Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1864-10-04
FROM PETERSBURG.
Lee Attempts to Recapture His
Works - Three Desperate As
saults-Driyen Back with Great
LOss-Fight nenr Weldon Rail-
rOad-A Brilliant Success.

saults-Driyen Back with Great
LOss-FiSht nenr Weldon Rail-
road-A Brilliant Success.
New YORK, Oct 3.-The Herald has the
following special account of the fighting
north of the James:
On Friday three desperate efforts were
made by the enemy to retake the works
captured from them by us Thursday. Gen.
Lee in person commanded, but the rebels
were each time driven back with consider
able loss. The enemy were discovered
about two o'clock p. M. massing in wood
directly opposite the fort captured yester-
day, and in half an hour they charged with
q wild yell in three heavy columns of at
tack. The rams at the same time opened
upon our position, and our line was emilia
ded by the fire from the rebel battery on the
| river. The men, however, stood steady to
their posts, and received the rebels with so
hot, well directed and incessant fire that
they broke in confusion and retired to the
woods. Twice again they were rallied by
their officers and returned to the
charge, but only with the same
result until, finally, broken and dispirited,
they fell back in indescribable confusion,
leaving the ground covered with ther dead
and wounded. The prisoners report
| thousand at least killed and wounded.
Over 300 prisoners were taken by us, in
cluding many officers and greater part of
| the Sth North Carolina regiment. Among
those captured are several field officers, and
| Capt. Mcguire, Inspector General of Cling
mans staff. The rebel flags were all taken
by Stannard's division. Two of them were
captured by the 18th Connecticut and 18th
Pennsylvania.
The fight has been pronounced one of the
most desperate and brilliant of the war, and
by the skillful management of his troops,
Gen. WeitZel has added one more leaf to the
laurels won in Louisiana.
| The following is the Tribune's special
account Of the operations below Peters
burg:
Yesterday (20th) Gen. Gregg, supported
by two brigades of infantry, pushed re-
connoissance from our left toward the
Lynchburg railroad rs far as Poplar Spring
Church, beyond the Vaughn turnpike. No
enemy in any force was discovered. To-
day Gen. Griifin's division of the 9TH corps,
advancing beyond the church in north
west direction, came upon the enemy in a
position about two miles from the Weldon
railroad. Their preparations for defense,
though not completed, were very fOrmida-
BILE. Gen, Griffin decided to carry the
works by storm, and formed his division in
three lines of battle by brigade, the Sd bri-
gade in advance, under Colonel Gwin,
of the 111th Pennsylvania. The as
sualt was practically and brilliant
ly successful. The whole line was
taken, and two or three guns and about
three hundred prisoners; the other guns
were dragged away. The rebels left their
dead and wounded on the field. The pris-
oners belong to Beauregard's command.
Among them was one Major one Captain
and five Lieutenants. Our loss was not
great-I think not one hundred and fifty;
but one of our best officers, Col. Welch, of
the 10Th Michigan, was killed, and the fol-
lowing officers were wounded: Major Park,
10th Michigan; Lieutenant Writ, 10th Mich
igan; Lieutenant BOGUS, 10th Michigan.
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE Potomac,
| Oct. 2.-The enemy attacked Ayers divis-
ion Yesterday morning, and were repulsed
with heavy loss. This was the only fight
ing yesterday on the left, except an attack
by Wade Hampton's cavalry on Gregg's
caIalry, on the Vaughn road, where they
were driven back with considerable loss.
Our army is strongly intrenched. A battle
may occur any moment. The enemy claim
to have number of prisoners from the 9th
corps. Richmond papers boast of a victory
over Sheridan, and say he was retreating.
! WASHINGTON, Oct. 3.-Passengers from
City Point yesterday morning report there
was heavy firing on the right and left of
Petersburg, and but little in front. The
entire army was in motion, and indications
were that general engagement was medi-
| tated. .a.e
FORTRESS MONROE, Oct. 2.-The mail
\ boat Webster, from City Point, has arrived
here. The rulhor that Petersburg has been
evacuated is incorrect. Heavy firing has
been heard all this morning from the north
side of the James, but nothing important
has been received as to results.
Rebel refugees Of all classes are pouring
| into Bermuda Hundred in every conveyable
manner. Some are coming down the river
| on RATS, in their eagerness to escape the
perils of the Confederacy. Rebel officers
| now prisoners in our hands say they think
| Richmond can't much longer withstand the
siege now in progress.
| All here are full of hope. Our soldiers
are in high spirit, expecting soon to achieve
the greatest results.
| New York, Oct 3.-The Tribune's spe-
cial says: Our lines now extend from Cha
pins Bluff to the White Oak Swamp, at a
4 distance of from four to six miles from
Richmond, and from the Bluff we command
the enemy's lower pontoon bridge across
i the James river. f ~
The regiments most warmly engaged
were the 117th New York, 9th Maine, Slst
New York, 18th and Sth Connecticut, 47th
and 142d New York, and Gen. Paine's col
ored division. Our entire loss is estimated
at ZOO. rrpH .tel >-41If fi-i rig