Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1864-08-23
FROM WASHINGTON.
Especial to the Cleveland Leader.l

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE IOTo-
MAO, Aug. 2Oth.-Our new position, firm
ly established across the Petersburg and
Weldon Railroad, seems to be a source of
great jealousy to the rebels, and deperate
efforts have been and probably will be
made to dislodge US.
Yesterday afternoon about 4 o'clock they
made another ferocious assault on our line,
I'd Division, 9th Corps, beyond the railroad
and going across. The Sd Division, with
cne Brigade of the 4th, on the extreme
right, formed in line of battle intersecting
road about miles below Petersburgh, and
facing north. Wilcoxs Division of the
9Th corps, had just arrived, but had not
taken position. The lst and End Divisions
are now on the way.
The design Of the enemy seemed to be to
sever General Warren's slender communi-
cations with the main army and then to
entangle and defeat him among the forests
and swamps that cover the country.
To this end, strong demonstrations
were made against our whole line accom-
panied by a wild charge upon our extreme
right and another upon the centre.
General Bragg's command was over
powered by The strength aud force of the
assault, aud gave way, expecting our
right wing to attack in flank
and rear. The simultaneous
charge upon the center, prevented any
massing of troops by General Crawford.
The enemy were coming down upon his
right flank with shout.
The General himself, in trying to rally
his men and reorganize his line, received
slight shell wound in the foot and a
Minie-balI scratch across the breast. One
Of his staff, Lieutenant Clark, Of the Sec
ond Regulars, had his arm badly shattered,
and Orderly Donofan was struck in the
breast, and the bearer of the Division col
ors lost his horse.
1t was a trying moment.
General Wilcox coming to the rescue,
the enemy, though surprised at this new
opposition, persisted in their attempt to
swing round our right flank
They had already taken our front line
of battle by daring and reckless assault,
and seemed wrought to madness at the
check that was presented to their right, and
still crowded to our right and throwing
themselves Aercely against General Will
cox. 1t was plain to see that the for
tunes of the day we're not fixed.
At this juncture, General White, who
was approaching with the LIST Division Ofthe
9th Corps through the woods hastened at
double-quick to the spot. His arrival was
most OppOrtune. Getting Immediately
into position to support General Wilcox, a
stubborn and efectual resistance was Of
fered to any further rebel aggression.
On the center the assault was hardly
less furious, though less determined. Our
troops made a manly resistance to the
onslaught of overwhelming numbers.
Two Rebel Corps-Hilrs and Breckin-
ridges-being engaged, forced them bach
from their front line Of battle.
The regulars, with their Spencer rifles
bore CONSPICUOUS part in the engagement
holding their advanced position after near
ly every support had given away, and in
flicted terrible havoc on the enemy.
Brigadier Gederal Hayes and some o
his command were captured in theirgallan
attempt to hold their position.
} We took few prisoners, probably tive
or three hundred, and lost at least twic'
as many.
The 18th n. " End brigade, Sd division
Corps captured a stand of rebel colors a
night. Our troops re-toOk the position o
the morning and still hold it They ar,
now strongly intrenched and with still
more reinforcements on their way, are per
, fectly secure, and these new movements i
! another step toward the practical siege Q
Richmond.
Rebel prisoners report their leaders t,
be determined to re-occupy the Railroad
and a fight is liable to occur at any mo
} ment.
LATER
, IEFRoNT OF PETERSBURG, I
August 2l-6 P. N.
have just time to say this morning tina
our forces hold their position on the Wei
don Railroad good and strong.
The I'd Corps and other forces are al
- r.. A., ,...,o,,, ,.;,.bt o,,5 4L;a bo