The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1864-06-28
Army Intelligence.
FROM THE PETERsBvRG FRONT.

FROM THE PETERSBURG FRONT.
All the indications from the front point
to a.great battle, which cannot be DELAYED
much longer. That it will be one Of the
most important and probably deeisiss bat.
Ties Of the war, may be readily imagined,
since Grant is fighting now for what he
considers the key to Richmond, and our
noble army for Its very existence and tho
safety Of tn. republic. The lines of both
armies now confronting each other almost
within full view Of this devoted city have
been contracted, and are so closely drawn
to each other that the slightest movement
may bring on general engagement.
Early yesterday morning, it was apparent
that Grant was massing his troops on eur
LETT, and this appearance later in the day
gave place to certainty. lie intends to hurl
his strength against That portion Of our
l'ne', and by force OF overwhelming num.
bers break through and overpow.r our
troops. lie has tried this experimen nj in
Spo.t-ylvania, at Cold fIsrbor and else.
where, to hi, cost, and he may be as sig.
naily repulsed here. lie has no room TO
manGuvre his vast army-sll Of which, it 10
believed, il now in front OF Petersburg-
and must fight ut once or retire. That he
will fight, his movements Jesterdny leave
no room to doubt
The enemy's forces who lately occupied
the Bermuda Hundred Peninsula, or have
recently landed there, have been transfer.
red to the South side Of the AppomsttoI.
This was done or Saturday night and yes
terdAy morning, and With his army com
p'els, Grant now confidently confronts us.
Another day may tell the tale Of this mon
strous expedition. May God aid aud de.
frnd the righteous cause
or course, there is some excitemsnt and
feeling in the city. Entire calmne.s and
indifference cOu.d not bs expected " ~hsn
such mighty host. are marshalled SO near
us, and when such mighty issues are al
stake. But there is feeling perrading the
community so strongly confident in our
suscess that Grant, with all his mighty ar
my at our gates, cannot qusll il.
The enemy made several fierce and de.
terminod assaults on our lines, at points
extending from our right to-our left, on
Saturday, all Of which " ere handsomely
and sgnnlly repulssd. In each instance,
his !oicss were advanced against our breast
works in columns of from four 10 six deep
but were with such steadiness and severity
Of fire from our batteries and infantry, that
before reaching .hs goal OF their ambition,
they were compelled 10 fly prrcipi,a,ely and
in great confusion. Time and again their
charge was repeated. aud with like sue.
cess.
From all sources, our information IL that
the ensmy's loss in these assaults was very
severe. They advanced acr oss fields some
OF them several hundred yards in width
IN which they were fully exposed to the
play OF our artillery. which WAS bsau,i fully
and most accurately served, and TO the FIRE
of our infantry, which 10 now rendered ever
sure. We state it. from oiHcerY aud men
10 the hght. and from Witnesses of the bat.
hsld-and Ne may almost say officially
that that Yankee loss was very heavy.
The bodies Of their slain strew the fields
from side TO side. and the nearer our breast.
works the assaulting cslunns came, the
thicker tho bodies lie. Within tho last few
days, the army OF Gen. Grant has been do
plsted by many Thousands how many, no.
hnh l.nt A
ment will ever know. On the contrary, our
iossss have been extremely light. 1t is tic
remark Of both officers and men, that 40
little lSss Of life and 50 few wounded were
never before known IN such q series Of en-
gngemsDis. Our hospitals testify aLun.
dnntly to the truth Of this assertion. An
o'erruling Providence seems 10 smile upon
our army aud protect il from harm.
Operations yesterday were confined main.
Iy to heavy skirmishing, picket firing ard
sharp shooiing. A. on Sntosdsy, the ~ne.
my attempted once or twice 10 force our
lines on TAylor's farm, but met with
harsh repulse. Taylor's farm was the
scene Of the most active hos,ilities be. on
yesterday and Saturday, and is the resting
place Of hundreds Of the Mortimer. Il 10
situated on the Baxter Road, near the ripA,
Of eur lines Petsrsburx E<press, 2oM.
rHg siTUATIos AT LYNcHsuaG,
The great anxiety that has been felt for
Lynehburg was agreoably relieved last
night by the following official despatch,
announcing the sudden aud rapid retreat Of
the enemy:
PErxEssuNe, Jane is.-Issnorab,e .s...