Columbia Democrat and Bloomsburg general advertiser. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1850-1866, 1864-08-06

stion on the south side Of the creek.
General Grant's assault upon the Con-
federste works near Port Wslthall has
been unsuccessful The entire army was
employed in tho attack. Nothing was ac'
com mplished. On Friday it was announc.
ed that the mine was completed. General
Grant a, once made his dispositions for
The attack. TIE tort undermined was in
the outer line Of Confederate works, on
the south bank Of the Appomattox. north
east Of Petersburg. Burnside's Corps was
in front Of it. Warren was southwest of
Burnside, closely joining him. On Fri.
dav night Mortipdale's Corps marched
from Bermuda Hundred to the south side
of the Appoma,tox, and took position be-
hind Burnside. In order the more COM
pletely to secure an overwhelming force
for the stack, all the ground recently oc-
copied on the north bank Of the James was
abandoned. Foster; with his division, re-
tired to the earthwork on the river ban K.
He kept close under the protection of the
gunboats.
On Friday nigh. Hancock began CROSS.
ing to the south bank Of the James. Sher-
idan's cavalry, which had been on the ex
treme flank, followed him. Sheridan in
his retreat got involved in the woods near
Malvern Hill. The enemy cut of some Of
his regiments. A contest ensued j in which
about hundred were lost on both sides.
The regiments succeeded in rejoiuipg the
main body. The Confederates, however,
captured one of Sheridan's cannon. By
midnight Hancock and Sheridan had cross
cd the river, and marched towards Port
Walthall. Hancock took position on the
right of Burnside, Sheridan passed to the
southwark and encamped on Warren's
southern faux, and 10 the rear. He was
on the lookout Tor any Confederate flank
ing movement from tho Weldon Railroad.
On Saturday morning Fosters single di-
vision, encamped closed to the rivers
edge, was the only body of Federal troops
on the north bank Of the James. Birney,
with the remainder of the Tenth Corps,
garrisoned the long line Of works in trout
of Bermuda Hundred. Both places had
been weakened.
On Saturday morning, Warren, Burn
side and Hancock were in line of battle
northeast of Petersburg. Mar.indao was
in Burnsid's rear. At daylight the mino
exploded The Confederate fort was
blown to atoms. Three cannon and many
sodiers are said to have been buried in The
ruins. Nothing reliable is known Of this,
however. The explosion of the mine was
the signal for furious cannonade along
the Federal line. Nnety.iour cannon and
fifteen mortLrs threw shell. Under cover
of the capnonade Burnside advanced and
entered the ruined fort The Confederates
began cannonadc in reply. Warren ad-
vanced, and then Martindale The contest
was furious. Hancock was soon sent for,
and BY tea o'clock tho grerter part of
Grants army was engaged around the ru-
ined fort.
The Confederates made stubborn re-.
sistance. Their outer line OF works was
captured. They brought reinforcements
and endeavored TO retake the line. They
we're successful. After long, bloody con-
test the Federal troops were driven out
The works were recaptured. The Fed
eral Corps retreated and took positions
h.d on Saturday morning. Six thousand
men had been killed and wounded, a,d
soh,ng accomplished. The move was a
failure. The disastrous result of the attack
is mainly due to the conduct of the negro
regiments. Burnsde's black Division was
very foolishly pushed 70 the front. Il was
at once broken up by the Confederate fire
1t became utterly demoralsized. The No
groes ran away in droves. Many were
captured. Most of their officers were
killed and wounded. Their defeat COM
PEELED the withdrawal of the other troops.
The Federal General Bartlett was oaptur-
ed by the enemy. General Grant, how
ever, captured five battle flags. OnlMon-
day morning General Grant and President
Lincoln had an interview at Fortress Mon.
roe. 1t lasted some time. Lincoln re-
turned in the fornoon to Washington and
Grant to the army.
The Confederate cavalry expedition
which entered Pennsylvania, after leaving
McConuelIsburg, marched westward to-
wards Bedford 1t ia generally believed
lha. they turned southwark before reach
ing Bedford, and went out Of the state
There is nothing from Bedford indicating