Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1864-08-22

the enemy opened upon our skirmishers. The
"a DIVISION, commanded by General Ayres, was
at that particular moment in state Of transi,
tIon. The hrst battle line was being relieved
by the second. Ayres might become confused.
The first and second lines began to be mixed
into one; The rebels, taking advantage of this
and press our right most vigorously Heath
seemed to concentrate his whole division at
this one point. Our men began to drop here
for both fianks were upon the eve OF being
crushed back, when Colonel Hoffman led up
the I'd brigade Of Cutters division and strength
ensd General Ayrss left which was fast being
The Purnen (Maryland) Legion fired very
opportnne volley into the swarming rebels,
when they were hesitatiDg whether to retreat or
advance. They fell back, suffering q terrible
repulse. sr.. +.ir
Here, at this important moment in the pro-
gress of the battle, General Warren lad his
IN sns ead d fes
his head at the time, Warren would have gone
in the same manner, the way of the heroic
the rifle Of some % yigiIant sharpshooter. ar % Alter
quietly disengaging his feet from the stirrups,
the General coolly ordered his orderly to re-
move the saddle and trappings from the dying
animal. -..-.---
The position, a very advantageous one, is
ours We are strongly entrenched. The rebels
will undoubtedly bring up reinforcennents and
prove futile. We cannot be moved hence.
Our loss is somewhat heavier than at first
reported. No one can tell with any accu-
racV, and forbear giving any persons con-
lectures. u
Two O'Clock, the usual hour for matutinal
practice among our and the rebel cannoniers,
/ was aroused from slumber and forced to lis.
ten to the hideous uproar. Surely they ought
to be satisfied OF our presence. Every time
they fire shot we discharge two cannon and
mortar, and insist upon making the last @ sa-
ored troops, holding the left of the line, came
in for more than their usual share. Thay took
everything good.naturedly, endeavoring to
make return for every such favor received.
Later.
AUGUST 10, 10 p. m-Quiet prevailed till S
O'Clock this afternoon. We made several at
tempts during the day to advance our skir-
mish line, but with very poor success. The
spread out to dry. with each hour came q
fresh shower. Every one was soaked through.
All the fields where the soldiers were en-
camped were in q liquid state, and seemed to
be found upon the face ofno one. Five o'clock
came, and the rain began to shower down
afresh. On the right few shots are exchanged.
Our cavalry are attacked and forced back up
on Wilcox's division OF the 9th corps. The
men seemed glad Of the assault. 1t relieved
them of all thought of discomfort and wretch
edness. With q hurrah they ran to meet the
advancing rebels, giving them a volley which
admonished them to beware Of tcloser ap.
proach. The gaps were soon filled up-eyery
obscure line of Rebels, marching with deter
mined bravery into the jaws OF death. Now
our cannon opened, and the thunder of the
The Union troops hurrahed, and were an
swered by the rebels with one of their long,
peculiar yells. From right to left the fight ex.
tended, until almost every portion of our line
became en- veloped in the smoke of battle. At
every point their fierce assaults were repelled.
In single night our men ad thrown up sub
stantial breastworks. The rebels soon learn ed
this fact. Disheartened and defeated, they
ceased all vain endeavors to repossess them
selves OF the Weldon road. Before dark quiet
relgned. Water rained, too. The roads are in
caissons, horses and mule-everythlng can be
found sticking in the mud, between General
Meade's headquarters and the Yellow House.
r. II. MCBRIDE.
ANOTHER ACCOUNT
second Corps Making an Important Move
ment.
FORTRESS MONROE, Aug. 20-The steamer
John Rice, with 500 troops from Pensacola,
Fla, arrived this morning, and is in quaran-
tine No sickness on board. The troops have
re:enllsted, and are going home to enjoy their
thirty days leave. .. e.s.
The steamer Hudson, from Hilton Head, ar
rived. No news. p
The 5th corps of the Army of the Potomac
had a severe fight with the enemy yesterday,
and succeeded In routing them, and also ad.
vanced and took possession OF the Petersburg
same corps now holds the road.
The lines of our forces on the north side of
James river are unchanged, Notwithstanding
the repeated efforts OF the enemy to displace
them.
The canal is progressing favorably.
The u. S. hospital steamer Monitor arrived
this morning from Deep Bottom, with one hun.
dred an fifty wounded soldiers, tor Hampton
Hospital.
The mail steamer John Brooks has arrived
fY oSv "a n \
corroborate the statement Of our forces taking
possession OF the Weldon IN. CO. railroad yes
terday, and the 5th corps hold it still.
Our position on the north side OF the James
river is not materially changed. The I'd corps
are making an important movement.
Roads Becoming Bad.
lCorrespondence Of the Associated Press.l
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC,
August 90 6 a. m.-Yesterday was the quietest
day we have had in front of Petersburg for
month, scarcely shot being fired the entire
day.
On the Weldon road, where Gen. Warren's
mishlng, with occasional discharges of artil-
lery, occurred, but nothing resembling an en-.
gagement took place. In the afternoon the
enemy moved a force from near Petersburg
toward our left, and made an attempt to force
our line near the Jerusalem road, but, finding
the work was not SO easy as they anticipated,
abandoned it. They took few prisoners,
however, before they fell back.
The number OF casualties in the 5th corps on
Thursday is about four hundred and fifty,
nearly all OF whom are in hospital, and we'll
cared for. -.
About midnight some batteries opened in
front OF the 18th CORPS and also on the left, and
q sharp cannonading was kept up for several
hours nobody injured. At this hour not q gun
can be heard.
The few remaining members Of the Zouaye
company which Gen. Banks formerly had for
DIS BODY guard, were mustered out Of service
on Thursday, (their term having expired,) ana
have left for their homes. They belonged to
the 114th Pennsylvania volunteers, headquar- |
ters guard. Only dozen renamed Of about
one hundred.
The roads are becoming bad in consequen
OF the continued rain, which has fallen du-
ring the present week, and which still con-
tnues.
FROM THE SOUTHWEST.
Train Captured by Wheeler-His Move.
ments Mysterious.
CINCINNATI, August 21.-The Commercials
Nash WILLIE disuafch etafaa that the first trains