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It is quite true that
Grant has been taking up and burning the York River railroad, which indicates that
Grant either intends to cross to the south side, or he intends taking the
James river as a base.
This morning troops are landing from transports near
Malvern Hill.
It is impossible yet to say where our lines are likely to be established.
Grant has, by this movement, secured possession of
Malvern Hill, it is believed.
The breastworks which
Grant has left were all of the most formidable character, and were six lines deep.
No collision of any magnitude has yet occurred, but before to-morrow's sun shall set we may expect another battle.
There was an engagement this morning near
Ridley's shop, on the
Charles City road, about fifteen miles below
Richmond, between the enemy's forces, consisting of infantry, artillery and cavalry, and a body of our cavalry.
Our cavalry, however, owing to the superiority of the enemy's numbers, were forced back.
The enemy is also said to be moving up the river road.
Grant has gotten no nearer
Richmond by this move.
He has, however, reached the south side of the
Chickahominy.
About one hundred and fifty prisoners, left by the enemy to-day in their abandoned trenches have been brought in — among them a mail carrier.
headquarters, Army of Northern Va., June 14--9 P. M.
Honorable Secretary of War:
sir — The force of the enemy, mentioned in my last despatch as being on the
Long bridge road, disappeared during the night.
It was probably advanced to cover the movement of the main body, most of which, as far as I can learn, crossed the
Chickahominy at
Long bridge and below, and has reached
James river at
Westover and
Wilcox's landing.
A portion of
General Grant's army upon leaving our front, at Cold Harbor, is reported to have proceeded to the
White House, and embarked at that place.
Everything is said to have been removed, and the depot at the
White House broken up. The cars, engines,
railroad iron and bridge timber that had been brought to that point have also been shipped.
Very respectfully, &c.,
Immediately after the receipt of this despatch, a number of rumors were started through the city, and speculation was rife as to where
Grant was making for. Some thought that with his army beaten and demoralized, and himself smarting under the disappointment of not being nominated at
Baltimore, he was withdrawing his army to
Washington.
Others that he was marching back to
Fredericksburg.
Others again thought that he was making for
Suffolk, to move against the railroads in
North Carolina.
Others that he was sending off the bulk of his army to reinforce
Sherman in
Georgia.
And still another opinion was that he was moving off to the south side.
Ridiculous as some of these were, they were the rumors of the day, and as such we note them.
To heighten this speculation, a deserter who came in yesterday reported that
Grant was under arrest for drunkenness; that he had been dead drunk since the day of the fight near Hanover Court-house, and had to be borne in an ambulance.
All this tended to increase the anxiety, and to give color to every rumor that was heard in the streets; but by night it was pretty definitely ascertained that
Grant, or at least the greater portion of his army, had crossed over to the south side.
We heard of no official intelligence of this, but from information we received last night we see no reason to doubt it.
Westover, where
General Lee in his despatch above states the enemy to have moved, is immediately on the
James river, not far from
Bermuda Hundred, where
Butler is, and the river at that point is narrow and well situated for the laying down of pontoons.
It is likely he crossed his forces over here, and effected a junction with
Butler.
At any rate, it was generally reported and believed last night that the enemy was moving on
Petersburg, and a rumor was current that fighting had commenced between the two armies.
We learned last night, on inquiry in official circles, that they had been advised of no fighting beyond some skirmishing yesterday with
Dearing's cavalry, in which our pickets were driven in. Otherwise, they reported all quiet.
But private accounts reported that the enemy was around
Petersburg, and that his forces were in line of battle in front of the outer fortifications.
This may be a little extravagant, a little too far; but from all we can learn, we think it is likely that
Grant has effected a junction with
Butler, and designs moving on
Petersburg, with the view of cutting our lines of communication with the
South.
Finding that he cannot whip us he will probably resort to the other expedient of starving us.
At five P. M. yesterday, comparative quiet had settled along our lines for two hours or more, and it was the general impression that the fighting had ceased for the day. In this our troops were mistaken, for it was ascertained before dark that the enemy had massed a very heavy force on our left, especially on the
City Point and Prince George Court-house roads.
At sunset the enemy charged on batteries commanding these roads, coming up in line of battle six and seven columns deep.
The brunt of the assault was sustained by the Twenty-fifth and Forty-sixth regiments of
Wise's brigade and
Sturdivant's battery of four guns.
Three furious assaults were made, the enemy coming up with a yell, and making the most determined efforts to carry the works.
Our troops received them with a terrific volley each time, sending the columns back broken and discomfited.
