Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1864-08-26
THE ATTACK ON DALTON, GA.
The Rebel Demand for.
surrender.
UNION COMMANDER DECLINES.
Rebels Driven in Great Confusion.


the following
The rebels, in the attack on Dalton, Ga,
numbered 5000 infantry and cavalry, with Fix
brass howitzers, and we're commanded by
Gen. Wheeler
Our garrison numbered 400 men Of the I'd
division, commanded by Col. Leibod, Sun
day morning the rebels approached the town
in line Of battle, and Wheeler sent forward
the following formal letter.
" To prevent the efusion Of blood, have
the honor to demand the immediate and un-
conditional surrender Of the forces under
your command at this garrison.
JAMES WHEELER,
Maj. Gen Com. Confederate Forces"
Col Leibold responded in the following
laconio terms:
"I have been placed here to defend the
post, not TO surrender it,"
B. E. LEIBoLD. c om'g U. S. forces"
The rebels outnumbered Col. Leibold ten
to one, aud his command sought protection
in eerthworks and large brick buildings.
The invaders swarmed into the town, but
were gallantly kept at bay by the garrison,
whom from their earthworks moved down
the rebels in great numbers.
On Monday morning Gen. Steadman ar
rived with reinforcements. Skirmishing at
once commenced, and the garrison rallied out
Of their earthworks. At this stage, the l4th
United States cJlored infantry, Col. Morgan
commanding, were ordered to charge. With
ringing cheers and an impetuous, irresistible
rush they charged upon the rebels, who broke
and fed in the utmost confusion. The rebels
slightly damaged the railroad track, one mile
this side Of Dalton. The damage has been
repaired.
WAsHGNGToN, Aug. II.
Our losses in the fight on Monday beyond
Deep Bottom were two hundred Nearly
all the day was occupied in skirmishiug and
reconnoiterng the ground. Gregg cavalry
rested It's right on the Charles City road
miles from Richmond, where the rebels were
intienched.
The colored division under Gen. VIM. Bir-
ney behaved splendidly. The rebels about
noon attacked Gregg, driving him back for
half mile, whereupon Birney sent one of
his colored brigades to Gregg's support,
which struck the rebel force on its righ,
flank and forced it to retire in the direction
OF James river.
In the afternoon portion of Terry's divis-
ion advanced, pushing the rebels still farther
back. AT o'clock considerable skirmishing
ensued- the rebels all the while retreating.
AT Qatk our lines nhu DetQ huNhuCtu u
I within miles OF Richmond, ON the 1Sew'
market road. 1t was Gen. Hancock's pur'
pose to attack the rebels next morning.
Gen Logan's official report has been re-
ceived. IL appears that after moving to the
extreme right of our army he was furously
attacked by Hardee's and Lees corps
The battle lasted from A. NJ. until p.
NJ. Six successive charges were made by the
rebels, which we're each gallant.y repused
with fearful loss to the enemy. Later in the
evening the enemy made several vigorous as
saults but met with the same repulses.
Gen. Logan's loss was so killed, 439 woun-
ded and 70 missing. Five rt bel battle flags,
LOG prisoners, exclusive of IS wounded, and
about 1000 muskets were captured; SOS reb-
els were buried and about 200 were left un-
buried. Large numbers of rebel wounded
were carried away. During the night the en-
emy's loss, in Logan's judgment, was about
1000.
"A New York, Aug. II.
The Posts Washington dispatch says ad-
vices from Deep Bottom to Tuesday morning
announce that Gen. Grants lines are adyanc-
ed to within seven miles Of Richmond. There
was considerable fighting during the day, the
rebels being invariably driven back.
The Commercials dispatches say division
of the 5th corps landed a. Deep Bottom this
morning,
Advioes from Sheridan state that Early was
at Strasburg in a strong position. Sheridan
was close upon him, and fight may take place
at any moment.
Hood, at Atlanta has been heavily reinfor
ced Affairs there have settled into a regu
lar siege. General Sherman is strongly in
trenched, and gradually extending his lines
around the city.
CAIRo, H., Aug. H.
A meeting Of the citizens Of Caro- is called
for this evening to provide measures for thu
defense of the city.
An expedition has started in pursuit o
Johnson's gueriillss, who captured the steam
boat a. Saline bar. This band, about 500
strong, was at Caseville, KY, when last hearC
> from, but few of them crossed tue river ant
these have returned again. They carried OF
from the steamers considerable amount o
Government cattle and stores. Gunboats ar
now stationed at Saline bar for the protection
of grounded steamers.
FoRTREss MONROE, Aug II,
. The steamer Thomas Morgan has arrives
from Deep Bottom with two hundred wound
ed soldiers OF the 10th corps.
, Our forces on the north side OF the Jane
l. river have had continuous severe skIrmlshln
every day this week. We have eapture
e more prisoners than has been reported, bu
we have no definite statement o. the number
# No general officers are yet reported eithe
To- killed or wounded
a WAsHtN0ToN, Aug. IS.
s Intelligence has been received here of th
j OF the operations Of the arn.s of the Potom'
up to Tuesday night Considerable har
o lighting was done on that day, and our line
a we're advanced about mile.
d We have captured four reoel battle hal
i aud over four hundred prisoners. The det
y bodies Of two rebel generals are now in OF
hands.
- The Sd New Hampshire regiment whit
!, has only Ave days TO serve, lost heavily.
4 The oolored troops are said to have beha
y, ed spendidly, and we're in the extreme frol
all the time.
The fighting had not been renewed at
II o'clock Wednesday morning, but It was e.
70 pected the contest would open again befol
y night.
Most of the fighting was in the woods, al
3 at such short range that man seen was
a. man ahot