The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1864-08-03
LATE WAR NEWS.

Confedefato lori near ron Wsiiuoh' II
situation in front of Petersburg is SO chang
ed, however, that the town is no longer So
riously menaced. Since Friday Grants
troops have held a position extending from
Petersburg across the James. His army is
divided by the james and APomsttox into
nearly three equal divisions. These are
connected only BY pontoon bridges, and II
there be anything in the maxims which
point ont the danger OF allowing a water
course to divide a camp, Grant must be in
a perilous position. The late contests on
the north bank of the James resulted in the
capture OF FIVE or six annon and htiy prs
oners. The Confederate position there was
not captured, and is still held. Grants line
now is materially changed from what it was
some days ago. All the country on the
southern flank has been abandoned. In
stead Of extending four miles south of Pc
tersburg, it 10 now extremely doubtful
whether Grants southern flank exten DIS to
Petersburg at all. The Jerusalem road which
runs southeast from The town has been
abandoned. The Confedsrates have occu-
pied il. The Federal line has been with
drawn even IRON the Norfolk Railroad.
Petersburg is on the south bank of the
Appomat,ox. and five miles southwest Of
Port Wal,hall. On The 2orth side OF the riv-
er, between Port WalihsI and Petersburg,
is a line OF strong Confederate works, one
o! which is Fort Clinton. These project the
Town. General Wsrren's corps 10 on the
southern Federal flank. 1t is on the south
bank Of the Appomaiox aud with Burnside
guards the front between Petersburg and
Port WalthaIl. Warren's extreme lett does
mol extend beyond the town, il it extends
10 il. On Burnside's right the Apron aIIox
runs. 1t divides him from MartiEdale and
Birney, who are al Bermuda Hundred. On
Birney's right is the James. IL divides him
from Foster, who is on the north bank OF
the James, tour miles northwest of Malvern
Hill. On Fosters right is Hancock. Sher-
dan is on the extreme flank, being posted
four miles north of Malvern Hill. The
Federal line extends about FIVE miles north
east of The James.
AT daylight on Saturday morning Genera
Grant exploded his mine. 1t had been dug
under a Confederate fort on the south bank
Of the Appomaltox, near Port Walthai, and
sbout four miles northeast of Petersburg.
This fort was in front Of Burnside's corps,
which is stationed near Port Walthai. There
were tour guns in the fort, and as soon as
il blew up Burnside's corps, assisted by
M~artindals's from the north bank OF the
Appomaiiox, attacked and captured the
ruins. Some prisoners were taken, but the
number is not stated. General Gran.'s in
i~eni:ons are not yet evident. Whelher he
wishes 10 operate on the north or south
bank of the James, is not known. The ex-
plosion of the mine was followed br .
heavy cannon ade from both sides, which
continued for some tune, AT ten O'Clock
on Saturday our intelligence closed, and
nothing is known Of what followed.
On Friday two bodies of Confederate cav
airy crossed from the Shenandoah Valley 10
The north bank of the Potomac. One, said
to be under Mossby, crossed al Point OF
Rocks. II occ upied the Baltimore and Ohio
Railroad. No trains were captured howeV-
or. and the Confederates did not advance
far from the river bank. Whether they
rave retired is not known. The wires be-
tween Frederick aud Harper's Ferry being
still out of order, would indicate :hat they
lave not. The ether body of Gu ntederales
crossed tho Potomac al Shepherdstow o. By
a detour they arrived at Martinsturg. They
entered Pennsylvania on the line between
Fulton and Franklin counties. There being
no Federal forces anywhere in the neigh
borhood, their advance was ~unopposed -
They turned eastward after entering the
State, and marched to Chambersburs. AT
daylight on Saturday the town was entered.
The inhabitants had sent most OF their pri.
vate property away, but there was a large
quantity of government stores in the town,
These were SET on fire and consumed. The
court house, bank, aad railroad buildings,
and about two hundred and fifty private
residences were also burned.
The Confederstes did no, remain long in
Chambersburg. They retreafed before night
on a road running west 10 McConnellsburg,
in Fulton county, about twenty miles dis
tant. Gen. Averell, who had been al Ha>
gefs,own with some Federal cavalry was
informed Of the raid, and marched TO Cham
%bersburg. He reached there some time at
ter the Coniederates left, aud at once push
ed on towards McConnellsburg. He did moi
come mp with their rear, and there was no
conflict. From McConnellsburg The Con-
federaies turned soulhward, and are said to
nave recrossed the Potomac at Hancock
This invasion Of the State has got the State
and Federal authorities into quite a snarl.
Neither seems TO know how 10 protect The
border.
There is nothing definite from Atlanta.
1t is reported that on Thursday last General
Sherman, after lying for a week inactive,