Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1864-08-31
[From the Dispatch Of Monday.l
Below Richmond.

Below Richmond, |
Nothing of importance has occurred on the NORTH.
side Of James River, below Richmond, since the !
reconnoisance on Thursday. The two corps sent
over BY Grant it is ascertained have recrossed to
the South Sde leaving only the division command
some time past The firing heard on Friday even
ing was the enemy's gunboats shelling Howlett's |
field, position in which they supposed the rebels
had erected battery. It was without effect save
IN useiesssxpendtcre of Yankee ammunition
Northern papers of the 18th assert that the Oh.
ject Of the movement on the North side Of the |
James was to destroy the rebel pol,toou bridges |
above Fort Darling, called Drewry's Bluff; while
pspers Of the 18th are quite as positive that it was
only reconnaissance to ascertain the strength of
the Confederstes in that quarter. We do not be-
lieve either of these stories tits much more likely
that it was feint to draw Gen. Lees troops from
the front of Petersburg. Bu: Whatever it was, it
proved miserable failure, and adds one more to the
catalogue of Grants "brllliant movements" lover
the lef) in this campaign.
One day last week. the Yankee pickets in the
neighborhood Of Dutch Gap opened fire upon our
picket line, when two OF our gunboats being in the
vicinity, concluded to take hand. Consequently,
they commenced throwing shell ,psomiscuousy in
the direction Of the Yankees One of the missiles
struck the enemy's pontoon bridge near Dutch GAP
and set it fire, burning several of the boats, Of
seemed to cause considerable consternation among
the Yankees
The enemy is still engaged in digging the canal
across the neck Of land known as Dutch Gap To
those who are acquainted with its topography, this
will appear q work of no small magnitude, but
unless some plan can be devised to put stop to
their operations, it will be accomplished.
From the Valley.
Atlength We have some definite information from
General Early's command, in the Valley OF Virginia
Aa official dispatch, received at the War Depart
Valley crossed the Shenandoah at Front Royal on
the 18th, and drove the enemys cavalry, which
retreated towards Winchester, burning the hay and
wheat stacks in their route On the 17th, Shsrslan
began to retire from his position was pursued and
two divisions of the Sixth corps with large force
of cavalry, were overtaken at Winchester and
driven through the town, losing over two hundred
prisoners. The enemy fell back towards Harper's
Ferry.
1t is stated (not officially that sheridans entire
force in the Valley amounts to Al 900 men. His
retirement from our front to Harper's Ferry may
be regarded as . prudential measure on his part.
1t is reported that on Thursday, the 18th instant,
General EARLY captured five hunired prisoners near
Winchester, and was still in pursuit Of the enemy.
I Later News...From Petersburg.
PErEssBuaG, Aug ss.-Since the fight on SUM-
DAY the enemy las 0een engaged extending ms
lines west of the Railroad towards the city. The
enemy now occupy the ground on which the battles
Of the last few days were fought and their pckets
are advanced some distance this side of the Vaughan
road One mile west of the Railroad is also occu.
pied by the enemy who are strongly fortified. The
country south Of the city is very level and the
my's lines are in sight Of the corporate limits
Both armies are strongly entrenching. There has
been no offensive movement on either side to-day.
Everything consequently very quiet.
| Later from the North.
RICHMOND, Aug. 22.-The Baltimore Gazette Of
the 26th says Grant captured 800 prisoners on the
north side Of James river. The object of the ex-
pedition was to prevent our forces from annoying
the men cutting the canal across Dutch Gap.
Sheridan in his retreat from the Valley, had es.
capped Alarm along the border had spread in con.
sequence thereof as msuy high hopes were based
On the expedition. Sheridan lost 900 men near
.Strasburg and u wagons near Perryvilie.
Telegrams from W heeler arc mudiled. One re.
port that Stedman whipped him at D<on; anoth.
er that Wheeler whipped Stedman in miles Of
The pirate, 7aliahassse, took 300 chaldrons Of
coal that she vas forbidden by the English Admi
| raj to take.