The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1864-08-29
HEADQUARTERS, MIDDLE MnTARv DIVISION,
Aurust 1I-Q A N.

Wells brigade Of Thoburns dvs0n from tho eit VI
line to reconnore the enemy position and ascertain
II they had any force OF Importance stationed 10 ba
front Our men advanced line battle, with hsavy
skirmsh line n front, and engaged the enemy d
skirmshers who rapidly their reserves,
stasioned . distance In the Of the skirmsh
| line.
Our men advanced boldly and rapidly until they camo
within i've hundred yards OF the enemys line, drawn uu
them, who opened heavy nre Of musketry,
which lasted nearly twenty minutes, whom the enemy
broke and ran under cover OF a battery OF artillery,
which had the meantime been brought up and placed
OF the works exactly the position where
they had battery last thursday, when made a
liar reconnaissance.
After the enemy had broken and rereatcd which they
did great disorder OF them throwing down theif
TO expedite their escape, Colonel Lowell, OF ina
second Massachusetts,, dashed In with his renimen n
cavalry, and charging the open ned, killed and
wounded quite a number, and succeeded capturing
sixty prisonersamoug them lieutenant colonel
and tive other officers Of lesser grade
AS soon as the onemy retired under Of his
artillery, and in close proximity TO his carthworkss
which extend the Chsrlesown road, their bat
terry opened line with great fury, thuuderiug
away rapidly, but with effect whatever. The shots
fired at random, and most OF the shells fell shors
0 exploded over the heads OF our mon.
Colonel Wells having obtained the information desired,
and accomplished the object of the recounoissancs,
quietly withdrew nis command takngon the killed and
wounded, which will not exceed one hundred.
The Fifth New York heavy artillery, at present serv-
ing infantry conspicuous for gaantry. u they
had not beeo recalled they charged clear up
TO the enemy's earthworgs
Among tho wounded regret TO Major Casper
Urban brave and distinguished olcer. He struck
on the shoulder by spent ball
After our men had recalled the enemy continued
to shell us with their battery, ana were replied TO by
Battery D. Of tho Fifth United states artillery. com.
manded by Captain Dupont The artillery duel lasted haS
an hour, when the enemy's battery withdreT.
some cornslacks situated in the or the enemya
skirmsh iuo behind which they have been 10 the hsb(
OF secreng themselves sci Ore by the expIoso
OF one OF our shes, and burned TO the ground
The reconnaissance progress on the left devst
lops the fact that tho enemy have Withdrawn their
forces 10 our immediate front aud evacuated their earth
works II Is rumored that they moving in the dheo4
lion o. shepherdstovn.
Enaton received yesterday evening hero thaA
General Averill had spirited fight at WIiamsport with
Two regiments Of rebel cavalry and some Infantry which
had attempted shat place. During the early
part OF the engagement General Aver 10 General
Cus,er for distance but afterwards sent word thas
he had a sufficient force, and had driven back tho
enemy.
You may look FOR the resumption OF active operations
in this department mined isely and, unless very
much Mistaken we will have tho long looked for baltic
early In the com ing week.