Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1864-10-07
News of the War.

A Washington dispatch dated the Sd says
Passengers who lett City Point at ter
O'Clock Yesterday morning report that al
that time there was heavy firing on the right
and left Of Petersburg but very little in
front. The entire army was IN motion and
the indications were that general engage
nent was meditated.
HEADQUARTERS Army PorOsAc, Oct. 2.
The enemy attacked division of Ayers
yesterday. but were repulsed with heavy loss.
This was the only fighting on the lett ycster-
dsy, with the exception OF an attack by
Wade Hampton's cavalry on Gregg's cavalry
ON Vaughan road. when the rebels were
driven back with a good deal of loss and we
captured some prisOners.-Our loss was very
slight. The army is now strongly entrenched,
and a battle may occur any moment
Our loss on Friday is not yet definitely
sscertarned The enemy claims to have
taken a number Of prisoners from the ninth
army corps that day.
Richmond Iarers boast OF victory over
Sheridan in the Valley, and say he was re-
treating.
Our troops took some thirty prisoners yes
teriny, among whom il a Lieutenant on ten.
Benham staff
\ heavy rain storm has prevailed all day,
preventing movements TO any consldera-
bic extent.
". d. McGREGOR.
Fortress Mouroe dispatch of the % says
Heavy firing bar been heard all the morning
on the north side of the James but nothing
- II g. the rsGulr
Rebel fugltiyes Of all classes are pouring into
Bermuda Hundred in every conceivable man
ner. some ART coming down the river on
raits in their eagerness to escape from the
jail- OF the COnfcderacy Rebel officers now
prisoners in our hand-, say they think Rich
mond cannot much longer stand the siege
now in progress. All here are full Of hopes
Of success. Our soldiers are in high spirits
and e1pcct soon % achieve the greatest re-
suits.
A Headquarters army Of the Potomac die
patch dated the 2d says
No fighting on this line to-day. The rebels
fell back this morning To their line Of works
which runs from the lead works To the south
road or near 1t.
This position Of the retcl- il a strong one
and cannot easily he carried. \ division Of
the 2d CORPS has advanced % BOyntOn Road
over which the enemy wagon their supplies
70 Petersburg Two lines Of works were
found unoccupied, only a skirmIsh line Op-
posing their advance, and the rebels fell
back a. our troops went forward. Near the
Boynton Road very formidable line of de-
fences WAS found, behind which the rebels
were posted IN heavy force IL was not deemed
advisable to attack and our men fell back
and occupy a safe position. They lost few
wounded IN the advance.
Our loss on Friday is greater that at first
stated The total Of killed, wounded and
prisoners ioots.up not far from two thousand.
More than half Of them were taken prisoners.
This occurred in Consequence Of gap being
left between part of the Fifth and Ninth
corps, through which the enemy charged
and fianked the ID division of the 9th corps
Among the casulties are Lieut.. Col. OTIS,
commanding the first brigade Of Ayers di-
vision. Gen. Ayers was wounded in the
face but not seriously. A shell from one Of
the rebel batteries grszed Gen. Meade,
bootledgs to-day, and took a piece from
the tail Of Gen. Humphreys horse, and en-
tered the ground between Gess. Bartlett and
Griffin. Fortunately it did not explode.
The mail boat from City Point reports
heavy skirmishing on the north side Of
James river Sunday afternoon and evening.
A Louisville dispatch Of the 4th says
Two freight trains were captured and
burned by guerrillAs on the Nashville road
last night.
A Nashville dispatch Of the 4th says On
Saturday Gen. Buiord with part of FORESTS
command, including all bis artillery attacked
Athens, Ala, Smelling the place for two
hours and demanded its surrender from the
commandant. Col. Wade OF 73d Ind. who
refused. Buford soon after retired.
Fears Of an attack on Columbia are IN
founded. Forrest having gone in the direc-
tiOn OF Florence, and was then below Mount
Pleasant.
A large force Of mechanics and laborers
were engnged IN repairing the railroad and
telegraph. Ii is believed railroad cOmmuni-
cation will be open to Pulaski during the
week
Telegaphs from Athens announce numer-
our guerrilla bands operating near the city
from four to eight miles on several roads,
Last week two OF three commission and for
age trains were captured, the wagons diss-
oled and the drivers carried of
A party Just from Chattanooga report that
a demand for the surrender Of Dalton, Ga,
was made yesterday by a body Of rebels.
claiming to be FORESTS forces. No further
particulars received.