The Sun.
London, England, 1864-09-05 00:00:00

P,MERIC A.

1111.../ .11M.......

QUEENSTOWN, Friday Evening.
The Cunard Royal Mail steamer Persia, from
New York, Au gust 24, has arrived.
She reports the arrival of the Royal Mail steamer
China at New York after a passage of eight days 15
hours, being the quickest oatward run ever made
by a screw.
The correspondent of the New York, Times with
the headquarters of the Army of the Potomac,
writing under date of the 19th, describes the late
flank movement
" The brilliant flank movement made by the sth
Corps yesterday morning was a complete success.
The enemy's forces had been nearly all withdrawn
from this direction to send across the James to meet
the attack of the 2d and 10th Corps, and only a
strong picket was found gaarding the road. These
retreated so rapidly that our men thought they
would meet with no opposition, and they went to
work very deliberately to destroy the track and
rcrider it useless. But when they had got about a
mile torn up, and before they could set fire to the
trees, a heavy force advanced in line of battle up
the railroad with supporting columns °neither side.
They charged gallantly, evidently believing they
were strong enough to overwhelm anything we had
there. But they met with the veterans of the 2d
Division, under Gen. Ayres, and after an engage,
ment of half an hour fell back in confusion. After a
short time they formed in line and made another
attempt to reach and drive back the division, but
were repulsed a second time with severe loss. This
ended the charges for the afternoon, and from that
time till near dark nothing but skirmishing took
place. Just before dark they made another effort
to break through oar line, and this time they re.
ceived even worse punishment than before, as
they were driven back nearly half a mile, leaving

their dead and wounded in our hands. Their loss
roust have been very severe, and is estimated at
1, 000. The number of killed and wounded on our
Sic:e will be about 400, principally in the 2d Divi-
Riot?. No fighting of consequence has taken place
to.d,ay. The enemy, about three o'clock this after.
noon, made an effort to break through our lines near
the J erusalem plank-road, on the left of our former
position, but the move was discovered in time to
check it ere it could be carried out. As soon as
they found our men were prepared for them they
fell back to their own lines. The sth Corps still
occupy their position on their railroad, and are
busy effectually destroying it. To-night, as well
as all the afternoon, has been very quiet, not a soli-
tary gun being heard on any part of the front.
This seems the more strange as on some parts of
t he line firing has seldom ceased for an hour since
la .8 have been here. But the late changes have
bi ought the coloured troops into a position some.
'vrhat removed from the enemy's picket line, and this
may account in some measure for the quiet that
pre-vails. We have had very heavy rains the past
two, or three days, to-day being the severest of all.
The roads are in bad condition in some places, but
a day or two of warm sunshine will make them.all

right again.
Under date of the 21st the same corrrespondent

vrites:---

" Cur losses at the fight at the Weldon Railroad
on Friday were greater than heretofore reported.
The number of prisoners taken by the rebels is now
ut down at 1,500. It seems that our troops were
At, rprised, many of them being in their shelter tents
at the time, trying to escape the heavy rain that
had been falling for several hours previously. The
rebels first appeared about noon on the right
of the road, in front of the 3d Division of the
sth Corps ; but this was evidently a feint, or
for the purpose of feeling our lines. About
three o'clock in the afternoon they charged in
heavy force batween the sth and VII Corps, and
e ucceedod in turning the flank of the former, cap-
turing a large number of prisoners. This part of
our line was forced backed some distance, when the
9r.h Corps, which had been relieved the night pre-
vious by a part of the 2d Corps, came on the field
and opened a fire, checking the advance of the
reb els and taking a few prisoners. A heavy column
of the rebels at the same time charged on the left
of our line west of the railroad held by the 2d
Div‘.sion, Gan. Ayres, which they broke, and hero
they also took 500 or 600 prisoners of the regular
brigade. This brigade is commanded by Colonel or
General Heys, who is believed to be a prisoner, as
he cannot be found. Our whole line was thus forced
back with heavy loss in killed and wounded. The
enemy, however, suffered worse than we did in this
particular, his men lying thick all over the field.
Before dark our men were reformed, and, being re-
inforcod, a desperate charge was made to recover

our list ground, which was successfully accom-
plished, so that we held at night the line which
had been taken from us in the afternoon. Col. Earle
is reported a prisoner, as is also Col. Hartshorne.
Gen. Crawford was shot through the vest and shirt,
and narrowly escaped capture. Lieut. Clark, of his
staff, was shot in the arm. Lints. Meade and
Merrifield, and Capt. Smith, also of Crawford's staff,
had their horses shot while carrying orders and
rallying the men of the various commands. The last
named was a prisoner for awhile, but seeing a
favourable chance, made his escape. Capt. Doolittle,
of Col. Wheelock's staff, was ordered to surrender,
when be, getting furious at an epithet applied to
him, seized a musket and bayoneted the rebel
against a tree. Col. Wheelock's brigade of the 3d
Division was flanked, when they faced to the rear,
charged, drove the rebels, and took a number of
prisoners. The entire number of prisoners cap-
tured by us is about 230 men, with some
stands of colours. Oar loss is estimated at
3,000. Nothing but skirmishing took place along
the line to-day, both parties being busy intrenching
themselves. A battle is looked for any moment, as
the enemy seem determined to retain posse9siou of
the road, while our forces are as determined to hold
it. The prisoners we took belong principally to
Beauregard's and Hill's corps, and are healthy,
though clad as usual.

" August 21, 6 a.m.

" Considerable artillery firing has been going on
on our left since 4 o'clock, and is at times quite
brisk. No musketry can be heard, the distance
from head•quarters being too great."
The operations of the sth Corps are thus de-
scribed :

" The :engagement between the sth Corps and
the enemy yesterday for the possession of the Wel-
don Railroad was more serious than at first re-
ported. The point of the road where our troops
hold possession is known as the Yellow house
(there being a large house there of yellow colour),
three or four miles this side of Reams station, and
about six miles from Petersburg. After the short
fight of Thursday afternoon, when the enemy were
repulsed, little attention was paid to their move-
ments, and it was not believed they were in a con-
dition to make another attack, and the principal
work done was on railroad, with the building of
alight breastworks. In the morning Wilcox's
division of the 9th Corps came up and took posi-
tion on the right of the sth, in a piece of thick
woods. A slight attack was made on the centre of
the line about noon, but without important result.
About 4 p.m. another and more determined one was
made on the right and left centre, which finally
extended along the whole line, the enemy charging
in heavy force on both flan'.is, which they suc-
ceeded in turning. At this critical juncture the
other two divisions of the 9th Corps came up and
the enemy were driven back, although not until
they kad taken a large number of prisoners. The
third brigade of the third division, sth corps, were
in the skirmish line and were all captured, with Co-
lonels Earle and Hartshorne. Colonel Wheelock,
commanding a brigade in the third division, crossed
his men ou the other side of his breastwork and
opened fire on the enemy, who bad flanked him,
causing him to fall back. General Crawford had a
narrow escape from capture as well es from being
killed. He was ordered to surrender, but refused,
and was rescued by some of his own men. A ball
passed through his clothing, grazing theskin. During
the fight Lieut. Clark, of his staff, was wounded,
and Captain Monteith, Lieutenants Meade and
Merri&ild, had horses shot under them. Captain
Smith was captured, but succeeded in making his
escape, with the loss of hie horse. All these officers
belonged to General Crawford's staff, and these facts

speak well for their bravery in the discharge of
their duty. This division lost about 800 men, a
number of -whom were prisoners. On the left of the
railroad the second division, under General Ayres,
was posted, and the enemy broke through here at
the same time they struck the right, forcing our men
from their position, and taking some 600 prisoners,
principally from the regular brigade, Colonel Hays,
it commander, being among the number. Just before
dark, our troops were reformed, and advancing,
charged the enemy, and drove him from his position,
which our men held all night and still hold. In this
charge we took 250 prisoners, principally of Beau-
regard's corps, with several stands of colours. Our
loss daring the day is put down at 3,000, at least
half of whom are prisoners. No engagement took
place to-day, although the enemy are getting up
reinforcements hourly, and a heavy battle is expected
to-morrow. Our troops are now strongly intrenched,
having used railroad ties for this purpose on part of
the line. The road is reported destroyed for a dis-
tance of six mixes. The roads are in a very bad
condition, and the rain still continues. Heavy firing
was kept up at intervals all night on the right, near
the Appomattox, end in the vicinity of the sth and
9th Corps, the result of which is not known at this
hour. It has been quite heavy for the last hour, and
the important fight which was anticipated to-day
may have already opened."
A letter of the 21st, dated in the field before
Petersburg, gives the following summary of the
Federal movements on the north side of the James
river :

" The following is a synopsis of the week's work :
—On the morning of the 14th, Gen. Birney, having
crossed the James, above Four Mile Creek, during
the night previous, attacked the enemy's works and
carried them by assault. Gen. Foster's brigade led
the advance, with the Ist brigade en echelon, the
whole supported by Hawley's brigade. Desultory
skirmishing was maintained till about 11 o'clock,
when the corps, moving along the Kingsland-road,
crossed Four Mile Creek, intending simply to form
a junction with the 2d Corps, which had landed
from transports, and had driven the enemy back
into the country from this point. Finding the road
obstructed and covered by a battery, the troops were
quickly formed for attack. The works were carried
easily, and were found to contain four Bminch siege
howitzers, all of which were brought cff. A junc-
tion was then formed with the 2d Corps without
trouble at Strawberry Plains. On the 15th the 10th
Corps moved to the right of the infantry line.
Picket and artillery fighting occurred. The day
following was marked by a very sanguinary little
affair. The position of the enemy not being clearly
understood, Gen. Terry was instructed to recon-
noitre and see what was in his front. Gen Foster's
brigade was pushed forward, and discovered the ap-
proach to that front of the enemy's position to be
unattainable, as it was beyond steep ravines and
deep ponds. Foster,
.therefore, changed his front
forward on his left battalion, so as to bring him
against the flanks of these obstructions. Pond's bri-
gade was formed in battalion columns, in mass, on
Foster's right, Hawley's brigade supporting. In this
manner they charged the works, and carried all but a
portion in the centre, which were on the verge of a
steep precipice. Without stopping a moment at the
works, they rushed on after the retreating enemy.
Coming to a dense forest their foe again halted.
Our troops were manoeuvred until they bad been
brought to face to the rear of their original position,
and all were in one line of battle along the edge of
the woods. Meanwhile General Birney moved his
division up to and manned the works, as also did
Colonel Craig, who bad been detached from the 2nd
corps to assist at that part of our line. Under cover
of the forest the enemy conceetrated from other
points, when they should have been, but were not,
attacked, and dashing against Foster caused him to
retire to the works, the enemy following in tura.
At the works our me❑ fought them gallantly for
some time, but the enemy having occupied the por-
tion of the works we had not possessed ourselves
of, pcured from it a galling, enfilading fire, forcing
us to retreat to more tenable ground. The enemy
did not follow from their works. Oar loss in this
affair will exceed 1,000, among whom are 51 officers.
Colonel Craig was killed while cheering on his men.
The rebel loss will not prove small. Among their
dead was found General Victor Girardy, who, by
the way, had been recently promoted from a cap-
taincy for successfully repulsing the late attack of
Burnside on Petersburg. Among our trophies were
six stands of colours. Works were immediately--
thrown up commanding the position, and until the
attack of the enemy on the evening of the 18th but
little more fighting was done. Then, as you are
aware, the enemy were badly repulsed wherever
they attacked. O❑ the 17th General Birney's bri-
gade was sent out to reinforce Gregg's cavalry,
who had been attacked in force. Birney moved
by way of Charles City Court-house road, and strik-
ing the enemy in flank, compelled him to retreat
precipitately. 'We have had plenty of rain lately,
and the roads are quite soft."

A despatch from Harper's Ferry, of the 23d,
gives the following details of the battle near
Charlestown, Virginia, in which the Federals were
compelled to retire :
" A brisk engagement took place yesterday, two
miles beyond Charlestown, between the army of
Western Virginia and the rebel force now in the
Shenandoah Valley. The battle commenced at
eight o'clock in the morning by a heavy column of
rebel infantry and cavalry attempting to pierce our
extensive front near Summit Point. After a sharp
but decisive struggle our skirmishers were compelled
to give way. The Ist division, General Wilson, of
General Torbett's cavalry corps, were engaged on
our right, and suffered heavily. General Macin.
tish's brigade, of that division, lost nearly 300 men,
but only one officer was seriously injured. Acting
Adjutant Lloyd, 22d Wisconsin Cavalry, and three
other officers, were slightly wounded, but have not
yet their commands. The movement had evidently
for its object the possession of Martinsburg, for at
the same time the attack was made at Summit
Point another false movement was made against
our extreme left, and the attacking column moved
slowly down toward our right; and then suddenly
a new body of rebel troops appeared in front of our
right, the 6th corps. A short but determined battle
took place. The 6th, Bth, and 19th corps formed
in line, from right to left. The 6th corps bore the
brunt of the engagement, and the 2d division lost
heavily—some 300 wounded, and from 60 to 70
killed and missing. The loss of the rebels was as
great. Among the officers wounded in the 6th
corps are the following :—Lieut. Col. G. E. Cham-
berlain, Ist Verre.ont ; Lieut. Col. A. A. Hale, 6th
Vermont ; Major G. W. Dwinell, 6th Vermont
Capt. D. B. Tagbor, 6th Vermont ; Lieut. Redens
bitch, 61st Pennsylvania ; Lieut. C. Money, 2d Ver-
mont: Lieut. J. N. Price, 61st Pennsylvania;
Acting Adjutant John Caldwell, 61st Pennsylvania.
Our right drove the enemy for over a mile, and
then fell back to their old line, holding it until 10 ,
o'clock, when our entire army retired toward Hall-
town, where they now lie in line of battle on the
first range of hills in the immediate vicinity of that
place, The Bth corps, General Crook, were only
partly engaged, and lost but few men. The left
consisting of the 19th corps, General Emery, were
not engaged, as their line rested on the Berryville
pike. Our entire line extended from the Berryville
pike, on the right, and on the left, to Smithfield
pike, on the right, and occupied the commanding
line of country running between these two roads,
situated some two miles from Charlestown, Our
cavalry, after the enemy had shifted his front
from our left to our right, returned down the
Berryville pike, and passing through Charlestown,
bivouacked in the fields to the right::of the town.
All last night troops were passing thrcugh Charles-
town in the direction of Halltown, and the scene
by moonlight was an extremely inspiring one. The
cavalry were left in front of Charlestown, and their
pickets relieved the infantry before daylight, At
sunrise ' Forward' was sounded, and the entire
cavalry corps moved forward and took up the
position abandoned by the Bth and 6th corps. As
I rode away en route for the ferry, a sharp and
continuous skirmishing fire broke out, and lasted
until 9 o'clock, when it suddenly slackened, and
before I left Halltown it had entirely ceased. Our
cavalry have orders to push through to Martins-
burg, and the infantry are busy pitching impromptu
camps along their line of bAttle, awaiting the I