The Sun.
London, England, 1864-08-17 00:00:00

account sap that Col. Marshall, of the Ist division,
had the advance, but as the terrific mass of earth
loomed op so sudden:y and so near them a momen-
tary fear was felt that it was one of our own forts
which had been mined by the enemy. The delusion
was an optical one, but still had its effect in restrain•
ing the impetus of the first onset. I will not say
the men became panicatricken, but they hesitated,
and the line of battle swayed. At last the efforts
of the officers prevailed, and the brigade--but not
until some five or 10 minutes had elapsed—charged
with a wild cheer. The Ist brigade, under the gal.
hint Bartlett, was at their heels, and together Les-
lie's whole division charged through the breach.
What few of the enemy were near by surrendered
without a shot. The breach was filled with rebels,
who were struggling to clamber out of the sand.
These, more fortunate than their comrades, had been
but partially buried. A detail was rapidly made,
and our men went to work to exhume all they could,
really as anxious now to disinter all whom a few
minutes before they had been anxious to bury. As
fast as extricated the rebels, with the other priso-
ners, were sent to the rear, the wounded to the hos-
pitals, where they arrived with the first of our own
injured. Indeed the one ambulance was often filled
with Union and rebel soldiers indiscriminately.
Following came the 35th Regiment of Massachu-
setts, the engineers of the division, who set to work
with their tools to reverse the slope of the rebel line
of intrenchments and open up a covered way to the
works behind. Their efforts, however, were but
vainly employed, as the sequel shows. The coloured
troops, upon the heels of this repulse, were ordered
to charge, and they moved out gallantly, A hun-
dred yards gained and they wavered. Then the 39th
Maryland Regiment, Which led, became panic-
stricken and broke through to the rear, spreading
demoralisation swiftly. Their officers urged them,
entreated them, threatened them, but failed to rally
them, and the mass, broken and shattered, swept
back like a torrent into the crater which was
already choked with white troops. The con-
fusion incident to this wholesale crowding
and crushing of the negro soldiers into the ranks of
the white troops very nearly caused the panic to
spread. Had such been the result, it might have
a brave fellow who after.
been fortunate, and many
wards fell might have escaped his fate. But at the
moment the rebel fire, which had been murderously
directed upon the place, materially slackened, and
the white soldiers recovered their stamina. Oar
lines were once more straightened, and just in time
to check an impetuous charge, which was after.
wards repeated, and with a similar result of heavy
loss to the assailants. Another account says that
in rear of the main column of attack the coloured
divisicn had been formed, with a view to passing
the other divisions when they had gained the outer
line, and making this a starting point for the con-
tinuance of the charge. The first division held the
centre, with the second and third on either flank,
and now the fourth adi anted beyond. The troops
were in two columns, each brigade constituting a
column. Their splendid discipline could not but be
observed, and in the early part of the contest no
soldiers behaved more gallantly. They charged
upon the next and an interior line of the enemy,
and for a time gained decided advantages, as is at-
tested in two rebel flags which they captured and
brought off with them. But the rebels, exasperated
as we know them now to have been at sight of the
negroes, fought with the fury of devils; and rein-
forcements coming to their aid—our signal (Slurs
counted six brigades harried from a camp beyond
the town—the tide of battle turned. The coloured
troops gave way, broke in confusion, when the
rebels, having repulsed their charge, charged them
n turn, and then they ran, a terror-stricken, dis-
ordered MASS of fugitives, to the rear of the white
troops. In vain their officers endeavoured to rally
them with all the persutsion of tongue, sabre, and
pistol. Whatever discredit attaches to the troops
themselves, their officers are beyond reproach. A
correspondent of the IVorlcl, in a special des
spatch dated on Monday, says when the negro
troops were ordered forward their officers took
the lead, and from the manner in which they
started it was believed they would easily ac-
complish their task. On arriving at the first lino,
however, they seemed to waver and hesitate, and
finally, the great mass took position behind the
earthworks and in the fort where the other divisions
were massed. Quito a number, however, kept on
their course, and those who were not kiad or
wounded were taken prisoners before they could
save themselves. As soon es the rebels discovered
the line halting they made edesperete charge, which
was as fiercely met by volleys from the white troops,
while the negroes fled in wild disorder to the rear.
Many a brave officer lost his life while doing his
utmost to rally them, and although portions of them
were got together and led forward by these gallant
men, they could not induce them to attempt another
charge, while it is said by many that they broke no
less than three times, each time suffering the most
frightful loss.
The enemy's batteries were so placed
as to enfilade the ground over which they had gone,
and perfect showers of canister were sent among
them each moment they were in range. It soon
became evident that the effort to carry the hill was
useless, co much time having been lost in trying to
get this division to do the work ; and about 9 o'clock
the order was given to hold as much of the ground
in our possession as possible, while the remainder
was to be evacuated. As soon as this became known
everybody felt that the entire object of the movement
had been defeated. And now the victorious flushed
enemy bore down upon the white divisions, and the
shock was a fearful one. The headlong charge was
stayed and repulsed again and again. Numbers of
our men had huddled into the crater of the exploded
fort, and the enemy's mortar shells burst among
them, causing a large sacrifice of life. The enemy
at the same time pressed the flanks of our army with
infantry and enfiladed them with artillery. At
length cacao the order to fall back, but it was not
accomplished without an additional and heavy loss
in prisoners. Generals Griffin and Hartrauptt nar-
rowly escaped. General Bartlett, less fortunate,
isinthe enemy's bands. He had been advised to
retire at a time when he could have done so in
comparative safety, but he waited with his brigade
to the last moment, and eventually became a prise.
ner. He went into the fight with his cane, and it is
reported that his wooden leg was twice hit by the
enemy's bullets. His bravery is the subject of uni-
versal comment throughout the corps, and his cap-
ture is deeply regretted. General Grant was at the
front during the entire fight, as was also Genera
aleade. Lee was without doubt completely out-
manoeuvred, and but for the remarkable rapidity of
his movements and a combination of unfortunate
oircumatances would have met with a:severe reverse.
By a seriea of stratagems and the marching and
countermarching of the 2d Corps General Grant had
entirely deceived his opponent, and a large number
of troops were withdrawn from our front and taken
to the north
orth brink of the James to oppose Hancock
and Sheridan. The moment these generals com-
menced falling back to rejoin Grant, Lee returned
his troops with all the rapidity in his power, but
would still have been too late but for that series of
circumstances that sometimes arises to frustrate the
beat laid Vans. At the time correspondence left
Petersburg only a very general idea of the losses
sustained could be formed. The _Herald correspone
dent says that the killed and wounded number cer-
tainly not more than 1800, and fully 1000 prisoners
have been taken. A number of our wounded fell
into the enemy's hands. About 300 of the coloured
troops were captured. What the enemy's lois is we
do not know; but we have about 400 prisoners.
The Times' correspondent says that the losses on
both sides were very severe. The wounded in the
hospitals are more tarn 1,000. Probably 1,800
were taken prisoners, and the killed would swell
the list:materially. The losses in Ledlie's division
are roughly put at fron 1,200 to 1,500, though there
are no correct means cf getting at the facts as yet.
Competent judges say that the day's operation has
cost us between 4,001 and 5,000 men. The negro
division alone lost 53 officers."

The correspondent of the New York Tribune

sass:-

" Everybody who witnessed the transaction con-
curs in saying that it vas most miserably managed;
that the rebels had nol one-fifth of our force within
their breastworks ; ani that the rest of the army
were silent spectators of the Scene of slaughter.

Thy say that the affair ought to have been a silt-
cees if rightly managed. The assault, which was
intended to have been a surprise, though only par-
tially successful in that respect, would have been
successfully executed but for the blundering of
somebody. The worst troops in the army led the
line of assault—troops who heretofore had acted
badly on various occasions. Our dead and wounded
yesterday morning at 10 o'clock had not been re-
moved. They were lying festering in the sun
within less than 300 yards in advance cf our lines.
General Grant met the President yesterday morn-
ing at the mouth of James River, having come down
for that purpose. They had a conference on board
the steamer.'

A party of Confederate raiders are said to have
set fire to the town of Chambersburg. A despatch
from Harrisburg of the 3let of July gives the par.
ticulars thus :

"General M'Causland was in command of the
rebel troops when they burnt Chambersburg. He
is a desperate, ferocious, and untamed freebooter,
ready at any time to violate the usages of honour-
able warfare, in order to gratify his dark and malig-
nant passions. After he had taken formal posses-
session of the town he made proclamation demanding
100,000 dole. in gold. It was, of course, impossible
to comply with such a demand, made no doubt in
full confidence of its failure, and sure of its afford-
ing a pretext to execute the premeditated plan for
destroying Chambersburg. The fact that the most
valuable portion of the merchandise had been re.
moved previously added to the rage and disappoint-
ment of the rebels, and when they were thus inspired
were ordered to fire the Court-house, Town-hall,and
Bank buildings. A strong breeze communicated
the flames to the surrounding buildings. Parties
of soldiers, having sacked the several drug and
chemical stores, manufactured turpentine balls,
which they threw in all directions, creating as
many different flames in different localities, which
soon united in one general conflagration. Speedily
the scene became heartrending and appalling. The
cracking and roaring of the flames as they leapt
from house to house, the shrieks of terrified women,
panic.stricken and suffering children, and the piti.
ful appeals of the old and helpless formed an inde•
scribable scene of horror, The citizens, without
protest, had submitted to plunder, and had even
appealed to the mercy of the rebel, but nothing could
appease the butcher and incendiary M'Causland.
Two hundred and sixty-five of the most valuable
and elegant public and private buildings were de-
stroyed. The town was fired at about 1 o'clock in
the forenoon. The rebels remained just long enough
to see the flames spread and got under proper head-
way when the alatm was given that Averill was
approaching the town. Instantly every freebooter
was in his saddle and hurriedly took to the St.
Thomas-road, with Ave_•ill in pursuit. No intelli-
gence has reached Harrisburg concerning the direct
effect of Averill's attack. It is believed, however,
that he succeeded in punishing M'Causland very
severely. A train heavily laden with commissary
stores was despatched from this city this morning to
Chambersburg to relieve the present wants of the
houseless women and children of that town, who now
crowded the eurrounding fields and woods. Many
residences of prominent citizens in the outskirts of
the town were burnt, that of Colonel M'Clure among
others, with his stables and outhouse. Among other
valuable property burnt were Lockhart and Howe's
mills, Washabaugh's brewery, Ludwig's brewery,
and many others. On Main-street the fire was
started at Benjamin Chambers's residence on the
west side of the street. The following residences
were burnt :—W. G. Reed, George Chambers, Allen
Smith's property, John Schofield; Matthew Welsh,
estate of Joseph Eyster, and the Female Seminary,
Derrick's drug store, James Watson's mansion and
store, W. Getwick's, John Nagle, the Franklin-
house, the Chambersburg Bank, Gilmore's corner,
Naylor's store and tin store, Spangler's drug store,
Dr. Richard's office and dwelling, Burkhart and
Hench's store and dwelling, the Post-office, Auchen-
burgh's jewelry store, Mrs. Bishop's establishment,
the residence of J. George Wolfe, Dr. Hamilton's
office, Judge Black's store, Jacob Hutton, J. Al'Ciin.
took, Lewis Shoemaker, Simon Greenwell, the en-
tire property of the Riser estate, and the two pro-
perties of J. A. Gyster. The fire then skipped the
residence of Dr. Fisher and two other dwellings.
From Lubrick's up to the next corner every building
is burnt."

The Riciemond Examiner of th 9. 29th and 30th of
July contains details copied from Georgia papers
of a battle in front of Atlanta to chow that the
Confederates claim it as a decisive end complete
victory ; that they captured artillery, prisoners,
and colours, and drove Sherman over a mile. Peo-
ple, however, were leaving Atlanta, as Sherman's
shell were dropping freely in the city. The Macon
TelCgraph says that the Federal raid on the Mont-
gomery and Atlanta Railroad was thorough work,
having torn up and burnt 25 miles of track. All
public stores and buildings, mills, &e., were de•
stroyed on the line of the raid, and all negroes and
stock were driven off. The Montgomery and West
Point Railroad is destroyed for 30 miles. The
Augusta Chronicle says raiders had captured Tails,.
delta, and were but 25 miles from Montgomery,
with no serious obstacles in their way to that city.
Four thousand citizen soldiers had gathered at Co-
lumbus, Georgia, to prevent a raid on that place.

The Alleged Robbery of Royal Marine
Clothing.

At the Woolwich Police•court yesterday, John Clarke, a
pensioner from the Royal Marines, residing at 3, Elgin-
terrace, Woolwich, was placed at the bar before Mr Maude,
charged with the illegal possession of 17 pairs of unmanu-
factured trousers, 13 flannel shirts, two pieces of white cloth,
three pieces of calico, two pieces of holland. and numerous
other articles, supposed to have been stolen from the work-
shops of the Royal Marine Barracks, where the prisoner
was formerly employed as a tailor.
The case excited unusual interest in consequence of the
recent disclosures of fraud at the Royal Artillery Clothing
Stores, and a large number of the military and Royal
Marines were present.
Police-constable Ling, a detective officer of the It divi-
sion, stated that in consequence of receiving information
that a large amount of Royal Marine clothing was in the
prisoner's possession he proceeded on the previous night to
his residence at Elgin-terrace, and there found the property
produced. Sevet al brushes and other articles were branded
with the broad arrow, and as the prisoner failed to give a
satisfactory account of their possession witness took him

into custody and removed the property in a cart to the
police station.

.Ton Watling, R„ 11,, stated he was master tailor at the
Royal Marine Clothing Stores, and the prisoner, who had
been pensioned from the Royal Marines about five months,
was formerly employed under him as foreman. He believed
that the property produced cams from the stores. Was
certain that the white cloth did, and also the black coat pro-
duced, which was made of the white cloth and had been
dyed.

The Prisoner—l wish to say that Mr Watling gave mo
the white cloth and the calico produced some years ago.
Witness—Well, I might have done so.
Mr Maude—Then do you mean to say that you have any
right to dispose of such property ?
Witness—l have a certain quantity of materials served
out to me, out of which I am expected to produce a certain
number of articles, and, having done that, if any material
remains I consider it belongs to me. Since the prisoner has
left the Royal Marines I hare given him out work occa-
sionally.

Mr Maude—ls any other oil.cera connected with the
corps present?

Lieut. and Quartermaster Melville Silver, Royal Ma-
rines, stated that he was not present officially, but merely
attended to hear the case.

Mr Maude—l think we must have your evidence.
Lieut. Silver was then sworn, and stated that the cloth-
ing department of the Woolwich division of the Royal Ma-
rines was under his charge. He issued a certain quantity
of cloth and other materials monthly, out of which ho ex-
pected to have returned a certain number of articles of
clothing. The Government was pretty liberal, they all
knew that, and he had no doubt that the master tailor
might have a considerable quantity of materials left after he
had supplied the articles. At all events the master tailor
gave satisfaction to witness, and he believed also to the
Government. With regard to the shirts produced, witness
must observe that the proceeding was irregular, as the shirts
ought not to have come out of the master-tailor's shop, but
out of the stores. The large quantity of articles now pro-
duced could not have been carried out of the barracks at one
time, as they would have been stopped ,by the military
police. They must have been taken out at different times.

Mr Maude —Well, we will not co II them perquisites ; but
can you say that these articles have been stolen from the
barracks ?

Witness--I have no doubt they came from the stores ;
but the master tailor has from time to time an overplus,
which of course accumulates.

Mr l‘laucle--I think this is a case which requires more