on Thursday last, the second day of our occupa-party. Some one hundred and forty infantry of tion of this place, drawn upon us an attack from the One Hundred and Thirty-ninth, and a few the enemy in force, which unmistakably devel- cavalry, were almost immediately deployed as oped their strength to be considerable. In that skirmishers on the plain which was the scene of letter I could not report particulars, as the last the previous day's fight. The One Hundred and chance for the night from here to the White Thirty-ninth steadily advanced to the fringe of House was going down. I must again briefly state that the whole of Thursday, up to about half-past four o'clock, passed very quietly, little disturbing the monotony that reigned supreme around the encampment, beyond the visits of General Keyes, who rode from one headquarters to another several times during the day, closing with an afternoon visit to all the picket-stations in pursuit, they showed themselves to be at least encircling the ground he has guarded like a citadel. I had endeavored to make myself thoroughly acquainted with the position, and to glean from personal observation, if possible, the design and object of a halt which seemed to me premature, considering the avowed original purpose of the expedition to aid and abet General Getty in his attempt upon the upper bridges of the Pamunkey, the North and South-Anna bridges, and the railroads which connect Richmond with the North. Indeed, I had deemed the demonstration of the rebels on the previous day but so much of an incentive to advance brave troops as a general might desire. The blood of the men was set coursing, the dispositions were admirable, and the coolness of the General, his officers and attendant aids-de-camp, such as to inspire confidence in the men. There was nothing which should deter the faintest heart from daring an advance.

But what at first seemed a questionable Fabian policy proved to be the result of an astute understanding and a perfect comprehension of what even a few hostile troops could do in a country checkered with woods and small open fieldstoo small for opposing troops to operate in, but large enough, if tempted or commanded to enter them, to make their deadly marks upon ambushed enemies and masked batteries against treble their number. This I at once saw and admitted, after a couple of hours' ride, taken alone within the lines, and with the view of forming a judgment upon a doubt which exercised me a good deal.

While on this particular subject, I may say, and as briefly as possible, that, unless against incontestably overwhelming numbers, the real defence of Richmond lies in the innumerable roads which permeate and intersect this portion of the peninsula, all debouching at numerous external points and converging at the very entrance to the city. With these preliminary remarks, dictated by a conviction of their necessity to enable the distant reader to thoroughly understand the present movement, I proceed to give you the details of the night attack upon our lines.

the woods without being once confronted; but scarcely had they done so when they were encountered by an opposing line of sharp-shooters, three deep, before whom our boys, after a second discharge of their muskets, fell back only in time, indeed, to save themselves from being surrounded. When the rebel skirmishers appeared on the plain one thousand strong. Colonel West, judging from the fire that we were strongly opposed, drew out his brigade in line of battle, Captain Fagan instantly advancing his section of artillery in front of the line. The skirmishers, being reënforced, again advanced, but before shots were exchanged a battery of heavy guns opened upon our line from the crest of the wooded knoll on our left. Captain Fagan, with his couple of six-pounders, blazed away in response, but his ineffectual fire paled before the thundering of eight heavy fieldpieces, throwing shot and shell into the midst of the line. One great advantage the rebel skirmishers had over us was that, while they were armed with rifles, the One Hundred and Thirty-ninth had only smooth-bores, and thus, while our shot would not reach the rebels, they took down our men standing in line of battle hundreds of yards beyond the line of skirmishers. I saw the dogma thoroughly established: "Observe the first duty of a soldier." The One Hundred and Thirty-ninth, last evening, knowing the disadvantage they were to labor under as to arms, and that the rebel skirmishers were thirty to one of them, advanced to the fight with surprising readiness and coolness. The loss was eighteen left on the field, besides those taken away by the Medical Director, Dr. O'Reilly, whom no shelling deterred from his humane and noble duty.

The medical director testifies to their bravery. Dr. O'Reilly, on the first intimation that ambulances were required, took that especial duty into his own hands, without any circumlocution whatever. "General," he said, "Colonel West is engaged; let me have those ambulances of yours to take to the front." "Take them off, doctor, at once," was the reply. And I must say that this promptitude saved eight men from imprisonment and some others from death, for under the kind care of their nurses the more seriously wounded are now out of danger.

Colonel West and Captain Fagan made the best fight they could against the forces opposed to them, but were eventually compelled to fall back upon our next line.

As I said, Colonel West, not "blue moulding Here the brave Grimshaw and the Fourth Delafor want of a beating," but anxious for a bit of a ware were stationed; but before their services fight, after a pleasant conference with a brother were required Colonel Porter had pushed forward officer, Major Candless, on the subject, moved to feel the enemy in front. Colonel West thought he would exercise some men in skirmishing, and Major Candless that he would throw out a foraging

to the support with two regiments, and Colonel West, after two days' fatiguing marches in the front, and two skirmishes against greatly superior numbers, retired within our main lines. Colonel

by General Keyes himself, who remarked: "There is a regularly trained soldier opposed to me there, whoever he is." Whoever he was, he halted at the right time, and we heard no more of the rebels for that night. We unfortunately left some eighteen dead and wounded men in their hands, Dr. O'Reilly having just carried off eight wounded men, who are all doing well.

Porter's orders were: "Fight them to the last ex-sects, before almost unheard, but which now tremity. Don't fall back till ordered." Two miles burst painfully and spell-like upon the ear. After now intervened between the ground where the a few anxious minutes, the silence was first broken skirmish opened and where Colonel Porter stood ready to receive them, yet the rear of our column had scarcely reached Baltimore Store when the rebels, by another road, dashed upon Colonel Porter's command, hoping to cut.it off; but the gallant Colonel had received his orders and knew his duty... The attack was repulsed, and, true to their system, the rebels, instead of musket and bayonet, again plied us with shot and shell, while their perfect knowledge of the country enables them to move from one point to another with almost magical celerity.

AN ANXIOUS NIGHT.

Very little sleep was enjoyed at headquarters that night; and although General Keyes had but General Keyes now rode to the front, and Colo- an hour or two previous to the firing in front nel Porter and Colonel Grimshaw were withdrawn made his headquarters at Dr. Tyler's house-a from their positions. Their line of retreat was a relative of ex-President Tyler-he preferred to divergence from the line of battle conceived for remain on the field till morning. Colonel Porter, the occasion. Our troops fell back in the direc-who commanded a brigade, occupied Dr. Tyler's tion of the New-Kent road, and were most per- abandoned house as headquarters-Colonel sistently and hotly followed up by the rebels, who Grimshaw holding the advance and protecting shelled them every yard of the road. The design our front. was to draw them after our retreating forces until they came in front of our line of battle, now drawn up in a most advantageous position upon the very ground occupied as headquarters. Our right was toward the woods, and the line of retreat and pursuit, while facing the woods, was a strong place, which the falling night completely shut out from the view of the rebels. The latter force had most positive orders not to fire a shot or in any way to expose our position. In the mean time Grimshaw and Porter skirted the large field on which our line was formed, Captain Fagan, of the artillery, and a squadron of cavalry, under Major Candless, protecting their rear, Captain Fagan sending a random shot occasionally

into the woods.

Before dawn this morning (Friday) Captain Howard, with a strong body of pioneers from various regiments, visited the outposts and barricaded all the roads debouching upon or contiguous to our lines, strengthening our position very much. Colonel Suydam, Adjutant-General of the corps, arrived in camp last night.

THE CAPTURED QUARTERMASTER.

The name of the quartermaster captured by the rebels on the march is Morgan Kupp, of the One Hundred and Sixty-seventh Pennsylvania regiment. He was detained on duty at our rear and had not yet joined us, but was hurrying forward when seized. He is very highly spoken of indeed, and his loss is much regretted by his brother officers.

Sergeant John Jones, company H, Sixth NewYork cavalry, who was fired at by a bushwhacker when in pursuit of Mr. Kupp and struck in the belt, received no injury from the shot. He, of course, feels happy at his luck, as who would not, and retains the slug, which remained in his belt, as a memento of his escape.

RICHMOND DISPATCH ACCOUNT.

The General's plan was working admirably; the retreating forces were now traversing the road in our front, the enemy's shell tore through the woods on their right or passed over their heads, and in a few moments more we hoped to have them before us. Captain McKnight's battery was on the right of our line, ready to fire upon them; a strong force, directed to cut off their retreat by throwing itself into the woods, was on the spring, when,. strangely and perversely enough, the rebels ceased the pursuit just at the very RICHMOND, June 29, 1863. point or turn of the road, their occupation of For a city besieged, Richmond presented a very which would have left them at our mercy. The quiet and composed appearance yesterday. The most exciting few moments of my life passed sky was overcast, and the day was not a very here, while I looked upon the deadly disposition cheerful one; but nothing seems to dampen the of our forces, and hoped, with a savage hope, for spirits of our citizens. The men generally seem the accomplishment of our purposes. But no; to have become possessed with the idea that they the rebels suddenly ceased firing and halted in are regular troops, and have been in the army their pursuit. In vain was our net set for their since the war commenced. They obey the sumcatching, even at the moment we deemed their mons to the militia with the promptness, coolness, entanglement most certain. General Keyes was and that imperturbable stolidity which characterat first delighted, thinking that perhaps they izes old soldiers. The ladies, too, deserve as were closing up for a dash upon the road. My much credit as the men. They are the commisown and the feeling of those near me favored the saries of the militia, and prepare the inevitable same idea. Whispered orders for the strictest rolls with legs of fine chickens inserted, and the silence passed down the line, and all was pro- sliced ham, with which the married men particufound quiet, save the chirping of myriads of in-larly are well supplied. The single men are, of

course, not so well supplied, being forced, as a out the aid of the very large body of regulars general thing, to raid on their boarding-house who are in and around the place. While there tables and take the chances, while the proprietor was no need for them yesterday, yet we have the is looking the other way, of surreptitiously put- satisfaction of knowing that an organization has ting their two days' rations into their haversacks. been effected which will, with the addition of a Saturday afternoon the following notice was post-little drilling, render Richmond perfectly secure ed in the city: against any raids or even regularly planned attacks of the enemy.

TO THE CITIZENS OF RICHMOND: The President and the Governor of Virginia, deeply impressed Our scouts were busy during the day in the with the necessity of a speedy organization of all country below the city, but did not gather much able-bodied and patriotic citizens for local defence information that we have had access to At one in and around the city of Richmond and through- time the report was that the enemy were at out the State, urgently appeal to their fellow- Diascund bridge and numbered twenty-three citizens to come forth in their militia organiza-thousand. The report, it was said, might be retion and to commence and perfect at once other lied upon. We conversed with an intelligent organizations by companies, battalions, and reg- gentleman, who was a prisoner within the eneiments. An imperious necessity for instant ac- my's lines on Friday, but, after being paroled, tion exists, and they trust that this appeal will made his escape and walked to Richmond. He be all that is necessary to accomplish the result. was captured Friday morning while within a short No time is to be lost-danger threatens the city. distance of the Pamunkey River, near Cumber...Therefore, with a view to secure the individual land. The Dutch Yankees who arrested him attention of all classes of the citizens of Richmond, carried him to the headquarters of Keyes, who and to impress upon them the full importance of was in command of the division which landed at the crisis, it is hereby ordered that all stores and the White House. The division was drawn up places of business in this city be closed to-day at in line of battle. He reached the headquarters three o'clock P.M., and daily thereafter until near New-Kent Court-House, and upon being further order, and the people be invited to meet carried before the Commanding General was closeand form organizations for local defence. They ly questioned. During the examination General will be armed and equipped as fast as the com- Keyes spoke several times in a very boastful panies are formed. By command of the Secre- manner of the ease which he would enter Rich tary of War. S. COOPER, mond. He said that Wise was a damned old coward;" that Wise had challenged him for a fight anywhere between Williamsburgh and Richmond, and that now he had come, Wise had run away. The officers at headquarters participated in the confidence of their braggart chief, with the addition of the lie that they had fifty thousand men. Our informant, who is a soldier himself, says he thinks they had about fifteen thousand men-cavalry, artillery, and infantry. He counted sixteen pieces of artillery. claimed to have a brigade of cavalry, but he only saw two regiments. The infantry was composed chiefly of foreigners, the Dutch predominating. After being paroled, the prisoner was allowed to go at large, and escaped by way of Charles City County, arriving in this city yesterday morning.

Adjutant and Inspector-General. By order of the Governor of Virginia JOHN G. MOSBY, JR., A. A. A. General, A great many rumors had prevailed throughout the city during the day, all placing the Federal force at about three times its actual strength. The city troops, as we may call the militia, rapidly armed, and in an incredibly short time regiments were assembled on the public square. While this gathering was going on another notice was posted, of which the following is a copy:

MY FELLOW-CITIZENS, TO ARMS.-I have just received a message direct from the highest authority in the Confederacy, to call upon the militia organizations to come forth, and upon all other citizens to organize companies for the defence of this city against immediate attack of the enemy. They are approaching, and you may have to meet them before Monday morning. I can do no more than give you this warning of their near approach. Remember New-Orleans. Richmond is now in your hands. Let it not fall under the rule of another Butler. Rally, then, to your officers tomorrow morning, at ten o'clock, on Broad street, in front of the City Hall.

Jos. MAYO,

They

By the evening train on the York River road, we have the latest intelligence of the movements of the enemy. Saturday evening the force from Disacund bridge, in James City County, arrived at the White House, after a march of fifteen miles. That evening a lieutenant-colonel, who was with McClellan while he occupied that point, made a visit to the farm of a lady near by, and stated in conversation that the Federal force on the peninsula numbered about eleven thousand, and was under the command of General Keyes The regiments which assembled in the square and Gordon, the former being chief. Persons were notified to be in readiness at the same place who saw them at the White House do not think yesterday morning at ten o'clock, and assembled they were over eleven thousand. A scout of ours at the time appointed, with ranks very much in- who had been to Diascund bridge reported that creased. It was the general impression on the there are none of the enemy now at the bridge. part of those who witnessed the parade that the Since their arrival at the White House they have city troops of Richmond were numerous enough, not advanced at all, and their pickets are not and well drilled enough, to defend the city with-thrown out even as far as Tunstall's Station, four

Saturday Afternoon, June 27, 1863.

Mayor of Richmond,

the move is probably made with the view of em- GENERAL WILLCOX'S ORDER AGAINST barking again for Yorktown.

When the bridge over South-Anna River, on the Central Railroad, Friday, was burned, the position was defended by Lieutenant Rice and fiftyone men of company A, Forty-fourth North-Carolina troops, under the command of LieutenantColonel Hargrove, of that regiment. The defence was most gallant and obstinate, though against such odds as to be unsuccessful. They were attacked from all directions by one thousand cavalry, two hundred dismounted men, and two pieces of artillery. We give the list of killed and publish. wounded. Killed-Privates John W. Newman, Joseph Cash, and Burton Nevis. WoundedSergeant John Buchanan, mortally; private John Pitland, mortally, (both since dead;) Sergeant Alexander Pearce, J. G. Hays, and William Strum; privates Stephen Knott, William Sherron, James Ladd, James Sanford, Dennis O'Brien, J. Satterwhite, Thomas Clopton, William Morgan, D. Buck, James Emory, and Isaac Jinkins. Lieutenant-Colonel Hargrove received a sabre-cut. The desperate courage of the defenders of this bridge against such odds may be understood when it is stated that out of fifty-three men, twenty-two-nearly half-were killed or wounded before it was captured.