The Daily Dispatch. May 18, 1864

OPERATIONS AROUND RICHMOND—THE BATTLE NOT RENEWED YESTERDAY—FIRING AT CHAFFIN'S BLUFF—ANOTHER STEAMER DESTROYED IN ST. JOHN'S RIVER, &c.

The news from the Southside is meagre, though interesting as showing the extent of the enemy's defeat in the battle of Monday. Our forces continued the pursuit until the Yankees were driven across Proctor's creek, a distance of three miles below Drewry's Bluff. The latest advices represent that they had gone to their entrenchments in the of Bermuda Hundreds, and under cover of their gunboats. The line of battle extended from the river to the Petersburg Railroad, and formed the segment of a circle. General Beauregard had received information that the enemy contemplated an attack upon his left, and that they had troops on their right for the purpose, expecting, no doubt, to break through our lives with comparative case. Acting upon this, he strengthened his left without weakening his right, and, without waiting for them to commence operations, made the attack himself, with the result already known to our readers. The report that the battle recommence about six o'clock on Monday evening was erroneous. There was some artillery firing from our side, but the enemy did not respond. During the day our forces captured four guns, four stand of colors, and considerably over a thousand prisoners. The enemy's loss in killed and wounded is unknown, though it was probably heavy, About two hundred Yankee wounded were brought in at Drewry's Bluff yesterday, and were expected up last night.

We have contradictory reports of the fighting towards Petersburg, though heavy [firing] was heard in that direction on Monday evening, and the probability is that an attack was made. It is reported that a large number of prisoners were captured.

The battle was not renewed yesterday.—The firing heard in the afternoon proceeded from Chaffin's Bluff, where our artillery opened on the enemy's gunboats. The engagement lasted but a short time, and had so important result. A report prevailed yesterday that the enemy were throwing a large force across to the north side of the river below Chaffin's Bluff, but this is not credited in official quarters. That they have some force in that locality is proved by the fact that our pickets below the Bluff were driven in yesterday morning by infantry, but their numerical strength is not believed to be large.

At five o'clock yesterday evening the enemy's gunboats were in full view of Chaffin's Bluff.

Major General Pickett has recovered from his recent indisposition, and resumed command of his old division.

One of the captured Yankee officers, in conversation at Drewry's Bluff, expressed the hope that Butler would be taken prisoner, and manifested no little curiosity to learn what would be done with him in such an event. The Beast appears to be unpopular, even with his own officers. It is reported that he has gone to Fortress Monroe, by way of placing himself beyond the reach of danger.

The Southside is now the chief point of interest to residents of the capital, and it is fortunate that we have a commander in that locality in whom the people have full confidence. Gen. Beauregard's plans for the future are unknown, though, as the opposing forces are still confronting each other, a battle may be joined at any moment.

List of killed and wounded in the 7th Virginia infantry, Kemper's brigade, in the fight of Monday morning, 16th May, near Drewry's Bluff.

Killed: Sergt W B Carpenter, co A; John Jenkins, co K. Wounded: W R Clatterback—Cooper, and E S Partlow, co B; V B Collius and F. Hume, co C; G T Stewart and J T Legg, co E; J R. Rayner, W H Brown, J S Marshall, and W M Cox, co F; J W Jenkins, co G; Lt Brown, W H Dickinson, Wm Jackson, and R N Huffman, co K.