The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1864-08-22
FOURTH EDITION.
ARMY OF POTOMAC.
REBEL ASSAULT ON CEN.
WARREN.

Amy OF rHE PoroHAc, August st2l.-Our losses
in the fight on the Weldon Railroad on Friday
afternoon were greater than heretofore reported
in this correspondence. The number Of prisoners
is now put down at 1900. IL seems that our
troops were surprised, mGuy Of them being in
their shelter tents az the time, trying TO escape
the heavy rain that had been falling for several
hours previously.
The enemy first appeared about noon on the
right Of the road in front Of the 3d Division Of
the 5th Corps, but this was evidently a fGint, or
for the purpose of feeling our lines. About p.
". they charged in heavy force between the 9TH
ana 9th Corps, and succeeded IN turning the
Sank Of the former capturing large number Of
prisoners.
This part Of our line was forced back some
distance when the 9th Corps, which had been
relieved the night previous by part ID Corps,
came on the field and opened fire, checking the
encmy's advance and taking % lew prisoners.
A heavy column ut the same time charged on the
lett ofour line, west Of the railroad, held by the
"a Division, Gen. Ayres, which they broke, and
here also they took 500 or 500 prisoners from the
Regular Brigade. This brigade was commanded
by Colonel or General Hays, who is believed TO
be prisoner, as he cannot be found. Our whole
line was then forced back with a heavy loss in
killed and wounded. The enemy, however,
suffered more than we did in this particular his
men lyingithick all round the field.
Before dark our men were reformed, and being
reinforced, desperate charge was made to re-
cover our lost ground, which was successfully
accomplished, so that We held at night the line
which had been taken from us in the afternoon.
Colonel Earle IS reported prisoner, as is also
Colonel Hartsleane.
General Crawford was shot through the vest
and shirt, and narrowly escaped capture. Lieu.
tenant Clark, OF his staff, was shot in the arm
while Captain Monteth, Lieutenarts Meade and
Meinfe1, and Captain Smith, also of General
Crawford's staff, had their horses shot while
carrying orders and rallying the men of the
various commands. The last-named was
prisoner for while, but seeing favorable chance
made his escape.
Captain Doolittle, OF Colonel WheeloCls stan
was ordered to surrender, when he, getting angry
at an epithet applied to him, seized a musket and
bayoneted the Rebel against q tree. Colonel
WheeloCks Brigade, of tho 81 Division, was
fanked, when they faced to the rear, charged
and drove the Rebels, and took q number Of pri,
soners. The entire number Csptnred was about
23O, with some stands of colors.
| Our loss is estimated at over 5000, Guiding
| prisoners
Nothing but skirmifhing took place along tht
line! to-day, both parties being busy intrenchin(
themselves. A battle is looked for at any hour
as the enemy seem determined to regain posses
sion of the road, while we are as determined t
hold it.
The prisoners we took to-day belong priuci
pally to Beauregard's and Hilrs Corps, and are
fine, healthy looking set Of men, although ella,
in the usual style.
AUGUsr 81, 6 A. M.-Consilerable artlller,
firing has been going Oh, on our left, since
o'clock, and is at this time quite brisk. No mus
kerry can be heard, the distance from headQuar
ters being too great.