, 1864-08-12
Eastern News,

Vate Oulldlng9 were destroyed, ana many OF tne
old citizens of the town were thereby reduced
from positions of comparative wealth to absolute
poverty. They took 5000 of the citizens pris-
oners, and while engaged in their work of des-
tructon they heard that Gen. Averill, was ad-
vancing upon them and retreated with their
booty and prisoners from the place. The most
of the valuable goods had been removed from
the town and beyond the reach of the rebels be-
fore their arrival. Gov. Curtin had called for
troops to repel the invaders, and thepeople were
enrolling themselves rapidly. The invading
force is variously estimated at from 10000 to
So 900.
On the 3Oth, Grants army blew up rebel
fort before Petersburg. The fort mounted l6
guns and was reduced to mass of ruins I'M
mediately after the explosion, charge was
made and the fort and two other earthworks
were captured. The rebels belonging to the
captured fort mining towards Grants
works and in two days would have blown them
up. One rebel regiment was almost totally ami
hilated by the explosion. Simultaneous with
the explosion muderous fire was opened with
the guns in range and a terrible fight ensued, in
which the rebels retook their lost ground. Dates
of August Sd give the following particulars:
A part of the attacking column advanced for
some distance to the right of the fort and car
ried a part of the two lines of breastworks, con-
Meeting the fort with the main rebel line to the
rear of it. About 25O prisoners were captured
in the intrenchments and rife pits and sent to
the rear. As soon as our troops reached the
works, the enemy commenced heavy musketry
fire from two sides of an angle, which their
breastworks formed In the of the fort sew
eral batteries opened with shell, grape and shot.
Notwithstanding the heavy fire against the reb-
ell line, by our heavy batteries, the enemys fire
became so intensified, the advance of our col
umn towards Cemetry Hill, about 400 yards be-
yond the fort, which they were ordered to carry,
was checked. Our troops sought refuge behind
the breastWorks and rihepits.
Two minutes after Ledlies division moved to
the attack, Potter and Wilcox's division of the
same corps moved to the right and left of the
works, and several attempts were made to
tnue the assault, but all failed Under the sweep
ing fire of the enemy. About six O'clock one of
Ferrer's colored divisions ordered to move
forward to the right of the fort upon Cemetry
Hill, and advanced steadily until they got under
the enflading fire of the enemy when, instead
of keeping to the right of other divisions, the
blacks got confused and rushed pell NELL among
the other troops in and about the fort. The in
terror of the fort after the explosion had the ap-
pearance of crater, the upper part being about
60 feet in diameter. 1t already crowded
from top to bottom with troops. The negroes
rushed in from all sides in terror and confusion.
The enemy in the meantime, as could be seen
from our main line, rapidly moved forces from
their right and left to the the threatened part of
the line about the forts Now both the infantry
and artillery fire became more severe. Again
| and again they made attempts to charge from
the front but their troops could not do it.
Small parties commenced trying to run back
from the fort to our main lines, and gradually
became more and more numerous Quite num-
Der of them managed to get through. The dis
tance was about $50 yards. The men in run
ming back had to cross field which was swept
by the rebels fire. Hundreds of them were
killed and wounded. The enemy seeing the con-
fused condition of our troops resorted to an of
fensive advance several times, but were driven
back by our fire. About 10 o'clock, when most
of the batteries had ceased firing the enemy
made grand charge and occupied the most of
the ground in the rear of the fort. No sooner
had their yellS and volleys announced their
charge than a vast swarm of our men mostly ne
groes were seen rushing out from under cover
toward our lines. Half of these were shot
down.
In giving the order ofattack the 5th corps was
massed on the east and the 9th and 18th on its
right, with the I'd corps in reserve. When it
ascertained about o'clock that the 9th
corps was not making any headway, Potter's
and Turner's divisions pushed forward and
gained position as far advanced as that held
by the 9th corps: but this had no decisive effect
The numbers of both corps in and about the fort
became materially reduced by 10 o'clock and
the men were falling back to main line.
What remained continued to hold the position
until about IL clock,
Orders were issued to fall back to their
original position. The orders were executed
promptly except in one part of the rebel fort;
efforts were made to get orders to them, but sew
eral officers in attempting to carry them were
shot down. Shortly afterwards the rebels made
another charge which partly succeeded.
One of the principal causes of the failure on
the part of our troops, which led to disaster be-
fore Petersburg, the belief that the hill
which they expected to take, which COM
manded the rebel works and town. had been
previously mined by the rebels For this reason
the troops could not be induced to finish their
work, and thus decentralization was created
which lost the fruits of victory when within our
grasp.
New York Aug. 3.-The Herald special says:
1t is currently reported that arrangements are in
progress for again changing the commander of
the Army of the Potomac. Meade is not men
toned in connection with any other command
The Heralds Washington special says that
strong efforts are being made by Republican
politicians to induce the Administration to give
Mcclellan command of the defences of Wash
mgton.
Henry ]. Raymond is here to urge the matter
on the President.
The Commercials special repeats areport that
leading Republicans are urging the President to
y
enlistments to the number of 100 900 will be Sc
cured in New York by his appointment.
Gen. Hooker has been ordered to report at
Washington without delay.
The rebel Gen. Early has possession of the
Shenandoah valley which he says he intends to
hold at all hazards. He has his men engaged in
threshing grain and takes one bushel in ten,
besides laying tax for the labor performed in
threshing. He has force of from $4,000 to
40, 900.
Baltimore, Aug. 5.-A persen who left Charles
ton yesterday morning reports seeing the rebel
forces there, composed ofMosby and Imbodens
cavalry and mounted infantry, estimated at 900
strong. They are about making feint on Har-
per's Ferry, while Early, with $4,000 infantry,
guarding the plunder at Bunker Hill, and
who was about starting up the valley. The reb-
els are scattered throughout the valley gather
ing grain and cattle The rebels conscripted all
the men they could fnd-even boys cf sixteen.
1t is believed they will retire up the valley as
soon as their trains well advanced.
Semi-official dispatches received this morning
state that the rebels had occupied Hagerstown
in force.
The greatest CONSERVATION prevails in the
southern portion of Cumberland valley.
Gov. Curtin, has been issued proclamation
calling out 10000 militia.
Sherman is still battling away at Atlanta; but
. 4bor ohoIs hair ctr u :