Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1864-08-29
RUMoRs, REPORTS AND CoNJECrUREs.
Dispatch from Secretary stanton.

WASHINGTON, August q.
General Dir:
On Thursday Gen. Hancock, who was
south of Ream's station, was attacked sew
eral times during the day but repulsed the
enemy every time. At half past five o'clock
combined assault was made on his center
and left, which, after one of the most des-
perate battles of the war, resulted In the
enemy withdrawing, leaving his dead and
wounded on the field. Official details are
given in dispatches from Generals Grant,
Meade and Hancock. We hold the Weldon
Railroad.
In a dispatch dated 3 P. NJ. yesterday,
Gen. Grant says: The loss of this road
seems to be blow the enemy can't stand.
| think don't overstate the eneny's loss
in the last two weeks at ten thousand killed
and wounded. We lost heavily, but most
ly in captured.
Gen. Grant also makes the following re-
port: Thursday morning the enemy drove
in Buffers line of picket guard They soon
rallied and drove the enemy back and re-
established their line. We lost one killed,
sixteen wounded and fourteen missing.
Two commissioned officers and fifty-nine
men were captured from the enemy.
(Signed) E.. NJ. STANTON.
The following are official dispatches from
Grant, Meade and Hancock:
SECOND ARMY CORPS, Aug. 26-The at
tack about $50 p. M. was probably intend
ed to be simultaneous by Wilcox on my
center and Heath on my left. The enemy
formed in the woods placed their artillery
in position and opened heavy cannonade,
lasting fifteen minutes, and then assaulted
Miles fort. He resisted tenaciously, but
the enemy broke his left. Some of Gibbons
troops were hurried over to repair the dam
age, and the enemy only gained light
toothold. They soon attempted my extreme
left and drove Gibbons division from his
line. His men had been much wearied in
rushing over to Gen. Miles and back dur
ing the repeated assaults. Gen. Gibbons
succeeded in forming a strong line, and the
enemy, however, pressing on with great en-
thusasm, were checked by dismounted
cavalry under Gregg, which he handled
handsomely. Miles regained the most of
his intrenchments, distinguishing himself.
All he had to work with were such small
parties as could be rallied and formed by
his staff officers.
The fighting was continuous until dark,
the enemy being held in check by artillery,
dismounted cavalry and skirmishers, and
at dark we withdrew for the reasons stated.
The chief of artillery reports that he lost
about two hundred and fifty horses.
The enemy made no advance up to late
hour last night, holding, as far as could be
seen, some of our captured guns with their
skirmish line. They must have suffered
heavily. My own loss, including cavalry,
will not exceed twelve or fifteen hundred.
This is surmise, as the command has not
been reorganized. Capt Brownson, of my
staff was mortally wounded, and died dur
| ing the night. Col. Walker, A. A. G., miss
| ing.
This is acknowledged to have been one of
the most determined and desperate fights of
the war, resembling Spottsylvania in char
acter, though the numbers engaged give
less importance to it. A few more good
troops would have given victory of con-
siderable Importance.
forward with this all prisoners from the
field from Wilcox's and Heath's divisions.
Major Angel, of my staff, conversed with
two prisoners of Mahone's division last
night, and find this morning that the said
Mahone's division, with the exception of one
brigade, was there.
w. S. HANCOCK.
Mai. Gen. u. S. GRANT.
The following is just received
SECOND CORPS, Aug. 26, II 80 p. MA
safeguard that was lett on the battle field
remained there until after daylight this
morninU AT that time the anemv hal oil