Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1864-08-19
From Grants Army.

|
| Aug 18th, says for some time past Gen. But
Ter has been coming over brilliant scheme
where with 10 annoy the enemy and advance
Union interests in this region materially. His
plan contemplated nothing less than the con-
structiOn of canal at what has hitherto been
known as Dutch Gap-now known as But
ler's Gap,-in direct fire of the enemy. which
when done should, among other things, by rea-
son of its situation, compel the rebels to extend
their lines of defense distance Of four miles
that is to say, the distance saved to us by the
digging of the CANAL which is to be 40 yards
in length, is Z miles of water course in James
river. This a. M the men engaged on this work
were shelled by the rebel rams, but our gun
boats soon drove them away.
Bermuda Hundred Aug. l6.-Yesterday the
I'd Corps, Hancock's were going into transports
all day at City Point, apparently for Washing
ton, and started down the river the bands play
ing gaily. OfcOurse the rebels were watching
from the shore, and no doubt felt much interest
in the movement Transports did, certainly, go
down the river for ten miles or more. when.
however, they put about and under cover of
darkness returned, coming up by this place
under full speee at lO T. NJ, and proceeding
upthe river
At the same time the 10th Corps with the ar
tillery of the ID Corps were crossing to the
north side ofthe James Riverand were all land
ed within twelve miles of Richmond before
three O'Clock this morning. This force, with
Gen. Fosters, made quite respectable army.
1t is understood that their first move will be
TO destroy, ifpOssible, the rebel pontoon BRIDGES
above the Fort Darling. If this is done Lee
will be unable to transfer his army to the north
side without marching by way of Manchester,
more than twenty miles.
Thus far all works well. Musketry firing
W. in tha of kI
this morning There was but little hard fight
ing done. Gen. Hancock accomplished his
end by skIllfnl maneuvering and surprise. and
consequently our ldss was small; it being esti-
mated at less than 100. Our troops have now
gained an important position within two miles
of Fort Darling.
Washington, Aug. 1.-THE mail boat Kew
port reports movement ofthe Second Corps
up James River, on Saturday night resulting
in the routing of a large rebel force at Dutch
Gap, and the capture of over 500 prisoners. be-
sides seven pieces of artillery. The position oc-
cupied by the enemy is said to have been a
strong one, and is now occupied by our troops,
who are able to holdi it.
The KeypOrt took down from Bermuda Hum
dred to Fort Monroe over 100 prisoners from
this fight, about forty of whom claim to be des-
erteTs.
New York, August I6-The Commercials
Washington special says that Hancock was to
move on Ball Bluff yesterday, on the north side
of James River and to the left of the rebel lines.
If successful, this movement will necessate eth
er the evacuation of Richmond or Petersburg,
as Grant will then be in position to bring his
forces to bear upon either. It is said that two
rebel mortars were also captured.
The Commercial states that foreign orders for
four million dollars worth of Government bonds
were received.
Fort Monroe, Aug. Ia.-A hospital boat has
arrived from Deep Bottom, James River, bring
ing hundred men who were wounded in the
fight yesterday after landing on the north side
The Hero brought away all the wounded of the
18th Corps up to five o'clock yesterday after
noon. Artillery and musketry firing has been
kept up all day and was still continued when
our informant left. Our forces drove in the
rebel piekets early on Sunday morning and
during the day had succeeded in carrying
two lines of the enemy s earthworks. The 9TH |
er one being about nine miles faom Richmond
The loss in the I'd Army Corps, so far, has been
small. Generals Grant and Meade are COM
manding in person.
LArER.-The mail boat Keyport has arrived |
from City Point and has ON board hundred |
rebel prisoners captured during the skirmishing
Besides theearthworks captured by our forces, |
there was also captured one battery that bore on |
our men working upon the canal heretofore al
luded to.
Our position is such that Lee must recall his
orces operating North under Early, and in adj /
iitiOn must come out and fight in front of
lis works this week or wholly retire within the T
defepces.