Delaware State journal and statesman., 1864-06-21
THE WAR.
OFFICIAL GAZETTE.
wAsnIxoros, june Il, ssOA. NJ.

WASHINGTON, June II, 8 A. NJ.
TO Myor General Dir, New York:
The following dispatches have been received
by this Department:
CITY PoIsT, June 10, via JAMESTOWN lsLAHD,
$50 A. NJ, June l6.-Smith, with $4,000 meu,
attacked Petersburg this morning.
General Butler reports from bis observatory,
near Bermuda Hundred, that there has been
sharp fighting, and ibat the troops aud ttsins Of
the enemy were, as he wiites moving from tue
city across the Appomattox, as il retreatiug.-
hBncoek Is not near enough 10 render General
Smith any aid.
The Richmond papers have nothing 10 iali-
cate suspicion Of our crossing the James river.
They expect tObe attacked from the direction
Of Malvern Hill.
CITY PoIST Va, 4 80 P. NJ, June l5.-our
latest report from Smith was at 2. NJ.
lie had carried line of entertainments at
Beatiys house, the colored troops assaulting
and carrying the rifle pits with great galantry,
but he had not yet carried the main line. lie
describes The rebel artillery iirs as being heavy.
he expected to assault their line just before
dark Harcock is withh three miles OF Smith.
CRY PoiSr, Va, A. ~, via Jamestown
lsLAND, ll.45 A. M,-At 30 P. NJ, yesterday.
Smith assaulted aud carried the prineipal line
OF the enemy's entertainments before Petersburg.
taking thirteen cannon, several stands Of colors,
and between three and four thousand prisoners.
This line is two miles from Petersburg.
Hancock got up and took position on Smith 4
left at A. NJ, on Tuesday.
There was heavy firing in that direction from
to A. NJ, but no report yet
DoNTHARr LANDlSG, Va, l y. NJ, June l6 -
After sending my dispatch Of this morning from,
the heights southeast Of Petersburg, went over
the conquered lines with Gen. Grant and the
engineer officers.
The works arc Of the strongest kind more
dlineult even to take than 0us Missionary Ridge
at Chattanooga
The hardest fighting was done by the blaek
troops The forts they stormed lhink the
worst Of all.
Aiter the aiair Eaa over, General Smith went
TO thank them, and tell them he was proud Of
their courage and dash. lie says they canno
he exceeded as soldiers, aud that hereafter he
wlli send them in difficult place as readily as
nus pest Waite troops.
They captured six Of the cannon which he
took.
The prisoners he took were from L Beauregard's
command
Some Of them said they had Just crossed the
James, above Drury's Bluff.
do not think any of Lees army had reached
Petersburg when Smith stormed il. They seem
to be there this morning, however, and to be
making arrangements to hold tho vest ride Of
The town they cannot think OF holding, as il
lies directly under our guus
The weather continues spoudid.
CRY PoIST, Va, p. NJ, June Is, via James
town Island, ll.45 Z. M.-Gen Butler reports
from Bermuda Hundred thst the enemy have
abandoned the works in from, of that place.
His troops are row engaged in tearing up the
railroad between Petersburg and Richmond
The following dispatch does not designate the
hour, but it is supposed to be later than the
preceding ones:
JAMESTOWN, Va, June 1G.-I came down
from the pontoon above Fort Powhatan with
dispatches for Secretary Stanton. Just as left
Captain Pitken reported to me that Petersburg
was in our possession.
Nothing Of recent date has been heard from
General Sheridan, hut the Richmond Whig of
the 10th contains dispatch from General Lee,
stating that Sheridan had been routed in an en-.
gagement with Fitz Hugh Lee and Hampton.
losing QUO prisoners, aud leaving his dead and
wounded lying On the field.
From General Sherman, n dispatch dated last
night at nine +. NJ has been received. IL only
states the relative position Of lis forces. No .e.
rious engagement has yet occurred
EDWIN NJ. Stanton,
Secretary OF War.