The daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1863-1864, 1864-06-21
FROM, Mss,GRaANT.
Lee Lees s. Army 23ata J. PETERSBURG
Our Advance within one half q
A' - mile Of tie Town. -"
POS 1PodsifTfToSXr Xrai r.aoETaaaE EfiaaaE LINE LINE.
"a G UiNS @ APT UiR e ID.
% '- iitAill "a ttiEs ''a-i - i'-.'' 'G -'H'
LEE WILL DEFEND PETERSBURG

LEE WILL DEFEND PETERSBURG.
ii1 s.sFf Y1Ej7 - fGI o." u g. ea.sE 90
gi ,ai5J = r an .a.l
NEW ,YoRk, June 2O.--The Tribuns's sspe-
cial from Headquarters Army of the Po-
tepae;, near Petersburg, Peters Friday morning
18th, says: n tsit- lao aeayfp ,ahrij.,
We are again in front of the entire rebel
army which has been engaged BY our ad-
vance Of End and 9Th corps, and, an i'm
portapt capture Of guns, prisoners and po-
sition has been accomplished. The2d, 9Th,
and 18th corps, sre;in line of battle, and on
the arrival Of the balance of the troops dis
sition will be made for final assault upon
the enemy's works. Since Tuesday night,
when the advance of the 9Th corps arrived
in the vicinity of the town, our lines have
been pushed steadily forward. Several
strong positions have been wrestled by
charges, from the enemy, and we have ta-
ken IS guns and several .haDdred prisoners.
Our advance is within half a mile of Pc
tarsburg which is in full view almost from
the entire line. Deserters state that por
tions of Lees army commenced arriving at
Petersburg. on Wednesday night, only a
few. hours after the arrival of Hancock
with the I'd corps, and that Wises brigade
commanded by Wise in person, held the
town until that time. The City Point rail.
road is now in our possession, and the Nor,
folk and Petersburg line is commanded BY
our troops. The 18th corps which landed
at Bermuda Hundred this day, now led
the advance crossing the Appomattax in
pontoons about miles above the mouth
and penetrating to the southwark to with
in about miles of the town before en-
countering any opposition. Here skirmish-
ing commenced, and our advance, steadily
pushing forward, drove back the pickets of
the enemy who took position in their outer
defences. Then. deiences were Immediate
ly charged by Kinks negro division with
most splendid 1gallantry, the enemy were
put to fight, and 2 guns and considera.
BILE number OF prisoners were captured
The works were held until the arrival of
Haneock at 8 P M on Wednesday. On ar
riaEof HancQck, q reconnaissance for pur-
pose of ascertaining our exact position was
made by the enemy, and considerable skir-
mishing ensued. Only 2 divisions of the
End, Birney's and Gibbons, reached the
field on W ednesday night Burlen, who pur-
sued another, road, bringing up the rear,
and coming up at 6 o'clock yesterday
morning, the divisions of Birney
and Gibbons deployed in line of battle,
when their proximity to the rebels was
Our troops bivouacked on the
field, Birney occupying the left of the line
and Gibbons the right
Between 5 or 6 O'Clock yesterday morn>
ing, the enemy began heavy artillery fire
On our line enfladingit with batteries DOS.
ted on our left. An order for an advance
,r occupation by the troops posted in the
rear was, as,immediately necessary.
Accordingly the advance of the 2nd and
18th corps was ordered by Hancock, who,
in the absence of Meade, took command of
both corps. The result was highly success,
Ful. Several lines of rebel works being
carried at point of the bayonet, and q mum
Der of redoubts Of great strength occupied.
l6 guns were taken and turned upon the
enemy by the 18th corps. Colonel Egan's
brigade, BiIneys division, led the charge
of the 2nd corps and gallantly drove the
enemy from his works, capturing at the
same time two formidable redoubts, and
With Dwights and Gills batteries complete
y silenced the rebel artillery on our left.
The works were held until about Z NJ
when disposition for final charge upon
The enemy and the last line was made. 1t
was at this time that COL. Egan was Sc
verely, if not seriously wounded In the
spine, and the attack wss temporarily post
poned at six o'clock; last night, howerer
another charge was made by the I'd corps
and an advanced position gained and main
tanned. The line thus occupied was at once
secure by the immediate construc-
ton of earthworks.
At this time it is impossible to ascertain
the extent of our losses, but 1900 will
cover the total casualties.
1t is to be regretted that our advance was
not pushed forward On Wednesday after
noon, as prisoners concur in the statement
that Wise's brigade only, held the town
until late in the evening when Lees troops
commenced arriving. tf
Portions Of his army marched from Nal.
vern Hill, crossing the James on pontoon
bridge above Fort Darling, while many
were dispatched by the Petersburg railroad.
Our line is now formed facing the city
from the east and south, partially encir-
cling it, and extends across the City Point
railroad, southwark to the vicinity of the
Petersburg and Norfolk railroad. Burn
side holds the left of our line, Hancock the
center, and Smith the right.
The remainder Of the troops will arrive
to day and be assigned their positions.
No one doubts Lee will defend Peters
burg Our troops are nevertheless conf
dent Of final success y % q Z = = 2,
HEADotARfEss NEAR PErERsBuRG, June
ls.Leontrsry to expectation no general
engagement occurred yesterday, although
the fighting on our left was at times very
--iss eF-.