the Mechanicsville road. Gen. Burnside held the left, and a little in rear. The right and rear were covered by the 3d division of cavalry under Gen. Wilson. The divisions of Gens. Torbert and Gregg were advanced on the left flank. The division of Gen. Torbert held the Old Church Tavern Cross Road with a picket force extending on the road to Coal Harbor. A movement of the enemy was made about 2 P. M. upon these pickets, who were driven in, and a sharp engagement ensued, with a loss of eighty or ninety on each side, when the enemy were driven back. About 5 P. M. an attack was made on Gen. Warren's corps, which was gradually moving to the left along the Mechanicsville road, by a reconnoitring division of Gen. Ewell's corps with two brigades of cavalry. The turning of Gen. Warren's flank was endangered, which was prevented only by the timely arrival of reenforcements. A sharp engagement followed, and the enemy were forced to retire by a road parallel to the Coal Harbor road. Gen. Meade, upon being informed of the situation of Gen. Warren, ordered an attack along the whole line. Gen. Hancock alone received the order in time to attack before dark, and immediately advanced upon the enemy's skirmish line, captured their rifle-pits, and held them all night. Gen. Warren held his position near Mechanicsville, and the enemy moved down troops to prevent any further dangerous concentration on his right. An effort was made to dislodge Gen. Hancock at midnight, but without success.

On Tuesday, the 31st, the army of Gen. Grant was further reënforced by the arrival of the 18th corps under Gen. Smith. This corps, being a part of the command of Gen. Butler, embarked on transports at City Point, and moved with celerity down the James River and up the York River to the White House, which was the base of supplies for Gen. Grant's army.

After the retirement of Gen. Butler to his intrenchments on the 20th, little fighting occurred. An attack was made on his post at Wilson's Wharf, on the northerly bank of the James, held by two regiments of negro troops, on the 24th, by a body of cavalry under Gen. Fitz Lee. Á demand for surrender was made, which Gen. Wild declined, when the skirmishing line was speedily driven in, and furious charges made on the works. After a contest of three or four hours the enemy withdrew, leaving twenty-five dead on the ground. On the 26th a reconnoissance discovered the enemy in considerable force. The position of Gen. Butler now was such that his communication and supplies were perfectly secure. Both flanks of his remaining force were covered by gun

boats.

On Tuesday, May 31st, the headquarters of Gen. Grant were about five miles southeast of Hanover Court House, and less than that distance west of Hanovertown. In front of that position, facing westerly on its right and

southwesterly on its left, the line of battle of the army extended a distance of six miles across Tolopatomy Creek. The right was held by Gen. Wright's 6th corps, next Gen. Hancock's 2d corps, next Gen. Burnside's 9th corps, and Gen. Warren's 5th corps on the left. The position of the enemy was on the westerly bank of a creek running southeast, and a tributary to the Tolopatomy before the latter turns to the northeast to the Pamunkey. Their line closely followed in general direction that of Gen. Grant's army. The right was held by Gen. A. P. Hill. the centre by Gen. Longstreet's corps, and the left by Gen. Ewell. In this position they covered the Chickahominy, which is the outer line of defence for Richmond and the Virginia Central Railroad, with cavalry supports thrown out on the left as far as Hanover Court House, and on the right to Bottom Bridge. This was the theatre of operations of the Army of the Potomac in 1862, when the approach to Richmond was made across the Chickahominy, before which the enemy were now strongly drawn up.

On Tuesday there was desultory firing through the day along the whole line. Gen. Grant already contemplated a movement by the left, and the 1st division of cavalry, under Gen. Torbert, were ordered forward to reconnoitre thoroughly the ground in the vicinity of Coal Harbor, and to hold it at all hazards for the occupation of infantry. While there a sharp fight ensued with a body of the enemy's cavalry, which resulted in Gen. Torbert's holding the desired ground.

On the next day, June 1st, an effort was made by a division of the enemy under Gen. Hoke, to get possession of Coal Harbor. This was repulsed by Gen. Sheridan. Subsequently Gen. Hoke was reenforced, and about noon checked the further advance of Gen. Sheridan on the left. On the previous night the 6th corps was detached from the right, and marched from Shady Grove to Coal Harbor, where they arrived soon after the close of the above affair. It formed in line on the right of the Gaines' Mill road, with Gen. Ricketts' division on the right, Gen. Russell's in the centre, and Gen. Neill's 2d on the left. About 3 o'clock the 18th corps, under Gen. Smith, from the White House, came into the field, and formed on the right of the 6th corps, with Gen. Martindale on the right, Gen. Brookes in the centre, and Gen. Devins on the left. Their march, like that of the 6th corps, had been severe, over a distance of twenty-five miles. A charge by the 18th corps was ordered at once, and, without stopping, they crossed an open field to a strip of wood, and took and held the first line of the enemy's rifle-pits, capturing six hundred prisoners. A lodgment was also effected in the enemy's line further to the right, but the position proved to be completely commanded by a

redoubt in the second line of the enemy, and, amidst a heavy fire, it was abandoned. During the night the enemy made desperate efforts to

regain the rifle-pits, and succeeded in annoying the troops with an enfilading fire. Their charges, however, were repelled. The loss of the Union troops was about two thousand; the enemy being behind breastworks, probably suffered much less. The change in the line now had brought Gen. Wright to the extreme left, between whom and the 5th corps was now the 18th under Gen. Smith. During the entire day there had been warm work along the whole line, in which the artillery took a part toward night. Several distinct charges were made by the enemy, which were repulsed. No careful estimate of the losses in this part of the field during the day was made, but it was supposed not to exceed a thousand. The loss of the enemy was severe. The result of the day was the complete occupation and holding of Coal Harbor, which was an important position both as commanding the road to the White House, whence supplies were brought, and also in reference to a subsequent crossing of the Chickahominy.

In the night it was determined by Gen. Grant to make the attempt to push the enemy across the Chickahominy, and to secure a place to ford that stream. The 2d corps was therefore advanced from the extreme right to the extreme left, in order to increase the force in that direction. It reached its position about noon the next day, Thursday, June 2d. The attack which was to have been made on that evening, owing to the heavy rain which ensued, was postponed until the next morning, Friday. Considerable skirmishing had taken place during the day, and a charge was made upon the 5th and 9th corps, without gaining any special advantage.

At half-past 4 o'clock on Friday morning the army was in motion. Its line extended from Tolopatomy Creek across the road from Coal Harbor to the Chickahominy. The ground consisted of woodlands, swamp, and open fields. The skirmishers were promptly advanced, and the whole line was soon engaged in a terrific battle. From Gen. Hancock's corps on the extreme left the brigades of Gens. Gibbon and Barlow moved boldly forward, exposed to shot and shell, up the ascent on which the enemy in their front had concentrated their men and artillery. They drove out the enemy, and for a moment were in possession of their position. Being in advance of the line, they were exposed to a most destructive enfilading fire of the enemy. At the same time the second line of the enemy was massed and hurled upon them. Thus overwhelmed in front, and swept by a fire on the flank, these divisions were now driven out of the intrenchments, but not until they had secured a color and three hundred prisoners. Falling back about fifty yards they were under a partial cover of the ridge. Here they intrenched themselves, and remained through the day. So far had they advanced that one of the enemy's batteries was captured and nearly turned against them when the retreat

was ordered. The 18th and the 6th corps adjoining the second along the line charged forward with not less gallantry, and carried the first line of the enemy's intrenchments, but were received with a most destructive enfilading fire. After an obstinate conflict they were forced back, yielding the position which they had taken, and occupied another close to the enemy's works, which they intrenched. On the right'the 5th and 9th corps were advanced; but the conflict here was not so severe, as the force of the enemy was massed on their right. Still further to the right the 3d division of cavalry, under Gen. Wilson, were engaged with a force of the enemy under Gen. Hampton, but without important results. The contest was continued with more or less vigor throughout the day. The enemy were found too strongly posted to carry their works, and all efforts to cross the Chickahominy at that point were repelled. The loss was nearly seven thousand in killed, wounded, and prisoners. The enemy lost many prisoners, but the advantages under which they fought prevented their loss from being so severe. The following despatches were issued by the War Department:

To Major-Gen. Dix:

WASHINGTON, June 4, 1864.

Despatches from Gen. Grant's headquarters, dated operations took place on Thursday. Yesterday, at 3 o'clock yesterday, have just been received. No half-past 4 o'clock A. M., Gen. Grant made an assault on the enemy's lines, of which he makes the following report:

We assaulted at half-past 4 A. M., driving the enemy within his intrenchments at all points, but without gaining any decisive advantage. Our troops now occupy a position close to the enemy, some places within fifty yards, and are remaining. Our loss was not severe, nor do I suppose the enemy to have lost heavily. We captured over three hundred prisoners, mostly from Breckinridge.'

Another later official report, not from Gen. Grant, estimates the number of our killed and wounded at

about three thousand. The following officers are among the killed:

Col. Haskell, 36th Wisconsin; Col. Porter, 8th New York heavy artillery; Col. Morris, 66th New York.

Among the wounded are Gen. R. O. Tyler-seri ously-will probably lose a foot; Col. McMahon, 164th New York; Col. Byrnes, 28th Massachusettsprobably mortally; and Col. Brooke, 53d Pennsyl vania. EDWIN M. STANTON, Sec'y of War.

Major-Gen. Dix:

WASHINGTON, June 5-1 P. M.

A despatch from Gen. Grant's headquarters, dated half-past 8 o'clock last night, has been received. It states that "about 7 P. M. yesterday, Friday, 3d of June, the enemy suddenly attacked Smith's brigade, of Gibbon's division. The battle lasted with great fury for half an hour. The attack was unwaveringly

repulsed. Smith's losses were inconsiderable."

At 6 P. M., Wilson, with his cavalry, fell upon the rear of a brigade of Heth's division, which Lee had thrown around to his left, apparently with the inten conflict, Wilson drove them from their rifle-pits in tion of enveloping Burnside. After a sharp but short confusion. He took a few prisoners. He had previ ously fought and routed Gordon's brigade of rebel cavalry. During these fights he lost several officers, among them Col. Preston, 1st Vermont cavalry, killed; Col. Benjamin, 8th New York cavalry, seriously wounded.

Our entire loss in killed, wounded, and missing

during the three days' operations around Coal Harbor will not exceed, according to the Adjutant-General's Report, seven thousand five hundred. This morning, Saturday, June 4, the enemy's left wing, in front of Gen. Burnside, was found to have been drawn in during the night.

Col. Cesnola, in command of five thousand men, arrived there yesterday, having marched from Port Royal. EDWIN M. STANTON, Sec'y of War. The position gained, however, was held, and during the next day, Saturday, June 4th, the erection of temporary breast works was busily prosecuted. At 9 o'clock at night the enemy made a fierce attack on the corps of Gen. Hancock, Smith, and Wright, but after a severe loss they were repulsed.

On Sunday, the 5th, the lines continued close to each other. The sharpshooters of the enemy endangered any person exposed in the riflepits, and many officers and men were fatally wounded. Meanwhile the work on the intrenchments, when practicable, was kept up. Soon after dark the enemy made a sudden dash on Gen. Smyth's brigade of the 2d division of Gen. Hancock's corps. They met with a sharp resistance, and were soon repelled with a disproportionably large loss. On Monday the picket-firing was continued, with some change of position in bodies of the troops, and with the work on the intrenchments. At midnight an attack was made on Gen. Burnside's corps on the right, but soon repelled. The nearness of the lines of the two armies made the battlefields of Friday disputed, and the dead still remained upon it unburied and the wounded were unrelieved. A correspondence ensued relative to these dead and wounded, between Gens. Grant and Lee. It resulted in an armistice of two hours, during which the dead and woanded were carefully removed. Meanwhile the 5th corps was detached from its position on the right centre and withdrawn to the rear. Its place in the line was filled by a transfer of the 9th corps from the extreme right. Commissary supplies had been constantly sent forward to the army from the White House, with some reenforcements of hundred days' men and convalescents. New earthworks were built, extending along the course of the Chickahomiby, and everywhere the enemy built parallel works a few hundred yards distant. On Tuesday, June 7th, the enemy making a reconnoissance, attacked the 9th corps in the afternoon, but were vigorously repelled. Of the 5th corps detached during the night from their position in the line, the divisions of Gens. Griffin and Catter moved rapidly down toward Sumner's bridge, on the Chickahominy. The enemy at the bridge were in force, and opened with rather heavy guns on the approaching column. They were soon driven from the bridge, but continued to command it with their artillery. During Wednesday and Thursday there was no change of position. On the latter day, the cavalry under Gens. Torbert and Gregg were pashed further to the left. On Friday some skirmishing of cavalry took place on the right.

The work of intrenchment was continued, and an advance was pushed as far as Bottom bridge, the next below the railroad crossing of Chickahominy. The enemy kept pace, confronting the advance, and fortifying at the bridge. On the same day the destruction of the railroad to the White House was begun from Despatch station easterly. The rails and ties were removed to the White House, and shipped on barges.

On Sunday night, June 12th, the movement for crossing the James River commenced. The line of the enemy extended from Bottom bridge along the Chickahominy, nearly parallel to which was the line of Gen. Grant, and both intrenched. Bottom bridge was commanded by the enemy, and could not be used for crossing. The next were Long bridge, six or seven miles, and Jones's bridge, ten or twelve miles below.

On Sunday night, June 12th, the army began to move. The 2d and 5th corps moved to Long bridge, over which they crossed, and took the road due south to Wilcox's wharf, twelve miles distant on the James' River, and a little west of Charles City. The 6th and the 9th corps at the same time marched to Jones's bridge, by which they crossed the Chickahominy and advanced rapidly to Charles City Court House, about nine miles nearly south of the bridge and a mile from the James' River. The 18th corps about the same time marched to the White House, embarked on transports and proceeded directly to Bermuda Hundred, on the south side of the James' River, being the headquarters of Gen. Butler. The points designated for the crossing of the other corps were Powhatan's and near Wilcox's Wharf, where pontoons had already been prepared by Gen. Butler. During all Sunday night and Monday the troops moved forward, and at evening the advance reached Wilcox's wharf. On Tuesday the crossing of the James commenced, and was completed on Wednesday. The movement had been attended with some slight skirmishing with the enemy, with a loss of not more than four hundred men.

Meanwhile deserters having reported that the force of the enemy at Petersburg had been greatly reduced, a demonstration against that city, was made by a portion of the forces under Gen. Butler at Bermuda Hundred. It was determined that Gen. Gilmore, with thirty-five hundred men, crossing the Appomattox, should move by the turnpike road and assault the city, while Gen. Kautz, with a cavalry force of fifteen hundred men, should make a circuit of the place and attack it on the southerly or southwesterly side, and thus, as the movement was simultaneous, both forces might enter the city together. At the same time another demonstration was to be made upon Fort Clifton, The movement commenced on Monday night. June 8th. Gen. Gilmore encountered no serious opposition until within two miles of the city, when he met the enemy's skirmish line and briskly drove it back. On arriving in front of the city where the fortifications could be closely examined, he found them too strong

for the force at his command to attempt, and accordingly withdrew about noon and returned to camp in the evening. Meanwhile Gen. Kautz had forced the enemy's intrenchments and reached the streets of the city, sharply engaged in fighting. But the force of the enemy concentrating against him, he was forced to retire. Some prisoners were taken, and the loss was about twenty men. Two gunboats and a battery engaged Fort Clifton during the morning with a brisk fire.

Petersburg, a city of eighteen thousand inhabitants, is situated on the south bank of the Appomattox River, twenty-two miles south of Richmond, and ten miles from the James River at City Point. The Appomattox empties into the James at City Point. It is navigable to Petersburg for vessels of one hundred tons, and to Waltham, six miles below, by larger vessels. The city is connected with City Point by a railroad. The road from Richmond to North and South Carolina also passes through it. The river at this point runs nearly northeast to the James. The city was defended by several series of strong earthworks, consisting not only of square redoubts, but also of well-established and commanding rifle-trenches.

On Wednesday, June 15th, a reconnoissance was made by the cavalry, by which it was discovered that the corps of Gen. Hill occupied the region southeast of Richmond in strong force. At 1 o'clock on the morning of the same day the 18th corps, which had arrived on the previous evening from the White House, started for Petersburg. The Appomattox was crossed by a pontoon-bridge near Point of Rocks. The route was nearly the same as that taken by the advance of Gen. Gilmore on a previous day. Skirmishing of the advance with the enemy commenced at daylight. A row of rifle-trenches with two twelve-pounders was carried by a body of colored troops under Gen. Hinks' command later in the day. In the afternoon the movement resulted in forming a line of battle in front of the outer intrenchments of the enemy, about two miles from Petersburg. Just before sunset the order was given to carry the works by assault. The whole line rapidly advanced under a hot artillery fire from the enemy, and swept the entire range of rifle-pits with great gallantry. The enemy broke and deserted their intrenchments, losing sixteen guns, a battle flag, and three hundred prisoners. The Union loss was about five hundred. The position was held, but no further advance was made. It was supposed that, if a supporting force had been at hand, the second line of works might have been carried with comparative ease. The force of the enemy in the city was small, but reënforcements were received by them previous to the arrival of the other corps of Gen. Grant's army. The troops which held Petersburg composed the command of Gen. Beauregard. A portion of them had confronted Gen. Butler, and some had been in Richmond.

The cavalry under Gen. Kautz, which preceded the 18th corps, had moved out to the extreme left against the works near the Norfolk Railroad and on the Baxter road. The position of the enemy was, however, too strong to be carried, and Gen. Kautz retired.

Meanwhile the other corps of the army were approaching as rapidly as possible. Gen. Birney's division of the 2d corps arrived at evening and occupied the captured intrenchments. During the night the remainder of the corps

came up.

On Thursday morning a part of the 10th corps, under Gen. Terry, was sent out to reconnoitre in front of Gen. Butler's position. The skirmishers soon drove the enemy, and his line was penetrated and carried, and the railroad subsequently reached near Port Walthall Junction. About two miles of the track were torn up, when the enemy came down in such force that Gen. Terry was obliged to retire.

Early in the morning Gen. Birney sent out a force under Gen. Egan and carried a redoubt on his left, with a loss of about a hundred. Meantime the troops of the enemy were crowded forward so rapidly that it became necessary to wait for Gen. Burnside's corps to come up. The intrenchments of the enemy ran semicircularly from the river on the north of the city to the river on the south. Their northern extremity was also strengthened by batteries on the opposite side of the Appomattox. In the afternoon the corps of Gen. Burnside arrived and a line of battle was formed, with the 18th corps under Gen. Smith on the right, the 2d corps under Gen. Birney during this assault, which was commanded by Gen. Hancock, and the 9th under Gen. Burnside on the left. At 6 o'clock an attack was made, and continued for three hours. Gen. Birney's division, on the right of the centre corps, carried the crest in his front and held it firmly. On the left of Gen. Birney's division the advance of Gen. Barlow found more difficulty, from the concentration of the enemy in front. A charge was made by the brigades of Gens. Miles and Griffin, which succeeded in gaining a foothold of the rifle-pits outside of the stronger works. But the troops were so annoyed by the enemy that Gen. Barlow determined to make an assault. But the enemy cut off his skirmish line in front, amounting to three hundred men, with their officers. Gen. Burnside also prepared to make an assault, but the enemy opened so severely as to frustrate it. The right took no important part in the contest. After three hours the assault was suspended. The loss was between fifteen hundred and two thousand. That of the enemy, as they held an advantageous position, was much less.

Early on Friday morning, June 17th, the assault was renewed by an order of Gen. Burnside to Gen. Patten's division to take the works in their front. The brigade of Gen. Griffin, supported by that of Gen. Curtin, dashed forward, carrying the position and capturing six