Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1864-06-23
BEFORE PETERSBURG.
Terrible and Indeclsive Bat
ties Friday and Saturday.
"Details of the Fighting.
Especial Dispatches 70 The World. !

was gained on any part of the line till dark
when Ledlie's division were ordered to ad-
vance and take a line of works running
along the edge of a piece of woods on the
left Of the Second corps, and which the en-
emy had held against repeated efforts TO
disiodge them. Atsix o'clock General Led
lie got his division in line, advanced them
through ravine under cover OF his batter
les, and on reaching the edge OF the
| field, at the opposite side of which the enc
j nv were strongly fortified, he addressed q
few words to his men, telling them he de-
sired them to take the works. With shout
In response to the order to charge, the men
rushed madly across the field-a distance OF
! two hundred and fifty yards-under an en-
filading fire from batteries each side, and
never halted until the position was gained
and the rebels driven to another line, some
| two hundred yards further back. SeVeral
attempts were made by them to retake the
ground lost, but they were received Win
such volleys from our men Dehlnd tne
works taken as TO drive them back
in confusion each time, and with a
heavy loss. Their dead and wound
ed this morning lay in piles In the
| ditch and on the ground over which they
had retreated. About three hundred pris-
oners were taken at this point. Our loss
was about twelve hundred in the division,
while that of the enemy was full as many,
| II not more. Major Hedges, of the Four
teenth New York artillery, was killed while
leading his men in the charge. The Colonel
and Major of the 10th New York were
wounded also. Colonel Reynolds, OF the
14th New York artillery, wounded and
taken prisoner. Colonel Marshall, COM
manding Third brigade, was wounded by
the conclusion of shell. Lieutenant Nc
Kibben, of General Ledlie's staff, was
wounded in neck, while delivering orders.
The position thus gained was such an ad-
vantageous one as to cause the enemy to
eyacuate the rest of the line this morning
and occupy new one, which they had
strengthened duringthe night. The loss in
this division was at least one thousand, in
cluding a large number of officers. The
losses In the two other divisions will not be
quite as heavy as in the Third.
On the right General Martindale's divis-
ion advanced its line somewhat, capturing
a few prisoners, its losses being light. Gen.
Warren on the left also advanced his line,
and his left now reaches the Norfolk and
Petersburg railroad. His loss has not been
heavy.
General Hancock has been indisposed to-
day, and General Birney has been in COM
mand of the Second corps. General Han
cocks illness Is not supposed to be serious,
and it is expected that he will resume COM
mand in day or two.
About two hundred prisoners came in to-
night, all from Beauregard's army. a
1t is not positively known whether Lee
is in front of us or not. The lines of the
enemy are around Petersburg, both flanks
resting on the rivers, with the strongest kind
of earthworks in front. They evidently
calculate to resist our advance here to the
last extremity.
Whether Lee is in command or planning
a move in some other direction remains
mystery. Our base of supplies is now at
City Point, and the army lacks nothing in
this respect. General Ingalls, is appointed
chief quartermaster, to be stationed at City
Point to take charge of all supplies and
transportation for the armies in this neigh
borhood.
MORE CONCERNING THE FIGHT ON SATURDAY.
In THE FIELD, BEFORE PETERsBURG.l
June 1S.
Our entire line has been quite briskly en-
gagged to-day, consequent upon an endeavor
on our part to advance our position. The
movement as a general thing proved very
successful, both our right and left gaming
ground. Gen. Martindale, who commanded 2
our right, had body composed mostly of
detachments from some of the other army
corps, besides large number of colored
troops. At their first charge our right
drove the enemy from an elevated position,
which they had intrenched, well to the rear.
The enemy, however, soon after attacked his
center, as it would seem, and forced it back,
thus causing the entire line to recede to
prevent being broken. Their success was
only temporary, however, for our men,
again dashing on them, forced them to re-
tire the second time. Many other charges
made during the day proved always sue
cessful. Gen. Martindale's loss will not
probably exceed six hundred. a. ID
The Sixth corps, or rather portion of it,
having arrived the night previous, held po-
sition on the left of Gen. Martindale. The
remainder of the line is pretty much in its
original order. the Second corps in the CEN
ter and the Ninth on the left. Here also
our troops succeeded in advancing their
position. the lett of the corps moving ahead
the most rapidly, giving the line crescent
form.
The fighting was kept up until pretty
nearly nightiall, our guns keeping up a fire
At intervals for some time afterward. The
other corps, which have not spoken OF,
held their positions, only they did notmake
any advance.
June 1s.-A species of desultory warfare
Is being kept up between our troops and
the ''rebs." Yesterday morning, quite early,
the Second and Ninth corps made 4 dash,
and succeeded in establishing their line far
in advance of their former position. The
struggle was desperate and sanguinary.-
The Second corps succeeded in capturing
four more of the enemy's guns, lighttwelve-
Founders. Toward noon Burnside made
another attack, with view of obtaining
possession of a hill in his front; but was
repulsed, and did not again renew the at
tack. During the earlier attack Generals
Birney and Barlow forced their divisions
to within $500 yards of Petersburg and
still retain their positions. The enemy
made Q desperate effort, about o'clock this
evening, to regain the ground lost during
the day, but failed to disturb our line in the
least, excepting on the left of Burnside,
where they did gain slight advantage
Their attack on Barlow and Birney failed
in its object, although prolonged for nearly
three hours. As write, the pickets appear
to be exchanging shots without any
premeditated advance, however, by either
party. The trains on the Petersburg and
Richmond railroad appear to be very busy.
We can hear them plainly from where / sit.
Our wounded are being well cared for; the
Christian and Sanitary Commissions both
being very active.