more! Our army has been crossing here quietly for some hours. Our wounded and sick were all sent to White House yesterday. Such of our troops as could be moved from the front, started yesterday (Sunday) morning. Our wagon trains had been packed the previous day, ready for the move. These preparatory movements always occupy a day or two, when the enemy are on our front, and it was not until last night that the comple tion of these preliminaries gave the signal for the troops to fall in for another move. A portion of the Eighteenth corps and some other troops were first withdrawn and moved to the rear. During the night the rest were quietly withdrawn. It is one of the most difficult tasks to withdraw from the front of an enemy strongly intrenched, with lines of battle as close as they were, in position, just to the left. Our withdrawal was effected so quietly as not to arouse their suspicion, and here we are crossing the Chickahominy, a full and long day's march from Mechanicsville. Where we go we know not. All have learned to follow General Grant wherever he leads, and no questions asked. We crossed in two colums, our right here at Long bridge, and our left lower down at Jones' bridge. The headquarters' trains left Cold Harbor on Sunday at three A. M., and are now encamped here. Our next march is to bring us to James river. So closely have we pressed the enemy in our front for several days, that they were unable to send off sufficient forces to hold these fords, and as we have a shorter line by twenty miles than anything they can take to reach our rear, we feel very secure in our position. White Oak swamp now protects our right wing, and the Chickahominy in a few hours will cover our rear. The Richmond Despatch of Saturday, June eleventh, mentions a rumor brought into the city of Wade Hampton's having had a sharp fight with Sheridan's cavalry, west of Richmond, where the Yankees were endeavoring to reach the canal locks on James river. It claims that that they had obtained some success, but does not seem to attach much importance to the statement. THE ADVANCE ON PETERSBURG. IN THE FIELD, Saturday, June 11 The Second cavalry brigade, General Kautz's division, Colonel S. P. Spear commanding, crossed the Appomattox river on pontoon bridges during the night of the eighth instant. The whole division (excepting a part of the first brigade, Colonel Mix), was across by half-past four on the morning of the ninth, and at once took up the line of march in the direction of Petersburg. About six o'clock our advance met and charged the enemy's pickets, capturing four of them, two of whom were mortally wounded, and have since died. Captain Reynolds, with one squadron of the Eleventh Pennsylvania cavalry, was ordered to charge about one hundred of their cavalry, with drawn sabres, which he did in gallant style. The rebels could not see the necessity of remaining in front of the Captain's brave boys, to become martyrs to cold steel, consequently they changed base to the rear in double-quick, and made the woods their next base of operations. After having driven the rebels into the woods, the head of the column was turned to the left, and proceeded DOCUMENTS. on the road leading to the Petersburg plankroad. When within three miles of the plank-road the advance was again fired on by the enemy; the Eleventh Pennsylvania cavalry was at once dismounted, and skirmished the woods to the front, while the Fifth Pennsylvania skirmished to the right and left. They had not gone more than fifty yards when the enemy opened on the Fifth skirmishers with two howitzers, from a redoubt. The Fifth immediately charged their works, driving a regiment of cavalry, under Colonel Denin, of Virginia, and the cannon from their camp and works, leaving, in their precipitate flight, all their horse equipments, and a We had large lot of new clothing and arms. no means of removing our captured property, and they were consequently committed to the flames, and so perished Colonel Denin's camp, with all surplus baggage he may have had on hand, under the very noses of his boasted chivalry. on dress parade, to within about one hundred the regiment, as steadily as though they were yards of the redoubt, when they struck up that demoniac yell of theirs, which the rebels have every reason to so well remember, and went at full speed on to the works. The enemy held until our men had climbed up the embankments, their position nobly, and would not give way and fired down into them; such work they evidently did not expect from cavalry, and when While the they found our men had actually gotten in their works, they skedaddled in splendid confusion, leaving everything behind them. Fifth was thus engaged, the First District of Columbia and Eleventh Pennsylvania were doing their work well on the right and centre; they, at the same time the Fifth charged, The enemy left one twelve-pounder brass charged and carried the works in front of them. gun, caisson (chests full of ammunition, horses, tery of artillery), in the hands of the Fifth Pennharness, and everything connected with a batGeneral Wise was in command of a line of ram-sylvania cavalry, they also left all their dead parts in the rear of those we had just captured, and the retreating rebels took refuge in them. Wise being in command accounts for their not coming out of their works to fight us, for he always prefers having his miserable carcass behind forts or in a bed, as he did at Roanoke, to having it where there is the slightest chance to be the recipient of a shot. He may be perfectly right, for I have no doubt that it is rather more healthy behind forts than in the open field. After having succeeded in driving them into their works, we marched on in the direction of the plank-road, crossed the Norfolk and Petersburg railroad at ten o'clock, and reached the plank-road at eleven; marched up the road to within one mile of Petersburg, when the advance came upon the enemy's works. A squadron of the Eleventh Pennsylvania cavalry was at once ordered to charge the works with drawn sabres, which was done in good order. They charged to within twenty yards of the works, when the enemy opened upon them a most deadly and destructive fire of musketry, compelling the squadron to fall back on the main column, the enemy at the same time firing into the column as it stood massed in the road. The First District of Columbia cavalry (a de- and wounded, numbering about one hundred and fifty, prisoners in our hands. We destroyed their tents, and all camp and garrison equipage, with the exception of a few tents left for shelter for some wounded rebels. After having accomplished our work effectually at the works just alluded to, the columu was pushed on toward the city (it then being in full sight), Colonel Spear, or old Spuds, as he is familiarly called in the brigade, and his staff, riding in advance of the column some distance. We arrived within less than one hundred yards of the city, when the enemy's sharpshooters opened upon the Colonel and staff, and at the same time firing upon the main column from a battery on the right flank. "Spuds," however, with his usual daring, charged directly on at full speed, until he found it utterly impossible to get into town with the force he had up with him without a fearful sacvance to the left about by fours, and marched rifice of life; consequently he wheeled the adThe orders, back about fifty yards, under cover of an embankment, and then waited orders from the when received, were to retire slowly, as it was General commanding division. very evident the enemy had been heavily reinforced from Beauregard's forces out of town. The trains could be distinctly heard coming into the city, and they were undoubtedly loaded with troops. The enemy followed up the rear of the column as we were marching away, with infantry, cavalry, and artillery, for over ten miles, keeping up a constant fire upon us. Colonel Spear and staff, with Captain Bailey, of the Eleventh, remained in the rear until all danger was passed, and they went to the front and brought the column into camp about twelve o'clock the same night, without further molestation. The cavalry of this department have been doing splendid service since the opening of the campaign, and are constantly on the move. Our loss is very slight, not exceeding fifty, killed, wounded and missing. Among the latter, I regret to state, is Captain George D. Hart, of Company K, of the Fifth, a brave and efficient officer. Great credit is due to General A. V. Kautz, Colonel S. P. Spear, and their subordinate officers, for their gallant attack upon the stronglyfortified city of Petersburg. THE CROSSING OF THE JAMES. UNITED STATES SAMSHIP ONONDAGA, The air was still, and the columns of smoke ascended from the fading camp-fires, and were lost in the blue ether above. The regimental wagons, in seemingly inextricable confusion, were running hither and thither; the ambulances and Sanitary Commission wagons were finding their proper places; companies and regiments were marching and countermarching; batteries were mounting and forming in line; and cavalry regiments were marching and wheeling to their respective brigades and divisions. The broad plain was a scene of strange activity, wonderful and grand. The sun had not risen when the crossing commenced, and the morncorps of Burnside led the van. The regimental wagons moved on to the bridge first. From beneath the soiled and dusty wagon-covers penetrated the tent-poles and their tackling, the buckets and camp kettles, and in nearly every wagon, as an appropriate and component part of the mass of camp material, was a young conThe army left the banks of the Chickahominy, traband, with soiled cap and broken visor, with and marched in the direction of Charles City haversack around his neck, and his half-covered Court-house, evidently puzzling and surprising legs dangling over the tail-board, and shoesthe enemy as to the intention of the sudden "prodigious!" The commissary wagons folmovement from their front. The advance of lowed, crammed with stores, and drawn by the army arrived at the river near Harrison's stout-looking mules, that seemed to comprelanding so familiar to us as the place of em- hend and with wonderful alacrity obeyed the barkation of McClellan's army two years ago-half-expressed commands of their drivers. After during the day of Tuesday, the fourteenth. It these came the covered ambulance wagons, was contemplated crossing the river in this that looked peculiarly comfortable and easy in vicinity to Windmill Point, on the southern contrast with the heavy teams before them. bank, and also to Fort Powhatan, about two After these, the light, tidy wagons of the miles farther down the river. The number, Sanitary Commission, attached to each of which, however, was comparatively few who crossed and following them, were fine-looking milch at the latter place, while at Windmill Point the cows. The rear guard closed this long train, main bridge of pontoons was laid. It consisted and then the crossing of the men began. The of some fifty broad, strong boats, over and upon artillery led the line, and the horses moved on which the planking and beams, lashed together, to the bridge as though it was the solid ground. were laid. In the river, above and below, and From the plain, down the bank, across the at short distances from the bridge, schooners bridge they came, horses and drivers, guns, were anchored, and from them ran hawsers, limbers, and caissons, steadily on, and up the fastened to the bridge, steadying it and keep-hill, away from sight into the woods. It was a ing it in position. It was three thousand five hundred and eighty feet long, and probably one of the longest pontoon bridges ever laid. The planking or floor was two feet above the water, and was sufficiently wide to enable twelve men or five horsemen to cross abreast. The northern shore descended gradually to a slight elevation where the land is quite level, and a mile or more beyond the river is thickly wooded. The southern bank descends abruptly to a series of hills, all of which are heavily timbered. From Windmill Point, to which the southern side of the bridge was affixed, a good road ran directly up and over hills leading to Petersburg. The Army of the Potomac is across the James, and the news can no longer be contra-ing was delightfully cool and bracing. The band. Those who were permitted to see the transition of this army of one hundred and thirty thousand men from the northern to the southern bank of the James, will remember a scene strange and magnificent beyond description, and which can never be effaced from the `memory. In the early daylight of the morning of Wednesday, the fifteenth, the crossing began. The open plain on the northern side of the river, and far back into the woods and through the opening, which, like a large gateway, permitted the column to pass, was crowded with the armed host preparing to form in line. A thin cloud of dust hung over the region like a gossamer veil. noticeable feature that almost without exception, the batteries consisted of four pieces only, and these all Parrott guns, mostly ten-pounders, though there were twenty and thirty-pounders in some of them. This, we understand, is in accordance with an order of General Grant, which reorganizes this branch of the service. And so, the old familiar "Napoleons," the six and twelve-pounder "smooth-bores," and the "James rifled," have given way to these long, slender, saucy-looking Parrotts. The last caisson of the long line has reached the bridge, and the bayonets of the advancing infantry glisten above the bank. With ranks well aligned and in order, with steady, strong steps, they move on to the bridge, by the right flank or four abreast, and with arms "at will." The campaign, since the fifth of May, has sifted from the ranks all those unable to endure the excessive fatigue which those men have been called upon to bear beyond that of almost any army of which history tells, and the re |