Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1863-11-11
HEADQUARTERS AR4Y OF TIE PoToEac, |
Nov

| HEADQUARTERS Army OF TIE PoToNic,l
SunGay, Nov. 8.
Portions of the 5lh and 9th corps, under
the command Of Major General SedgWick,
last evening attacked the enemy in their
stronghold, on the left bank of the Kappa
hammock, between Rsppshannook Station
and Beverly Ford, carrying the works
successfully, capturing nearly all of the
rebels defending them-from 200 to l, 500
four flags; with their arms and pieces
Of artillery.
The works consisted Of the old earth
fertilization near the railroad crossing,
recently strengthed by the addition of
railroad iron taken from the Orange and
/ Alexandria Railroad, and another similar
work half mile or more westerly, on the
river connected by a curtain, rifle pits,
and all the usual contrivanees resorted to
for the defence Of similar works.
At about midway between these forts
the enemy had bridge across the river
and another bridge below the railroad in
| front, over which our troops had to pass
fret having to drive the enemy's skirmish-
ers and sharpshooters.
There were several natural rife pits
! filled with troops.
When it is considered that the main at
tack was not made until after sunset, 80
that the ground to be passed over could
not be distinctly seen, and therefore the
full character Of the distractions could not
be asoertained, some idea Of the hard task
our troops had to perform may be imag-
ined.
During the day the 9th corps moved
forward from the rear Of Bealton Station,
on the right of the railroad, to within one
mile and q half Of the enemy's works -
The lst division General Russell, on the
left, the Sd division General Terry in
the centre, and the I'd division General
Howe) on the right.
The 9th corps moved forward on the left
of the track, and took position in piece
Of woods a little more to the rear but
sending forward picket brigade of picked
skirmishers under Brigadier General Ge-
rard, who drove the enemy's skirmishers
from the plateau on the left of the railroad
to the river bank, in doing which the force
suffered severely from a cross-fre of ar
/ tillery and rife shots from the fortifea-
| tions nearest the railroad.
This force was comDosed of men from
/ all the divisions Of the 5th CORPS, and they
performed their work in a noble manner.
Having accomplished the special object
Of this movement, portion of the troops
were placed under cover of the railroad
smSankment, while the remainder watched
the river bank TO prevent aank move
ment.
At little before sundown, Brigsdier
General Russell, commanding the 1st divi-
sion Of the 9th corps-the division belong
ing to General Wright-but who yesterday
commanded the corps, moved his command
on the right Of the railroad and under a
heavy FIRE of artillery and infantry, car
ried the natural rife-pits.
Just as night had shrouded the heavens
in darkness, q charge was made by the
Fifth Wisconsin and Sixth Maine volun-
teer infantry upon the fortifcations near
the railroad, supported in the movement
by the One Hundred and Nineteenth Penn
| syl7ania and Forty-ninth Pennsylvania.
These regiments make up the Third
brigade Of the First division, commanded
as follows ct this time: The division by
Colonel Elhscker, of the One Hundred and
\ Nineteenth Pennsylvania volunteers
Fifth Wisconsin, Colonel Allen; Forty
ninth PennsylVanis, Lieutenant Colonel
/ Huling; One Hundred and Nineteenth
Pennsylvania, Lieutenant Colonel Clark;
| Sixth Maine Lieutenant Colonel Harris.
Having carried the fortifcation, after
brief but severe struggle, the Fifth Wis
consin and Sixth Maine dashed forward to
the bridge, completely cutting off lhe
whole rebel force on tie left bank of the
river. General Shaler's brigade, Of the
First division, came up on the right, and
/ ct an opportune moment carried the works
there, when the whole rebel force threw
down their muskets and surrendered. This
force is composed of the Eighty second
Pennsylvania, siKty-Gfth New York, Six
ty-seVenth New York, One Hundred and
TWenty-secOnd New York and Twenty.
third Pennsylvania.
While all who participated in this af-
fair, ! believe, without exception, did well
special mention should be made Of the
Fifth Wisconsin and SiZLh Maine. The
troops captured are Hoke's North Carolias
brigade, commanded by Colonel Goodwin
Hays Louisiana brigade, commanded by
Colonel Penn-both Of whom are prison
ers-snd the Louisiana Guard battery.
The Second brigade, First division,
Ssxth corps, commanded By Colonel Upton,
also participated actively in the fight On
the right, and captured two stands Of col
ors and large number Of prisoners. This
brigade is composed Of the Ninety-ffth
Pennsylvania, Colonel Carroll, Ninety
sixth Pennsylvania, One Hundred and
Twenty first New York, Fifth Maine; Col
onel Edwards
Several Of the rebel officers in our
hands frankly admit that they considered
their position impregnsble, and speak in
the highest terms Of the bravery and dash
shown By our troops.
1t should be stated that the taking Of
the enemy's works was done uron the
immdediate request of General Russell.
Our loss in killed, wounded and missing
will not exceed four hundreJ. The enemy
lost comparatively few in killed and
wounded, 81 they were well protected and
their position was covered, according to
prisoners accounts, by sixteen guns lOcs-
ted on the opposite side of the river.
This morning the wounded were taken
to Warrenton Junction and from thence
sent forward to Washington. The prison
ers were also mustered and marched off in
the same direction.
From Charleston Harbor--IutercgtiuR De.