The Vermont transcript. [volume] (St. Albans, Vt.) 1864-1870, 1864-09-02
WAR NEWS.

WAN NE " De
The fighting near Petersburg has
been severe since our occupation OF
the Weldon road. A week ago Sun
day the rebels made a desperate at
tempt to drive us from the road, but |
were repulsed with severe loss as Rich
mond papers admit In the battle OF
the previous Thursday, however, we
lost heavily in prisoners, our official
reports showing nearly 5000 missing.
Below we give the official report of
this fighting;
WASHINGTON, Aug. 27.
To Nqj. Gen. Dir:
On Thursday, the 25th Gen. Han
cock, who was south of Reams sta
ton. was attacked several times dur
ing the day. but he repulsed the enc
my in every assault. In the afternoon
Il combined attack was made at once
on his centre and left, which, after one
of the most desperate battles of the
war, resulted in the enemy withdraw
ing from the field, leaving their dead
and wounded on the ground. The de-
tails are given in the following official
reports of Gems. Grant, Mead, and
Hancock:
SECOND CoRPs, Aug. 26.
For GEN Humphreys:
The attack about 5 30 in the after
noon was probably intended to be
simultaneous by Wilcox on my centre
and Heth on my left The enemy
formed IN the woods, placed their ar
tillei'y in position and opened heavy
cannonade, lasting about fifteen MN
utes. They then assaulted Miles force
He resisted tenaciously, but the enemy
broke his lines. Some of Gibbon S
troops were hurried over to repair the
damage, and the enemy only gained a
slight foothold. They soon attempted
on my extreme left to drive Gibbon s
division from his line. His men had
been much weaued in rushing over to
Gen. Miles and back. During the re-
ceeded in forming line, and the enc
my, who were pressing on with great
enthusiasm, were severely checked by
the dismounted cavalry under Gen.
Gregg, which he handsomely led.
Miles regained most of his intrench-
ments, distinguishing himself All he
had to work with were such small par
ties as could be rallied and formed by
staff officers The fight was continued
until dark, the enemy being held in
check by our artillery, dismounted
cavalry and skirmishers. At dark we
+ withdrew, for reasons stated. The
Chief of Artillery reports that he lost
about two hundred and fifty horses.
The enemy made no advance up to a
late hour last night
My own loss, including cavalry, viii
Z perhaps not exceed 1,200 or 1900,
= though this is surmise. as the com
mand is not yet organized. Capt.
Brownson of my staff was mortally
wounded and dying during the night.
Col. Walker, A. 4. G., is missing. This
= is acknowledged to have been one OF
the most determined and desperate
;. fights Of the war, resembling Spottsyl-
vania in its character, though the
number engaged gives it less impor-
1 lance. A few more good troops would
: have given victory of considerable
\ Importance | forward this forenoon
:. as prisoners from the field Wilcox and
Heth. Major Angel, of my staff, saw
and conyersed with two prisoners from
Mahones division last night. | do
not find them this morning. They
, said Mahone's division, with the ex-
ception of one brigade, was there
(Signed) W. S. HANCOCK,
: Major General.
/ I. S. GRANT, Lieut.. General.
r The following is just received
+ SECOND CoRps, Aug. 26, 1890 PM.
e A safeguard that was left on the bat
tleheld remained there until after day
light this morning. At that time tn,
enemy had all disappeared, leaving
: their dead on the field unburied Thii
2, shows how severely they were punish,
e ed, and, doubtless, hearing of the ar
: rival of reinforcements, they feared tn,
results of to-day if they remained.
(Signed) G. G.. MEADE,
MAJ Oenertl,
The following is just received
o SECOND CoRPs, Aug. 26, p. NJ,
d To Lieut.. Gen, Grant:
IS Since sending my last dispatch
I have conversed with the safeguard re
ferred to. He did not leave the felc
II until after sunrise. At that time near
ie " all the enemy had left, moving to
IF wards Petersburg. He says they aban
II doned not only their dead, but thei
:. wounded also. He conversed with al
officer who said their losses were great
o er than ever before during the war
L The safeguard says he was over tn
le field and it was covered with tn,
10 enemys dead and wounded. He ha
- seen great many battlefelds, bu
never, such a sight. Very few of tn,
% dead We're ours, nearly all belonged t,
v the enemy. All of our wounded wer
re brought offbut our dead were unburied