, 1864-08-18

in the field, Virginia. 10th, states: Scouts
npoIt heavy capnonading heard to day in
the direction OF etrasbn1g.
Adytces were received here to-day from
Gen. sheHdan'e Department that the rebel
Gen. EARLY Ia at strasburg, where he ia post
ed in strong position and well protected
aEainEt fank movements.
eberidan is close upon him, and despe.
fate hight may occur at any moment.
Latest from Gen. Grants Operations
The Fighting at Deep Bottom.
WASHINGTON, Wednesday, August H.
The flank movement on the north OF Rich
nond was progressing finely yesterday morn
ing. The enemy'sw works had been turned,
and they fell back On Monday night to a bet
ter position. Our troops were moving, con-
fldent Of SUCCESS.
The enemy retired into lis main cntrench-
ments. During the afternoon our troops
drove the enemy from an important position
at the junction Of the Kiugsland and New
market roads, on The route to Richmond,
and Fosters brigade, By charge, captured
several rebel guns.
From Strawberry Plains other troops ad-
yanced on the roads leading towards Rich
mond. The cavalry under Gregg look the
Charles City road, whence, after sharp en-
gagement, Hampton's rebel legion was driy-
en- in considerable confusion, retiring at last
in northerly. direction.
Early in tue afternoon General Barlow,
with a portion Of his command, charged one
line OF riAe-pIts and took 1t. The enemy re.
sisted etubbornly with artillery and nusket-
~, but our men assailed the position, sort
Of isolated crest, and took and now hold It
Our position is such that Lee must recall
bis forces operating at the north under
Early, and in addition must come out and
fight in front Of his works this. week or
wholly retire within the Richmond defenses
HEADQUARTERS ARMY PoroMAc, Tuesday,
aug. 1G.-Eyerything remains quiet in front
of Petersburg. The rebels, for the past two
nights, have been feeling our lines on the
left, but nothing more than skirmlshing be-
tween the pickets has taken placc.
Deeerters continue to arrive IN small
squads. a Lieutenant and twelve men reach
ed here yesterday They tell the usual sto.
ries Of the demoraliz .tlon and speedy de-
struction Of the rebel army. (BJah0 Thous-
ands. they say, arc leaving On account Of not
receiving any pay, {humbug) while their fam-
lilies ire starving, and they are determined
to stay in the rebel service no longer, under
any circumstances {AbsurdD
Gen Park is now In command Of the 9th
corps. Additional reports hare been receiy-
ed Of the action Of Sunday. Part of the I'd
corps and part Of the 18th corps were en-.
gagged with the enemy in the afternoon near
Deep Bottom. The 10th corps, under Gen.
Birney, took part Of the line of works, with
S~inch brass guns and number OF prison.
ers, with small loss. The enemy Iell back
to strong position. The Cd division Of the
I'd corps was drawn up IN line Of battle, and
advanced about mile beyond where Han,
dock captured the four guns two weeks
ago. Here The first brieade, Colonel Mi
cy commanding, took the lead, aud
chareed across ccrn field, orer hill, and
down into rayire, where they came to a
stream with swamp on the other side, the
ground being covered With impregaable
brush. On the margins Of 1t during sll this
time they we're exposed TO very heavy fire
from the rebel artillery, which did good
deal Of damage. It was found impossible TO
cross the rayine, and our men were halted
and lay concealed as well as possible until
dark, when they were withdrawn.
The I'd Division lost ut least 800 men In
the engagement. The ID and I'd divisions,
which we're In support, lost about $50 from
the eff Of rebel artillery. The wounded
were all brought oil. Our troops still hold
their position In front Of the rebel works,
which are very strong and well defended,
owing to the nature of the country ia the 81
cInity.
The Ha's Washington special says: Ad-
vices from Deep Bottom up to yesterday
morning, announce that Gen. Grants lines
have been advanced within seven miles Of
Richmond. There was considerable fighting
during the day, In which the rebels we're in.
va1iably driven lack.
The Cvmn4ereidts special states that s divi-
zion Of the 5th corps landed ut Deep Bottom
this morning.
New YoRK, Wednesday, Au.. 17.-futer-
esting details OF movements by Grant last
Sunday show that the main line Of the en-
envy works extends along commanding
ridge, crowned by formidable earthworks
Along the crest in front Of this defensive
line, however, eeries OF rifle pits, intended
las strong ekirmish line, proves as It. was
designed, an effective obstruction to our i'd
yauce.
But early in the morning portion of the
troops and the left under command OF Gen.
Birney, In advance, rushed forward, charging
in gallant style, and almost without firing a
tbot, drove the enemy from his ride-pits,
recovering the Kingsland road and captured
about 800 prisoners. Among them were Of
fcers and privates from ten different regi-
ments, and Tidd's and WIlcox's divisions.
Those were Iongstreet's troops.
WAsn1sG1oS, Wednesday, Aug. 17.-0n
Saturday last, Hancock's corps was put in
motion on James river, and by circuitous
route reached the north side Of the James at
Deep Bottom. near Dutch Gap. On Saturday
night, Turner's and Terry's divisions Of the
10th corps, also crossed over to Deep Bot
some time posted at Deep Bottom, was ad-
vanced by General Birney little after sun
rise on Sunday morning, pushing the rebel
line OF eKirmishers before them some con-
siderable distance, when the eth Mas6ac
setts regiment charged and broke the rebel
line aud captured 20 prisoners. In the me Az
time Gregg's cavalry had cleared the roads
fbr H Hsnceck, and he got his ed corps In po-
sition In Bifney's right, on The New Market
rts-d, which leads from the vicinity OF Null
vern HUI to Richmond.
The position thus taken By Hancock is
about ten miles from Richmond.
Birney made an assault on his front, and
carried line Of the enemy's works. which
Guard the approaches to Richmond, III that
quarter, capturing slx pieces Of cannon and
\ nortare. Some advices stnte tue number OF
lnortars at four pieces.