Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1864-10-03
RICH MOND.

Additional Accounts Of the Advance on the
Rebel CaPital-Details of the Citing on
the North Side Of James River-Desperate
and Bloody Assaults on the Rebel De.
fenses-Capture of Forts, Cannon, and
Prisoners-fhe 10th Corps Checked at
Laurel Hill-Cavalry Dash into the SUBJ
his Infantry supports within Gunshot of
the City, &c, &c, sc. t s.-,-
CITY POINT, VA, Sept. 29-Evening.-Acdve
operations were resumed this morning, and
have resulted in another engagement and a
most brilliant victory. One Of the most i'm.
pori ant Of the chain Of defenses of Richmond
on the north side of the James river has fallen
into our hands. with a large quantity Of artil-
lery. -.
II is well known that the rebel capital and
stronghold is defended from approach from the
northvard and eastward by the most extensive
earthworks running in concentric lines from
river TO river. The lowermost Of these works
itself-conmences at the James river, near
Chapin's Bluff, and thence traversing Chapins
Yarn, defects 10 the northwest, covering the
Newmarket, Central, and Charles City roads.
The capture Of this line was the object of yes
terdays fighting, and it was accomplished
with the u Utmost success.
The movements previous to the battle were
prefaced by the construction of two pontoon
bridges over the James-one at Aiken's Land.
ing and the other at Deep Bottom, opposite
Long Neck-quietly effected under cover of the
darkness Of Tuesday and Wednesday nights
In the meantime the attacking column, which
was largely composed oftroops of the command
OF Major General Butler, had been preparing
for march, and three days rations were is
sued to each man. Early this morning the
troops were quietly transferred to the north
side OF the James. Wagons and ambulances
remained on this side, lest their noise, so easily
distinguishable by q soldier at night, even at a
distance OF several miles, should alarm the en-
eny's pickets. General KautZ, with his divis-
aon OF cavalry, held the advance on the oppo
site side, and during the darkness established
his yldette line. BY daylight the infantry had
nearly all crossed, and IN the space between
init IA and ncaV, ROff0
two columns, General Birney commanding
taat on the right, and General Ord that upon
the left. 81 $500 p -.
The two columns pushed forward soon after
daylight, and moved in nearly parallel lines.
The troops OF General Birnsy took the New
Market road, while those of General Ord fol-
lowed one nearer the river.
Heavy skirmishing took place over several
miles of the road by which the column of Gen.
Ord ad v anced. The enemy's skirmishers were
NOT in strong force, and readily gave way, fall
Ing back to o line of rifie-pits near the edge of
Chapln's farm and in front Of their first main
line of earth works. Here they gave evidence
OF IN Intention to contest the dvance, and Gen.
ORD formed a line OF battle ... {
SIS A desperate fight ensded, terminating in the
capture OF the pits by the steady valor OF our
troops; The main line was now enco untered
In addition TO the showers OF musket balls
which were throw n by the infantry now dra wn
mp behind II, the artillery opened with terrific
DISCHARGES OF canister and she'll The line ter
minated At the river, In well constr Noted fort,
supplied with heavy ordnance, which also took
part in the battle, " lille the rebel rams or gun
boats tossed some immense shells at long range
from the river flank. An Intellectual fire was
also brought TO bear upon our troops by Fort
Darling, further up and on the opposite side
Oh the river. ..--T .-r... -. Il s...-. (.
Once more a charge was ordered. and only
-aiter the most desperate efforts and the most
eangninary fighting was this important line of
Worxs carried. The giacis of the fort after the
nent presented horrible sight It's heavy
guns toio with deadly effect upon the storming
PeIty, anu us gIacis was covered with the