The Portland daily press., 1864-08-29
BY TELEGRAPH
10 THE
EVENING PAPERS.


WAR DEPARTMENT,
WASHINGTON. Aug. 2T-1020 A. NJ.
To Mgj. Gen. Dir On Thursday, the 18th,
Gen. Hancock. who was south of Ream's sta
ton, was attacked several times during the
day, but he repulsed the enemy in every as
sauit. In the afternoon q combined attack
was made on his centre and left, which, after
one OF tho most desperate battles OF the war,
resulted in the enemy Withdrawing from the
field, leaving their dead and wounded on the
ground.
The details are given in the following official
reports OF Gen. Grant, Gen. Meade and Gen.
Hancock.
The following is just received:
Secon1 Army Corps. Aug. 26.-For Gen.
Humphreys-1he attack about $50 P. NJ was
probably intended TO be simultaneously by
Wilcox on my centre and Heth on my left.
The enemy formed ia the woods, placed their
artillery in position and opened a heavy can
nonade. lasting about fifteen minutes. They
then assaulted Miles force. He resisted
tenaciousy, but the enemy broke his lines.
Some OF Gibbons troops were hurried over to
repair the damage, and the enemy only gained a
slight foothold. They soon attempted on my
extreme lett TO drive 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 sue
ceeded in forming a line, and the enemy, who
were pressing on with great enthusiasm, were
severely checked by the dismounted 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 as could be raj
lied and formed by staff officers The fight
was continued until dark, the enemy being
held in check by artillery, dismounted cavalry
and skirmishers. At dark we withdrew, for
reasons stated. The Chief of Artillery re-
ports that he lost about $50 horses.
The enemy made no advance up to a late
hour last night, holding as far as could be
seen some of our captured guns with their
skrmish lines. They must have suffered
heavily. Our own loss, including cavalry,
will, perhaps, not exceed 1900 or 1900, though
this is surmise, as the command is not yet or
ganized Capt. Brownson, of my staff, was
mortally wounded, and died during the night
Col. Walker, 4. A. A. g., is missing.
This Is acknowledged to have been one OF
the most determined and desperate fights OF
the war, resembling Spottsylvar ia In its char
acter, though the number engaged gives 1t
less importance. A few more good troops
would have given victory of considerable
importance.
forward this forenoon, as prisoners from
the field, Wilcox and Hetb.
Major Angel, of my staff, saw and con-
verscd with two prisoners of Mahone's dvis-
ion last night. do not find them this morn
ing. They said Mahone's division, with the
exception Of one brigade, was there.
tSignedl W. S. HANCOCK, Maj. Gen.
U. S. GRANT, Lieut.. General.
The following Is Just received:
Second Corps, Auy. 26tL, II 80 p. MA
safeguard that was left on the battlefield re-
manned there until after daylight this morn
ing. At that time the enemy had all dsap-
peared. leaving their dead on the field un-
buried. This shows how severely they were
punished, and, doubtless, hearing of the ar
rival OF reinforeements, they feared the results
of to-day If they remained.
tSignedl G.G. MEADE, Maj. Gen.
The following is just received:
Second Army Corps, Aug. 26th. p. M
Since sending my last dispatch have con-
veised with the safeguard referred to. He did
not leave the held until after sunrise At that
time nearly all the enemy had left, moving to-
wards Petersburg.
He says they abandoned not only their dead
but their wounded also. He conyersed with
an officer, who said their losses were greater
than ever before during the war. The safe
guard says he was over the field, and 1t was
covered with the enemy's dead and wounded.
He has seen a great many battle fields, but
never such sight. Very few Of the dead
were ours, nearly all belonging TO the enemy.
All of our wounded were brought of, but our
dead were unburied. have instructed Gen.
Gregg, to make an effort 10 send q party 10
the field and bury the dead.
lSigned) G. G. MEADE,
Major General u. 5. A.
To U. s. GRANT, Lieut.. General.
Our forces hold the Weldon railroad, and In
q dispatch, dated at p. M. yesterday, Gen
Grant says that their "loss OF this road seems
to be blow to the enemy he cannot stand.
think do not overstate the loss of the enc
my in the last two weeks at 10000 killed and
wounded We have lost heavily, but ours has
been mostly in captured when the enemy
gained temporary advantages. The number
of rebel prisoners taken on our side has not
yet been reported"
Gen. Grant makes the following report OF
an unsuccessful attack by the enemy on Gen.
Buffers picket line on Thursday:
Yesterday Thursday morning the enemy
drove in Buffers picket line. The picket
guard soon rallied, however, and drove the
enemy back and re-establshed their line. The
result was one killed, sixteen wounded and
/ fourteen missing on our side. Two command
] ing officers and ifty-nine enlisted men were
I captured from the enemy. What their casu
alties were in killed and wounded we do not
know.
lSigned1 EDWIN NJ. STANTON,
Secretary OF War.