ARMY OPERATIONS. 



39 



were issued to the entire army at Petersburg, 

 consisting of the 2d, 5th, 6th, and 9th corps. 

 This was preparatory to another movement 

 by the left, the plan of which was to throw 

 a strong flanking column far beyond the 

 right of the enemy's works, along Hatcher's 

 Run, so that it might pass behind them and 

 take them in reverse, and then, if possible, turn 

 north and march upon the Southside Railroad. 

 Meanwhile the rest of the army would form a 

 connection between this corps on the left flank 

 and press the enemy gradually back as far 

 as possible toward the railroad. During the 

 day and night following the issue of the orders, 

 the usual preparations for a forward movement 

 went on ; troops and baggage were moved to 

 the proper places, hospitals were cleared, the 

 sick sent to City Point, and four days' rations 

 distributed to the troops. Meanwhile a heavy 

 fire was opened upon the enemy's lines at differ- 

 ent points, to conceal the preparations on foot. 

 This was kept up during portions of some nights 

 in which the cars were kept incessantly running 

 to mass troops and supplies on the right. The 

 preparations for the movement were not com- 

 pleted until Sunday morning, the 5th. Gregg's 

 division of cavalry had been ordered to move 

 at 3 o'clock in the morning. The 5th corps, 

 under General "Warren, was to march at five, 

 and the 2d corps under Gen. Humphreys, 

 at six o'clock. The flanking column consisted 

 of the 5th corps with Gregg's cavalry. The 

 cavalry column moved down th Jerusalem 

 plank road, and reached Reams' station soon 

 after daybreak. The 5th corps moved along 

 the Halifax road at 5 o'clock, with Gen. Ayres's 

 division in advance, Gen. Griffin's next, and 

 Gen. Crawford's in the rear. On the Vaughan 

 road were the 2d and 3d divisions of the 

 2d corps, under Gen. Humphreys, who were 

 expected to move directly upon the works at 

 Hatcher's Run, while the 5th corps advanced 

 around the right. 



From Reams' station the cavalry advanced 

 in the direction of Dinwiddie Court House, and 

 encountered at Rowanty Creek, a tributary of 

 the Nottoway, a portion of Hampton's cavalry, 

 dismounted and sheltered by breastworks on 

 the opposite bank, but commanding the bridge. 

 After a short skirmish the bridge and the worka 

 were carried with a loss of about twenty men, 

 and the capture of twenty-two prisoners. In a 

 few hours two bridges were built for the troops 

 and trains to cross. Meanwhile a portion of 

 the cavalry advanced to Dinwiddie Court House, 

 and captured some empty wagons, a mail, &c. 

 Scouting parties also advanced up the Boyd- 

 ton road, and captured a few wagons. At 

 night the force returned to Rowanty Creek, 

 where Gen. Gregg bivouacked. 



Meanwhile Gen. Humphreys, with the 2d and 

 3d divisions of the 2d corps continued his ad- 

 vance up the Vaughan road, encountering and 

 driving in the enemy's pickets, and reaching 

 the Run. The intrenchments of the enemy 

 on the opposite bank were not very strongly 

 manned, but the obstructions in the stream 

 were such that the cavalry were driven back in 

 an attempt to cross. The brigade of Gen. De 

 Trobriand was then drawn up in line of battle, 

 and the 99th Pennsylvania sent across in skir- 

 mish order, who carried the works at once with 

 a small loss, and secured the fording of the 

 stream. The enemy's small force were now 

 driven back rapidly to the woods, and the bri- 

 gade took a position on% hill beyond the ford, 

 and throwing up intrenchments rendered itself 

 secure. Previously, however, the 2d division, 

 under Gen. Smyth, when within half a mile of 

 the Run, turned off to the right on a path 

 leading northeasterly toward Armstrong's mill 

 and pond. After advancing three-fourths of a 

 mile, the enemy were found in a strong position. 

 Their pickets were driven in after a sharp en- 

 counter, and a line was formed connecting the 

 left of the division with the right of the 3d, 

 which Gen. Mott commanded. 

 Temporary earthworks were 

 thrown up and preparations 

 made to resist an attack. Some 

 skirmishing ensued between the 

 pickets until 2 o'clock p. M., 

 when a heavy artillery fire com- 

 menced, and an attack from the 

 enemy was apparent. Under 

 cover of the .artillery fire the 

 enemy pressed through the dif- 

 ficult swamp, and rushed upon 

 the rifle-pits, which now part- 

 ly covered the right of Gen. 

 Smyth's division. He was re- 

 ceived with such a sharp fire 

 as forced him to fall back to 

 the woods. A second and third 

 attempt was made to carry tho 

 works, and turn the flank of 

 Gen. Smyth, but each wag re- 

 pulsed. At dusk the fighting 

 was over, and the lines re* 



