The
Express of yesterday gives the particulars of the movements there the day before.
We copy its account, omitting the account of the fight of
Mahone's division, a full account of which we have already published, from our army correspondent:
Movements Thursday.
The movements of the enemy yesterday were confined exclusively to his extreme left, (our right,) so far as we have been able to ascertain.
Our forces having retired to their original line of breastworks during Wednesday, the enemy moved forward at an early hour yesterday morning, and about 9 o'clock took possession of the Weldon Railroad at the yellow brick tavern, long known as the Six Mile House, on the old stage road.
Their march was unopposed, and they immediately put out their pickets and proceeded to tear up the track, building fires and burning the sills, and heating the iron.
It is also stated that they are fortifying.
Yesterday afternoon a gentleman, just from the vicinity, informed us that the enemy's pickets extended to Davids's house, within two miles of
Petersburg, and westerly towards the
Appomattox river a distance of two miles.
Our troops were moving also, and it is thought that a battle is imminent.
This, however, is mere speculation.
We have a commanding General in whom army and people have the most unbounded confidence, and he will beyond doubt do all that is in his power to thwart the measures of the foe.--The further
Grant extends his lines around to our right, the greater the probability of our inflicting upon him a severe and damaging blow, and many are surprised that he should so expose his flank.--Not so with us. We have ceased to be surprised at any movement
Grant may make.
He is a reckless man, and will strike anywhere which promises the faintest hope of success, regardless of consequences.
The raiders.
The raiders struck the Petersburg and Weldon railroad Wednesday morning at half-past 7. --They came up the read just below Oak Grove Church, at
Duval's blacksmith's shop, and are supposed to number about 4,000.
They comprise the whole of
Wilson's division, who commands in person, and is accompanied by
Kautz and
Spears.
They remained at
Reams's some three hours, and destroyed the water tanks, wood sheds and office.
The track was also torn up for a distance of about 150 yards. All the citizens in the vicinity were robbed of their bacon and horses, and such negroes as manifested a willingness to accompany them were gladly welcomed.
Buggles and carriages were also taken.
The rear guard of the enemy was encountered by a portion of
Gen. W. H. F. Lee's cavalry before they left
Reams's, and a brief fight ensued, which resulted in the killing and capturing of some fifteen or twenty of the gang.
It is stated that about 150 were cut off here from the main command, and that there was a probability yesterday morning of their capture.
The hope, however, has now vanished, since
Grant's infantry now occupy the railroad between
Reams's and
Petersburg.
The raiders reached Dinwiddie Court House by twelve o'clock, and here their rear guard was over taken again by our cavalry during the afternoon, and another skirmish ensued, resulting in the capture of ten prisoners and thirteen horses.
At Dinwiddie Court House the enemy stole all the horses and liberated the prisoners in the jail.
During the afternoon of Wednesday, the raiders reached the Southside railroad, cut the wires and tore up the track between
Ford's Depot and
Wilson's. At
Ford's, they burnt the depot, water tanks, and two long trains of cars, with engines attached, belonging to the Norfolk railroad.
At the fifteen mile post, this side of
Ford's, they overturned about one and a half miles of the railroad track.
Yesterday, at half-past 1 P M, the operator at Burkesville Junction informed the operator in this city, via
Richmond, that the raiders were then within three miles of the
Junction, and at 2 P M the "circuit" was broken, and no communication with the operator at
Burkesville has been held since.
The enemy has undoubtedly reached that point, and there injured the
Danville as well as the
Southside road.
There is much property here of value, owned by both companies, and we fear it will all fall a prey to the vandalism of our desperate but cowardly enemies.
It is now evident that
Grant has determined not to fight a general engagement, and to do no more hurling of troops against
Gen Lee's solid columns, if he can possibly avoid it. He will invest
Petersburg, if allowed, fortify himself, and send out raiding parties in every direction to cut off supplies from our army.
That this is his now settled policy there can be scarcely a doubt, and it is clearly foreshadowed in the following editorial which we find in the Philadelphia
Inquirer, of Monday last:
‘
"
Jeff Davis's means for supplying his army near
Richmond, and for swift communication with his Southern dominions, consist of three railroads and a canal.
The railroads are the
Virginia Central, just broken up by
Sheridan, at
Trevillian; the
Richmond and
Petersburg, now cut off by
Smith at one end and
Butler at the other, and the
Richmond and
Danville, which is the only one that
Davis has left.
This, however, is a very important road on account of his connections.
At
Burkesville, fifty-three miles from
Richmond, and the same distance from
Petersburg, it connects with the
Lynchburg road, furnishing communication with that place and also with
Gordonsville, although by a long and inconvenient circuit.
From
Burkesville, the
Richmond and
Danville road extends eighty seven miles to
Danville on the boundary of
North Carolina, and hence a short link of railroad to
Greensboro', constructed by the rebels since the beginning of the war, connects it with the whole system of
North Carolina railways.
’
"It will thus be seen that the
Danville road, although it is
Davis's sole means of connection with the South and West, is at the same time a most effective line.
Fither Kautz or
Sheridan should therefore give it his immediate and earnest attention.
Burkesville is its vital centre.
If it is to be cut, that is the point for the operation.
Eight or ten miles of road destroyed south and west of the junction there, will isolate
Richmond from
Lynchburg,
Gordonsville,
North Carolina, and the whole
South.
"The
James river canal, we believe, is receiving the requisite attention."
From Prince George.
We have advices from Prince George Court House as late as yesterday morning.
The enemy then had an enormous wagon train at that point.--This, it was stated by officers, was to furnish the troops who were to invest
Petersburg.
A Yankee Nest broken up.
For the past few days the enemy on our extreme left have occupied the residence of
Capt J. Alexander Pace, in
Prince George county, known as "
Green Croft," and opposite to the
New Market race course.
Here they have been luxuriating on fresh vegetables and ripe fruits, and enjoying themselves hugely.
Yesterday one of our batteries determined to disturb the "happy family," and for this purpose most unceremoniously plunged a shell through the building.
An eye witness informs us that been never poured from a hive faster and in greater numbers than did the blue coats from this house.
They swarmed in the yard, garden, and field adjacent.
Three of our guns instead of one now opened fire, and contributed greatly towards scattering the free lovers and freebooters.
They have been very scarce in the vicinity of "
Green Croft" since, except the dead and wounded, who, at twilight last evening, still remained.
The colors and the captors.
There were five stands of colors captured Wednesday by
Mahone's Brigade, as follows: One by the 6th Virginia, two by the 41st Va., and two by the 61st Va. The following are the names of the captors:
‘
Lieut Bowilleir, co. E, 6th Va;
Private Wm E
Fitchett, co F, 41st Va;
Private Coleman Hines, co , 41st Va;
Lieut St Julien Wilson, co C, 61st Va; Serg't
Christopher Halstead, co K, 61st Va.
’
The latest.
A gentleman who left the vicinity of the Six Mile House, at 8 P. M., last evening, informs us that a hot musketry fight was progressing at that hour.
Our forces had driven the enemy from the railroad, and appeared to be still pushing them, as was indicated by the receding of the firing.
