The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1864-09-09
The ATTACK UPON BUTLER
AND HANCOCK.
The ASSailantS RepulSed,

The following dispatches refer to the
attack OF the rebels upon our position on
the Weldon Road, on Thursday, of which
brief kilograms have been received.
The following are official dispatches from
Grant, Meade and Hancock, I'd Army
Corps, August Goth:
The attack about $3.50 p. NJ. was probablv in
centre, and Heath on the left. The enemv
formed in the woods, placed their artillery in
position, and opened heavy cannonading last
ing fifteen minutes, when they assaulted Miles,
force He resisted tenaciously; but the enemy
broke his left. Some of Gibbons troops were
hurried over to repair the damage, and
the enemy gained a slight foothold.
They soon attempted on our extreme left.
and drove Gibbons division from his line
Ills men had been much wearied in marching
over to Gen. Miles and back during the repeat
ed assaults. Gen. Gibbons succeeded in form
ing strong line, and the enemy, pressing on
with great enthusiasm, were checked by dis
died handsomely. Miles regained the best of
his intrenchments, distinguishing himself All
had to work In such small parties as could be
rallied and formed by his staff and officers.
The fighting was continuous till dark, the en-
envy being held In check by artillery dismount-
ed cavalry and skirmishers. At dark we with
drew for the reasons stated. - ~
The Chief of Artillery reports that he Lost
about 250 horses.
The enemy made no advance ND to late
hour last night, holding, as far as could be
seen, some of our captured guns, with their
skirmishing line. They must have suffered
heavily My own loss, including cavalry, will
not exceed 200 or ], 500. This is surmise, "a
the command is not reOrganized.
Can't. RrOWnsOn IF INV otofY moe ,,,<,x~lvx,
wounded, dying through the night. Colonel
Walter is missing,
This is acknowledged to have been one of
the most determined and desperate fights of
the war, resembling Spottsylvania in charac.
ter, though the numbers engaged gives less
importance to it. few more good troops
would haye.given victory of considerable i'm
pOrtance. =
forward this A. NJ. prisoners from the field
from Wilcox's and Heathls divisions. Major
Angel, OF my staff, saw and conversed with
Two prisoners OF Mahone's division. Mahones
division, with the exception of one brigade,
was there w. S. HANCOCK, Maj. Gen.
The following is just received: fe
SECOND CORPs 1890 T.. NJ, Aug. 26.
safeguard that was left on the battlefield
renamed there until after daylight this morn.
ing, At'1nat time the enemy had all disap-
peared, leaving their dead on the field mn.
buried. This shows how severely thew were
punished, and doubtless. hearing of the arrival
OF relnforcements, they feared results TODAY if
they remained. G. G. MEADE, Maj. Gen.
The following was received from the Cd
Army Corps, P. M, Goth:
To Lieut.. Gen. Grant:
SINCE sending nv last dispatch have con-
yersed with the safe guard referred to- They
did not leave the field until after sunrise. At
this time nearly all the enemy had left-toward
their dead but their wounded: also he con.
versed with an officer who said their losses
were greater than ever before during the war.
The guard was over the field, and says it wos
covered with the enemy's dead and wounded.
ne mas seen a great many battle fields, but
never saw such sight. Nearly all of the en-
emy's and all our dead were unburied,
!! have instructed General Gregg to make an
effort to send O party to the field and bury our
dead. G. G. MEADE, Major General