The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1864-08-23

BATTLE NEAR PETERSBURG
The Enemy defeated and over tco thousand pris
oners captured from him.

BATTLE NEAR PETERSBURG.
1he Enemy defeated and over tco thousand pris
oners captured from him
| From the Petersburg Express of Saturday.
In the engagement On Thursday afternoon Davis
Farm, two and half miles south of the city, the
my was driven back from his advanced position the
Weldon Railroad for the distance of nearly one mile
severe chastisement inflicted upon the foe and
hundreds of his killed and wounded fell into oux
hands. Night closed further operations and the ene-
my remained in possession of the railroad.
This occupation of one of our main lines of commun-
lcaton with the South was of course not to be per-
mitted without an effort to disodge the enemy. Ac-
eordingly, all arrangements having been completed
Gen. A. P. Hill, commanding Mahones and Heths divi-
sons attacked them between the hours of three and
four o'clock Friday morning Gen Malone command
ed the troops the left of the railroad and Gen. Heth
those to the right. The attack opened by Ma
hone and was speedily responded to by Heth on the
right, and the battle ragged furiously
On the right Gen. Heth, with the gallant brigades
of his divison-Davis', Walkers and Archers-struck
the enemys picket line in the corn-feld short dis
lance beyond Davis residence. These we're quickly
forced back upon the first line of held by
formidable force. With cheer the Confederate
troops bounded forward and swept all obstruc-
tion pressing the Yankees back with loss into
their second line, and charging onward forced them
thence with an equal lack of ceremony Beaten from
theirworks and defeated in their every effort retain
them the Yankees retreated to their main line of
trenchments, into which they had been driven the
previous evening. The line having been greatly
strengthened, proved too strong to be stormed, and
our troops were checked in the face of the slaughter
which threatened further advance.
In the meantime, Gen. Malone, with Clingmans
ColqHitts and his former brigade, had struck the
right of the Yankee lines and captured eight hundred
prisoners Pressing forward with his usual energy he
drove the enemy before him, successfully charging
them wherever they made a stand. Finding them
strongly entrenched however in the thick woods oppo-
site Davis farm it determined to dislodge them
by flank movement Clingmans and Mahones old
brigade engaged them in front, while by circutous
route Colqutts Georgia) brigade was thrown their
a nj. 10 hill ou6
caused scarcely any loss to our troops.
Colquitt's men upon the Yankees almost before
they were of such close proximity of the rebels
and surrender fighting under fearful disadvantage was
the alternative. Crawords crack Yankee division here
fell helpless victim to rebel strategy and the greater
part of two brgsdes-numbering over two thousand men
threw down their and surrendered. The prison
quickly placed under guard and sent to the rear
where they formed into line and marched to Gen.
Hills headquarters.
The battle still progressed successfully until the enemy
driven back to the position from which he advanced
in the morning At dark lines close up to his
works, and occasional Eeeys OF musketry showed still
further fighting
Among the prisoners taken is Brig General Hayes, of
Mass several Colonies, and other field officers OF less
grade Gen. Hayes brought into town last night.
During the engagement we lost a number of men
taken prisoners but understand they afterwards
recanred The which followed the attack threw
our into the best of Spirits and every soldier
smile of satisfaction upon his countenance.
The result of the attack is highly satisfactory to the Off
in command and is viewed in the most favorable
light The enemy has been materially weakened by the
loss of thousand of his best oops-taken prisoners.
and several thousand killed and wounded. He demon
allied by his defeat and though he may fight hard yet
hold the position he has gained his prestige gone and
he will not offer the front he has shown duin the last
few days.
We can form estimate of the Yankees loss, other
than the statement of officers that very heavy.
Many of their dead and wounded fell into hands Nor
we able form idea of loss, night
but few Of the wounded had been brought from the field.
The great najerty of those were slightly
died. We shall learn further particulars of the casualties
and of the battle to-day.
We regret to state, however, that Gen. Clingman
painfully, though not seriously wounded.
The battle for the possession of the railroad will proba
bly, be resumed this morning. and it believed the enemy
will not only be disodged but dsasrously defeated.
This expedition will turn out in the end be the greatest
disaster that has yet happened to Grant in this depart
ment
Reports from the battle field late last evening, repre-
forces to be between the enemy and the main
army in front of Petersburg. If so, something inter-
esting may occur to-day.
1t is also stated that several hundred more prisoners
have been TAKEN thus running the number above 30oO
DESTRUCTION OF YANKEE VESSELS.
The Baltimore Gazette of the 18th says that the Coned
crate steamer Tallahassee, Sunday the 4h destroy
ed seven vessels Yarmouth Nova Scotia and twenty
FIVE more off Mactincius Rock.