Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1864-06-21
Yesterday Afternoons Report
FROMrHE FRONT,

NEW oRK, June ~.
The Tribune's special dispatch from the
Army Of the Potomac, near Petersburg, Of
Friday morning, June 18th, says
We are again In front Of the entire rebel
army, which hes been engaged by our ad.
vance, composed Of the I'd and 18th corps,
and important capture Of guns, prisoners
and position have been accomplished.
The I'd, 9Th and 18th corps are in line Of
battle, and on the arrival Of the balance Of
the troops dispositions will be made for
final assault upon the enemy's works.
Since Tuesday night, when the advance
Of the 18th corps arrived in the vicinity Of
the town, our lines have been pushed
steadily forward. Several strong posi-
tions have been wrested by charges from
the enemy, and we have taken Is guns
and several hundred prisoners.
Our sd7anne is within one half mile OF
petersburg, which is in fuIl view or oim0sE
our entire line. rr
Prisoners state that portions Of Lees ar
my commenced arriving at Petersburg on
Wednesday night, only few hours after
the arrival Of Hancock with the I'd corps,
and that Wise's brigade, commanded by
Wise in person, held the town until that
time.
Tho Times special headquarters dis
patch Of the 18th says:
Birney's division Of the Sd corps occu-
pied line Within $500 yards Of the city
and threw 3 few shells into Petersburg,
firing several houses.
WASHINGTON, June 20.-Dispatches from
the headquarters Of the Army Of the Poto-
mao, dated June 18th, say that there was
very severe fighting yesterday along the
greater part Of our line. The most deter
mined efforts were made TO break the enc
my's line, but little ground was gained
except on the left.
The City Point railroad is now in our
possession, and the Norfolk and Peters
burg line commanded by our troops.
The 18th corps which landed ct Bermu-
de- Hundred on Thursday, now led the sd-
vance, crossing the Appomattox on pom
toons laid four miles above its mouth, and
penetrated southwark, up to within about
four miles Of the town before encounter
ing any opposition.
Diminishing commenced, and our sd
vance pushing forward drove back the
piokets Of the enemy, who took a position
in their outer defences. These defensea
were Immediately charged by Kinks
negro division, with most splendid gal
| lRntry.
The enemy was put to flight
and tWoi guns and q considerable
quantity Of provisions captured, and the
works held until the arrival Of Hancock
at half past five P. NJ, on Wednesday. On
the arrival Of Hancock he made recon.
noisance in the evening for the purpose Of
ascertsing our exact position. Consider
able skirmishing took place. Only two
divisions Of the ID corps, Birney's and
Gibbons reached the field on Wednesday
night. Barlow, who pursued another road
and brings up the rear, arrived at siz
o'clock, yesterday.
Thursdsy morning Birney and Gibbons
divisions deployed in line Of battle, wher
their proximity to the rebels was dis.
covered, and our troops bivouscked on thI
field, Birney occupying the left Of thc
line and Gibbons the right.
On BarloW's arrival in the morning hI
was ordered into position on the left o
Birney.
Between and'6 O'Clock yesterday morn
ing the enemy brought heavy srtillery fir
on our line, enilsding it with batteries OF
our left, and rendering sn advance or oc
cupstive position to the rear immediately
necessary. Accordingly an advance Of th'
I'd and 18th corps was ordered by Han
cock, who, in the absence Of Meade, tool
command Of both corps.
The result was highly successful, seve
raj lines Of the rebel works beipg carried
at the point Of the bsyonet and numbe
Of redoubts Of great strength were occu
pied. Sixteen guns were taken and turn
ed upon the enemy by the 18th corps.
Colonel Egsn's brigade, Birney's divis
ion, led the charge Of the ID corps, AM
gsllsntly drove the enemy from his works
capturing ct the same time two formidsbl
redoubts, and with DWights and ellis
batteries completed silencing the rebel ar
tillery on cur left. The works were hell
until about one P. n, when g disposition
for final charge upon the enemy's las
line WAS made. Il was ct this time Col
ocel Egsn was severely, If not seriously
wounded in the spine, and the attack wa
temporarily postponed.
At sixso'olook last night, however, an
other charge was made by the I'd corps
and an advanced position was assume
and maintained. The line thus occupie
was at once rendered secure by the imme
diate construction Of esrthWorks.
At this time it is impossible to ascertsi
the extent Of our losses, but 500 wi
probably cover the totsi casualties. +
It is to bo regretted that our adysnc
was not pushed forward on Wednesds
afternoons prisoners concur in the stat