Charles City intelligencer. [volume] (Charles City, Floyd County, Iowa) 1864-1866, 1864-06-30
GBt ynttlligtnttr.
The War in Virginia.

At s o'clock on the morning Of the
goth inst, Gen. Birney, occupying the
nearest position to the city of Peters
burg, at range Of about 1900 yards,
opened bis batteries on the place, and
for Eve hours kept up a constant bonn.
bsrdment, which rendered Petersburg
anything bat an agreeable place OF
residence for time. The effects OF
tho shelling have not yet been ascer-
tanned, aside from the burning of build.
ings. q. % .."
The troops Of the army Of the Poto-
mac proper are now disposed in semi.
circular line around Petersburg, our
left extending across the Petersburg
and Norfolk Railroad on the south, and
the right resting on the Appomattox,
at Mills House, four miles north Of
the city. Buffers forces occupy po-
sition on our right and front, to the
north and westward, toward the Pc
tsrsburg and Richmond Railroad.
Our lines have been extended on
our left 20 as to cut the Petersburg
and Weldon Railroad. thus effectually
interceptiDg the line of communication
between Richmond and the Gulf and
seaboard States.
For several days there has been hea-
w fighting near Petersburg. On
Tuesday, while President Lincoln was
at Cen. Grants headquarters, exciting
operations were in progress. On
Wednesday and Thursday there was
heavy cannonading. Our forces now
command all the railroads connecting
Richmond with the South. except one.
A portion of General Buffers forces
have crossed to the north side of the
James river and cntrenched them
selves within six miles of Richmond.
Tho meaning Of this movement is q
great puzzle to the rebels.
The Chicago Tribune has the follow
ing editorial comments
Our news from Grants army gives
the FIRST clue TO the nature and object
Of the new movement foreshadowed
in our dispatches q few days since
Our army south Of Richmond aims .
blow at the defences of the rebel Cap
ital, and at the same time seeks to
control and cut off its communications
with the sca-board States of the
South. Hence the movement direct
on Petersburg which Lee is now evi.
IDENTIFY resisting with his whole army
Our forces have now swung their left
wing still further south, to cut of the
line of railroad which connects Peters.
burg with Weldon, N. c.. tho great
aorta Of the Confcderacy. Hitherto
there has been no heavy fighting in
this movement, but the enemy is found
to be vigilant and well posted, and
disposed to dispute every advance.
There will be heavy fighting in that
quarter very shortly. Grant is being
reinforced by the arrival of fresh troops
daily. Every available man is being
sent him. and he will probably have
no lack Of men for all the purposes he
has to carry out, before Richmond.
II Is to supply the places of the troops
in tho posts and theatres of operations
thus denuded and stripped, that the
call 10 imminent and pressing for
moro men. ..... . |
Tho Washington Star Of the cath
inst says Gen. Grants army occupies
a position in the woods on the out
skirts of Petersburg. The city is still |
occupied by the rebels who are forti.
flying all their works on the south side
of the Appomattox. These only COM
msnd Petersburg. and the railroad
through Petersburg is tho only one
between Richmond and Weldon for
all practical purposes. Our guns
stop ell continuous communication by |
rail between Richmond and points
south. So long as Grant pleases he
can thus hold the enemy by the throat
at Petersburg, and from his present
position he can move south with 90
days rations, and compel Lee to fol-
low him and risk heavy engagements
on unfortified ground.