Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1864-07-04
NEWS FROM REBEL SOURCES
The News from Petersburg-Flank-
Ing of HancOclK,s COrps--Hunter's
Movement In Virginia.

The Richmond EIdmfner OF the zOJn OF
June has been received, and from it we get
the following:
The Petersburg papers yesterday (23d)
bring US news of the operations OF the ar.
mics about that city, and the particulars of
the flanking of Hancock's corps, which was
announced yesterday by telegraph. We
condense the news In the following sum-
mary:
WEDNESDAY MORNING.
At early dawn, and until O'clock, scarce =
| ly a heavy gun was discharged, and, If the
pickets continued their shooting, the rumb-
ling of heavy wagons, and the busy hum
of the populace, prevented its being heard
in Petersburg. Cannonading was heard on
our extreme left, and, upon inquiry, it was
ascertained to proceed from Confederate
battery admirably posted in Chesterfield.
This battery had obtained the range of two
of the enemy's 20-pounder Parrott's, plant
ed at Batteries Nos. l and 2, on Jordan's
farm, and, by the admirable aim and pre-
s,sion of our gunners, rendered admirable
service.
In less than thirty minutes after our bat
terry opened the enemy's guns were effect
ually silenced. Repeated attempts were
made during the day to reopen these guns,
which for several days past have been
throwing shells into our city, but every at
tempt was met by a hot fire from Chester
field Hights, which prevented the accom-
plishment of the enemy's purpose. Pc
tersburg enjoyed remarkable exemption
from these annoying missiles OF the enemy,
and many were surprised at the amiable
disposition which seemed suddenly to have
taken possession of our uninvited visitors.
WEDNESDAY AFTERN OF HAN
COCKS CORPS, AND A LARGE HAUL OF PRIs-
ONERS, ARTILLERY, ETC. .
About O'Clock p. NJ, heavy firing was
heard on our extreme right, to the rear of
Wells's old place, in Dinwiddie, about two
miles from Butterworth's bridge. The fir
ing was rapid, and the discharges of mus
kerry were plainly heard by persons resid-
ing in the suburbs in that portion of the
city. The report that fight was progress
ing in that direction spread rapidly through
the city, and many fastened where they
supposed they would be enabled to witness
the battle. t
In this, however, they were disappointed,
for the country was too thickly wooded to
see the conflict without exposing ones per-
son to the flying balls and bullets. All,
however, could hear the firing, and listened
to the exciting sounds with breathless at
tantion. The enemy had advanced an er-
tire corps around to this extreme south
westerly direction during Tuesday night,
for the purpose of seizing and holding the
Weldon road, and our generals were on the
qui vive at an early hour. Shortly after
midday flank movement which had been
planned was put into process OF execution,
and this brought on the fight which had at
tracted the attention of our citizens.
1t soon became evident that our forces
were driving the invaders, and before four
o'clock it was ascertained that we had gain
ed decided success. Three brigades, un-
der the command of Gen. Malone, had, by
the skillful maneuvering of their officers,
succeeded in getting to the front, right and
left of large body of the invaders, before
the vandals were fully apprIised Of the dan
ger of their situation. Their front was pro-
tected by long line of breastworks, which
had been thrown up during Tuesday night |
but this did not deter our troops from their
duty, for no sooner was the order to charge |
given than our troops rushed forward with |
one of their characteristic yells.
Simultaneous with this charge nfront of |
the enemy, the two other brigades mem |
toned opened on both tf1ahks, and between |
the three fires but fewanoments sufiiced |
to end the conflict, the great bulk of the
vandals throwing down their arms and beg
ging for quarters. rH
The results of this admirably planned,
and no less admirably executed movement
are, the capture of 1,600 prisoners, eight
stands of colors, four pieces of artillery,
and two formidable lines of breastworks.
But better than all, we believe the line of |
and still maintain our commune
cations with the South. ~
Among the prisoners are 81 commissioned
officers, but none higher than Colonel. The
men belong mainly to the I'd and 4th brig
ades, Birney's division, Hancock's I'd Army
Corps. We captured no general officers,
Colonels Fraser and Custard both COM
handing brigades. Some of the prisoners
taken say that the movement toward the
railroad was generally regarded as hazard
Dus, and Gen. Hancock was unfortunately
taken sick just ON the eve of the expedi-
Lion. Birney was in command, of whom
the prisoners do not speak at all compli-
TO get into trouble.
MOVEMENT ON LYNCHBURG-
REBEL ACCOUNTS. tttt"
The fight on Saturday near this city, says
The Lynchburg Republican, was much
heavier one than at first supposed, and its
results greatly more disastrous to the enc
ny than stated yesterday morning. 1t is
low ascertained that their dead alone left
IN the field numbered about 120, and their
In field hospitals, who fell into
,ur hands, being too badly hurt to be NOV
I'd, are reported at $50. Gen, Averill stated
20 gentleman entirely trustworthy that
heir loss was 800 killed, wounded and miss
ng. -Aif 9E
The enemy's line of battle extended from
,he Forest road OIL Mr.. N. w. Barksdale's
arm, to the farm of Mr.. Moorman, some
lalf or three-fourths of mile southeast
If the Salem turnpike, a length of about
,hree miles. -ons- -..,...
The heaviest fighting was on the farm
If Mr.. - Mckinney and Mr.. MoormaD,
IN the southeast of the turnpike, and of DIR.
Owen and Mr.. ii. +. Bocock, on the west,
md near to the same road. Here the enc
ny's dead were principally found, and here
t was that two fierce assaults were made
IN our works. The fighting on Mr.. Barks-
lale's farm was principally with artillery,
,hough at one time the Yankee cavalry
posted there made demonstration as If to
:harge our batteries, but our sharpshoOters
md half dozen shells soon caused them to
retire.
Our loss on Saturday is semi officially re-
ported at nine killed and seventeen wound
I'd. In consequence of the advance OF our
lrmy no official report has been made, or If
t had it was inaccessible to us. In the en-
and pursuit as far as New Lon
Ion we captured in all about forty prison.
,rs. The report of the capture of three
pieces of artillery was erroneous.
The enemy, 1t is now ascertained, COM
nenced their retreat about o'clock Satur-
lay evening, after their unsuccessful assault
On our lines previously reported. AS soon
IS the retreat was discovered vigorous pur-
suit was made. Gentlemen whose houses