The New York Herald Newspaper, July 4, 1864, Page 1

THE NEW YORK HERALD. WHOLE NO. 10,153. GRANT! Ometal Despatch from Secre- tary Stanton. Additional Details of the Ope- rations of the Cavalry Under Gen. Wilson. - The Work They Accomplished Before Their Attempt to Retura. Sixty Miles of Railroad Track Destroyed. Large Numbers of N-groes, Horses and Iiules Gathered by His Force. ~_—_— The Rebels All the Time Harassing Their Kear. Several Engagements with the Enemy. Hew They were Cut Off on Their Return. beriot Fight and Escane of General Kautz and His Command, Gn. &s. ae. THE OFFICIAL DESPATCH. Beeretary Stanton to Major General Dix. ‘Wan Deranturst, Wasmincron, July 3, 1864, Majer Genoral Dix:— 4 de-patch from General Grant's headquarters, dated @ pine o’ciovk this morning, gives the following result @f Genera! Wiiscn's operations:—'*Sixty miles of railroad were thoroughly destroyed. Tho Danville road, Genera) ‘Wilson reports, could not be repaired in less than forty @sys,even 1 all the materisis were on hand. He bas @estroyed ali the Diacksmith’s shops where the rails might be straightened, and «Il the muile where scantlings fer sleepers could be sawed. Thirty miles of the South te road were destroyo!. Wilson brought in about four Quadred negroes und many of the vast number of horses gud mules gathered by bis foree, Ho reports that the pedels slaughtered without mercy the negroes they retook ‘Wusoo's oss of property is a smail wagon train used to @rry ammunition, bis ambulance train apd twelve capnon. Gee horses of the artillery anu wagons were generally Dronght off. Of the cacnon two were removed from (ete carriages, the wheew of which were broken and (@rewn into the water, and one ether guo bad been dis. fabed by arebel shot breaking ite trapions before tt wes abunduned. He estimates bis total logs at seven bun @rea and fifty to one thousand men, fncluding those fest from Rautz’s division.” Arebel force made its appearance near Martinsburg Mis Morning, and were at last accounts destroying the qadroed and advancing on Martinsburg. Toe reports re- @eived as yet are too coofused und conflicting to deter mine the magnitude of the force ur the extert of its ope- vations. EDWIN M. SLANTON, Secretary of War. Mr. 8. Cadwallader’s Despatch. Crry Point, July 2, 1864 BAFETY OF GENERAL WILSON AND His COMMAND, Me ap prehovsions entertained for the safety of General Wien and bis cavairy command were relieved | @veuing by the arrival of Captain Beaumout and @ lieu feoani, who left bim near Cabia Tomt, on the Surrey Court House road, at eleven A, M. yesterday, The troops ere back within supporting distance of this army, avd Geoers! Wilson in expected to report to person atdoad Lest the EkaLn correspondent, who Qecompanied tf 9 Oxpedetion, ehould fail to get his des- Patobes off by this mrning’s mailboat, | sond a few Beief scraps of information. THB START, ‘Tee command left camp on the 22d, and rode upwards of ferty miles, striking the Petersburg and Lynchburg Rail- ead at Ford's Station inte tu the evening. Both com- ands commenced the immediate destruction of the PAlirond and a!) public property within reach, Two loco- @etives sod ten cars wore captured and immediately Gestroyed. RAUIA'S MOVEMENT AND WHAT RE DID. a the 234 Kautz was pusbed ahoad to Burkesville, the Jerotion oF the Petersburg and Lynchburg and fichmond | end Danvilio railroads. The rebels wore apprised of the Probabie dortination of the expedition, and a considerable forse of cavalry apponrod on the rear early in the | @y. By wring advavtage of a short out soroes ‘the bend of the main road, phoy reached the crossing 'n Sdvance of Wilson, at “Blacks and Wolter,” and dis- pated bis furtber progress until attacked and routed, We caytored four guns in the Gght, but were unabie to get tbem off. Tho halt of the rear that night was near Wettoway Court House, THe WORK OF DesTACCTON wes prosecuted vigorously all day. Wilson worked on fhe Peversvurg and Lynchburg road, aod Kautz op the Dauvitic rood, south of tho jovction, At night the rear Soined the advance at Meborrin’s Station, Ga the 26ti: the entire force was at work, and suecesded B aeairo. tng tracks, tes, rails and trestiework to w@h- three buodrod yards of Roanoke river. WHY ROANOKE DRIDGE WAS NOT TAKER, ‘The bridge wns defeoded by infantry, with artillery, in strong, ouriby orks on the right bank of the river, anda Me 0} breutt works and rifle pits at ite bead on the leit Bank. {ho cavalry wore unable vo dislodge ibem, ae the eourtry *as AD OPEN One, And subjected them to a mer @tlosa fire ut long range, Up to this time the work of Barviog sod dovtoying had been carried on dey and ight, with Hitt iuerruption from the enemy. Their force win cowatantly hovering arovod and skirmishing, But war pot large enough to orrost the work, by engaging the troops. ‘Th RADMLS REINFORCED. But roiovorcemouts weee evuriantiy arriving, and the Febola became formidable, wb infantry aod cavalry, Aa the farther progross of the command jn that direction was arrested and thelr retreat throatened, it was thought Advisab\» Wo Blart on the return trip. Tue REToRN. A atop was monde on the night of the 26th near Moher. ffm river, and the men and animats sliowed a fow houra’ feat, Tho rebvola Logan to swarm around the gallant tle «command on the giih, aod were liter wily denre, behind, vt on avery side of fem, and covatant Obting Was carried om all day, The Peale was soroan to the Horton plank road, and thence + were led callantly throoen Up R, towards Lawrenoevitie, The rebels were moving across the country en tho left flank, om the inside live, Getcrmwmed w cut off the retreat. Oo the 280 ‘the hile Nottaway was crossed eight miles from Jar- ‘Titv’s Station, and wn attempt made to cross the ovuntry Girectiy 10 Reams Station. At Rocky creex the rebry fmantry was met im force, and our cavalry torned back, ‘The Oubting was vow continuous day and night, and Bo ‘Test allowed our men at apy point. THE FIGUT AT REAM’S STATION. The pext day—ihe 20th—the Dattle began sear Ream's. Kautz struck the enemy tn force, at eight @clock, in the morving, and fought them til) four in the afternoon, The rear was also hardly pressed, and floaily a flank attack made, that cut the column in two, and finally separated Kautz «nd Wilson, The former came in with bis command and a part of Wilson’s that was cut off with Bim. The latter waa forced to rnake a wide detour through the country, and oaly arrived last evening. ‘THe GUNS ARANDONRD During the 28'b and 291b It became apparent that the enemy moved with too much colerity, and in too great force, to aamit of bringing off our guns and wagon trains, All the former, excepting two pieces, were spiked, run foto the river, and abandoned. ‘The wheels and wold. work were siwod and destroyed. The wagoos were sim! larly destroyed or burned, No part of either was cap tured, The ambulances contaiuing the wounded, who could not be brou,ht off, were abaudoned in good order, with the sick and wounded in them. THs NESLTS OF THE EPEDTION are & probable loss of one thousand meo fo killed wounded and prisoners, and the abandonment and der Struction of twelve guns, four small mountain bowit, @re.and a light train of wagons. Tois is counterbalanced more than tenfold by the amount of damage inflicted, The Petersburg and Lyociburg Railroad is atrerly de- atroyed for twenty-six miles, and the Richmond and Danville Railroad for thirty miles, including the juno- tion at Burkesville, connecting Richmond and Lynch burg. No euch complete demolition of a road has ever been made, Not @ single rail was left in al) that distance, Part of the distance war the old flat rat. The strinvers and ties of these were al) burned, and the mii) consumed that sawed them out. Excepting the last day’s fight, tho raid was ruccessful and victorious everywhere, It is considered more than successful xg it ig, even brilliant, by our bighest military authorities, Not a single railroad now connects Rich mond witb the confederacy. All are badiy destroyed They cannot ve rebuilt in thirty days, and porsibly not io sixty, by the whole rebel army. Leo can illy afford to loge thotr daily use, We can also threaten aud harass thelr working partes at present,and hope to command the entire, long before the rebels can rebuild it. The price paid for the destruction of these important railroads is considered au exceedingly email ove. WHAT TUR REBELS SAY ABOUT IT. The rebel papers admit a serious destruction of their roads, aud that much time and labor will be needed to repair them. Laer. The following data wero furnished by an officer who Accompanied the oxpedition:— CavaLry Camp, Neak Jones’ Neox, July 1, 1884. Tam enabled to give you a full report of the part taken by Colone! Spoar’s command in the late expedition. On the morning of the 21st of June they broke oamp, and proceeded to Mount Sinai church. There they joined the rest of the commend, under G al Wiison. At two o'clock they took up their ‘ine of march towards the Potersburg and Woldon Railroad, The first station reached was Ream's, where they destroyed thirteen cars, two water tanks and all public property, They report that there bas no train passed over this road for throe weeks, our guns being in @ position to command the road, Resum- tog their march they passed through Dinwiddie Court House, reaching Ford’s station at thirty-Qve minutes past five P.M, At this place they destroyed large quanti- ties of commissary stores, cotton and tobacco. Working here until twelve o’slock, they succeeded in effectually destroying six miles of track. Resting hero until morn- ing ov the 234.'at balf-past one o’clock, they proceeded up South Side Railroad, in the janction of the Peters- burg avd Weldon Raltroad, passing through, om their way, Wilson’s station at four o'clock, aud “blacks and Whites’ at bal-pset six. At this place they de- stroyed care and railroad buildings, and reached Notto- way at half past clevon A. M. Here they captured a large rebel mat] and destroyed the station. Here the expedition also destroyed ten miles of track. At this Place they also found @ rebe! hospital, containing fifteen wounded “‘rebs,”” who ate Uncle Sam’s rations with a gusto, The expedition left the place on the morning of the 24h at four o'clock, Colone! Spear’s brigade being left fm the rear to burn depot and stores. From the junction they made up along tho Danville road, reached Meherrin at nine o'clock A. M. end Keysviile at haif-past ono P. M. Here they worked ontil three o'clock, destroying eighteen miles of track og thoy went, The men theo Inid down to sicep for a few hours. At five o’clock they resumed their march, passed Drake's Branch at eight o’olock A. M- and rexched Reancke Station at five o’clock P.M. Here ‘they fonnd the enemy strongty intrenched. The evemy aiso bed a large gun mounted on ® car and conteining sharpshooters, This car was protected by plates of iron. The evemy opened with grape and canister. Tho First Disirict of Columbia and Eleventh Pennsylvania cavalry, deployed aa skirmishers on the left of the maimroad, Colonel Spear’s brigade, the Third New York and Fifth Fennsylvania cavalry, deploying on the right of the road, and the advance to within good rifle rango, and held the position autil nearly out of ammunition, They then fell back to the depot to getafresh supply. After doing this they marched back, took the morning line, formerly occupied, and held it until night. They did not succeed in burning the bridge over the Stauntoa river, but burned tbe depot and destroyed the track. Here Captain Reynolds, of the Kleveoth Pennsylvania cavalry, was killed, while loading his men gallantly on the bridge. Colonel Congor and Major Curtis, of the First District of Columbia cavalry, are supposed to have been killed in this engagement. At daylight the next morning the troops withdrew. Colonel Spear pro ceeded along the Christiaoville roid. Hero be expected to cross tho river; but there being no bridge to jess than eighty miles distant, be was compolied to fall bak towards Roum’s, the rebols hanging on the flank end rear. This was cavalry, supposed to be from the command of Fitzhugh Lee. They marched until two o'clock ov the morning of the 27th, and at half-past six on the morning of the 27th took up their line of march. They arrived at Meherrin’s at forty five minutes past pight A.M. No fighting to-day. We camped at Price's | farm, On Tuesday morning, the 28th, at half-past five, we proceeded towards the Petersburg and Weldon Railroad, passed through Liberty church at forty-five minutes past nine, Snaky Ordway, on the Petersburg plank road, Nottoway bridge and Stony Creek Station on the Petersburg and Weldon Railroad, about eleven o'clock, At six o'clock {fo the evening arrived in the vicinity of Ream’s and marched to within about five hundred yards of the exemy, when thoy opened on the cavalry with artilery, masked, while Hampton at this time was in the roar driviog im our rear guard The Meventh Ponnaylvania cavalry were ordered to tue roar, and the carbiniers to dismount, about twenty to a com- pany. The remainder, mounted, was kept ta position, ready for a charge should the enemy advance, The First District of Columbia cavalry, being ail armed with sixteen shooting carbines, dismounted, excepting every fourth man, who held the horses, and advanced. As the First District of Columbia cavalry got into position, ao Ala- bara brigade, commanded by Colovel J. J. C. Saunders, made up by the Eighth, Ninth, Tenth, Doventh and Four. teenth Alabama regiments, charged upon the akirmisberg, when the mounted portion of the Eleventh Pennsylvania and First District of Columbia cavalry mot them in the ober driving thom back ander the cover of the woods, In this charge we captured about seventy-five prisoners Col, West in the meantime held our position on the right, which he succeeded io dving for two hours, aod also getting our wounded to the rear, At this time we were surrounded on throe sides, Then came the order to cut loose from the wagons and artillery, Here wa loat four pleces of Captain Aldor's battery, Firat United Staces artillory. The only posible way for as to cacapo at this time was through what was supposed to be impenctra- vie soods and swamp. It was Gnaily decided that Colonel Spear should make the attempt to break thriagh, the fring being very heavy at tunis time, the sbetl making sad hovoe among the horses, wounding as many a fifteen at a time, The command was formed, and With Cofonol spear and Najor Stratton at their head, they ‘These eaytiemen are de NEW YORK, MONDAY, JULY 4, 1864. =~ = PRICE THREE CENTS. serving of a great deal of credit, so also ts Lieutenant Commiogs, Assistant Adjutaut General on the staf of Colovel Spear. On the evening of the 2ih we revched our picket reserve, io command of Captain Crownlng- shield, and camped all night. Some of the mex bad no Sept hefore in seventy-six hoars. We arrived at the old camp on the evening of the 20tn, THE SECOND CORPS. Camry Nuam Pereasnvaa, July 2, 1864. RAIRL DEORRTERS, Nothing of spectal intercat has ccourred in front of the Second corps to-day. Three deserters from a Missiasipp! regiment, who came into our lines this morning, repre- sent that may more would gladly abandon the rebel cause if they had an opportunity of doing #0, or bad any- where to go. A CONFLAGRATION IN PETERERURG. ‘There seemed to be a large ire in Petersburg last night. We could see a brilliant light, like that ot ap aurora, illu- minating the horizon, and could hear the sound of the fire bells pealing through the midnight air. THE RADEIS RRUFORCING, ‘The enomy is still concontrating troops in our front. It te said that the rebel Genera! Fwell’s corpa, which had been opposed to Hunter, arrived in Potereburg last night, ‘and thig morning moved out to a position on the right of the rebel army live opposite our left, Thus Beanregard holds the city and the extreme left of tho rebel line, Next come A. P. Hill’s and Longstrost’s corps, and then comes Ewell’s, which, it is said, took ap positioa on their ex- treme right this morning. WILZ0N AND HY9 CAVALRY SAV Information was received from General Wilson and his cavalry to-day. Ascoutcame into our lines with the intelligence that when he left the eolumn this morning it ‘was on the Suffolk and Prinee George Conrt House road; that Wilson had crossed the Blackwater and was march- ing to our lines with his command, Later intelligence from Wilson left bim at Cabin Point. He is expected to arrive safely at City Point to-night. THE SIXTH CORPS. Mr. Char H. Harman’s Despatch. Heapquanrers, Sixra Aruy Corps, JeRUsALeM PLANKROAD, June 30, 1864, "} WHAT WE DID AT 2RAM’S STATION. * Ream’s station ts 2 place about ten miles south of Petersburg, on the Petersburg and Weldon Railroad. It had evidently been a place of considerable importance to the rebets. The station was of large size, and substan- tally built. We here found large quantities of stores. ‘The principal articles were rails aod car wheels, articles at this time of almost priceless valne to the rebels, Several miles of track were thoronghly destroyod, The Fourteenth Now Jersey and other rogiments, belonging to the First brigade of General Rickett’s division, went into the rail twisting business con amore. ‘The station house, a small machino shop, end several other buildings, were fired and completely consumed. The telegraph wires and poles were also torn down and rendercd uge- ‘anys THE UNDERGROUND REBRL. TELEGRAPH, One of our men found om tho edge of the lino and hid den away in the grass another telegraph line, It was a very ingenious and cute device, and was evideutiy in- tended by the rebels to be used in cate we should succeed fo destroying the old line, The wire was well made, and evidently of recent make, This underground telegraph was also destroyed, and our mea carried long lengths of the wire away, to use in place of ropes for drawing water. Be. fore we left this important line it was rendered entirely useless to the rebels for at least some months to come, ALL QUIET. ‘The work of destreying the railroad was carried on un- Gisturbed by the rebels. Strong pickets were thrown out, Doth up and down the track. Occafionally a rebel esvalry man showed himself on the edge of the woods, and after satisfying himeelr that Genera! Wright's corps had not been withdrawn, put spurs to bis horse and gal- lopped of. COLORED REFUGEES ame into our !inee in considerable numbers, They were takon to General Wright’s headquarters, and on Delng interrogated sald there was revel force of any Strength in our vicinity, but that yesterday, the 29th, there was aright smart lot of them. This was doubt. lese the force that fought, and afterwards went off in pursuit of General Wilson's cavalry, which, I learned, had ‘eon confronted at this place by three thousand colored cavalry and a division of infantry. Ihave been unable to learn anything defimte in relation to the result of the contest, except that General Wilson was unable to force his way through, and fell back, with the rebels in hot pursuit. Several of bis wounded managed to hide themselves, amd reached General Wright's bead- quarters to-day. A few calssous, abandoued nthe pur- suit, were found in a marsh to the southwest of our pon}- tion, and were recovered today. Information was re- ceived this morning that General Kauta, and the regi. ments under his command, had made their way back in safety to our lines. GENRRAT, ANERIDAN IN TUR PADDLE, About one o'élock one of General Sheritan’s aids ar- rived at the !ittle church where General Wright had his headquarters, and reperted that General+Sheridan, with a largo force of cavalry, was ef route for Roam’s station; that he bad already marched bis troops tweive miles, and woul@ be up doring the after- noon, Tho inference to pedirawo from this information was, that General Wright, with the ixth corps, would unite with Geaeral Sheridan, for the parpone of relieving General Wilson. ORDERS TO MOVR, About an hour afterwards orders were issued for the Sixth corps to move, General Rossel, with the First division, moved first, General Rickets, with the Third, bad the contre of the line, and Genera! Getty, with the Recond division, brought up the rear, Theline of march was along the same road we bad traversed twenty-four hours before, and towards our old camping ground. OUR PRESENT PORTION. ‘When the head ef the column reached the Jerusalem turnpike, orders were received from General Meade for the corps to balt there. General Wright eatablizhed his heedquarters in a smal) farm house on the road side. ‘This division went into position massed in line of battie REDKL KEWH, A Richmond paper of the 20th inst. was brought to General Wright’s hesdquarters to-day, They claim that Sherman has been dofeated by Joe John- ston, which, they contend, preves the wisdom of the remark attributed to the veteran Winfield Scott, “Beware of Johneon on a retreat.” The editor is also at some pains te impress on General Grant the necessity of exercising great vigilance, or be may wake up some ine morning and find his army fn a tight place, FIRING ON THR RIGHT. Very heavy firing je heard on our right tonight, The pieces are apparently worked rapidly, and the reports indicate thas heavy guns are being used, Famar, July 1-10 A. M. ALL QUiER, Everything is quiet in front of the Sixth corps this morning. Mr. James C, Fitzpatrich’s Despatches, Num Aauy Ooi Barons Perenanors, Va., Bd Jane 30, 1864. } m OUR FRONT. Operations daring tho past week have been of the most Monotonons character, Of course | speak of matters ov our tmmediate front only, The other corpa and the cavalry bave bad some hard work and sharp Oxhting; but rematned almost Inactive in their line ith the enemy leas than @ hundred yarda to front kven picket fring bas been lose brisk than usual, Our moo bave instructions not to fire unless the enemy advance, # the muaketry ia coofard to a few Atragyling ehots from the reels, who, like the Irishman at Donueybrook Fair, reek to hit & bead wherever they can, Inaddition tw this, they keep up a incessant fire upon the new w rks in process Of construction for our siege batteries. The artillery on both sides embrace every opportunity for a shos at wimierer obiect pi asonte a good mark—euch ava man on @ white horse, a pass) wagon train oF & body of tromua coming from tho rrr. ‘Tho whistling Minier Hhrooy h the tress at ab tinea | and in ineny cue eudyaartars’’ Qive bad b+ erect et Ckhades 16 Irenk of be eats i me Tmantionad ty 8 prevrouy pw ay Dw, witer ihe tack that many oe + our men had tufficred wounds upon themselves in order to get to the rear, will the hope of being sent North. The following letier shows the steps taken to remedy this evil: — Jomn 28, 1864, Docroa—Agreeably to information received from seve- ‘surgeons in the First division hospital, that there quite a large pumber of Bol. ded themeelves, I have made desires that the matter the same on triai by court mort) ne te ‘hat the surgeons of the regiments whereto occur are the proper persour to collect the evidenced Very wily, your obedient servant, AMIS HARRIS, Med. Ins. Ninth Army Corps. mee Lupixoron, Surgeon in charge Firat division pital. A VISIT TO PRINCE GORGE COpRT novsE. In compady with a party of officers I yosterday visited Prmce George Court House—a spot of considerabie ‘nterest for its many venerable aseociations, After @ substantial dinner with Captain Wright, of the Four- teenth Massachusetts battery, we proceeded on a tour of inspection, Some vandals, however, bad been before us, and the documents stored at whe Court House, many of them dating back beyond the Revolution, were strewn about in every direction, Rogieters, wills, indentuies, marriage loenges aud other papers—some of them on parchment, and beginning in the olden stylo, “By tho Grace of God and our sovercigne Queene Anve’’—were among thege documenta thus ruthlessly scattered to the winds, After an inspection of the jail, the Court House, with its atone floor and aucient prisoners’ dock, the old fmn on the opporite side of the road, and the Masonic \odge room, and_a call upon General Ferrero, who is in position with jored troops, tho party returned. DUNN HOUSR HOBPITAL, ‘The werks oarried by the colored troops on the 15th Inst, immediately surround the Duna House, as it is kpowu—a mansion of the usual Virginia pattern. Dr. Prince, surgeon-in-chief of the Fourth division, bas located bis hospital here, and has been complimented very highly for the admirablo manner in which it 1s laid out, Nowra ARmy Corrs, Buyons Perensncna, Va, July 2—A. M. 4 NIGHT ATBACK, Last night Just at ten o’clock the rebels made a detor- wlned and sudden charge upon the lines of Generals Led- Mo and Wilcox, with a view to driving back the men and gaining possession of the fort of which I spoke in my last letters, and which the rebeis ovidently dread, situated, as it 4, in an angle of our position and commanding several of their batteries. Workon the fort was begun a few nights since. In the daytime the rebels played upon it with artillery, but with little effect. The next night re. paired all the damage In fact, so far had the work proceeded that our men, by means of ® covered way, continued their labors in tho daytime yesterday afternoon, It gavo indications of completion, and tho rebels wore driven to the necessity of making a desperate charge to undo what their artillery aud musketry could not. Perhaps they were stimulated, too, by the hope that the guoa would be in position and Decome a prize. At the time montioned thoy jumped over thelr intrenchments and came at a run, firing one or two volloys ag they advanced, They were met by @ tremendous fire from our worke, and were driven back before, in fact, they bad entirely disar ranged our picket line, The short aod almost Dioodiess conflict was @ graud scene, At the outset the artilleristson both sides remained as if watch- ing with breathiess interest for the result, At length 18 came, and then the harsher notes of cannom were com- mingled with the more musica! rattle of small arms. Tho fight did not eud when the robets retreated, but continued Guring the greater portion of the night,at first in sharp, Tolling volleys, thea dying away to tho straggling shots between the skirmish lines. Both sides dred from their intrenchmsnts at the flashes of their antagoniat’s pieces, The loss, though smation either sido, was neeessarily greater with the enemy. Our loss will not exceed twenty, all wounded, i¢ is quiet agaip this morning. casv asa, ‘The following are additional casualties: — Capt. Parke, 36th Mase. arm, Btth R I., left log; Davia Willa White, B,8th 8 1., wrist; Liew rifies, arm; Jas. U’Mealy, 24 N. 48th Pa., log; M.D. A. aa N.Y. 4th N, » a ton TRE CAVALRY. Mr. William H, Merriam’s Despatch, Gewenat. Burien’s Heapgrsrrees, Im tax Fratp, June 29, 1864. } QUNARAY, KAUTA'S CAVALRY PAS POUT OF ROCKS. A part of General Wilscn’s gallant and hard-worked cavalry command, under General Kant#, passed down the main road to-day ruoning by these headquarters and ading to the Richmond and Petersburg turnpike. They were returning from the important expedition upon which they wet out some days since, under General Wilson, and the details of which wifl be furnished by your accom- panying eorraspondeat, I shall veuture to state only two or iDree of the more salient resalts of an expedition that has been both unwacaily successful and exbaustive, but fn some reepecta unfortunate. The cblef and most de. sirable result accomplished was the permanent aud tho- rongh destrection of many miles of the Danville and Richmond Raltroad from tbe junction to @ potot callod = Roapoke, im the direction of Danville. ‘The rails, which were of indifferent tron, were completely destroyed by Are, together with depots and other eimii property. At Roanoke the expedition found two lar, bridges, the lesser one of whied was burned, the other Deing protected by too large a force of the enemy. Yesterday, the 20th, a very large force of the enemy engaged Genera! W jlson's force, cue of the command in- formivg me that we loa seventeen pieces of artillery, in- cludiog four howitzers, together with a large number of mon, Genera] Wilson belng among the captured. The en- gagement took place at @ point some three miles from the railroad, and my informant thinks about ({teen milos in a direct line from General Butler’s headquarters. Awong the casualties I hear that Colone) Spear’s Eleventh renn- sy!vania cayairy Jost four captaiue killed. The Third New York cavalry was badly cut up, and lost one entire company (KE), it being captured. Mr. Finley Anderson’s Despatch, Camr Naan Perenancra, Juno 30, 1864. WILSON'S AND KAUTZ'S CAVALRY, We bave just received very unpleasant intelligence from General Wilson's cayairy command. It is to the i! the raliroads connecting Pe- tersburg with the South, and while returning to our lines, be encountered overwhelming numbers of the enemy, and in the fight which followed his command was worste that his columns separated, Wilson himeeif going tn one direction and Kautz in another; that quite a numbor of the cavalry were captured, and that be Jost ali his artil- lery, numbering aixicen guns, which bad to be spiked and abandoned. ARRIVAL OF KAUTR)® COMMAND. General Kautz’s column has come into camp, but no official information has been received from Wilson. As the Henarp correspondent with the command pro- bably went with Wilson's column, and ae there may be some oocertainty as to bis whereabouts, I have written the following aceount of the afair from the statemouta of offlcers who accompanied the expedition, and who, after the disaster, out their way througn the evemy’s linos and reiurned safely into ours, HE START—COMPORITON OF THE FORCR. Th was juet eight ago, on tbe 22d inat , that General Wilaon started oo a raid, the object of which was to destroy the ememy’s railroad communications bot worn the South and Peteraburg. The command consisted cf his own division of eavairy, temporarily commanded by Colonel Melatosb, and oomdering ame fvo men; General Kautz's briyaie, sumbering about thoveand: four batteries of regular United lery, namely, Batteries C and ©, Fourth arti!) y, uoder Lioctovant Fitzhagh; Mattery B, Firat artillery, under Lieuenant Lee, aud Battory K, First artillery, ander Liewtonent Maynadier, togethor with four «mall moun tain howitzers, ail under command of General Wilson AWRIVAL AT RAMS ATATION. Oo the frst day they marched about thirty roves, | taking © very cirenttons ronte, to Ream’ Starion, oa the Heterabure and Weldon Railroad, They extectualty ao. Sroyed abont ‘Our miles a the railrond track, burning the nloepers and bending the rails, About this time the anemy attacked (bem in he far, aed active ekirinishing commenced, Our cavalry evntinued until they reached | the \ueton of the Morervure and Lynenbury and (Le Petersburg and Dunville railroads, at a potnt catied Burk’s Station, Were they tore up the track a distance of some eight or ten miles, The evemy was following and Darassing their rear continually. anam, On the evening of the 24th Colonel Chapman’s brigade, two regiments of Colonel McIntosh’s brigade and Mayne- dier’s battery bad a@ spirited engagemeut with the enemy, in which we gained @ temporary advantage, with ‘a loss of about sixty in Killed avd wounded, Our troops remained in that vicinity all night. ARKIVAL AT ROANOKE—MGHT AT ELEHORN CREEK. Next morning the command continued alvng the Wel- don Railroad, destroying it as they went, until they ap- proached Roanoke Btation—so styled because of its close proximity to the river of that name, At the bridge oo the opposite side of the river the enemy was found in considerable force, advantageously posted. ‘A rebel battery of half @ dozen guns was planted bebind a Dbreantwork and rebel infantry supports were formed ip line, Lieutenants Fitzbugb aod Lee opened with thoir batteries, which noon silenced the enemy's artillery. An attempt was then made by Generai Kautz t barn the bridgo; but the deadly fire from the evemy’s infantry at close range prevented the execution of thot design. At the same (imo that Kautz was fighting at the Roa- poke river bridge, Colovel Mcintosh, with Maynadier’s battery, was engaging the enemy in Wilson's rear at Eikhorn creek. One of the guns of that battery was dis abled by a solid shot from the evemy. At about ten o’clock that night the colamn moved towards Christians: ville, and, after amarch of some twenty-fve miles, en- camped neat day at Eikhora creek. NIGUT AT STONY CREEK. On the 27th, following the course of that stream, even- ing found them at Stony creek, Here the enemy ap- peared in nurabers, and a stubborn fight ensved. During tho night the enemy made three attacks, which Colonel Mcintozh’s cavalry handsomely repulsed. ‘TUE REXURN—-WILSON CUT O/F—DESTRUCTION OF AMMUNITION. Wilson’s command bad cut all the railroads, accom- Plished the purpose of the raid, and was roturaing, wheo yesterday afternoon they came on a large force of the enemy at Roams’ Station, om tho Woldon Railroad, be- tween nim and our lines, Wilsen determined to cut his way out, and, halting hls troops, made dispositions ac- cordingly, He erdered the battery commanders to destroy their caissons, and to be prepared to cut their way through the rebel tincs, All the calesons, save three of Fitzhugh’s, were immediately destroyed, THR ENEMY—THE FIGHT AT REAMS’ STATION, The force of tho enemy was said to consist of three Drigades of infantry, two of cavsiry and two six gun batteries of artillery. Seventoon battle fags were counted in the rebel column when it was seen moving from the vicinity of Petersburg to intercept our cavalry. At Reams’ etation a desporate fight occurred, resulting in a victory for the enemy, THE LoesRs. The enemy’s loss was great, bowever, for when bis forces, in three imposing lines of battle, emorged from a pelt of woods into an open field, Fitzbugh’s battery, which was placed in echelon on an adjacent hill, threw showers of canister into their midst, and caused them to precipitately retire tnto the woods, Afterwards they came round on the fank and in the rear. It seems that by the ultimate success of the enemy the two columns of our cavalry became separated from each other, and the artiliery from both, Wilson following the road leading southward and Kautz coming over fields and fences, and through forests, bearing more to the northeast. The artillery, it seems, was left entirely unprotected. It = paid that the reason why tbe guns were lost ie because, being closely enveloped by the enemy, and anabie to haal them over ditches and fences and through the woods with the required celerity, their officers were compelled to spike thelr pieces and leave them to the enemy. One of Fzbugh’s cannoniors was killed while engaged in spiking one of the guns. Then the cannoniers, ontting the traces, mounted the artillery horses, and, Picking up ¢ome of the arms scattered by the cavalry, ‘out their way into our fives, Gen, Kautz, with bis com- mand end a number of these artilieriste, arrived in this vicinity leet night. (CAPTAIN WHITTAKER, OF ORS. WIL80N’S BTAT¥, Atatinguished himself yesteraay by cutting throngh'the enemy's Jines with @ small escort, losing more thun balf in the attempt, aud bringing to General Meade information of the aituation of aiairs, which enabled him to make dispositions of other éroops ao cordingly. Lieutevant Muaynadier is supposed to Baye been captnred. One of the Obio cavalrymen, who came Into our iines this evening, saye that General Wilson, with a portion of bis command, surrendered to the enemy this morning; but there is little reliance placed im the statement. KXPRCTRD BATTLE AT REAMB ATATION. Yesterday afternoon, alter the arrival of Captain ‘Whittsker, General Meade orfered the Sixth corps to Reams’ Station, where it was to be joined by Sheridan's and Kauts's cavbiry to-day, snd where another engage meut is anticipated speedily, Divisions of the Sixth aca ‘Ninth corps have taken the place vacated by the Sixth, and thus preser ve the connection in the geveral line. Mr. N. Davidson's Despaten, Arangvarres, Cavatay Conrs, July 2, 1864, RETURN OF THO MISHING OFFICRAR. Captain Adama, signal officer upon the atalf of General Gregg, and Adjutant Read, of the Second Pennsylvania, noted as among the missing in My account of the battle of St. Mary’s church, have returned safely to camp. AURRIDAN'S MOVEMENTS. On the 29th Goueral Sheridan. having crossed the Jarmor, advanced with Torbert’s and Grega’s divisions ta the extreme left of the army, near the Potersburg anf Roanoke Railroad. Up to twelve o'clock yesterday be had eon nothing of the evemy. The weather being hot tm the extreme and etill without rain, the dost was blinding and pearly enffocated our poor horses, The grass is a!) parched, and of course grazing to any extont ie impossible EERMUDA BUNDRED. Mr. Wm. H. Merriam’s Despatch. Benwepa Hoxpeep, June 30, 1864. ‘THE NERXT, MUNG INTO TR TUGBOAT FRANCIS KING ON THE POTH—FORTHRR PARTICULARS. Athalf-past five o'clock P. M. of the 29th the tag Francis King, Captain Shaw, who was on board the Titan when she was seized by the rebels at Chorrystone a few mooth’s since, and sont to Ricbmoad after the rebels had murdered his engineer, passed up the James, having \n tow a bargo and a schooner, On nearing Four Mile creek she was fired into by a rebel battery three-fourths of a mile distant from tho tug. The drat sot passed by the tow ana etruck a Monitor, doing ber no damage. tie engineer, Mr. Jobn Coit Polander, was sitting just outside the engine room doom, The second shell fred ex- ploded just bevsath the chair in which be was sitt nearly severing the left (oot from the ankle, a second pleco of shell entering the groin, and a third the neck Ho wa ve this morning, bat cannot survive. ibe tug King, waiting antil after dark, returned to Bermuda ing, whonco the engineer wae travserred to Marine = Heepitai at ‘x. ‘The fireman, 8S. Nortbmore, who in the = firercom the Joho at wae tho time, escaped uninjured. One of the shots passed over Shaw's ob of oy tho pitothouso, within a few inches of Capt. head. In mentioning this occurrence in my desy yesterday I gave tho name of the tug as the eecue, was the Frane\? King. row Pi vemrina, tonight that General Smith 7 in trons of bie | | | | Liearn from Materst undertook to carry ar works; bat, owing to a » poration, which bad eeu duly planned, no w ed, with Amail joss, The artilory Oring, Which Was dietinctly heard ot these headquarters, was the heaviest over heard t officers heres b has been in (he roe ro thue @ srvice for t 118-000 ular years, The firing still continues tweive P.M. vows sty / Admiral Lee reports to Ger rel that tho enemy | Ara still persist workiog 1 new and impos tog battery at tho Ho Heure, and when they open it | it is eupposed u ito will bo directed at the Meet. j NAJON GENPRAL BUT j accumpaniad by Colvpel Soatar, Cuiet of stad, and several | Of tie aide, left Point of Rocke fn the Croybound for Fo tress Monroe thia mory ing. The Geveral aod party will} returt ob Sawurday morning he weather bao moder: atod, and we aro agai atmoanbartoaliy comioriaule, l THE GEVERAL PRESS DESPATCHES. Reported Ret of Ge Wilson's and Keats's Ratders. Farrimong, July 3, 1804. A letter dnted Rermuda Flundred, July1,P, M., say that Generals Wilson's and Kautz's cavalry have just re- torned (rom their recent raid They hive destroyed trom twenty to twenty-five miles of the Dauyilie Pasivond very effectually. On their return they enoountered the enemy fm strong force, and a beavy Aight was the result, The loes wae consicerable ov both skies, with come captures of men, borses and yur. The suse letter states that “heavy fring wos beard ta the direetion of Petersburg last night, The result 1 not yot known.” Naan Perenseuna, Jnly 1, 1864. General Kautz has returued with bis cavalry. ‘The rebels gathered every mounted tan in thelr com- mand, and, taking advantag* of the absence of Sheridan's command, threw thew whole foree vpoo Whison and Kautz; but, with surprising gallantry, the fatter sue- ceeded tp cutting bis way (hrouh. Him loas is severe In artillery and men, Wil-o) has not yet returned, The domage inflicted on the Weldon ond fanvilia Ralls road Is thorough, One bridge, over three hundred feet Jong, was burned, The rebels will be obliged to haul their supplios from Hicksiord, a distauce of thirty-lve milem from Petersburg. ASSAULT ON THE ENRMY’S Worry, About six o'clock yesterday morning the Fighteenth corps war expected to charge the enemy's works on thelr front, Martindale and Turner had advanced tho'r fortt. fled fine on the right to the place previously occupied by the skirmishers. At tho timo the contemplated assault was to be made, Barton’s brigade, on the left of the Fightaenth corps, lying along the Prince George coanty road, began to move from their breastworks to the rile pits, ‘The enemy seemed to underatand that the intention was to advance our line by the oecupation of bis intrench. ments, and @ storm of shot and shell from rifled guos and mortars was poured into our troops before ‘bey bad formed. Two or three volleys of musketry wore exchanged. Soon the firing over the breastworks became heavy and regular, although ‘ew men were in- jured. The rebela showed them= atoo strong at this point to warrant an as Tho Second and Ninth corpa Nad each mide two at tempts to take these very works when the army first ar- rived bare. Mortars were freely nsed on both aides, and tho rebela, with unnsnal success, dropped the'r shells directly im ont midst, Lieutenant Ludiow, of Berton’s brigade, worked his mortars aimirably, aod snooyed the enemy very much by theo rrectness of his alm, The battery of thirty two pounders at General Smith’s beadquarters fired at reguiar intervals tuto the rebed works and town. , Captain Butler and Lientenant Fleming, aids to Cenerad Butler, were wounded, the former in the Fee and the latter slightly in the broast.’ All thr ngh the 1 igat the cannonad- jug was heavy, especially on the rit. A red glare overhung the city of Petersburg. and it is thought thas some of our ahoils set fire to the buildings and caused @ couflagration. Vegetabies for the Ar y of the Potomac. Wasmnctos, Joly 8, 1868, ‘The United State Sanitary Commission yesterday dis- tribneed forty-four thousand pounds of tomatoes, pickles, ontons and lemons among the men in the trenches belore Petersburg. The Commiasion bas now three hundred and fifty agente Operating tor the relief of the oational forces in the De- partmes| te of the Kast ond South, REBEL ACCOUNTS, Movements of o ne and Ki ‘avairy. (From the Petersburg Express, June 27.) THB RAIDERS, As the raiders advance upon sheir line of contemplated operations, and hecome hourly further removed trom us, we hear less of their movemes(s. There 1s no doubt thas they contemplated the effectual destruction of the Dan- ville Ralir a we get trom them 1s up to Friday nicht, when they were scattered from Green Hay to the Meherrin. The latter Jocality is abont six mis from Burkville Junction, and tiom on the Danville road, distant ten junction, ‘who went in pursuit labored under seriows Giradvantege. The raiders, boving the start, stoic all tho fresh borees they c uld find. while our men were oom- could with the horses a pleaned to hear, Dowever, tha’ b Deen allowed to go res, 0 great exert on, succeeded in reaching ® p rtion of the vandais cear Nottoway Court Louse on Thursday, aod inmediately gave them battle, A bot tight eusued, which was continued fr-m two o'clock untijdark, whea ight closed the contest, The euemy was soverciy punished, and retreated under the ov ‘We were greatiy outnumbered and short of ammi but these ine: ore made up ft by a conreioes- pean of the justice of Our cause At one ftime wo that the enemy gained the sdvantage and bad pos: sion of three pieces of artiliery, but Colonel Burrin- ger's gallant North aided by a few companion of Virginians, \eariog, proved equal to the emergency 1d charge rewcuod the pieces, We killed and large number of the every. if prisoners t 00 be believed, abd captured thir four, all of whor hove been received in Peters bu They represent tho Third New York, Twenty-second No York and Fifth Pennayiventa ain’s | etersburg battery hotly engaged, and ved the following casusltios: fn the arm: Lient, Acree, rightly, Ip In the ; Charies , and di George in the thigh, Stepben Black. reverely. in iter H. Saunders, very severely, in the ia M. MeOarge, in tae foot, Jas, Moaliater, W. layior, ia leg; David W. Savory, im back: Le: shoulder, Jonu ‘the bead—ali slightly. rabam commanded, and the fight occurred at o the South Sige Kultroad tour mules this side of y Court House. reyretio hear that Col. Anderson, of the Second North Carolina cavilry, as killed Tho enemy, we haar, made diligent search for Thomas F. Campbeil, Esq. the receiver for this district, who re sides near the Court House, but failed to find bin. Tne raiders tole @ large quantity of bacon im their route, One of their wayons was filled to ov rflmerng, ans a yentia- man residing in the vicinity of Ford's depot picked up four teen hamaafier tar vandals passed, whs h had jo od out, Wo understand from « gevtlemaa who came down from Nottoway lust evening that the evemy select avout twen- ty Ove hipdred of their vest men, who remain belind to do the fight! g. while the vemaiader go aheai to do ihe sterling. burwin. and other pusiianimous work, 1a woich they so much delight. For the first time, they bave killed ail the borses which gave out from exhaustion. Our tn- formant states that the outire route of the enemy ie strewed with dond horses. they have also abolished the practice of sho ting the poor animals, but cut their throats. ‘All are found with gbustly gases, severing the jugulaa vein, aud producing in every cuse a speedy death, General Leo's Uflictal Deapaten Pucamond, Juoe 26, 18964. ‘The following official despaten bas been received at the War Department — WILSON'S CAVALRY. Hiaanocarsens, Anwy of Nontware Merve June 25, 1864, Honorable Sronerary of Wari ‘Sin—-Geveral W, H. F Lee pursued the epemy’s cavalry which adv peed along the sonthaide Railroad. He bad @ skirmich oo the 2ud, near Diowiddle Court House, and the next day struck their column io faok, pear Backs and White's, cutting it two, and getting possession of the road by which they were moving towards Nottoway jonrt s0use. wolD oad was helt after an ongagement which eontio- nod :rom 12 M. wntii dark, th y making repeated Attempts Uo bresk through aud rajvio Rie advance He withdrew from General L daylight on the wth, ng be dead e the ela. taking the rood to Hungorytown aad a. General lee 1a ‘ii following them, Very respectfully, Ws a3 r, sh R is L&E, General. HAGOOY's CiTARoR. Reavgranrens, Anwt ov Nownwery Viraivta, June 2—0 P.M. Honorable arckerany of Wan — Feptire loss yesteroay morning was ninety- lied aud wounded, aod two hundred and aise fein. Nothing of imp runce bas occ trod to dy on the tines Jn front of Bermuda Huodret a Potersd & i bh 1B, General SRORIDAN ava Y Heapqosrimae, om) Nonvurey Vinamma, } e 25-900. M. Geverat Hampton roport euotny @ cavalry ad- ’ mi yerterd y 10 \ ances aod int epcues them- ee thor Ho attacked t dr ve them fr tue works, pu me thew Uaioe? ML, to within mi f or) bax taad woun led on the Meld and along a + dugty (quers! Hemp oot nein handsotna succes. Yory cexpeet | fuuy RE LER, Gegera: frit OF THR SFBEL COLONEE RWENd, the Mtersbure Expos, June 7.) Co! nitew &, of leuncasce, leparted this 11f6, iva having scarcely reached Known in Teuneswee ae a ouder, and aman of great tire State 1.9 (oil ve ducked a ¢ cay lrg; was the cutet wove wens with Bragg, who mens He was aubsequentiy 49) 0 i 1 chef of the carpe om pera! Hordec’s Coram ® now