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

A PIERICA.

;QUEENSTOWN, Friday Evening.
The Cunard Royal Mail steamer Persia, from
New York, A gust 24, has arrived.
She report s the arrival of the Royal Mail steamer
China at Ne w York after a passage of eight days 15
hours, bein g the quickest outward run ever made
by a screw. _ _

The correspondent of the New York Times with
the headquarters of the Army of the Potomac,
writing render date of the 19th, describes the late
flank mc,vement

"The, brilliant flank movement made by the sth
Corps, yesterday morning was a complete success
The f :Iterny's forces had been nearly all withdrawn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
atrc ng picket was found guarding 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
render it useless. But when they had got about a
;mile torn up, and before they could set fire to the
t rees, a heavy force advanced in line of battle np
tl le 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
attem pt to reach and drive back the division, but
were re-pulsed a second time with severe loss. This
ended the charges for the afternoon, and from that
time tan near dark nothing but skirmishing took
place.. Just before dark they made another effort
to break through oar line, and this time they re.
ceivi el even worse punishment than before, as
they were driven back nearly half a mile, leaving
their dead and wounded in our hands. Their loss
mast have been very severe, and is estimated at
1,0.00. The number of killed and wounded on our
aide will be about 400, principally in the 2d Divi-
sio a. No fighting of consequence has taken place
toe lay. The enemy, about three o'ciock this aftera
noon, made an effort to break through our lines near
the Jerusalem 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 lack 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
the line firing has seldom ceased for an hour since
we have been here. But the late changes have
brought the coloured troops into a position some.
what re moved from the enemy's picket line, and this
tray account in some measure for the quiet that
prevails. 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 thenkall
right a gain.
Under date of the 21st the same corrrespondent
writes:—

,‘ Our 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
Put down at 1,500. It seems that our troops were
surprised, many of them being in their shelter tents
.t the rime, trying to escape the heavy rain that
h. ad 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 between the sth and 6th Corps, and
succetdcd in turning.the flank of the former, cap-
turing a large number of prisoners. This part of
oar lin e was forced backed some distance, when the
9:h Co rps, which had been relieved the night pre-
vious oy a part of the 2d Corps, came on the field
and opened a fire, checking the advance of the
rebels 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
_Division, Gen. Ayres, which they broke, and here
t hey also took 500 or 600 prisoners of the regular
b.-igsstle. This brigade is commanded by Colonel or
General Hays, who is believed to be a prisoner, as
he can'iot be found. Our whole line was thus forced
back with heavy loss i❑ killed and wounded. The
enemy, however, suffered worse than we did in this
particular, his men lying thick all over the field.
Bef ore dark our men were reformed, and, being re-
inforced, a desperate charge was made to recover
our lust ground, which was successfully accom-
plie'aed, 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. Lieuts. Meade and
Merrifield, and Capt. Smith, al.so 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,mada his escape. Capt. Doolittle,
of Col. Wheelock's staff, was ordered to surrender,
when he, 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 DS is about 230 men, with some
stands of colours. Our 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 posse=sion 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 thu3 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 mites 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
slight 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 flanks, which they suc-
ceeded in turning. At this critical juncture the
other two divisions cf the 9th Corps came up and
the enemy were driven hack, although not until
they had taken a large number of prisoners. The
third brigade of the third division, sth corps, were
in the ekirmieh line and wcr.a ali captured, with Co-
lonels Earle and Hartshorne. Colonel Wheelock,
commanding a brigade in the third division, crossed
his men on the other side of his breastwork and
opened fire on the enemy, who had flanked him,
causing him to fall hack. 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 the skin. During
the fight Lieut. Clark, of his staff, was wounded,
and Captain Monteith, Lieutenants Meade and
Merrifield, had horses shot under them. Captain
Smith was captured, but succeeded in making his
escape, with the loss of his horse. All these officers
be! gad to Genera! CrAwf9rd's staff, and those 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 during 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 miles. 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, and in the vicinity of the sth and
9th Corps, the result of which is not known at this
hoar. 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 Singsland-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 B,inch siege
howitzers, all of which were brought cff. A junc-
tion was then formed with the 2d Corps withcut
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. Tne 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 discofered 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 trocps were manoeuvred until they had 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 had been detached from the 2nd
corps to assist at that part of our line. tinder cover
of the forest the enemy concentrated 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 turn.
At the works our men fought them gallantly for
some time, but the enemy having occupied the por-
tion of the works we had not possessed ourselves
of, poured from it a galling, enfilading fire, forcing
us to retreat to more tenable ground. The enemy
did not follow from their works. Our 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. Words 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. On 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, lst Vermont ; Lieut. Col. A. A. Hale, 6th
Vermont ; Major G. W. Dwinell, 6th Vermont ;
Capt. D. B. Tagbor, 6th Vermont ; Lieut. Redens
heel), 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 lino 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 te, o 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 through 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 reale 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

result. Rumours are afloat that the rebels are
crossing the Potamac at Martinsburg. What truth
there is in them I cannot say. Certain it is, bows
ever, that the rebels have possession of Martinsburg
whatever may be their ultimate intention. Large
numbers of loyal citizens are here endeavouring to
reach the places of safety further north, leading to
a total abandonment of the valley."
A Washington despatch of the 23d contains the
following :
"A letter from Hagarstown, dated the 21st, says
A detachment of the 3d Virginia Union Cavalry
entered Martinsburg yesterday about 2 o'clock and
drove out the rebels. At the latest accounts the
place was still held by our cavalry-men. General
Averell holds the river fords, and is keeping a
watchful eye on the movements of the rebel raiding
parties. The excitement here occasioned ,by the
anticipation of an invasion has somewhat subsided."

The New York World has a despatch from Wash-
ington, 9.30 p.m. of the 23d, to the following
effect :

" It is not learnt here that any engagement be-
yond continued skirmishing has yet occurred on the
Upper Potomac. That which took place on Sunday
and yesterday morning is represented as being
severe, our losses being considerable. The enemy's
cavalry in small bands have been reconnitering the
river fords, but no attempt to cross has yet been
made. It will be impossible for the enemy to force
a crossing without a general engagement. At last
accounts our cavalry had reoccupied Martinsburg.
The enemy's main line stretches south of Martins-.
burg some ten miles, but does not rest its left on the
Potomac as stated. Gen. Averell's command holds
all of the river fords. Generals Averell and Couch
have prohibited the transmission of despatches over
lines from Upper Potomac without their approval."
The following are the latest despatches relative to
the Georgia campaign :

" Louisville, Kentucky, Aug. 22.
"On the 13th inst., in front of Atlanta, the 18th
corps charged on the rebel works. At the same time
Ctsrlin's line of skirmishers called upon the rebel
soldiers in a rifle pit to come over to our side. About
200 of them leaped out and came into our lines
amid the fire of the remaining rebels. Carlin then
advanced a strong skirmish line, took possession
of the rebel rifle pits and now holds them. They
are within 300 yards of the enemy's works."
" Washington, Aug. 22.
"The official news from Atlanta is hopeful.
Authentic information received here shows that Gen.
Kilpatrick has returned from his raid on the line of
the Macon Railroad without any serious loss, but
bad a fatiguing and hard time. He brought in one
piece of artillery and 70 prisoners. He effectually
destroyed the road for two miles, and injured the
track for ten miles in various places."

" Cincinnati, Ang. 23.

"A special despatch to the Gazette from Knox.
villa says:—Wheeler struck the Knoxville and
Chattanooga Railroad between Hawassi and Lon.
don, destroying communications for a time but do•
ing no serious damage. Gen. Steadman is driving
him towards Knoxville, where Gen. Carter has
forces in front."

A despatch from Louisville, Kentucky, of the
22d, says :—" The Nashville Times contains a re-
port that Gen. Wheeler's rebel forces have crossed
the river above Chattanooga, though there is a
report that he has gone to East Tennes-
see. The last is discredited. It is reported that a
train bound from Knoxville to Chattanooga was
captured near Cleveland by the rebels, and that an
empty train bound from Chattanooga to Atlanta
was also captured by them. This occurred en Thurs-
day. The fortifications of Knoxville can resist effec•
tually five times the number of men in Wheeler's
force. Gen. Steedman's wound was only a slight
scratch under the eye. He drove the rebels for five
miles, and then escaped to Chattanooga. A discredited
report prevailed at Nashville that the rebel General
Buckner had been killed in a recent battle."

The Macon Telegraph of August 15 contains the
following :
" All the reports which we published yesterday
have proved premature, although the city is still
full of extravagant rumours of exploits of General
Wheeler and his cavalry. From a responsible
source we learn that General Wheeler crossed the
Chattahoochee river on Thursday night with three
separate bodies of cavalry, numbering several thou-
sand effective men, and proceeded on his march for
the enemy's rear. On the following day a picked
body of mounted men were started on a secret expo•
dition of groat importance, the result of which has
not transpired. We also learn that a distinguished
general in the army of Tennessee informed a Gene-
ral that on Saturday last, one week ago, General
Roddy with thousand men, started from Opelika
to co-operate with General Wheeler. These ac-
counts are probably correct. It is well known that
our cavalry have started for the enemy's rear. In
a few days we shall have authentic information of
their exploits, when we trust to give our readers a
gratifying account of the destruction of Sherman's
line of communication. A great deal depends upon
this expedition, and we trust it will in every respect
be a successful one."

The following items appear in Southern papers

" The large number of Federals we have been
capturing lately, says the Augusta Sentinel, has
increased the number of prisoners at Andersonville
to over 30,000, and the cry is 'Still they come.'
We learn, says the Macon Telegraph, that not a day
passes without from 100 to 1,000 arrive and are
added to the number,"

Official despatches from Admiral Farragut bad
been published :

"Flagship Hartford, Mobile Bay, Aug. 8.
" Sir,--I have the honour to inform the Depart.
went that Fort Powell was evacuated on the night
of the sth inst. The rebels blew up much of the
fort, but wo took all of the guns and those of the
best quality. We took some covered barges also from
Fort Powell and Cedar Point, which do us good
service as a workshop. The fleet engineer and flJet
paymaster came on the Stockdale with iron, &c,, for
the repairs of our vessels. On the afternoon of the
6th the Chickasaw went down and shelled Fort
Gaines, and on the morning of the 7th I received a
communication from Colonel Anderson, commanding
the fort, offering to surrender to the fleet and asking
the best conditions. I immediately sent for General
Granger, and ,in the evening had Colonel Anderson
and Major Browne on board, and the agreement
was signed by all parties. At 7 a.m., August 8,
Fleet Captain Drayton, on the part of the navy,
and Colonel Meyer, on the part of the army, pro-
ceeded to the fort to carry out the stipulations of
the agreement, and at 9.45 the fort surrendered,
and the stars and stripes were hoisted on the staff
amid the cheers of the fleet. Enclosed are copies
of the letter of Colonel Anderson and the reply of
Granger and myself.

" Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
"D. G. FARB.AGUT, Rear-Admiral
" Commanding W, G. B. Squadron."
" Hon. Gideon Welles, Secretory of the Navy."
" Head-quarters, Fort Gaines, Aug. 7.
"Admiral Farragut, commanding naval forces
off Dauphin Island,—Feeling my inability to
maintain my present position longer than you may
see fit to open upon me with your fleet, and feeling
also the uselessness of entailing upon ourselves further
destruction of life, I have the honour to propose the
surrender of Fort Gaines, its garrison, stores, &c. I
trust to your magnanimity for obtaining honourable
terms, which I respectfully request that you will
transmit to we, cud allow me sufficient time to con-
sider them and return an answer. This cnmmunica•
' ►ion will be handed you b 7 Major W. R. Browne.
-.I am, Sir, very rkspeefully your obedient servant,
"C. D. ANDERSON, Colonel commanding."
" Flagship Hartford, Mobile Bay, Aug. 7.
" Sir,—ln accordance with the proposals made in
your letter of this morning for the surrender of Fort
Gaines, I have to say, after communication with
Gen. Granger, in command of our forces on Ihupin
Island, that the only offers we can make are-1.
The unconditional surrender of yourself and the
garrison at Fort Gaines, with all the public property
within its limits. 2. The treatment which is in emu-
formity with the custom of the most civilised nations
towards prisoners of war, 3. Private property,
with the exception cf arms, will be respected. This
oommunication will be handed you by Fleet Captain
P. Dayton :and Col. Vii,; cr, of the United Statea'
Army, who fully understands the views of (hoer&