The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1864-08-30
Battle near Petersburg.
The Enemy d,jeated and oper nco thousand
prisoners captured from him.


prisoners captured from him.
From the Petersburg Express Of Saturday.
In the engagement on Thursday after.
noon on Davis Farm, tw o and n half miles
south OF the city, the enemy was driven
back from his advanced position on the
Weldon Railroad, for the distance Of nearly
one mlle. A severe chastisement was in.
tGcted upon the foe, and hundreds Of his
killed and wounded fell into our hands
Night closed further operations, and the
enemy Ieuaped IL possession of the rail
road.
This occupation OF one Of our main liues
Of communication with the South MAS, of
course, pot To be permitted without ar sf
fort to dislodgs the enemy. Accordingly,
all arrangements having been completed,
Gen. a. l.. Hill, commanding Mahone's and
Heih's divisions, attacked them between
the hours Of three and four o'clock Friday
| morning Gen. Mahone commanded the
troops 10 the left OF the railroad, and Cen
lieth those 10 the right. The attack was
opened by MahOne, aud was speedily res.
popded TO by fleth on the right, and the
battle ragged fun r,usy.
On the right. Gen. feih, with the Ralan,
brigades Of his Division Davis, WaIkvr's
aud Archers-struck the enemy's pickst
line in the corn.teld short d,stanc. bey.
ond Davis residence. These were quickly
forced back upon the tirst line uf bseast
works, held by II formidable force. With q
cheer the Confederate troops bounded for
ward and swept over all obstruction, rresa-
ing tie Yankees back " ith severe loss into
their second lire. aud charging onward
forced them thence with an equal lack Of
ceremony. Beaten from their works and
defeated in their every effort 10 retain them
the Yankees rclreuied 10 their main lioe of
enire. chmenis, into which they had been
drhe en on the previous evening. The line
having been greatly gthened, proved
too strong 10 be sIorinsd, and our troops
were checked ia the face Of the slaughter
which threatened u further advance.
In the uisantim., Con. Malone, with
Ciingm CoIquiu's and his owa former
brigade, had struck the right Of the Van
kee lines and captured eight hund..J pris.
oners Pressing forward with his usual
| energy. he drove ihs enemy before hlm,
successfully charging them wherever they
made u sthnd. Finding them strongly ..n.
| treuched, however, in The thick woods op
posiie Davis farm. il was determined 10
disiodgs them by f,nk mo,em.ut.--
Clingman,s and Mahone's cid brigade en
gagged them iu front. while by . circuito ous
| route Coiquiu's (Georgia) brigade war
thrown on their flank. The movement
proved brilliant success, aud caused scarce
ly any loss to our troops
CoiqnitrH men were upon the Yapk oss
almost before ihey were aware Of such
close proximity Vf she rebels, and surreude,
or hgh'ing under fearful 6i,adysaiage was
the Eitsrn<ii,s. Craw!ord's e,ack Yankee
division here fell n helpless victim TO rebel
stra'c 'cgy, aud the greater part Of two brig
AIDES numbering over two tho ussud men
threw down their arms and surrendered
The prisoners were quickly placed under
| guard and sent 10 the rear. where they we're
| formed into line and marched 10 Gen. uili'.
| headquarters.
The battle sill progressed succe.sfuily
| onti' the enemy ~as driven back to the DO.
| siion trom which I've advanced ia the moro
ing. A. dark our lines were close ND To
his works, aud occasionxi voileys Of mu.
kerry showed still farther lighting.
Among the prisoners taken, il Brig
General Hayes, Of Mass, several Colonies.
aud other iisld officers OF less grade. Gen
Hayes WAS bro"ght into town last night
During the engagement we lost nun ber
Of men taken prisoders, but We uad~r.
stand they were afterwards recapiur,d -
rbs success which followed the attack
threw our men into the best OF spirits. and
every solder wore = smile Of satisfaction
upon his countenaaee.
The result 0f tic attask is highly sst,s.
factory 10 tbs officers in command, and /.
viewed 10 the most favorable light. The
enemy has beep materially weakened by
The loss OF Two thousand Of his best troops
taken prisooers. and several thousand
killed aud wosnded. lie IL dsmorslixed by
his defeat, and though he may light hard
yet TO ho'd tbe position he has gained. his
prestige is gone, aud he will not offer the
front he haa shown dufina Iha Ia.i e. "a.