Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1864-10-07


front by general assault, aud fecoDiroi-
tered to ground himself amid such q
storm Of shells as j have never seen
surpassed. They were met with MUIR
derous fire OF grape and canister, and
the unceasing volleys of musketry made
terrific havoc in their ranks; but still
unfiinchingly they held their way in
crossing an intervening crest of open
land, while they were exposed to q
friGhtlul enfilading fire of artillery, and
the casualties were most terrible; still
the line pressed forward. On approach
ing the redoubts they We're found even
more formidable than were at first sup
posed. A perfect abatis held them at
bay, while the rebel infantry literally
moved them down. The forts were
surrounded by broad ditch eight feet
deep, into which the colOred troops
leaped, after which they found them
selves penned in. with no door Of retreat.
These works had no sallyport, and were
accessible only by draw bridges over
the bitches. These, of course. were
drawn up. The line was withdrawn to
the farther side of the crest, which no.
sition was held until night, when de-
mOnstratiOn was made on the works of
which our men were cOOped up, thus
giving, them an opportunity to escape.
The advance up the road of from a-half
to three-quarters of mile was accom-
pushed; but 1t cost us dearly; the corps
lost over 5000 killed and wounded at
this trial.
kautz's cavalry dashed up to the very
gates Of Richmond. which fact he dis
patched to Gustav, who at once sent a
division OF infantry to his support. This
division marched to within musket
range OF the city, and probably might
have marched into the rebel capital. al
though it is clear they could not have
held it. On arriving in the suburbs of
the city they found that Kautz had
Withdrawn for Il wise purpose. The di-
vision was then oruered to return. AL
though our advance was checked at
Laurel Hill, the expedition is by no
means terminated.
The Reraid's correspondent with the
18th corps gives the following account of
the part taken by that corps Hickman
and Hazards divisions crossed the
James river at Aikers Landing, and a
mile was made before they came in con-
tact with the enemy. They showed no
desire to fight and fell back rapidly.
-Four lines of rifie-pits were thus album
doned. When they reached their main
line, however, they showed resistance
and opened with sharpshooting and ar
tillery of everydescription Immediately
in front of Stanard, and commanding
the road, was a large fort mounting
eleven guns. Preparations to storm il
were made, and when ready Gen. Ord
gave signal, and our men rushed across
the field in force. and captured the fort,
guns, ammunition and number of
prisoners.
Gen. Ord was wounded Just as he en-
tered the fort, and Gen. Burnham was
killed just as he was about to enter the
fort.
Cen. hickman took command of the
corps after Gen. Ord was wounded. and
made several desperate charges to cap
ture the eneny's second line; but owing
to the fact that the 10th corps and Paines
division not joining us till noon, no far
ther success was met with.
The number Of guns captured was %
nearly all heavy.
The Herotd's correspondent at But
lers headquarters, writing under date
of Sept. 30th, says that Butler has cap
tured all the Notifications save one i'm
mediately opposite Fort Darling, and
ing vigorous Smelling by the rebel
rams.
The fact that one of our hospitals was
located within three miles of the city is
significant.
Gen. Grant last evening expressed
himself to an old army officer as being
entirely satisfied with the operations Of
the army, and added that the army had
accomplished more than he had ex-
pected would be. Gen. Grant had an
interview with Gen. Butter at . O'Clock
this morning.
It is reported the rebels are rushing
achievements to their left by train
loads.
We captured 90 cannon in all.
Refugees from Richmond report great
dependency there. Jeff: Davis was
seen on the streets Oh the 3Oth ult. and
looked exceedingly AFFECT and worn
down. The citizens are leaving the city
by hundreds, and they say Lee was
caught mapping this time, as our move.
meuts were not dreamed Of
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF POTOMAC,
Sept. 3G.-lt having Leen determined by
General Meade to make all attack ON
the enemy's right flank southwest of
Petersburg, the troops selected Tor the
purpose were niasseu near the Weldon
Railroad this morning. These consisted
OF the LIST and I'd divisions and I, brigade
of the Sd division of the 9TH corps, with
-,
while General Crawford, with his COM
nand, held the works on the flank.
AT IL O'Clock the line was ordered to
advance on the enemy's pickets, which
We're driven i'll, and on reaching the
residence OF Mr.. Preble, on the Squirrel
Level road, about t miles from Peters
burg, Il strong line Of works was discov-
cred, with an entrenched skirmish line
in front running to the works The I'd
and Sd lrigades OF the LIST division took
the advance and charged the rebels,
driving them into the works. The reb-
els opened OH our advancing column,
but it passed on and never halted till
the enemy were driven from their posi-
ton with loss OF one gum and about so
prisoners. Our loss up to this time did
not exceed 100 in killed and wounded.
Col. Walsh, of the 10th Michigan, was
killed while leading his men over the
enemy's works. Maj. Park, command
ing the 333d Pennsylvania, was badly
Wounded in the breast in this charge.
Col. Gwinn, commanding the 3D. brigade
of the I'd division of the 9TH corps, had
his horse shot under him and Was badly
bruised by his horse falling on him, but
he nevertheless kept the field.
After reforming our lines another
charge was made, and the rebels were
forced back half mile further, where
they took a still stronger stand and made
a desperate resistance to our advance
the 9Th corps having the advance Here
the rebels succeeded in throwing force
around the Pegrame House, on its left,
and threatened to turn our flank, but
Gen. Gritfin's division being at hand
they were checked.
The fighting was OF the most desperate
character and continued after dark.
Our men held all the ground they had
taken from the enemy. Our loss IN the
battle will amount TO about 500, while
that of the rebels was probably not so
large, as they fought nearly all the time
behind breastworks. But very little ar