Daily national Republican. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1862-1866, 1864-08-22
FROM THE ARMY OF THE po roMAo

WASHINGTON, Aug. 20.-Tho following dis
patch has been received here to.nlghti
HBADo'Rs ARMY OF THE PoroMAc, Aug. is,
evening.-This morning, at four O'Clock, the
5th corps started on an expedition to cut the
Weldon railroad at Rams station, taking four
days rations with them. This corps was with.
drawn from the left front some days, and has
been In reserve ever since.
They reached the railroad about seven
O'Clock, and the 1st division being In the ad-
vance, had skirmish with the fsrce OF the
enemy stationed there To protect the road. They
fell back rapidly, however, and the loss on
their side was light.
Then placing the troops iu line to meet any
attack that might be made, the work Of tearing
up the track was commenced and prosecuted
with vigor for several hours, but about noon
they were interrupted at their labor by the ap.
pearance of force Of the enemy which were
advancing along the railroad from Petersburg
corps, which had been lying In reserve for
the past few days, and who were advanced at
| double-quick as soon as they became aware OF
| our Intentions and movements.
The cd division, General Ayres command
| ing, held the advance on the railroad, the Sd
and 9th supporting on the right, while the let
was placed to cover the left and prevent any
surprise from that direction. The attack on
| the I'd division was very determined; but our
men met 1t gallantly, driving the enemy In
| handsome style with heavy loss. Alter re-
peated attempts to force our line, they finally
after about two hours hard fighting, gave up
| the idea, and fell back some distance, keeping
| up fire all the afternoon from their batteries
| and skirmshers.
The 18th New York heavy artillery particu.
larly distinguished itself in the engagement.
| Col. Weidricb, its commander, was severely
| wounded across the back.
The movement was complete surprise 10
| the enemy-the pickets stationed in the vcin-
ity being so astonished that they had hardly
time to escape. Some few prisoners were
| taken, several of whom are wounded.
The track is torn up over mile, our troops
still holding the position at dark tonight, aud
tomorrow they will completely destroy the
ties and rails, unless the rebels shall visit the
neighborhood in too strong numbers.
The loss on our side is about 300, among
whom are the following named officers:
Lieut.Co Pearson, 39th Mass, badly wound
| ed; Capt. Thomas II. Watkins, co. b, Purne
Legion, scalp wound; Lieut.. Combs, Purne
Legion, shoulder; Lieut.. II. II. Dalbenstanny
9TH N. Y. veterans, wounded; Lieut.. Day, Stt
| Md, badly in the side; Lieut.. W. J. Spear
39th Mass, fatally; Lieut.. Thomas Henry, 1s
Nd, in head; Lieut.. Ed. Williams, lst Md
thigh; Lieut.. G. W. Brashears, 1st Md, thigh
Lieut. A. D. Reynolds, let Md, killed. Lieut.
Ii. POrsch, llth N. Y, breast; Lieut., q. Sham
mel, 1lth n. Y, hip; Lieut.. G. G. Kcnsey, iii
Y. Y, leg; Capt. Louis Marklien, llth n. Y.
armj Capt. Charles De Rlyne, 1lth y. Y, arm
Lieut.. Robert Miller, llth N. Y, badly, head.
FORTRESS MONROE, August 20.-From Cit,
Point we have intelligence that the 9Th corps
Gen. Warren, had severe fight with the en-
emy yesterday on the Weldon railroad, but sue
ceeded in routing the rebelS, and flually ad
vanced and occupied a position on the line o
the Petersburg and Weldon railroad, and a
last accounts still held 1t.
| On the north side Of the James our lines wer
at last accounts unchanged, Notwithstanding
the repeated efforts Of the enemy to dislodge us
| The canal Is progressing fayorably.
The hospital steamer Mentor arrived thi
morning from Deep Bottom with $50 wounde
soldiers for Hampton hospital.
LATER.
4.20P. M.-The nail steamer John Brooks
from City Point, has arrived. Reports by he
confirm the success of our movement on th
Weldon railroad. The 9th corps still held thei
position.
Our position on the north side Is not mater
ally changed, but the % corps are making a
important move.
The steamer John Rice, with 500 re-epllste
troops from Pensacola, Fla, Con a furlough,
has arrived.
The steamer Hudson, from Hilton Head, ha
n arrived, but brings no news.