The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1864-09-02
Rebel Loss lo, 900 Killed and Wound
+ ed the Last Two Weeks.

WASHINGTON, Aug. 27-lO A. NJ.
Major Gen. John A. Dix:
On Thursday the 25th. Gen. Hancock. who
was south OF Rcams station, was attacked sew
eral times during the day, but he repulsed the
enemy in every assault.
In the afternoon combined attack was
made on his centre and left, which, alter one
of the most desperate battles of the war, re.
suited in the enemy withdrawing from the
field, leaving their dead and wounded IN the
ground.
The details nre given in the following Off.
cal reports of Gen. Grant, Gen Meade and
Gen. Hancock:
The following is just received:
SECOND Army CoRPs, Aug. %.
For Gen. Humphreys: The attack about o.
80 p. NJ. was probably intended to be stimuli
t,neous by Wilcox on my centre and licth
on my left The enemy formed in the woods
placed their artillery in position and opened
u heavy cannonadc. lasting about ID minutes.
They then assaulted Miles force. lie re-
sisted tenaciOusly, hut the enemy broke his
lines. Some OF Gibbons troops were hurried
over to repair the damage, and the enemy only
gained slight foothold. They soon attempt.
ed on my extreme left to drive Gibbons divi-
sion from hi. line. His men had been much
wcaried in rushing over to Gen. Miles and
back. Daring the repeated assaults, Gen
Gibbons succeeded in forming line, and the
enemy, who were pressing on with great en-
thusiasm, were severely checked by the dis
mounted cavalry under Gen. Gregg, which he
handsomely led
Miles regained most Of his entertainments,
distinguishing himself. All he had to work
with were such small parties rs could be raj
lied and formed by staff officers.
Tho fight was continued until dark, the en-
cmy being held IN check by artillery, di,-
mounted cavalry and skirmishers. AT dark
we withdrew. Tor reasons stated. The Chiel
of Artillery reports that he lost about two
hundred and fifty horses.
Tho enemy made no advance up to late
hour last night, holding as far us could be
seen some OF our captured guns with their
skirmish lines. They must lave suffered
heavily.
My own loss, including cavalry, will, per-
haps. not exceed 1000 or 1900. though this
is sur,niso, rs tho command is not vet organ
lied. Capt. Brown.On OF my staff was NOR
tally wounded and dying during the night.
Col. Waller. A. "A. A. e., is missing.
This Is acknowledged to have been one of
tho most determined and desperate fights Of
the war, resembling Spottsylvania in its
character, though the number engaged gives
it less Importance. A few more good troops
would have given n victory Of considerable
Importance.
forward this forenoon, rs prisoners from
the field. Wilcox and lleth
Mnjor Angel, of my staff, saw and convers-
ed with two prisoners OF Mahone's division
last night. | do not lind them this morning.
They said Mahone's division. with the exccp-
ton OF one brigade was there.
(Signcd) w. S. HAScocK, Maj. Gen.
U. 5. GRANT, Lieu,enan, General.
The following is just received:
SECOND CoRps, Aug. 26-l2. 30 p. NJ.
A safeguard that was left on the battlefield
remained there until after ,ylisht this morn
ing. At that time the enemy had all disap
pearcd leaving their dead on the field nnhuri-
ed. This shows how severely thsy were pun
isied, and. doubtless, hearing of the arrival
Of Icinforcements, they feared the results Of
to-day il they remained. .
lSigned) q. G. MEADE.
~ Major General.
Thefollowiny Is just received:
SECOND Army CoRps, Aug. 26-l p. NJ.
To Lieut.. Gen. Grant:
Since sending my last di.patch have con
verscd will, the safeguard referred to. II,
did not leave the field until after sunrise
At that time nearly NIL the enemy had left
moving towards Petersburg.
lie says they abandoned not only their dead,
but their wounded also. lie conversed with
an officer who said their losses were greater
than ever before during the war. The safe
guard says he was over tho field and il was
covered with the enemy,s dead and wounded.
lie has seen great many battleiields, but
never such a sight. a1
Very few OF the dead were ours, nearly all
belonged TO the enemy. All OF our wounded
were brought of but our dead we're unburied.
have instructed Gen. Gregg to make an Of
fort to send party to tho field and hurry the
dead q. &. MEADE. Maj. Gen. u. s. A.
To u. s Grant, Lieut.. G,n.
Our forces hold tho Weldon Railroad. and
in dispatch dated At p. NJ yesterday, Gen.
Grant says that their "loss of this road seems
to be blow to tho enemy he cannot stand.
think do not ovcrstife the loss OF the
enemy iu tho last two weeks Mt 10000 killed
and wounded. wo have lost heavily, hut ours
has been mostly in captured when the enemy
gained temporary advantages. The number
Of rebel prisoners taken on our side has not
yet boon rcbortcd."
Gen. Grant makes tho following repor. of
an unsuccessful attack by the enemy on Gen.
Rutler,s picket line on Thursdny
yesterday Thursday morning tho enemy
drove in Buffers picket line. The picket
guard soon rallied, however. and drove the
enemy back and re.established their line.
The result was killed, l6 wounded and
Ia missing on our side. Two commanding
officers and City nine enlisted men were cap
turcd from the enemy. What their casualties
were IN killed and wounded We do not know.
(Signed) EDWIN NJ. STANTON.
Sccreturv of Wur