The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1864-09-10

on the 9Th. II days from San Francisco. with dates
to August %.
The following is a summary Of the war news
From Virginia.
The Weldon RniIrond captured md held
HEADQUARTERS OF me Army OF THE PoroNAc.
August lS.-Tbis morning, at four O'Clock. the Fifth
Corps started on an expedition to cut the Weldon
Railroad, at Rains or Reius Station. six miles south
Of Petersburg, taking four days raiiOns. At seven
o'clock the first division in the advance had a skirm-
ish with the enemy stationed 10 protect the road.
They fell back rapidly. and the loss on either side
was light. After placing the troops in line to meet
any attack that might be made. they went 10 work
tearing mp the track with yigor ;or several hours.
About noon they were interrupted by the appearance
Of the enemy advancing along the railroad from
Petersburg in line OF battle. Ii proved TO be Hills
corps. which had been held in reserve the past few
days. They advanced n double quick rs soon as
they became aware Of cur intention. The Second
Division, Ayers commanding, held the advance on
the railroad; the Third and Fourth Divisions sup
porting on the right. The First Ditision was placed
IN cover Of the left 10 prevent surprise IN that diTec-
ton. The attack on the Second Division was a deter
mined one; but our men met It calamity, driving the
rebels back ia handsome style with heavy loss. After
repeated attempts 10 force our lines, and after two
hours hard fighting, the rebels fell back some dis
lance, keeping up their fire all the afternoon.
The movement was a complete surprise 10 the
enemy. The rebel pickets in the vicinity were so
astonished that they had barely time to escape from
Us. n number OF prisoners we're taken, several Of
whom were wounded. Over a mile Of the track was
torn up. Our troops held their position at dark to-
night. To mOTrow they will completely destroy the
ties and rails, unless the rebels visit the neighbor-
hood in too great force.
HEADQUARTERS OF THE Army OF THE PoToMAC,
August u -Our losses at the Weldon Railroad are
heavy. Ii - estimated that the rebels took ] 800
prisoners. Ii seems our troops we're surprised, many
being in shelter tents try ing 10 escape the heavy rain.
The rebels first appeared about noon on the right Of
the read in front Of the third Division of the Fifth
Corps. This evidently was a feint for the purpose of
feeling cur lines. About 3 p. n. they charged in
heavy force between the Fifth and Sixth Corps, and
turned the flank of the former, capturing a large
number Of prisoners. This part Of the line was
forced back for some distance, when the Ninth Corps,
which was relieved the night previous by part Of the
Second Corps. came on the field and opened fire.
checking the advance OF the rebels and taking a few
prisoners. y heavy column of rebels ut the same
time charged on the left Of our line. west Of The rail
road, held by the Sfcond Division, whose line they
broke, and took &C. or 600 prisoners. Nearly all of
the Regular Brigade. commanded by Gen. Hayes, is
believed to be prisoners. Our whole line was forced
back with heavy loss i'll killed and wounded. The
enemy suffered worse in this particular. as his men
were dying thick all.over the field. Before dark our
men reformed. being reinforced, and n desperate
charge was made TO recover the lost ground, which
was successfully accomplished. We held at night
the ground taken from us in the afternoon. The
entire number OF prisoners captured was 30, with
some stands of colors. Our loss is estimated at 5000.
LATEST from the Weldon Road.
WAsHINGToS, August 22-Tbe operations of
Grants forces are detailed i'll the following official
~dispa.ch
City Point, .fug. 19h-Warren's Corps moved
to and across the Weldon Railroad, a mile south of
the works. He met nothing but the enemy's pickets,
which had advanced from there towards Petersburg.
Meeting the enemy, We had "a considerable fight
during the day, suffering some loss and inficting
severe damage on the enemy. The extent of the
damage Is unknown"
CITY POINT, August 19th-The enemy came out
this evening to Warren's right, driving in the pickets
connecting him and the left, on our old line, on the
Jerusalem plank road. The rebels were forced back.
Nav YORK, August I'D TriGune's special
says that Warren is entrenched, and his command
has been reinforced. He intends thoroughly 10
destroy the Weldon Railroad. Exactly one-haIf of
all the rebel Virginia forces is in the Shenandoah
Valley awaiting Sheridan, while the other half hold
the line from Petersburg to Richmond.
The Posts special dispatch says we have no news
OF import; nee from Grant. The new movement on
the Weldon road is progressing f~avOrably and II graft
flying result is confidently anticipated.
Nothing but skirmishing TO day, as both parties
are entrenching, and a battle is looked for at any
moment. The enemy seems determined to regain
possession of the railroad. The prisoners taken be-
long principally to Beauregard's corps.
Grants Movement north of the James.
WASHINGTON. August 6th-The mail boat reports
a movement of the Second Corps up the James
river on Saturday night. resulting in the routing of
a large rebel force ut Dutch Gap, and the capture of
five hundred prisoners and seven pieces Of artillery.
The position held by the enemy is said TO have been
a strong one, and is now occupied by our troops,
who are able TO hold il.
BALTIMORE, August l6-The american has the
following from bermuda hundred The Second
Corps were taken on transports at City Point yester-
day, and started down the river, apparently for
Washington. The rebels watched from the shore,
no doubt with much interest in the INC vement. The
transports did 90 down the river for ten miles, but
put back under cover of darkness and returned,
coming up by this point about ten L. NJ, aud pro-
ceeded up the river; at the same time the Tenth,Corps,
with the artillery OF the Second. were crossing TO
the north side of the James, and were all landed
within twelve miles of Richmond this mol ming.
This force. with Fosters division, makes quite a
respectable army. IL is understood their next move
will be to destroy, if possible, the rebel pontoon
bridge above Fort Darling. If this be done Lee
will be unable TO transfer his army TO the north side
without marching out of the way more than twenty
miles. Musketry firing was heard in the direction
OF this movement this morning. Our troops have
gained an important position within two miles of
Fort Darling General Hancock accomplished this
end by skillful manouvering. Our less is small.
Z WASHINGTON. August l6th.-On Saturday last
Hancocks Corps was put in motion on the James
river. and by a circuitOus route reached ;he north
side of the James at Deep Bottom. near Dutch Gap
on Saturday night. Turner's and Terry's Divisions
Of the Tenth corps, also crossed over to Deep Bottom
the same n ght. Fosters Division, which had for
some time been posted at Deep Bottom, was advanced
by Birney a little after sunrise On Sunday morning,
pushing the rebel skirmIsheTs before him some con-
siderable distance, when the Fifth Massachusetts
: p--iuent charged and broke the rebel line, and
captured se7enty prisoners.
Greeg's cavalry had cleared the reads for Han
cock, and be got his secoS2d corps in position on
Birney's right. on the Newmarket roa (which leads
from the vicinity of Minturn Hills, Richmond. lie
position thus taken by Hancock is about ten miles
from Richmond. Birney made an assault on his
front, and captured n line of the enemy's works
which guarded the approaches TO Richmond, ria