Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1864-06-23

n DeNnunu IOr the surrender OF
Petersburg Made and Refused
.--Our Army I'm Position to Shell
the TOwn--.The Fall of Peters
burg to Decide the Fate Of Rich
mOnd.
Especial to the Wordl
WASHINGTON, June 2l.-Intelligence from
the front to yesterday noon is at hand. 1t
is understood that Sheridan is already on
another raid. Sunday night there was con-
siderable skirmishing and heavy artillery
firing, 1t nothing of Importance resulted.
demand for the surrender of Petersburg
had been made and refused, and our artii-
lery has already shelled the place, which is
nearly deserted by TIE inhabitants.
lTribunes speclal.I
WASHINGTON, June 21.-Later informa-
tion from the army is that all was quiet on
Sunday night with the exception of firing
at long intervals. An attack was made on
our center, which was quickly repused-
the town, and it would be useless to sacri-
flee life in an attempt to take the town, as
the rebels, unless dislodged, would be able
to throw shells into the midst of any force
occupying the town. The position we hold
Is very embarrassing one to the rebels, as
they admit.
Especial to The Times.
NEAR PETERSBURG, June 19.-The coun-
try may look for demonstration shortly
which will greatly change the aspect of af-
fairs at this point, as preliminary to other
events of perhaps greater Importance, for
the abandonment of Petersburg is set down
for the opening step in the ensuing weeks
operations. Birney has his artillery in ex-
cellent position, at range of from 1,200 to
1,400 yards of the heart Of the city, and at
daylight tomorrow the shelling will COM
mence, provided the place is not previously
surrendered by evacuation or negotiation,
the former of which is only likely to occur.
The arrival of Hunter with his forces at the
White House, together with Sheridan, en-
route to this place to operate in ourvicinity
has been officially announced this evening.
Grant has determined to increase rather
than diminish his force at this point.
This evening Birney, commanding Han
cocks corps, extended his lines so far as to
occupy the ground on which the wounded
of yesterdays charge had since lain.
New York, June 22.-The Herald's cor
respondent at City Point 10Th, says rebel
sources report Ewell's corps as sent against
Hunter.
With the capture of Petersburg the Dam
vile road will be the only communica-
ton south left. Its width of track differs
from all others, which will prevent the
withdrawal of rolling stock. This road can
be easily destroyed from Petersburg; so
the rebel government will feel that Rich
mond is held by very slight tenure. The
loss of Petersburg is the virtual surrender
of Richmond. Let the timid be assured
that the glorious campaign of Vicksburg
will find parallel here. Lees announced
victory at Howlett's was an attack on Fos-
ter's division of Buffers force. Fiel's and
Picket's divisions of Longstreet's corps
charged Fosters line, driving his left and
center back, though repulsed on every 9TH
er portion. Subsequently a part of the
original line was lost but regained.
2 To-day, the 10th, the attack was renewed
with infantry and artillery. A portion of
was ordered and the enemy was driven, so
we now hold our line triumphantly. g.
The 18th corps, Smiths command, ex-
cept Martindale's division, are all encamped
in the neighborhood of Port Waltham.-
Hancock's corps was repulsed by the enc
my yesterday, when Burnside advanced
and succeeded in driving them from their
position. To avoid flanking they abandon
ed the entire line and Hancock occupied
it. Say ~
The. Herald correspondent with Hunter,
under date of the 14th, says the line of rail-
road between Charlottesville and Lynchburg
was destroyed etfectually for two miles,
thus cutting In two the rebel force in two
places. s5i Gss 3s5 81
The Herald's James river correspondent
of the 10th, says the rebels were shelled out
of their position at Malvern Hill by the
IA.