Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1864-08-05
Grant Opens the Ball by Grand
Blowout.
BURNING OF cHAMBERsBURoH.

We have the glorious news from General
Grants army, by the Old Point boat, that
the siege Of Petersburg has d an suspicious
commencement. The news received this
morning is as follows:
The siege Of Petersburg opened in earnest
this Saturday morning. and at daylight we
blew up one Of the principal rebel batteries
consisting Of l6 gus, and had carried three
tiers Of earthworks OF the rebels before the
mail steamer left City Point this morning.
Reports by officers OF the Old Point steamer
arc to the same effect.
HEADoUARTBRs ARMY OF PoToMAo,
July 30-lOA. NJ.
The great events go long anticipated, name
ly, the explosion Of the mine under the rebel
fort in front Of the 9th army corps, came Of
this morning at 40 minutes past o'clock.
Picket firing was kept up all night and in
fact at the time the match was applied to the
mine the skirmishers were still engaged on
both sides. The volume Of dust thrown mp
was immense, rising over three hundred feet
in the air, and resembled an immense fountain
OF earth more than anything else.
The 9th corps at once charged the works
driving the rebels to their second line of en-
trenchments and taking number Of prison
ere, some Of whom were dug out Of the dirt,
badly bruised. These rebel prisoners state
that only about a dozen remain Of their regi-
meut, South Carolina one.
Al soon as the explosion took place hun
bred and twenty guns Immediately opened on
our front, while musketry blasted in one CON
tnuous line Of FIRE along the front Of the 9;h,
and part Of the Sh add 18Th corps. The
scene was one long to be remembered by
those who witnessed it.
The smoke from the guns soon Obscure
the view and the first particulars Of the sue.
cess we're CLEANED from those who came
with prisoners.
Persons say we completely surprised thos
in their 'front.' they being mostly asleep at tn
time Prisoners also state that there wer
four guns in the fertilization, which Of cours
were buried far out Of sight. One Of the pris
oners stated that they were busy mining un
der our works, and that in two days NOR
they would have been ready to blow them up.
We got the start of them, however, and it is
hoped that long ere this reaches you Peters
burg will be in our possession.
HEADQUARTERS ARMY or PoToMAC,l
July SOP. NJ.
Reports Just in say that we have possession
of the entire first line Of rebel works with a
large number Of prisoners. Our loss in the
charge was severe, as our men had to cross
open field TO reach the works. The troops
engaged were the 9th corps, with the 18Th
supporting them, the ~ and 5th being in re-
serve. Fuing is still going on with great
fury, consisting principally Of musketry.-
Gems. Grant and Meade with all the corps
Generals are at the front watching the pro-
gress of affairs.
New York, July so.
I'll @ Horad's cores ondence from James
River shows that our movement surprised
Lee, who rushed troops preeipitately from
Petersburg and Richmond to near Deep Bot
tom where they hold a strong position. All
the roads to Richmond between James River
and White Oak Swamp are strongly defend
ed.
On the evening of the 9th Merritt's cav
airy gained an important point, but on the
morning of the 28th was furiously attacked
by three rebel brigades Of infantry. Merritt
fell back upon his reserves and then fred and
charged on the rebels, driving them in con-
fusion.
At the same time a heavy fight occurred
with Gregg's division, by which we lost
gun, but soon recovered the lost ground, cap
turing some oolors and prisoners.
Kautz is in possession of Malvern Hill.
Gibbons infantry relieved the cavalry after
the above fight. skirmished with the enemy
and broke up new and important position
on the night Of the 2sth The gunboat Men
dots did excellent service in the shove fight.
HARRIsBURG, Pa, July so.
Conversation with gentleman attached to
a newspaper establishment at Chambersburg,
who left there at o'clock Il is morning, re-
veals the following facts. The people OF
Chambersburg received information Friday OF
the approach Of the rebels. At once business
men commenced packing up their stocks and
before ten o'clock last night the most valua-
BILE merchandise was sent far beyond the
reach Of the rebels. At 3 o'clock this morn
ing rebel force Of 500 mounted infantry
reached Chambersburg and enoamped on the
fair ground. This force was met IA shor dis
lance from Mercersburg by a small party OF
troops from Carlisle barracks, who fought the
advance stubbornly but were compelled to
withdrew on account of the overwhelming
numbers of the invaders.
The disposition of the rotel forces as the,
crossed the Potomac is described a, follows
One party moved via Mercersburg, another
through Waynes boro' and centre by Green
cattle. Gen. Averill is reported as having
engaged the center in hot fight and is said
TO be falling back on Chambersburg. If this
be so his position must be perilous, as he i,
likely to be surrounded any moment should
the rebels leave Chambersburg to meet him
and those moving from Weynesboro' also joir
in the assault
1t is reported the rebels have burned tn,
Court House, Town Hal, and residence o
A. X. Mcclure at Chambersburg.
Various estimates are made of the number
of the invading force, the lowest putting i
at $4,000. At o'clock to-day they haC
made no advance beyond Chambersburg. anC
our forces still held Shippensburg mile,
east of Chambersburg. Should the rebel,
advance on Shippensburg the movement will
develop an apparent intention to make dem
onsuations still further down the valley, ant
il not to actually lay seige to Harrisburg.
The most positive information has been re
ceived that Ayerill has driven the rebels GU
Of Chambersburg and is following them west
ward toward Loudon, Franklin County.
The best part Of Chambersburg is said t.
be in ashes and three thousand people rem
dered homeless.
1t is stated on authority Of rebel prisoner
that breckenridge is making raid toward
Wheeling, or about to return via Kanawhl
valley. 1t seems by statements OF these pris
hat 10 l. "a 1t I