The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1864-08-19
THE WAR NEWS.
We append summary of the news received sinc
cur last publication
AFFAIRS BELOW RICHMOND.


it then lacked confirmation but it afterwards turn
ei out TO be true. II appears that the hill was
cupied without opposition ON Wednesday morning,
and that the enemy Immediately set aboat iortify-
ing the position the front towards Richmond
Our commander, however, determined that the
Yankees should not hold quiet possession of
position they had taken SO easily, and arrange
ments were made to drive them off Accordingly,
on Wednesday evening, our iron-clads, under the
command OF Commander Mitchell, steamed down
the James until they got within range of the hi
when they opened a furious eannonadc, sending
shells with accuracy into the very midst of the
emys forces. The firing was heavy and rapid, the
report Of the guns being distinctly heard III Rich
moni. After some show Of resistance, ths Yankees
abandoned their position and fled, leaving the hill
IN possession of our troops ana our signal station
has sinee been re-established Signal Hill is Oh the
plantation of Mr.. Henry Cox, about two miles and
half below Chatiin's Bluff Our little fleet of IRON
clads performed their work etiectually and their
gallant officers and entitled to much credit
for the accuracy OF their fire.
The report that Brgadier-Gcneral Ch,nnblss was
killed in the fight of Tuesday is confirmed. His
dead body was sent into our lines by the enemy OH
Mason, jr, of General Ficlds's staff, is badly
wounded and prisoner He has been sent to
Fortress Monroe. Colonel Oates, Of Georgia,
tFieids's diysionl and Licutcnant-Colonel Car
michael, of the Twen.y-eighth Georgia regiment,
were also badly wounded in Tuesdays battle
Lieutenant Lewis, of the Eighteenth North Carolina
regiment, Lanes brigade, was killed.
The enemy has possession of Newmarket or Jen-
niugs'5 Hill. at tho Of at
and Long Bridge roads, and occupies a line of en-
trenchments extending from Riddles shop to Will
ls's church, nearly parallel to the Quaker road.
His right has been driven across White Oak swamp,
which is a tributary of the Chickahominy. The
Yankees have advanced up as far the Drill room
on John Gathright's place at Newmarket. On
Tuesday they burnt Cornelius Crew shouse, on NAL
vern HILL
The location Of the fight on Tuesday was near
Fussells mill, between the Darbytown and Charles
City roads. The enemy, in furious charge, sue
ceeded in breaking through Wrghts brigade, but
was speedily driven back, with terrible slaughter
by Lanes North Carolina brigade and some of An
derson's and Benning's Ceorgians That portion
OF the enemy who held the works to our left were
charged by enc hundred and fifty of men, driven
back, and thus our original lines were re-esttb-
hshed. In this charge we captured six hundred
prisoners, stand OF colors and several hundred fine
arms. Prisoners report that the Yankee General
Ferrero, dancing master and commander OF negro
troops, was killed.
The enemy's force on this side OF the river is said
to be composed OF the Tenth and Second corps with
a large body Of cavalry.
Officers who were engaged III the fight on Tuesday
represent that the slaughter of Yankees exceeded
that OF the SGth Of July iii front of Petersburg
Indeed, they received such severe punishment that
they have been contcnted to rtmain comparatively
quiet ever since
Last evening about six o'clock neavy cannor-
aiding was heard down the river, which continued
with great rapidty for about al hour. We learned
that this proceeded from gunboats shelling the
position supposed to be occupied by the enemy, and
the enemys gunboats shelling the shore whore they
supposed the rebels We're posted About the
time there some heavy skiImishing near New
market Hill, body of our troops having been sent
forward to ascertain the position Of the enemy
FROM PETERSBURG.
The quiet III front of Petersburg was broken yes
terday morning about two o'clock by our batteries,
which opened along the whole line upon the enemy,
who responded teebly. This was kept up for abou,
all hour and a halt, when all became quiet again.
1t was reported yesterday morning that the en-
emy's cavalry were making some demonstration
upon right, and later in the day its object was
developed. 1t is reported that they succeeded by
flank movement, i'll striking the Weldon railroad,
six miles from Petersburg, burnt the Brick House
and probably tore up some portion OF the track
Heavy firing heard yesterday afternoon in that
direction, and 1t is presumed that our forces Were
engaged i'll a conflict with the enemy. The inten-
ton of the raiders is supposed to be to strike the
Southside and Danyille railroads, but the design
may be frustrated by the skill OF officers and the
valor of the troops under their command.
Notwithstanding the fact that large number of
the enemy's troops have been withdrawn, a heavy
force still remains in front of Petersburg, and the
indications that they have intention of
abandoning that,line of operations. Their guns
yet mounted before, except, perhaps, in po-
sitions the left, and their boasted mortars are
still in place. Their line of battle, though
what withdrawn at points, is still unimpaired, and
their pickets active ever. The heavy rain
of Monday washed large breach in their works in
the of Grifiths farm, ION our right, which, up
TO Wednesday afternoon, they had not been able to
repair, Our pickets opened heavy fire upon that
poIioil VI Tie Iuie IT'S Soou dS tiic eai III WAS Maeeu
away, and the Yankees gave way and fled in coniu-
jon to their main works.
The sickness IN Grants army is reported to be ON
the increase, and hospitals have been erected at in
tervals on all the roads leading to City Point.
After the above written We received the press
dispatch, giving an account of operations Pc
tersburg yesterday 1t appears that the raiders
were met by Walkers Virginia and Davis's Missis-
s.ppi brigades, and fight ensued i'll which We cap
tuIed one hundred and fifty-eight prisoners. The
latest news is that the enemy was on the retreat.
FROM THE VALLEY.
We have information from Early's army as late as
for two days, but the Yankees, so far from mani-
Testing disposition TO make an attack appeared to
from immediate front. There Is
no foundation for the that battle took place
on Saturday, in which the enemy was repulsed with
considerable loss.
AFFAIRS AT MOBILE
The most important news We have from this point
is that force Of the enemy is advancing from Pen
saoola towards Mobile bay. We had previously
heard this rumor, but preferred to await its con-
frmation before making it public. On the evening
Of th.sl6th the enemy landed at Montross in five
launches, and our cavalry fred upon them, killing
two and wOunding several. The enemy retired the
same night. Ma)or-General Frank Gardner has
assumed command Of the District of the Gulf
Hopes entertained of the early exchange OF the
Danphin Island prisoners, negotiations ior that