The New York Herald Newspaper, May 8, 1864, Page 1

THE NEW YORK HERAL WHOLE NO. 10,096. NEW YORK, SUNDAY MAY 8, 1864. GAWARD TO RICHMOND! IMPORTANT OPERATIONS ON JAMES RIVER. ‘The Latest News from General | AMMeade’s Advance Over the Rapidan and General Butier’s Up the James. Ccmplets Surprise of the Rebe's by Major General Butler. Our Forces Landed and Pushed Forward. Splendid Success of the Operation. General Butler’s Despateh to. General Grant. Oa a The Reported Battle of the Wilderness. A ae Success of Gen. Grant in His Operaticns. OAR THE REBEL LINES DRIVEN If) Kii'ed and Gomera! Bartlett and Colonel Gurney coment &o., &o., 0. General Lutier’s OGicial Lrtegram to Lteutenant General Grant. Orr ‘ix Por, Wa., May 5 1864. Lieutenant General Grant, Commanding Armios of the ‘Unites States, Washington, D. C.:— ‘We bave seized Wilson's Wharf Linding. A brigade of ‘Wula’s colored troops are there, At Fort Powhatan Land- Jug ¢wo regiments of the same brigade have landed. At Cuy Poit Hinks? division, with the remaining troops end battery, have landed, The remainder of both the ‘Baghteenth and Tenth army corps are being landed at Bermuda Hundreds, above the Appomattox. Ro opposition experienced thus far. The movement ‘was apparently & complete surprise. Both army corps Weft Yorktown during last night, The Monitors are all ever the bar at Harrison’s Landing and above City Point. ‘The operations of the fleet have been conducted to-day ‘with evergy and success. Generals Smith and Gillmore re pushing the Janding of the men, General Grabam, with the army gunboats, led the advance during the Right, capturing the signal station of the rebels. Colonel West, with eighteen hundred cavalry, made @everal demonstrations from Williamsburg yesterday morning. General Kautz left Suffolk this morning , with Qescevairy, for the service indicated during the confer- feace with the Lieutonant General. ‘The Now York, flag of truce boat, was found lying at the ‘wherf, with four hundred prisoners, whom she had not ‘eho 10 deliver. Sho went up yesterday morning. We are landing troops during the night—a hazardous wervice in the face of the enemy. BENJ. F. BUTLER, Major General Commanding, &. F. Porrer, Captain and A, D.C. General Alexander Hays Reportea | Mr. B. 8. Osbon’s Despatch. Warm Suoats, James River, Va.,) May 5, 1864. HME ORDERS TO MOVE AND THE ADVANCE. ‘The flect wes full of exchoment last evening, as orders ‘were received to get under way at an early hour this morning. The naval portion of the expedition was in weadicess to move on signal; and we must credit the mill- ary authorities with being ready much sooner than we ‘@xaticipated, and with a promptitude never excelled in on DMajor General Butler’s Landing on the Scuth Side of the River---The Approaches to the Rebel Capi‘al. paLeway™ STATION _,. a om a av, fy *08 CAINES 6 NE woegRio CE Or, woonsuays/erineds TAMMA NY BRIOG y va MNERS UPPER BR. a aie ae come Cry oe ce —EONK 2 svi oa Te) Garret anal MONE G ws ¥ CHESTER %, Sen kg S oe 2 2% | el sven oS ih % Nau uae > RD Bio poli, stun, MN Wh MWe, on My, \ ase, WM, oe Ae NEWMABKE! FERS PRINCEGEORCE! COURTHOUSE oNe ti Alias. | BU Mla. wl, WZ ww. GROSS ROADS? ROADS/- __NEWR el Rewt_colkrcus ?FORT POWHAT PITTLEBRANOON \ —_ He has loaded several vessels with medical stores, and placed some of his assistants in eharge, These and the hospital boats will bring up the All other branches of this department are in like good order as those mentioned, and the only event we now Forres Moxnon, May 6, 1864. Part By f, 2 gansedd Hardee A,, ‘Tropeport, ‘this department, They doubtless expected that our forces would ad- | Bumerous than even those of the famous advance on Port } Totton Any ee vance from White House; for a strong force had eae marten > rar iowa, , pry Aad been sent up there to repair the wharves, te yners. Jackson 8, United States, Ashland Metamora, staff boat, Knick Henry 6, Winkle Rip Ra rear of the a fell trees and make a great show. ‘This was | Anison ©. M., Matilda, : Kirkpatrick J, & Wiloox 7. Day ins done in broad daylight, and with a large fleet of | Bath City of, Montauk, Kirkpatrick A. J.) ‘Woolsey Samy, transports evidently awaiting the preparations for dis- See —_ “lS ol ane bs Bribie Uk embarking, This work was prosecuted with great vigor | Brooks John, ieigs General, Mr, Wm. H. Stiner’s Despatches, await is the blow—the crushing blow. during the day, while some of the transperts were sent | Beverly, Monitor, hospital Forrness plonnor, May 4, 1864, atill further up the river, their advance being covered by | Barry Gonoral, Ocean Wave, ON THR EVE OF MOVING, the gunboats. Genoral Butler had given the most posi- tive orders as soon as darkness sot in to re-embark every man and make all possible haste in reaching tho rendezvous at Newport’s News, This movement was ac. complished during the night, and the whole force was on its way: up the James river shortly after midnight, In the meantime the rebels, who felt conident that the ad vance was to be made by the way of White House, hastily withdrew their forces from the James river. At the tithe they were so engaged General hws or any other department, .A portion of our flotilla | patior and Admiral Lee were quietly, quickly and with ‘was moved up in advance to make @ reconnoissance, and ‘@ the same timo to prevent the guerMias from harassing (@eo aoarmed transports as they came up. At carly dawn the iron-ciads, as well he rest of tho flotilla, hove up their anchors @od started abead. It was a grand sight—such ao ome as bas never before been witnessed upon these ‘waters, Five iron-clads and more than a score of wooden ‘vesacls make up our fleet. We expect before the wock han ended to be «bie to show tho’ rebels the intention of eur pavhl demonstration. At the time of the publication of this letter it will be @o harm to say that the naval operations are intended to gover the aivance of the army, and provect it from @harpshooters and flying detachments of rebel artillery, which wo minay reasonably expect to encounter in ou! Passage up this river. The forces of General Butler ox- spect to Iand on the south side of the James river. The Botills wili not only protect the landing, but will keop far @mough ahead to prevent the rebels from annoying the fweops during that operation, TH REARL FLET—<AN IRON CONTEST DESIRED, ‘We are aware that the rebels have three iron-clads @dove Fort Darling, and the commander of these vessels ‘may be tempted to come down and try theif powers certainty adywucing to occupy and to hold the ground just vacated by the anwary rebels, This whole move- ment is full of the most consummate strategy, and has 83 | completely thrown the enemy off their guard. THE WEATHER—WAERR WE ARE TO LAND. ‘This has been one of tho finest days of the season, just enough air stirring to make it pleasant. Everything promises the best results, and we are advancing without let or hindrance, As there is no doubt that this letter will not reach you antil after we have fully effect- edalanding, Ican eay that our destination is City Point, or perhaps Bermuda Iluodreds. We may, how- ever, mect with some resistance at Fort Powhatan. If we should I do not doubt for a moment that the re- sult will bo discouraging to the rebels, To give your readers some idea of the magnitude of the flotilla par- ticipating in this movement, I append the names of the naval vessels and the transports:— ‘TAR RIVER FLEEP. Tho following Is a list of tho ag and its officers:— Comma: Acting Rear Admiral SAMUEL 1 PANLLAPS LEE, U,S.N. Sta; Fleet Captain, Commander Tone ‘S. Barnes. Fleet Engineer, Benjamin F. Garvin. "lagship. wih our vessels, Some persons may think that the | steamer Malvern. rebels are not aware that wo have any fron-clads in our Botilia; but wo must remind them that not a vessel has moved here for some days but the fact has been immodi- @tely tolegraphet to Richmond, Toerofore it is poestbic Tron-clads. Onondaga, Captain Melancthon Smith, Tecumseh, Commander 8. A. phd ‘Canopicus, Commander Baugus, Commander ——, ‘@hat the Union iron-clads’may not bave an opportunity | Atianta, —~ ——. e @0 eink, disable or capture the rebel trio. Woe are itching Sor a content betwoen the armored vessels. The coming Oaceola, Commander J. M. eure are big with hope and anxiety. Thousands of ‘Bearts aro boating fast with expectation fature, Many ciaim ere another week hag passed away fo trend the strects of the capital of tre confederacy. Alas! many of these brave fellows will never ace the place. The unorring aim and the deadly bullet of the foo — Patnam,, Acting Master H, ‘will iay them low far this side of the goal of their ambi- opp MOV'MENTS OF THR ARMY TRANAFORTH, ‘The army transports started with the naval vessels, and by seven o'clock the whole fleet, consisting of about one hundred vessels, were on their way up the James Bi * giver, About noon to-day the last of the army vosscls @arted from Newport's News. The guoboat Mount ‘Washington came up late in the afternoon, having two @ and coal schounera in tow. is stationed at Nowport’s News as the flagehip of tbat station, and at the same time ready to cope with \ @aything that might sip by our feet above, I am of \ aptnion, however, that there is no dangor of that. \ ‘MOVING UP THE RIVER—THE PREVIOUS FRING, The fleet passed up the river to-day without oxperiene- fmg any annoyance from the guerillas who wore sup- spored to de along the banks, The whole movement was apparently #0 unexpected to the rebels that they wore hanboats. Eutaw, Commander H. 0. Blake. B, Clitz, cus, Commander I", H. Roe. Commodore Perry, Acting Volunteer L ig it for the glorious | Commodore Barney, Acting Master Williams, Mount Washington, Acting Master H. ‘nie, Commodore Jones, Acting Master J, O. Bart ~& Btepping Stones, ‘Acting Master D. A, Campbel Commodore Morris, Lfutenant: h Fyffe. . Ravage, y, Acting Eheign Miller, assert, Acting insign P.O. or ti Zouavo, Acting Master's Mate J. F. Vaggett, Huvehback, Acting Master R. @. Tee. Deiaware. Young America. Rose trangia, Shokeken. Shawsheen, Acting Master H. A. Phelon: THR NAVAL BRIGATE, The iron-clad | Brigadier General cum ie Gran ‘Captain Samy 1» Quartermaster. Lieutouant We H. Bullard, Aid-do-Camp, Lieutenant R. D, Bengon,’ Aid-de-Camp, Flagship, Charies Chambérlain, ‘Onptain Barrie, fore Lea " Kemp, ientennnt Goat Keuo, Genoral Burnside, 8. L, Brewster, O08 prepared for any demonstration in these waters, | eneaqed in the expedition up the James river are more Barden Rebecca, Eagle No. 1, Salvor, _ Silver Star, Guide, pike Shore, Greyhound, Gen. Butler's Suwaneo, headquarters boat, Stimers A.'E. C., bs = = Wilson, je Andrew, inca, Hooker General, ‘Thomas C. W.» Hicks Governor, Tucker Jobn, Highland Light,” ‘Tracy John, Hudson City of, despatoh Troy City of, boat, Thoro, Hancock Eliza, Vidette, lolas, ‘Winnissimitt, Jefferson Thomas, Washington George, Jersey City of, Bye: Jersey Hero of, ‘Webster, Eee wees "Hunter, commis- Keyport, 'y boat, Knight Elle, warter John, weer, Weams Leader, Washington ary, Leary George, Whildin Wm., Lyons General, Lincoln Lady, Amelia, Avon, Ano and Susan, Bernice 8, 108 8. K. W. Bright Sarah, ton Ee Wey Castor D. O., Homes J. 0., Barby ir , Marcia’ c Emma Jane, a, Uria,and Folima, tion, Kiizabetn and Elenor, Water Lit es Franklin B. F., * Worring J. Haley Robert, Warnor D. nt Mawkine, H. W., Whitford Julta, Rail Caroline, Barges and Canal Boats. Alexander the Great, wis, Bernett Eliza Aon, Pioee Thomas, ot Jenny, Leonard B, Roose General, Mutton Dr. W. F., Mount Yoraon, Mary Kien, Corcoran Colonel, Many James, Crammer Peter J., Paget Jacien Job Maor Moctetlan, Ton. oB., Marshall W. Newoombe A. New Kent, oO Thor Pattorson, Pratt, Pools Leonard, Pilgrim, Perkins, iv Potitt B. F, FU Cag. Oy Richmond Harkett J, Bweot F. J. H Roonerson Judge, Activity and silence perv: evorywhere, and the furious dashing of orderlies, carrying messages from headquarters to the different chiefs of departments, only breaks the apparent monotony of the garrison, while a dreadful quietude is observable in everybody and every- thing. The whole scene betokens an impending storm, and the set features of the principal officers and the happy- go-lucky sort of appearance of the rank and file are only the prelude of the coming struggle. HEANQUARTERS THIS EVENING. Major General Butler {s at his office, surrounded by only one or two favorites of his staff,and is perusing some papers which are to be disposed of prior to his taking the field. If he fools the anxiety which only a general upon whom #0 great a responsibility rests can experience, his outward demeanor does not indicate it; for his coun tenance is as serene as if he were on the point of attend- ing a festive party, instead of going to the scene of strife, THR PREPARATIONS for the present carapaign, as I mentioned in previous despatches, have been made on the most extensive scale. Skill, energy and money have been lavishly ex- pended, and al] that human ingenuity could devise has been contributed to make this campaign a success, ‘Under the eagle eye of Geveral Butler all these prepara- tions bave been made, and to him and his faithful corps of assistants belongs all tho credit of the substantial mauper in which everything has been prepared. THR ORGANIZATION @F TUB TROOPS to take part in the campaign has been supervise! by Major General W. F. Smith, who made his headquarters at Yorktown. command, while the Tenth corps, under General Q. A. Giltmore, at present attached to the Department of Vir- ginia and North Carolina, was likewise commanded by him until the latter named officer arrived yosterday from Port Royal, Tho Eighteenth corps was encamped at Yorktown and the Tenth at Gloucester Point, When everything was in readiness, and the troops were properly brigaded and assigned to divisions, General Butler held a review, which proved satisfactory to every one con- corned. THE MEANS OF TRAWSTORTATION. fornished by tho government for the campaign have been very extensive aud on a large scale. Stoamboat after steamboat has been despatched for Hampton Roads, and, once there, directed to await orders from the Chief Quartermaster, Lieutenant Colonel Herman Biggs. But steamboats were not the only mode of transportation provided. Schooners, barges, steamships, and, in fact, ‘ab kinds of crafts afloat, were chartered for ‘tho occasion, and sent to this department to carry troops, ‘THR MANAGEMENT OF TUR ROATS was entrusted to Captain Andrew Ainsworth, Master of | toterview with him, but tort B90D Ricor for Newport's Transportation and Captain of the Port, This branch of the service could not have been given to oue more capa. ble of performing its duties, Day and night Captain Ainsworth was at bis post, nod boat after boat recolved instructions to take ite assigned place, THE COMMIRSARY DEPARTMENT ia conducted by Lieutenant Colonel Small, Chief Commis. sary, ably assintod by Captain James Curry, Depot Com: missary. As the troops under General Huther have to bo provided with ratious by this department, itmay bo ima- gined that the position of commisaaty has bow no sive oure A bumbor of the steamors have boon tretsforred to Colonel Small, to supply the army with rations, THE HOSPITAD, ARMANGRENTS are ander the sbie superintendence of Medical Director Dr. Charles MeVermick. who is also Medical Poryavor of 4A NIGHT SCENE IN HAMPTON ROADS, as witnessed here last evening, was one of the most brik ant grandeur, and equalled only on one occasion—viz, the rendezyousing of the immense fleet fitting out for the capture of Port Royal, The night was clear and boautl- ful, and the myriaas of lights flashing from the hundreds of mastheads rivailed the stara in brilliancy. The water was calm, and the lazy splashing of the waves on the sandy weach, occasionally tho sbrill whistling of steamtugs scudding around the harbor with orders, and the tolling of half hour belis on board of the naval vessels, were the only sounds that disturbed the stillness of the grand scens. INSIDE OF THE GARRISON everything was equally tranquil. The Commanding Gene- ral issued his orders late in the afternoon to bis staff te got In readiness to accompany him, The flat had scareely gone forth before a large number of horses were taken to the wharf, where the hendquarters boat was awaiting the General and staff, The last meal of these officers in the fort was despatched in haste, amid the packing of desks ‘and personal effects. When military movements take place every one looks out for No. 1, and precious little time is wasted on ‘‘outsiders.’’ Yet all the work done was accomplished !n a quiet, peaceful manner, and to the uninitiated the scenes round betokened more the ap- Proach of a holiday than the prelude of a bloody and dan- gorons campaign. ORDERS TO MOVE were issued to the troops at Yorktown during yesterday morning and afternoon, All the boats were seut around | to the York river, and the embarkation of the men pro- Eighteenth army corps {3 his special | gressed as rapidly as possible. At dark the first boat (the Metamora) loft Yorktown, having Major General Smith on board, who led off the advance, On arriving here Gen, Smith called on Gen, Butler, and .bad a short Nows, Tho ordors isat¥d t6 The transports were to ree Port at the latter place for further instructions, Daring the night the vessels, with their living freight, arrived and passed on to their destination. At daybreak this morning only three or four slow craft were seen lazily moving up towards the James river, THE DEPARTURE OF GENERAL BUTLER took place at half-past six o'clock this morning. The fine steamer Greyhound, Captain Sam}, Martin, was lying ‘at the wharf all night, The General and staf went on Doard about threo o'clock; but no one slept, as there wag too much work ou hand to be finished, and more that had to be begun, At the bow of the boat floated tho colors of the Kighteenth army corpe—blae aud red, with ast r in the centre—and as the nobie verse! glided out Into the stream she looked like @ thing of life, and was moving with ea ORNERAL NUPLER’S STAFF, accompanying him to the field, cousists of the following officors:— Colonel J. Wilson Shaffer, Chief of Staff. LI Col George A. Kensett, Inspector General, Lieutenant R. V. Howard, Inspector of Artillery. Colonei Paine, Volunteer Aid. Major R. 8. Davis, Assistant Adjutent General, Major J. L. Stackpote, Jadge Advocate Dr Charles McCormick, Medical Director. Captain Froncia U. Farqubar, U. 8 A., Chief Engineer, Captoin Altred P. Putler, Aid-do-Camp. Capi HL 6, Clark. Ald de Cammy Gunman James P. Shatter, Aid de-Camp, Licatonane 1. A. Manoing, Military Seerotary, fra her General A. V. Kautz, Chief of Cavalry, is not win Gouorsl Rutier, but is to operate with the mounted troops in another direction, TH DRSTINATION OF THR AMT fo at thie moment unknown to ur-sthat in, the oreciae la, PRICE FOUR CENT ation where it is to land. An I stated before, it bam gone up the James river, but how far remain= yet to be een, Tn 8 day or two we bull be envdied to vive some idea ® {ts whereabouts, aad, we hope, a satistactory acconnt of the campal oie vitimste destinatin i Kehmeond, and this time the rebel ca ital must aurenmD to the numer- us forces advancing oo its tanks uuder the glorkus clare and Stripes. TH OPRRATIONS OF THE NAVY, $n conjuction with Genoral utier, are to be on a grand acsle. A day or two ago It Adinirat manding thy North Atiantio Dockad) g snalron, trans. ferred iis br ad pennant from the axstin Mmnesots lo bho upboat Mulvern, and returved to she jam hia foree consisig of ‘our Atlaita, besidea some five or six donble enders and beats | of lesser calibre the pr ceedings of thie brave of the United tates service will be duly chrowcie| by + netent correspondent of the Hex.up, detailed for tbat spe- cial purpose. A YRINT MOVEMENT | tw draw off the enemy’s attention trom the rea} point of attack was made by General Eutier dy thin week ' The maraing of tro ps at Yorktown wa bind and | @ landing of @ brigade was alco effected ub Weet voint,ab \ the mouth of the Pamuokey river, why must page orted at Riewmond, and no doubt had tl ela on on the option that another mpaixn was at band, Hefor@ ony battle moe al cr bo bly bave a ew more xuch diver- ons, an’ it will bea matter of gre ‘ewdne-# on the | part of the enemy to guess Wueie } be mide. THK PROAPE'T OF BLODWSH §@ great. The troo 6 have the u' most confidence in Gene ra Butler and he again in bis men — Burrounde © the blest militery men in the fled, the Co General aujoys xii the advantages of mound a own great tnients, however, aro sufficient to through almost anything, aod his knowledge of tietics, Jearned by three years’ experience, necessarily nv him a good soldier avd able to conduct the »perations of acampaign. The troops in his command ure all veterans: and soltiers who @ heard the thuvders of artinery tages y Als success will make him the greatest man in the eun- 7a Be has staked his ali op the iesue, and awaite tbe rewul Brauvsa Hunparepe, Onn Miue axp a Hair Anove Ciry Pow, 6—4 A. M. A SCIENTIVIO CHANGH OF BAER: has been most succesafully accomplished by Major Gene- vai ‘Butler in moving bis large army from the York river to this place im the almost incredible time of twenty hours, From the heading of this letter you will gee that We have again obtained afoot ng almost within round of @ cannon shot of the rebol capital, und this time we are Dot only iv hopes of capturivg the same, but euergions has the utmost confidence im the result. ‘THM PRELIMINARY MOVEMENTS T have decribed in despatches which f forwarded from Fortress Monroe, and it is bardly necessary (or ine at this time to say more on the subject. It is sufficient to state thit evecytbing was accomplished with the atmone fecresy and despatch, and the result shows bow well the campaign has veen ptatued. THY ADVANCE UP THR JAMS RIVER was led by Bricadier General Grabain’s fleet of army gun houts, of which the Charles Chamberlain is the tay lip. ‘The navy tollowed with the iron-clads and doudie enders, aitor which came the transports, laden down with tr ops. Tho gunboats started from Newport's News on the ith iost.,at dusk. Juat previous to General Graham rexeb- ing City Point ho foil in with the rebel gunboat Tor eto, which he chased some distance; but. owing to light draught and its conductors beim familiar with every ereek ond bayou of the James river the rebel gunboat eacuped capture, AT HARRISON'S LANDING a rebel rignal station wag observed oversting vtfull blast. The sipnal officer was waying bis fl g to bis partner ak City Point, Our siypal officer was cuilet a on to inrerpres the sig nals, and ag near as he coud veek her it meant whether tho e wus anythig new trom ‘ichmond ihe Davy was called upon to fire atthis cileer, bub nO Te+ sponse was give & that they had orders not to fire. NG FORT POWITATAN, & portion of General Wild’s colored troopa were sent on shore, and found the piace deserted ‘Two regiments were left there to garrison . Had the rebels been aware of our coming that way Ubis point offered (cilities for a most dotorimtied opposition, As it wis, howe! Dot a soul was to be sean at the fort or in its viclatity not even a guerilla, At erry vornt we met the steamer New York, flag of troce boat, in charge of Maior John E Maltord, having on board tour hundred rebel prisoners, who were taken ap on the 4" fostant,and had not yet been delivered to the rebel authorities. At this place General Butior's heatquarters boat, the steamer Greyhound, led the advance. chisely followed by Geueral Ed W. Hinks. with bis cvlored dis i- sion, It was now nearly dark, aud as the transports ar- rived they wero sent abead A LANDING RFVECTED AT WRRMUDA HUNDREWS. One mile and @ halt abuve City Point is a small place called Sermuda Hundreds, rstuated in Chesterfieid county Va The banks of the river at this place are nearly level with the water, mud no blugs in the victaity. Ov reach: ing the Point, orders were irsued for the inmedia 6 con- struction of @ wharf, which consisted o: @ patent ar. rangement, invented by Captain Andrew Ainsworth, Master of Transportation of this department. To a very short time treops were lacded, end ekirnishers thrown out to guard geainst curprise, 3’ DIVISION OF COLORED TROOPS Jed tho advance into the country. and bivonacked severa) miles from t ace of disembarkation. in the mean- time the remainiag forces were rashed ashore as tast a9 possible, 0.18 lowaie ties. The entire arrangements were superintended pare sonally by Gen. Butler, and performed to his utmost sa tisfaction. THR WEATHER ig all that can be desired. ‘(he storm of Monday night wus of the utmost importance in Ivying the dust, and the roads are in the very best condition, ‘The nights are balmy and cheerful, and, although the suo pours tows bit rays somewhat strovgly im the daytime, yet the weather, iu the main, 8 ali that can be desived for a campaign, Tie BUIRIT OF TH TROOIS Imbued with confidence in their lead. serve that free is tho very best, ers and the prospect. of auccens. fod enay devilen ran soldiers who fi atchword. is onward, and they are ready fe in danger. 4 troops remem) massacres of their brethren at Fort Pillow and Ply m ‘and will stop at nothing to evenge the atrocious erusit)s) of an unscrupulous foe. AN INCIDENT OF THB TRIP occurred at City Point. As our fleet advanced up the) Jam es river, abd when near the last numed | lace, a rebe nignal station was observed. ‘The officer in charge was waving hie fing furiously, making signals to some one near by. As the fleet approached this #fficial made tracks for a safe location. A Butternut, ploughing in the vicinity, also observed our troops coming along, and alter gazing on the wondrous array of “Y: troops” for #ime time, he dropped his farming Impiements and to a burry. 3 OPERATIONS ON THE RAPIDAN, The Two Days’ Fight in. the Wilderness, , kor den &e. ny; oe Washington Correspondence, Wasmvaroy, May 7, 1864, ‘The city is full of exciting rumors and reports from the front, Isend you the following, which is doubtless tbe Jatost from the army:— ‘THR ORDER TO MARCH, The ordor for the march was issued on Tuesday Inst, and the busy note of reparation was soon beard through- out the camps. During the day the greater portion of the army moved towards the front, and by olght the Second corps, Geveral Hancock, was on its way to the fords of the historic Rapidon, On Wednesday morning the Fifth corps, General Warren, and the Sixth corpr, General Sedgwick, followed along the same roads. The cavalry bad gone abead, bad secured the crossings, aod bad carried the canvass pontoons for the purpose of mak- ing bridges. Generul Meade’s headquarters were removed: by five ove of tho morning; and by eight o'clock, General Grant, having seen that all bis forces were well on the way, and the reserve ready to march when called upon, algo removed hiv headquarters to the front, THE CROSSING OF Tt RIVER, The cavalry having secured the crossings, at once persed over the river, and by daylight had driven the rebol pickets from their position with wt much trouble. ‘The infantry corps, under Conerat Mende, having by that time gained their proper groand for snob a parpose, also Crossed the Rupidan, the Second corps passing over by way of Fly's Ford, and the Fifth and Sixth by Germanna Ford. Earty on Wednesday they were all across, and by night everal Grant's headquarters were located 00 tee eouln side of the streat ith the troops far advanced! THE POSITION OF THR ONION TROOPS, after they bad creased the river, wae an jollowe:—Gene CONTINUED OW RIGHTH PAGER