The War News.
It seems very well settled that Grant is about to throw his army against Richmond from this side of the river instead of operating against it from the vicinity of Petersburg. The history of the movement may be stated in the following facts: On Tuesday night he crossed about three corps over the pontoons below Deep Bottom, which were followed at an early hour Wednesday morning by their large wagon trains. Shortly after surmise, our troops near New Market, distant about ten miles from Richmond and about five from his pontoons, were attacked and four guns of the Rockbridge Artillery captured. The capture was effected by the enemy extending his line (having a largely superior force) and flanking our forces. There was no fighting, and the men of the battery succeeded in bringing off their horses with them. During the afternoon some skirmishing occurred near Mill Creek, in the same vicinity, in which Col. Barry, commanding Lane's North Carolina brigade was wounded. During the night the enemy marched to his right by the Long Bridge road, and yesterday evening his right rested at White Oak Bridge.His lines now extend from James river, at a point about 12 miles from Richmond, on the left, to White Oak Bridge, a distance of seven miles. Malvern Hill is about five miles in his rear. He has succeeded in putting his army this side of the Chickahominy, and with the same repulses in store for if that he experienced at Cold Harbor. As he has torn up the York River Railroad, it is likely that he will make James river his base of supplies.
Yesterday morning there was some slight skirmishing, in which we captured a few prisoners, who were received in the city last night.
Col. Barry, who was wounded Wednesday evening, was brought to this city, and is at the residence of Dr. Otis F. Manson. Gen. Lane, who was also at Dr. M.'s, recovering, under the skillful treatment of that distinguished surgeon, from a recent wound, was on the field when Col. Barry was wounded, having ridden out during the afternoon to look after his old brigade.
It was rumored in the city last night that Sheridan, who perhaps has recuperated from his late disasters, is out on another raid, having crossed the Chickahominy at Long Bridge. He may be expected to put in an appearance on the Central and Fredericksburg roads, preparatory to getting another thrashing.
From Petersburg.
There was nothing of interest transpiring in front of Petersburg yesterday. A little shelling from battery No. 5, the "bungs" striking near the planing mill, in Blanford, and doing no injury, has been the only occurrence worthy of note in the last forty-eight hours.
The Situation in Georgia.
The position of affairs near Atlanta remains unchanged. Skirmishing has been progressing daily, and it was in one of these a few days since that we lost Brig. Gen. Stevens, of Walker's division.Gen. Cheatham has taken command of Gen. Hood's corps.
The recent cavalry raid was undertaken for the purpose of destroying the railroad between Atlanta and West Point, and which runs from West Point to Augusta. They struck it on Friday last at Conyer's depot, about 31 miles from Atlanta, and again at Covington, the station below. The whole force numbered about three brigades. The fact that they have been driven from the road by our cavalry has already been announced.
Early's late victory.
It is stated that Gen. Early's loss at Kernstown will not exceed fifty, the enemy having been panic-stricken and having done but little fighting. Our infantry pursued them five miles beyond Winchester, and our cavalry followed on seven miles further — to Bunker Hill.
