Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1864-06-29
Lateat from Petersburg.
From Ike Petefsburs Erpress, 2Oih inst.

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From the Peterssurs Eapress, 2oM inst.
All indications from the front point to :
great battle, which cannot be delayed musl
| longer. That it will be one of the most i'm
portspt and probably decisive battles of th'
war, may be readily imagined, since Granti'
fighting now for what .be considers the Key
to Richmond, and our noble army for its very
existence and the safety OF The public. The
lines of both armies now confronting eacf
other almost within full view of this devoteq
CITY have been contracted, and are SO closely
drswnto each other that the slightest move
ment msy bring on general engagement
Early yesterday morning, it was apparent
that. Grant was massiDg his troops on our ieit
and this appearance iTter in the day gave
place TO certainty, He intends to hurl hli
strength against that portion OF our lines, and
by force Of overwhelming numbers break
through and overpower our troops: de has
tried this experiment in Spotsylvsnia, al
Cold Harbor and elsewhere, to his cost, and
he may be as signslly repulsed here. He
has no room to mauocuvre his vast army-all
of which, it is believed is now in front Of
Petersburg and must fight at once or retire
That he will fight his movements yesterday
leave no room to doubt.
The exemy's forces who lately occupied the
Bermuda Hundred Peninsula, or have recent
ly landed there, have been transferred to the
South side of tho Appomatto1. This was
done on Saturday highland yesterday morn,
ing, and with bis army complete, Grant
now confidently confronts us. Another day
may tell the tale of this monstrous expedition
May God aid and defend the -rigHSous cause
Of course, there il some excitement and
feeling in the city. Entire calmnesSa and in
difference could net be expected when spch
mighty hosts are marshalled 80 pear US, and
when such mighty issues are at stake. But
there i, feeling pervading the community
so strongly confident in our success that tGrant,
with eli LIS mighty army at onr gates cannot
quel it.
The enemy made several fierce and deter
mined assaults on our lines, at points extend
ing from eur right to our left, or Saturday,
ali of which were handsomely and signally
repulsed. In each instance, his forces were
advanced against our breastworks in columns
of from four to ak doep, bnt we're pet with
such sieadiness and severity of ire tfom our
batteries and infantry. that before reaching
thefseal OF theigambition, they were compell.
ed to fly precipitately aud in great confusion.
Time and again their charge was repeated,
and with like success. From all sources, our
information is that the sEem'ys loss in these
assaults was very severe. They advanced
across feld.-so,ne Of them several hundred
Yards in width-in which they were fully e1-
posed to the play of our artillery, which was
beautifully and most accurately served, and
to the 6reof our infantry, which is now rem
dsred ever sure We state it from officers
and men in the fight, and from witnesses of
the battle-Geld-and we mey almost say oili-
cially-that the Yankee loss was very heavy.
The bodies of their slain strew the fields from
side 10 side, and the nearer our breastworks
the assaulting columns came, the thicker the
bodies lie.. Within the last few days, the ar
my of Gen. Grant ha, bsen depleted by many
thousands; how many, nobody but himself
and his secretive Government will ever know.
On the contrary, our losses have been extreme.
ly light. It. the remark Of both officers
and nen, lhet, SO little loSs Of life and SO few
wounded were never before known ia such
series of engagements. Our hospitals testify
aoundantly to the truth CT this assertion. An
overriding Providence seems to smile upon
OUT army and protect it from harm.
Operations yesterday were confined mainly
to heavy skrmishing, picket firing and sharp
shooting. As on Saturday, the enemy at
tempted once or twice to force our lines on
Taylor's farm, but met With harsh repulse.
Taylo.;s farm wss the scene Of the most active
hostilities both on yesterday and Saturday,
and is the resting place OF hundreds of the
Northmen. 1t is situated on the Baxter Rcad,
near the right of Our lines.