Editor’s Note: This article was transcribed by Ken Perdue and Jackie Martin.
ASSOCIATED PRESS ACCOUNT.
The March for the Chickahominy — How the Several Corps Moved — Crossing the Chickahominy — The Change of Base Successfully Made — The Enemy Leave their Works — Evacuation of White House — The Army Across the James — Fighting in the Direction of Petersburg — Generals Grant and Butler in Consultation.
HEAD-QUARTERS OF THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, June 14, evening. — The Army of the Potomac took up its line of march for the Chickahominy at three o’clock on Sunday afternoon. The Fifth Corps took the advance on the middle road by way of Providence Church, and the Second the western road, while the Ninth and Sixth Corps took the road leading to Jones’ bridge. The Eighteenth Corps embarked on transports at White House.
The advance halted for the night near the Chickahominy, which stream they crossed to-day without opposition. No signs of an enemy were to be seen, with the exception of a few cavalry pickets, who fled at our approach.
The Fifth Corps took the road leading to Haxall’s, and the Second reached the Charles City Court House at six o’clock in the evening.
The Sixth and Ninth Corps crossed at Jones’ Bridge at a point about two miles lower down than Long Bridge, and are now close by.
The change of base has been very successfully made, with the utmost order, and without the loss of a man or a wagon, so far as your correspondent could ascertain.
It is said the enemy left their works in our late front almost as soon as we did, taking the road to Richmond.
The White House will be evacuated as soon as the supplies can be shipped on transports. The crops here are very fine, and our horses to-night are living in clover. It is expected we will start for the James River at an early hour in the morning, and during the day open communication with General BUTLER. The weather is fine, the roads good, and the army in the best of spirits.
Chaplain BARTLETT, First Maine Cavalry, was killed a few days ago by a shell.
12 M — The army is now moving towards the river for the purpose of crossing.
General GRANT and staff started for General BUTLER’S command this morning.
A few guerrillas were caught in the woods and brought in this morning.
FORTRESS MONROE, June 15, P. M. — The steamer John A. Warner, from Bermuda Landing, arrived at six o’clock.
Two army corps crossed to the south bank of the James River last night, and other portions of the army were crossing at various points.
There was fighting, this morning in the direction of Petersburg, the result of which has not been learned.
Generals GRANT and BUTLER were in consultation during yesterday.
General GILMORE has not been relieved, as reported here.1
Source:
- “Associated Press Account.” Philadelphia Inquirer. June 17, 1864, p. 1 col. 1-2 ↩