The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1864-07-01
Rebel Account of the Attack Osa
Petersburg.

tinct discharges of cannon were heard in the
direction of their whereabouts, and at earlq
dawn our pickets were driven in on the CITY
Point and Prince George Courthouse roads. It
was subsequently ascertained that these move
| ments were but feints to deceive cur forces,
| while the real movements for the surprise and
| capture of the city was on the Jerusalem plank
road, coming into Petersburg from a southerly
| direction. On the two first named roads the
enemy appeared in considerable numbers as
| early as o'clock, and brisk skirmishing was
kept up for some time. At 8 o'clock the
court house and engine bells were rung, to
| which the citizens responded with their usual
alacrity. and manifested every disposition to
defend our h ONES and firesides.
| In the meantime the enemy's gunboats as
| cended the Appomatox River, and opened fu-
rious fire On Fort Clifton and at various other
| points along the river, for the obvious purpose
OF occupy the attention of our troops in
| Chesterfield.
| At O'Clock our pickets OH the Jerusalem
| plank road were driven in, and before 10 the
| enemy showed himself in overwhelming num-
| beers, filling the roads and woods on both Sides
| Our breastworks here extended from the resi-
dencc of Timothy Rives Esq.,, on the left to
and across the roadway and beyond the house
ofMr. William Gregory on the right The
enemy maneuvred for while, thinking pro-
| badly that our raw troops would abandon their
| position without fight.
| But never were the Yankees more mistaken.
Our men we're made Of sterner stuff, and in
| spired by the cool determination of their lead
ers, Gems. Cotston and F. H. Archer maintain
ed their ground like vets. Finally the enemy
ordered charge, aud came down to our breast
works with yell, their drawn sabers clashins
in the moonlight. When within forty PAGES
OF the Notifications. the order of fire was giys
| en- and the Yankees rccoiled and fell back
prisoner, taken subsequently, says that in this
charge the notorious Speas led and that he
had forty killed and wounded. This charge
was repeated twice, but with like results, when
the enemy escorted to the flankilpg. process
which. by reason of his overwhelming num-
bers he was enabled to do with much ease A
short time afterward a regiment came round
Rivers house on cur left, another appeared on
our right, and large body came down in
front. We had but 40 men all told ard it
was impossible with this number to guard the
centre, right and left, along length of three
| quarters of mile and more. The, order was
given to retreat, and in few minutes the enc.
my had possession of our works. our camp,
and were in full pursuit of our men. Couriers
had been dispatched for our reinforcernents,
but they did not come up in time to save our
Notifications. and many of Petersburgs best
and most gallant sons fell in the affray, some
killed and Others wounded. + ,ryye - i..ii'}
Tho enemy came on in double columns with
sabres drawn, until they reached the hill oppo-
site the water works where they planted
cannon for the purpose Of Smelling the city
They then started down the hill and their adj.
vance column actually took possession OF: a
bridge which crosses Powells Run at the foot
OF the water works hill. aalpIr Js,;
They were almost in Petersburgh, could see
its spires and steeples and many of the houses
ON our suburban limits but again that Divine
arm which has been SO often Outstretched in
our behalf, was barred, and our city was saved
from the tread OF the ruthless invader. just
reached the Reservoir Hill. unlimbered in an
instant, and with precision and rapidity which
we have heard spoken of as being almost with
out precedent, threw into the ranks of the enc
my shower of shell. .s.i.-.f ,.vt -.
The missiles OF death coming so unexpected
~ 70 the foe, he at first seemed overwhelmed
with surprise. and halted. neither advancing
nor retreating; but minute or two later, an
other branch of our service made its appear
ance, which quickly determined the enemy as
| to the best course for him 10 pursue Dear
ing's cavalry brigade quickly dismounted, and
descending the hill with yell, charged upon
the enemy in beautiful style. This was more
than they expected, (since they had encounter
ed but few militia in the breastworks and had
advanced nearly mile without seeing any
regulars and they instantly wheeled their
horses. and started back up the hill in great
confusion. Grahams battery continued to
play upon them, and Bearings men crossed
gallant style, their carbines keeping up a regu-
lar and musical fusilade upon Kautz and Spear
and their rapidly retreating followers. Upon
reaching the top of the opposite hill the enemy
hoped to make stand. Here anO, her column
which they had sent on to the city for the pur-
pose OF entering by the Blentford Church road
hove in sight But this column had also start.
ed on retrogade movement, but to their sur.
prise, too, they had encountered Sturdivant's
battery, which had gone out by another road,
and the two columns met and continued their
retreat, the speed not at all slaekened by Con-
federate shell and balls which were following
thick and fast among them 9li9a ii II -
In JacksOn's field, q mile or so from Blent-
ford Oh rich, we captured handsome cannon
and six horses, which the enemy were CON-
PEELED to abandon in their flight. Our forces
pursued them for few miles killing and
wounding many, and taking some prisoners.
Yesterday afternoon late our pickets extended
for several miles on the Jerusalem plank road. 3
but no signs of the enemy could be seen. and
it is supposed that they have retreated to the
river. This is only supposition, however.
and the vandals will bear constant and vigilant
watching. @ -, !
Kautz was in command of this force. and
prisoners taken vari0usly estimate Il from nm
to 5000. There is no doubt It was intanded IN
capture the city, and all the circumstances arc
strongly c0rroborative of this view. Thsrts
to "a Kind Providence who has nervad ths
hearts and strengthened the hands Of onr
brave men, we have been again preserved The