Maysville weekly bulletin. [volume] (Maysville, Ky.) 1864-1866, 1864-06-30
The Terrible Fight at Petersburg on
Saturday-A Bloody Repulse.

The Terrible Fisht at Petersburg on
Saturday-A Bloody Repulse.
From the New York News Battlefield CORES
pondent at Petersburg.
We have no drawer General than Han
handed by him. They have done more
fighting since the campaign opened than
any other corps in the army. and all their
work was we'll done. The First Division is
1 noble one, and it has had noble leaders,
Sumner, Richardson, Hancock Under
such teachers it must learn much, else it
would be dull indeed. Yet with so bright
a record, it can not alwaysssucceed. 1t was
thrown against fire and death at Coal Har-
Dor. 1t carried the works there, carried
them bravely and at fearful price, but
could not hold them. 1t attemp pied to car.
ry the works at Petersburg and failed.
1t was 6 O'Clock when this division, now
commanded by General Barlow, was Or
dered to charge the enemy's works. To
reach them the enemy must traverse an ex-
posed slope of 500 yards. This grouu nd was
covered with stumps and entangIed brush.
The works were on the ridge above. They
consisted of a'line of earthworks with re-
doubts at the angles. The embrasures con-
tained guns 1that swept every foot of the
slope and plain below. II was across this
plain through the tangled bush, and up this
fire swept slope that Barlow's men were or
dered to charge. And they must charge
without firing. When soldiers can return
sho. for shot and blow for blow danger loses
half its terror; men m ust be brave as devils
to push through a storm of bullets and
shrapbell and not return a shot. But Bar =
lows men rushed against the storm, and
| hnp Of har fall nd
their comrades. They almost reached tb Q
works on the crest, while the flames from
cannon and muskets darted ont against them
bright and red as the setting sun.
They staggered and fell back, and the
rebels held their ground. The brave First
Division lay under the guns until morning.
Next day BuTnside's corps was at hand
He had arrived and taken position on Han.
cocks left. In the vening one division Of
the Ninth and portion OF Barlow's divis-
ion charged the same works. This time
the weight was irresistible. The works
were taken, also some guns and prisoners.
The men fought we'll every where
Burnside and Barlow broke through the
enemy's centre. In advancing they were
exposed to an ep6lading fire from all the
forts and redoubts. The ground behind
them was strewn with dead and wond ed -
! More than thousand fell, but the works
were taken, and the enemy had to retire on
right and left. They had to retire, but not
in retreat. No, they had still stronger
works beyond, and back to these thew went.
There they now stand, and cut our men
down in hundreds when they attempt to
charge.
In the m owning an attempt was made to
carry this line, but it failed. The loss twas
very severe. The enemy's guns swept ev-
cry approach, and their wearied men had
been replaced with fresh troops. at half
past five this evening another attempt was
made, but the works were not carried. All
last night aud to day the din aud rattle or
mrsketry resouuded from left to right, but
its heaviest part was 10 front of Burn sid 9
and Hancock. During the night one brig
ade of Birney's Division was entrapped.-
They charged silently down slope, across
raViDe OF the bottom and half way I'D the
slope eyOrd. 4 rebel fort was on the crest
above, and rife pits for sharpshooteTs were,
all around.
To ad vance against the fort would be Dr.
struction to all. Many fel4 before the dead ..
y rifles of the sharp shooters To return
would be as bad. for the enemy had dis
covered their presence, and would NOT al
low them to go back in peace. The slope
theT had descended oy was directly under
the emhfasures of the fort so they had to
lie fat on the ground all night, and when a
force went to their relief in the morning,
they found the fort abandoned.
The Fifth corps on the left gained some
ground this evening. A portion of the 9th
Corps has arrived and taken position. The
troops are all trustful and confident. The
Confederates are firm and defiant. Their
position is one of great strength. Their
works are fully manned, and they still have
a great army beyond the Appom attox.
Gen. Hancock has suffered greatly from
his old wound. He must seek rest. He
was relieved to-day by Gen. Birney.
There has been some suffering for want
of ratiors. The advance on Petersburg was
so rapid that the supply train could not
come up in time. But they have arrived
with full supplies. and the men are now
ready for the next struggle.
The Confederates hod the railroad.-
Troops have been rushed into Petersburg
by thousands. Lee is said to have taken
CO mmand.