Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1864-08-26
From the Richmond Dispatch of August 9sd. ]
The Fight at Petersburg.

The Fight at Petersburg.
PETERsBURG, VIRGINIA, August 22 1854
To-day, for the first time in the history Of the
campaign of the army of Northern Virginia the
Confederate arms have suffered check and re-
pulse.
After the fght of Friday evening our forces fell
back again to the entrenchments just outside Of the
town. The enemy at once threw forward their
picket and skirnish line, and occupied the ground
which we had abandoned. All Of Saturday passed,
and, for reasons which it would be injudcious to
state, no renewal of the fight was made. This
morning, however, everything being in readiness,
Major General Heth attacked the enemy vigorously
in front ]. e., those confronting him and facing up
the railroad towards Petersburg, whilst Major Cen
eral Malone having passed down the Squirrel road
until his forces reached the Vaughan road, turned
square to the left in order, was supposed, to
strike the enemy in flank and rear just back of the
Davis House. The column attacking in front drove
the enemy back some half mile taking his line of
breastworks and over three hundred prisoners
Here. however, they halted, owing to the strength
of the enemYs next line of works, which was
literally lined with artillery. The column engaged
in the fanking programme was, however, not so
successful. The-skirmishers having been deployed
and started forward our line of battle formed
and moved on in support In a few moments the
enemys skirmshers "a line as strong as our line of
battle) is encountered and our men dashns forward
press them back towards their line of breastworks.
And now the enemy, from number of guns, pour
a raking and destructive fire of round and grape
shot and schrapnel For awhile our brave boys
press boldly forward but in an evil moment brig
ade of give back, and despite the efforts oftheir
gallant commander, refuse to rally. The contagiou
spreads; other troops give away, and soon the
whole mass comes rushing back pell NELL exposed
to as murderous fire in retreat as that to which
they were subjected whilst advancing Hagood's
Is. CO. brigade, however, nothing dsunted actually
press amid that heavy fire of shot and shell, and
reach the enemy's works. When General H.
reached the works he found that one of his colonels
had surrendered his regiment, of his brigade, with
out consulting HIM. At once repudiating the act
of his subordinate, he ordered the men to fire and
then to save themselves, his supports on the right
and left having both long since fallen back. Gen
eral II. himself escaped, though two horses were
killed under him whilst retreating.
The engagement lasted about two hours, ending
about IL o'clock, and has not been renewed since
that hour.
It wAs ascertained, beyond all doubt, by the at
tack that the whole of the Fifth and Nine corps
we're massed ou the railroad, and also two divisions
of the Second Prisoners say that Grant and Meade
were both present at the fight The enemy were
doubtless expecting an attack, and were advantage
ousy posted both sides of the railaosd with their
lines forming a crescent with their arcs fronting
US hence Malone found no flank to strike
Some cavilng critics will doubtless take occasion
TO animadvert upon this failure I1 order that the
failure may be perfectly understood Twill give the
reason which, in my Judgment, led to it. In the
first place, the enemy were present in overwhel-
| ningly strong force when compared with our num-
| bers. In the second place, they were admirably
posted and very strongly fortified artifically. In
the third place. to the eternal dscredt of of
brigades, be it said that they broke and ran, and
refused to be rallied by their gallant commander,
though he did all that man could do. And finally,
if the enemy not apprised of our attack, it was
not because the plan and time were not known, even
| to the very urchns of Petersburg. Whose fault it
was that tlGse matters leaked out, do not know;
! but do know that eighteen hours before the time,
place and character of the fight were the lips of
all soldiers and citizens. Our loss will, think,
| foot up about one thousand, the greater part Of
which was borne by Harris's Mississippi and Ha-
goods South Carolina brigades, both of which acted
| with conspicuous gallantry.
Among the names of the gallant officers who fell
to-day are Brigadier General Saunders, Alabama !;
Captain Spain, Adjutant General of General Flame
| gan's brigade; Colonel Lamar, Florida Colonels
| Council and Thomas, and Major Bell. missing,
| but are supposed to be. prisoners Lieutenant Da-
| WIS., commanding sharpshooters, Saunders Alabama
brigade, one of the most gallant spirits in the Army
of Northern Virginia, was killed He had just been
Recommended for the Majority of his regiment and
| would doubtless, have received the promotion had
he have lived Other brave and gallant spirits with
out rank, but full Of patriotism and bravery yielded
| up their lives that ensanguined field; but, OF
| them all, none was more beloved, or will be more
regretted than the gallant commander of of the Ala
bslna brigade, John G. @. Saunders thorough sol,
der and an officer without superior, he was yet
gentleman and a patriot. Devoted to his duties,
modest 10 department of no unseiSh disposition, it
was literally true that none knew him but to love
him, none named him but TO praise" He was just
twenty four years of age when killed
The enemy, fighting behind entertainments, did
not, think, lose heavily. We captured near four
hundred prisoners.
The enemy still hold the road, but it will avail
them very little. 1t may yet prove to them very
Pandora's box of evils At least, so let US hope.
MONDAY, August 22.-To day all is quiet. The
I fight of yesterday has not been renewed. Both
sides are resting on their oars. X.
| Florida.