The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1864-08-22
THE FIGHT AT PETERSBURG.

The Petersburg Express contains an account Of
the fight near that city on Friday 1t appears that
on Thursday forces, after attacking the Yam
KEGS on the Weldon road and driving them one mile
ceased the pursuit, and fell back to point nearer
the city, leaving only skiImish line in front of the
enemy, which also soon after withdrawn The
Express says
The enemy did not discover our disanpearance
from their front until yesterday morning. when they
immediately threw forward their lines OF skirmish-
ers and advanced their left to the battlefield of
THURSDAY, III Daviss eorn-feld, throwing up a. they
advanced, two lines Of brcastworks Their riobf
was extended i'll oblique direction to the north
east of the railroad and batteries were placed at fa-
yorabe points along the whole line
This occupation of Of our main lines of conn
munication with the South was, of course not to be
permitted without an effort to disodge the enemy
Accordingly, all arrangements having been COM
pfeted, General A. r. Hill, commanding Mahone's
and Heth's divisions, attacked them between the
hours OF and O'Clock. General Malone COM
manei the troops to the left of the railroad and
General Heh those to the right. The attack was
opened 10y Malone, and was speedily responded to
by Heth on the right and the battle ragged f,lri-
ously.
On the right, General Heth with the gallant bri-
gadea OF his divislons-Davis's, Walkers and Ar
ohels-struek the enemys picket line in the corn
htid short distance beyond Davis's residence
These were quickly forced back upon the first line
OF breastworks, held by formidable force With
ciieei, VIC CoiueueIite troops bounded forward and
swept over all obstruction, pressing the Yankees
back with severe loss into their second line and
charging onward, forced them thence with an equal
lack Of ceremony. Beaten from their works and d. =
teated III their every effort to retain them the Yam
KEGS retreated to their main line of entertainments
into which they had been driven on the previous
| evening. This line having been greatly strength
ened, proved too strong to be stormed, and our
troops were checked in the face of the slaug hter
which threatened further advance.
In the meantime, General Malone, with Cling
uy'S Fatrr -
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, how
ever, In the thick woods opposite Davfss farm it
was determined to dsiodge them by a flank move
| ment Clingman's and Mahones old brigade en-
gagged them in front, while by a circutous route
Colqutts ,Georgia) brigade thrown on their
halik. The movement proved brilliant success,
and caused scarcely any loss to our troops.
Colqultts men were upon the Yankees almost be-
fore they were aware of such close proximity of the
rebels, and surrender or fighting under fearful dsad-
vantage was the alternative Crawford's crack dvi-
slon OF Warren's (Fifth) corps, here fell helpless
victim to rebel strategy and the greater part of two
biigades-numbering over t,co thousand mea-threw
down their arms and surrendered. The prisoners
We're quickly placed under guard and sent to
marched to General Hills headquarters.
The battle still progressed successfully until the
enemy was driven back to the position from which
ne advanced .ln the morning. At dark, our lines
We're close up to his works. and occasional yoleys of
| musketry showed still farther fighting
Among the prisoners taken is Brigadier- General
Hays OF Massachusetts,, several colonels and other
field officers of less grade. General HAYES was
brought into town last night.
During the engagement We left number of men
taken prisoners but We understand they were after
wards recaptured. The success which followed the
attack threw our men into the best spirits and every
soldier Wore smile Of satisfaction upon his coun-
tenauce.
The result of the attack is highly satisfactory to
the officers in command, ana is viewed in the most
favorable light The enemy has been materially
weakened by the loss of three thousand of his best
troops taken prisoners and several thousand killed
arM wounded. He is demoralizcd by his defeat and
though he may fight hard yet TO hold the position
he has gained, his prestige is gone and he will not
offer the front lie has shown during the last few
days.
The weather rainy during the day, and espe-
cialiy 80 during the afternoon. The fighting was
done amidst a series of heavy showers, which not
only incommoded our men, but rendered the ground
heavy and slippery. Most of the fighting on our
left done i'll a dense growth Of underbrush and
woods.
We can form no estimate of the Yankee loss other
than the statement of officers that it was very heavy
Many OF their dead and wounded fell into our hands
Nor are we able to form an idea of loss, az
up to night but few Of the wounded had been
brought from the field The great majority of those
We saw were slightly wounded. We shall learn fur
ther particulars OF the casualties snd of the battle
to-day. sWe regret to state, however that Gcnegal
Clingman was painfully, though not seriously,
wounded.
The battle for the possession of the railroad will
probably be resumed this morning, and it is believed
the enemy will not only be dislodeed, but disas-
rously defeated. This expedition will tuln out, i'll
the end to be the greatest disaster that has yet hap
| penea to Grant i'll this department.
Reports from the battlefield, lltc last evening,
represent our forces between the enemy and the
main army in front of Petersburg If So something
interesting may occur to-day. .
1t is also stated that several hundred more prison.
ers have been taken, thus running the number
above three thousand
As the enemy still hold the railroad, it is mpossi-
bile to state what damage has been done the track
| 1t is believed that instead of sending body OF
raiders across towards the south side, the enemy's
cavalry operating the Weldon road III the
rear OF the army.