Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1864-08-26

of the former, capturing large number Of
prisoners.
This part Of our line was forced back some
distance, when the 9th corps, which had been
relieved the night previous oy part OF the I'd
corps, came on the field and opened Gre, check
/ ing the advance of the rebels and taking few
prisoners.
heavy column Of rebels at the same time
charged on the left Of our line west Of the
railroad held by tho I'd division. Gen. Ayres,
which they broke, and here they also took
500 to 600 prisoners. Gen. Hayes is believ-
ed to be prisoner, as his body o1nnot be
found
/ Our whole line was thus forced back. with
a heavy loss in killed and wounded. The
enemy, however, suffered worse than we did,
as his men were lying thick all over the field.
Before dark our men we're reformed, and
being reinforced, desperate charge was
made to recover our lost ground, which was
successfully accomplished, so that we held at
night the line which had been taken from us
in the afternoon.
Col. ,rle is reported TO be prisoner. also
Col. Hartshorn. Gen. Crawford was shot
through his vest and narrowly escaped cap
ture. Lieut.. Clark, Of hs staff, was shot in
the arm. Capt Smith was prisoner for a
while, but made his escape. Capt. Doolttle,
Of Wheelook's staff, was ordered to surrender,
when getting furious at an epithet applied to
him, he seized musket and byoneted the
rebel against tree.
Colonel Wheelock's brigade Of the Sd divi-
sion was thanked, when they faced to the rear,
charged and drove the rebels, taking many
prisoners.
The number Of prisoners captured by US
UNA nit 81
Our loss is estimated at 5000.
Nothing but skirmishiug took place along
the lines to-day. both parties being busy en-
trenching. a battle is looked for at any mo-
ment. as the enemy seem determined TO re-
gain possession of the road, while our forces
are as determined to hold it.
The prisoners belong principally to Beau.
regards corps.
BALTIMORE, Aug. %.
The following is published in the American
Of this morning, the substance of which the
Censor would not permit to be transmitted
last night:
H1rper's Ferry, Aug %. There was an
engagement yesterday, two miles beyond
Charlestown, between the army Of Western
Virginia aud the rebel forces now in the
Shenandoah Valley. The battle commenced
AZ o ~ 1toSht "a hst W u HtdNl Culunu OF
rebel infantry and cavalry attempting to
pierce our front at Summit Point. After
sharp struggle our skrmishers were COM
PEELED to give way. The first division Of
ToIbett's cavalry were engaged, and suffered
severely. Mclntoshs brigade Of that division,
lost nearly 800 but only one officer was seri-
ously injured
The movement was evidently for the pos
qf MAJ for NJ ha 81
the attack was made at Summit Point anoth-
er movement was made against our extreme
left, and the attacking column moved slowly
down towards our right, tnen suddenly a new
body of rebels appeared in front of our light.
the 9Th corps. A short, but determined bat
tie took place J he 9Th, Sth and 9th corps
formed in line Of battle, from right to left
The 9th corps bore the brunt of the engage
ment. The % division lost heavily There
were from go to 70 killed and missing, and
800 wounded.
The loss Of the rebels ia fully as great.
Among the wounded in the 9th corps are the
following lit. Col. Chamberln, LIST VI,
II. Cot Hall. Mai. DwioeH Capi SAWYER. LIST
W., Lieut.. Chas. c. Morey, % Vt.
Our right drove the enemy over a mile, and
then fell back to the old line. holding it until
10 o'clock, when our entire army retired to
Halltown, where new line of battle was
formed, to the first range Of hills in the i'm
mediate vicinity Of that place The 9Th corps
was only partially engaged, and lost but few
men
The left, consisting of the 10Th corps, was
not engaged. Our entire line extended from
the Berryville Pike on the left, to the Smith
field Pike on the right. Our cavalry, after
the enemy shifted their front from our left o
our right, retired down the Berryville Pike,
passing through Charlestown, bivouecked at
the right Of that town
All last night troops were passing Charles
town, in the direction Of Hallown. The cav
airy were left in ftont of Charlestown
At sunrise the entire cavalry moved, and
took up their position by the 5th add sth
corps As ! rode away en- route Tor 6he ferry,
a sharp continuous diminishing fire broke
out, which lasted till o'clock, when it sud
denly slackened, and before | left Haltown,
had entirely ceased Our cavalry had orders
to push through to Martinsburg, and the in
fantry were busy pitching impromptu camps
along their line Of battle, awaiting the result.
Rumors are afoat that the rebels are cross
ing the Potomac at Martinsburg. Large
numbers Of loyal citizens have been endeavor-
ing to reach places of safety further north,
fearing the total abandonment of the Valley.
HEADoUARTERs ARMY OF THE PoroMAo,
Aug. 2l-eveuing.
This morning the enemy made a vigorous
attack on the 9th Corps on the left of the
Weldon R"ilroad at the same place where
they were partially successful on Friday.
but to-day they met with different recep-
ton. Our line was formed about the same
as on that day, the right Of the new line con- |
Meeting with the left of the old line near the
Jerusalem plank road. During Saturday our
men strengthened the breastworks besides |
throwing up other en- esehelon. Early this |
morning very heavy cannonading was opened .
from the enemy's works towards Peters burg. /
Our guns replied biskly, neither party how
ever, doing particular damage. About A. /
NJ, a small force was seen moving as if to
make an attack on the Och corps, but a few
well directed shots sent them out of sight. /
Shortly afterwards strong column of rebels /
emerged from the woods on the left of the
railroad, and forming in line charged on what
they believed TO be our LETT flank, but which
proved to be the left flank of Ayres' front
line. The rebels advanced in fine style and
with the utmost confidence, evidently think
ing the work before them an easy piece of
business, but what was their Aurnriae on dia-