Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1864-10-31
FROM GRANTS ARMY.

below Petersburg.
On the 9th, on approaching Thateher's
Run, General Egers' division of infantry
found the enemy posted on the other side
in line of breastworks. His command was
deplOyed in line of battle, and Smyth's
brigade crossed, carrying the breastworks
on the other side. The only officer lost
was Colonel Spalter of the 4th Ohio, who
was shot through the head. The other for
ces then crossed and advanced. On reach
ing point near the junction of the Boys
town and Quaker Roads, the troops, being
deployed on the open plain, the enemy
opened upon them with artillery from the
right and left, but their batteries were
soon silenced.
On our right, General Crawford, of the
| 5th corps, at tho same time was engaged
sharply.
About P. NJ. the enemy attacked in
force in front and on the right, the object
being to break through between the right
of Hancock's corps and the left Of War
ren's. The assault was repulsed, and we
captured 500 or COO prisoners.
The advance of the enemy was so sud
den that Becks battery was captured, but
wss subsequently retaken by the exertions
of Lieutenant Colonel Smith, Chief Of
| Commissary on HRncocks STAFF, and by
the aid of some detschments Of the LIST
Maine and the 1st Maine heavy artillery
At the same time Major Mitchell, the
Generals Senior Aid, recaptured number
Of our prisoners, also securing 300 of the
enemy, The enemy also made IN assault
at the same time on our left and rear
which was handsomely repulsed.
AoI % -
800.
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF POTOMAC,
81 aE- Oct. 20.
The late movement of this army has
succeeded in extending their lines to
Thatcher's Run on the Duncan road, an
advance of about 3 miles beyond our for
mer position on the left. 81. .-.
On the discovery of the exact position of
the enemy's lines, snd the works erected
for their defense, ss well as a more COM
plete knowledge Of the country between
us and the South Side of the railroad,
it was not believed that the enemy had
any very strong works in this direction and
by taking them by surprise, they could
be easily driven into their lines at Peters
burg. But to the surprise of all, not only
were the enemy found eDtrenehed on both
sides of the Boyton plank road, but that
they had strong works on both sides Of the
run, extending several miles.
The Second Corps in the charge on the
plank road, drove the enemy from their
works on the South side of the run, and
across the bridge, of which they held pos
session, until ordered to withdraw.
On the advance Of the Fifth Corps, they
II Il J. -.
The enemy took advantage of this, mas
| sing in the wood under cover and made a
most determined ASSAULT on the right of
the second division of the third corps evi-
IDENTIFY with the intention cf capturing the
entire force.
On the right their charge for very short
time was success but our men rallied,
charged in turn, and driving the enemy
back, cut off the greatest part of Ander-
sons brigade of Hills corps.
The number of prisoners thus taken
was about 400 including many officers.
Meanwhile the 5th corps reached the
enemys front and immedirtely became en-
gagged
The loss here was not so heavy as in the
Second Corps. Darkness approaching,
and it being deemed unsafe to occupy SO
extended line, with strong works in front
and exposed to flank attack from cavalry,
orders were issued to Withdraw about two
miles, which was done without loss.
During the engagement, the enemy took
from us two guns, but before they could
be removed, our men charged and recap
tured them. ,
The loss Of the enemy could not be as
certained, but is about as many as our own
in killed and wounded. Their loss in pris-
oners is much larger than ours. We took
about five hundred altogether during the
day.
General Grant and staff were present
during the entire day, and iu company
with General Meade, witnessed the various
movements. .....
During Thursday night the rebels made
an assault on our works south of where
the mine was sorung, but were driven back
y ;th considerable loss. . -ar
Near the same place party from the
LIST division of the I'd corps made dash on
r.beI fort, capturing it, taking Colonel,
Major, Captain and Lieutenant, with
/, 90 men, and bringing of two guns.
Our picket line was advanced here for
,oD,@ distance, and our men still hold their
new & found
The nan srs contain very little in addition
70 what has been telegraphed in reference
To Grants rec mt movement.
The HsraLcl's City Point special OF the
2Sth says:
His intentioa was 70 turn the enemy
aank. but his ca valry was found to extend
some distance, in that direction, beyond
the line of marcl1 of the End corps
It was completely cut IN LWo Oy 'ne
sudden appearance OF our infantry. en-
back on their infant ~, while the others
we're compelled to beat hasty retrest IN
an oppsite direction a.qd make vide de-
tours to avoid our sd vAnong column 70
reioin its main command. CONSIDERABLE
skirmishing ensued at { ne crossing OF
Thatchers Creek, but no d, ,atentlon occur
red Hampton was surprise q, and part oil
his wagon train fell into our h.Uds:
We arrived twenty minutes e.Hrher Ihan
we should have had. The whole Of 1t was
a part of the plan not to attack any strong
ly entrenehed position. 80
The expedition psrtook more of the
character of reconnaissance in force by
Hancocks's corps and change of extension
of cur lines than of real movement
for the reduction Of any particular posi-
ton. .,.
During the rain last night we coTIld hear
trains on the South Side Railroad whence
Lit is inferred that the enemy were rein
forcing during the night to oppose oul
further advance. r,r -
/ The whole movement IS summed up N
one general statement. After moving ou'