Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1864-06-21
8p Gelegrap5.
From the Army of the Potomac
Mora FIGHTING.

EoIomac, near Petersburg, Friday morning
the 18th, says, we are again in front of the
entire rebel army, which has been engaged
by our advance of the and and 18th corps,
and important captures of guns, prisoners
and positions have been accomplished.-
The 2ud, 9th and 18th corps are in line of
battle and on the arrival of the balance of
the troops, disposition will be made for
the hnal assault upon the enemy's work.
Since Tuesday night, when the advance of
the 18th corps arrived in the vicinity of
town, our lines have been pushed steadily
forward. Several strong positions have
been Wrested by charges from the enemy,
and we have taken 1s guns and several
hundred prisoners. Our advance is within
half a mile of Petersburg, which is in full
view almost of our entire line Prisoners
state that portions Of Lees army com
menced arriving at Petersburg on Wed
nesday night, only few hours after the
arrival of Hancock with the 2ud corps,
and that Wise's brigade, commanded by
wise IN person, held the town until that
time. City Point railroad is now in our
possession and the Norfolk and Peters
line commanded by our troops. The 18th
corps, which landed at Bermuda Hundred
this day, now led the advance crossing the
APPomattox on Poltoons, laid 4 miles
above its mouth aud penetrating to the
southwark up to within about miles of
town before encountering any opposition.
Here skirmishing commenced, and our
advance steadily pushing forward drove
back the picksts of the enemy, who took
position of their outer defences. These
defences were Immediately charged BY
Kinks negro division with most splendid
gsllantry, the enemy put to fight and two
guns and considerable number of pris-
oners captured. The works were held
aGtl the arrival Of Hancock at 81 P. NJ.
Wednesday.
On the arrival of Hancock, in the even.
Ing, reconnaissance for the purpose NJ
ascertaining our exact position was made.
and considerable skirmishing eusued. Onlv
two divisions, Birney's and Gibbon's.
reached the field Wednesday night. Bar.
low, who pursued another road, bringing
up the rear and coming up at 8 O'Clock
yesterday Thursday morning, The di.
visions of Birney and Gibbons deploved in
line of battle, when their proximity to the
rebels was discovered, and our troons
biVouacked on the field, Birney occupyine
the left of our line and Gibbons the right.
% BarloW's arrival he was ordered into
position on the left.
Between6 and o'clock yesterday morn
ing the enemy began heavy artillery fire on
our llne enhladlng 1t with batteries posted
our left, and ordering an advance or ocon-
patton posted in the rear immediatelv ma.
cessary. Accordingly the advance Of the
"a and 18th corps was ordered by Haucock.
who In the absence Of Meade took commend
OF notn corps. The result was highly suc.
cesstnl, several lines of the rebel works be-
ing carried at the point of the bayonet, and
a number of redoubts of great strength &C.
cupled. Sixteen guns were taken and turn.
ed upon the enemy by the 18th CORPS.
Col. Egan's brigade, Birney's division.
led the charge of the I'D corps, and gallant.
~ drove the enemy from his works, can.
turing at the same time two formidable
redoubts, and with DWight's and Gilis'
batteries, completely silenced the rebel ar
ullery on our left. The works were held
until aoout O'Clock p. M, when disposi.
tons for final charge upon the enemy
we're made. It was at this time that NoI
Eagan was severely if not seriously wound.
ed in the spine, and the attack was tenn.
porarily postponed. At six O'Clock last
night however another charge was made
by the I'd corps and an advanced position
assumed and maintained. The line thus
occupied was at once rendered secure by
the Immediate construction of earthworks.
AT this time it is impossible to ascer-
tain the extent of our losses, but it is sup
posed that 1900 will probably cover the
total casualties.
1t is to be regretted that our advance
was not pushed forward on Wednesday af-
ternoon' as prisoners concur in the state.
ment that Wise's brigade alone held the
town until late in the evening. when T,ee,s
troops commenced arriving. Portions of
his army marched from Malvern Hin.
crossing the James river on pontoon
bridges above Fort Darling, while manv
were despatched by the Petersburgh rail-
road.
Our line, as DOW formed, faces the city
from the east and south, partially encif.
cling 1t, and extends across the CITY Point
Railroad southwark TO the vicinity of the
Petersburg and Norfolk railroad.
Burnside holds theleft of our line, Han.
cock on his left, and Smith on the right.
me remainder Of the troops will srrive to-
Day and be assigned TO their positions.
No one doubts that Lee will defend Pc.
terseprg. Our troops, nevertheless, are
confident of final success.
HEADQUARTERS, NEAR PETERSBURG, June
As.-Contrary to expectation, no general
engagement occurred yesterday, although
the fighting on our left at times was very
heavy. 's'
Early in the morning, the 9th and I'd
corps, forming the left of our line, were
considerably advanced, where for short
time the lighting was exceedingly severe.
The result of the battle, though not deci
siVe, was favorable. Four additional guns
were captured by the I'd corps in their
charge, making a total of 20 guns. The
whole line was materially advanced.
NEW YoRK, June 2O.-The Times speciaI
from Headquarters of the Army of the Po-
tomac, Of the 18th, says Birney's division
OF the I'd corps occupied line within q
900 yards of the city, and threw few
shells into Petersburg, firing several
WAsHIzeTOH, June 2O.-A dispatch from
Headquarters Army Of the Potomac. lstb.
says there was very severe fighting yester.
day along the grantar nart Of ~ M