The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1864-08-29
THE VICTORY AT PETERSBURG


We have the particulars Of the victory near Pc
tersburg, Thursday evening. 1t appears that Cen
cral Lee, having aseertainea that the enemy was
moving his infantry from the front down the rail-
road for the purpose of tearing up the track deter
mined to make counter movements to check them.
Accordingly, on Wednesday night, Lieutenant
General A. p. Hill moved from his position south O
the city, and marching down the county roads, en-
camped III the vicinity of Reams's static les
from Petersburg, and on Thursday got hi. COM
mand in position for action when the proper mo-
ment should arrive. The Express says:
The enemy had erected strong line Of works on
the road about mile this side of Reams' station.
brigade of cavalry, under command of the noto-
rious Spear, were found engaged in tearing up the
railroad track three four miles beyond ReaIns's
with heavy support of infantry in convenient dis
tance. About O'Clock A. M, General Hampton
swooped down upon this cavalry force and gaanty
charging them, drove them from their work of de-
struction, and pressed them back behind their in
ttntry support in great confusion. Dismounting
his men, General Hampton formed his line and at
tackled the infantry. The fight here very sharp
but gradually and steadily he gained ground and
pushed the enemy back until they reached their
breastwo1ks this side of Reams's capturing in the
meantime about eight hundred prisoners Having
thus accomplished his full share of the work, the
fight ceased until infantry could be brought into
action.
| reached position on the eHemys flank, attacked
their works, behind which large force of infantry
was massei, and upon which bristled a heavy line
Of cannon. Our troops moved forward in beautiful
order to the attack but before reaching the works
We're checked by the terrible fire of grape, canister
and musketry poured into their ranks. Such was
the severity of the firing that temporary ialtering
was visible, but there retreat The assault
ing column threw themselves upon the ground until
the supports came up when, with yell, they arose
and advanced upon the enemy. The cannon and
musketry firing from the enemvs works was if pos
sible. now increased; but their desperation avaed
| them not without check faltcling, men
| charged up to and over the works. Nearly if not
quite two thousand prisoners, belonging to Han
| cocks lSecond) corps, were captured. with nine
| pieces of artillery.
| The Yankees who not captured in the as
sault fled i'll great confusion dropping their guns,
| and many of them throwing away everything that
| at all cncumbercd them. Colonel Pcgram of Rich
| mond commanding a battery Of artillery, turned
| the captured guns upon the flying enemy with
most excellent effect, greatly assisting their speed
an1 terror. The enemy scattered III oVery dIec-
ton, but our forces unable to purse in conse-
qucnoe Of tho atent6s Of the hour and the near ap-
proach of night
| The captured guns are of the Napoleon pattern,
| beautifully finished and intact They are just such
gInH are needed IN our army, and their acqusi-
tion will prove Of no small benefit. very large
amount of personal plumber fell INTO the hands Of
our brave troops. and each and all Of then secured
something of value. Gold and silver watches, fine
oil cloths large of grcrnbIckS, stationery, and
| everH imaginable kind OF Yankee NOTION, te! to
| their lot.
The battle here ended with the above results and
the enemy i'll full and disurlered retreat towards
their main position at the yellow Tavern. Two oI
three hours more of daylight might have brought
| about still greater change Ill the aspect of al
/ fairs
| We may be permitted to contradict a report which
reached the city yesterday regarding the behavior
! Of a portion of infantry force. 1t was stated
that several bigadcs OF the .ssutins column failed
to DO their duty iii the charge, aud threw them
Selves upon the ground, while others We're compelled
| to charge them. The affair grossly mis-
represented. The leading troops IN the charge we've
temporarily checked by the severity Of the fire from
the encInys works and at the moment threw them
selves to the ground to prevent great destluC-
/ ton OF life. When the supports up they i'm
.Ineliatcly and charged on with them. The
/ infantry behaved throughout in the most gallant
| manner. Our loss for the fighting done, was very
small, and one thousand Will probably cover it
| Many OF the wounded are but slightly hurt. We
| could hear Of the loss of general officer.
| Up to dark last evening, about two thousand
prisoners had been brought In among them about
/ one hundred commissioned officers, from colonel
down. Colonel Cutler acting bligadier-gencr,l, i.
among the captured. The number of prisoners will
| reach over twenty-five hundred The enemy's los
/ is unknown but believed to have been severe. Han
cocks corps engaged III the battle, and probably
other infantry troops, besides cavalry.
The loss of this corps on Thursday could not hay,
been less than five thousand aud When hs Ihsea It a
into consideration, with tho E'.''nnn nearly ruined
Sustained il NAV safely be said 1t - fei III
u
fight was too rapid to admit Of being oveTtaken.
| Tho Weldon railroad has been torn up to poln
| four miles beyond Reams's station, and the wori
| pretty effectually accomplished This road ha
provGdia ve,itaple trap to the unfortunate ankea
| C-nting the raiders captured on ITS line nom WI
SON the enemy has lost 900 prisoners IN attempt
| ing to hold and destroy it. They have probably
| lost as many more in killed and wounded. 1t vii
vet prove their greatest disaster. We still hold tn
works captured from the enemy, and We predict tina
| our men will not be easily driven from them a
| the Yankees were. From an officer who examIne'
them, We lean that they are very strong and YER
| fay0rably situated. a.,
There were only two casualties in the Twelft
| Virginia regiment viz Sergeant j. X. Bell, com
| pany {, killed; and private J. W Marsh, Compah
| l, wounded.
| The conduct of our cavalry III the buttle nca
Reams's station deserves especial distinction The
| commenced the action early Ill the morning by
charge, i'll which Spears squadrons We're ,t5,ttete
| and cn1npellrd to seek refuge behind Hancock II
flntry This famous corps iIampton's cavalry pr'
| pared to engage without hesitation. DlsInountlnE
| they rushed upon the enemy, and despite the at
vantage of his position. pushed him steadily unt
| he found shelter in his works. Then awaiting Hill
| attack on the flank, they again move forward
| concert with the infantry, and by their combine
| assault easily drove the enemy from his stronghol'
Throughout this engagement the cavalry eXflDltt
the greatest gallantry. 1t Is hard TO dStlneuis
| among such uniformity Of merit; but We unde
stand special applause elected by the super
, bearing Of the regiments of Colonel Beale MINT
| Virginia. and OF Colonel Roberts Second Mort
| Carolina).
General Hampton again attented his pre-eliniiel
; qualification for the command OF our cavalry.
I Seven stands of colors were captured IN the ei