Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1864-08-25


fell back eligible position nearer the city on
Thursday night leaving only picket line in front OF
the Yankees, which was also withdrawn OF late hour
The enemy did not discover our disappearance from
their front until yesterday morning, when they immedl
lately threw forward their lines of skirmshers and ad
vanced their left to the battle field of Thursday, in
Davis corn field, throwing up as they advanced, two
lines OF breastworks Their right extended IN an
obque direction, to lie northeast of the railroad and
batteries placed favorable points along the whole
lire.
This occupation of one of our main lines of commu.
nicatou with the South was of course not to be per
mitted without an effort to dislodge the enemy Ac-
cordngly all arrangements having been completed,
Gen. A. P. Hill, commanding Mahone's and Heth's
divisions attacked them between the hours of three and
four O'Clock. General Malone commanded the troops
to the left of the railroad, and Gen He'll those to the
right. The attack was opened by 3iahone, and was
speedily responded to by Heth On tie right, and the
battle ragged furicusy.
On The right, Gen. Hetb, with the gallant brigades
OF his divisone-Davs' Walkers and Arcber's-
struck the enemys picket oe in the corr field a short
distance beyond Davis residence These quickly
forced back upon the first lire of breast works. held by
a formidable force. With cheer the Confederate
troops bounded forward and swept all obstruction
pressing the Yankees back with loss into their
second line, aud charging Onward forced them thence
with an equal lack of ceremony. Beaten from their
works and defeated ia their every effort retain them
the Yankees rereated to their main line of entrench-
ments Into which they had been driven on the previous
GFttHiS. Ibis lDe naVlug Deeu greatly
proved too strong TO be storned aud troops
CHECKED IL the face Of the slaughter which threatened
further advance.
III the meantime, Gen. Mahone with CliDgmars
Coqu;tts s1d his former brigade had struck the right
OF the Yankee lines AID captured eight hundred prison
Pressing forward with his usual energy he drove
the Cntmy before him, successfully charging them
wherever they made stand. Finding them strongly
entrencOed however, IN the thick wooCs opposite Da-
Wis farm, 1t determined to 6iSlOdge them by 4
limo nd Mahn hrp
are engaged them il front, while by cTcQltous route
Colquitts (Georga) brigade thrownon their flank
be movement proved brilliant SUCCESS, and caused
scarcely any loss to troops.
COlqaitt's Eere upon the Yankees almost before
they were aware Of such close praximy Of tie labels
ana surrender OR fighting under fearful disadvantage
vas Tie alternative. CGawford's crack division, O.
Wouens (5th) corps, ere fell he!p vicin rebel
strategy, and tie greater part Of 40 brgad Sum-
berlDg over o0O thousand mea-tbTew down their
ard surrendered. The prisoners quickly placed
ucder guard aid sent to tie rear, wFere they
formed into line and marched TO Gen. Hilis heedquar
ters.
The battle still progressed successfully until the enc
my was driven back to the position fcom which he ac
Vanced III the morning. At dark lines close
up to his works, and occasional voleys Of mus kerry
showed still farther fighting.
Among the prisoners taken, is Brig. General Hays,
of Mass, several Colonies, and ctner i3ld officers Of
less grade. Gen. Hays was brought INTO town last
night.
During tie engagement we lost number of men-
taken pisoners, tut understand the were after
wards recapturej. The which followed the at
tack threw nen into toe best spirits and every sol
der wore s;nle of satisfaction upon hs ccu1l.e-
TIE result of the attack is highly satisfactory the
Ohcers 10 command and Is viewed in the most avora-
bic light. The enemy has been materially weakened
by the loss OF three thousand OF his best troopsaAen
prisoners, aud several thousand killed aud wounded
lie Is demoraiz3d by his defeat, and though he may
t,yht Lola IT.
prestige is gone and he will c4r the ront he has
shown during the last few days.
The weather was rainy during the day, add especial
~ 50 during the afternoon. The fighting was done
amidst series of htavy showers, which no only incom
moded our men, but rendered the ground heavy and
slippery. Most of the fighting on left was done In
dense growth OF uUderbtush and woods.
Our artillery did most excellent service and too much
praise be extesded the infantry for the part
they played
We can form no estimate of the Yankee loss, other
than the statement OF officers that it very heavy.
Many OF their dead and wounded fell into our hands
or able to form al idea of loss, up
TO night but lev CT the wounded had been brought
from the field. The great majority of those we saw
slightly wounded We snail learn further partic-
ulare of the Casualties and Of the ba tile to-day
We regret to state, however, that Gen. Clingman
was painfully, though not seriously wounded
The battle for the possession OF the railroad will
probably be resumed this morning, and it is believed
the enemy will only be disodged but disastrously
Geleated. This expedition Will turn out in the end to
pe the greatest disaster that has happened to Grant
in this department.
Reports from the Battle fed late last evening repre-
sent forces be between the enemy and the main
army in front of Petersburg. If So something inter
esuDg may occur to-day.
1t is also stated that several huudred more pris-
have been taken thus running the number above
5000.
AS the enemy still hold the railroad, it is impossible
to state what damage has been done the track 1t is
believed, that instead OF sending body of raiders
towards the Southsde, the enemys cavalry operating
On the Weldon road in the rear of the army.
HEAVY FIRING or THE LINES.
About 12115 O'Clock On Thursday night, our BATE
ries again opened the enenmy's lines in Prince
George, and tor two hours kept up continuous fire
1t the heaviest firing yet heard In the city. The
object prevent important movement believ-
ed to be la contemplation by the enemy.
THE MOVEMENTS ON THE NORTH SIDE.
The following press dispatches give some details of
he enemys recent movements on the North side OF the
James
WASHINGTON, August TO- On Saturday last, Gen.
Hancock corps put IN motion or the James river
aud by circutous route reached the North side of
the river at Deep Bottom, near Dutch Gap onSaturday
night.
turner's aud Tanys disysioD, of the 10th corps,
also crossed over to Deep Bottom On the same night
Fosters DIVISION which has been for time post
ed at Deed Bottom, was advanced by Gen. Birney &
little after sunrise On Sunday pushing the rebel line OF
skirmlshers before them tor considerable distance
when the 24th Massachusetts regiment, line Col. Os
borne, charged and broke the rebel ue and captured
seventy prisoners.
In the Meantime, Gregg's cavalry had cleared the
roeds for Hancock and he got his second corps into