, 1864-08-08

and was following them westward to Lon
don, Franklin county. The greater bart o
Chambersburg is said to be in ashes, AM
5000 citizens were prisoners. Breckinridg
was making raid towards Wheeling, will
the intention of returning by the way o
Kenawha valley. Prisoners state that it i
the intention of LOngstreet to threatel
Washington, while Breckinridge makes
raid in the mountains and Early holds tn,
Shenandoah Valley.
Army of the Potomac, July 30.-Th,
great event, long expected, namely, the ex
plosiOn Of the rebel fort Immediately in from
Of the 9th Army Corps, came of at half
past four this morning. Picket firing had
been kept up all night. and, in fact, at the
time the match was applied to the mine, the
skirmishers were still engaged on both sides
An immense column of dust was thrown up
three hundred feet into the air. The fort
which mounted 16 guns, Was reduced to a
mass Of ruins. Immediately after the ex.
plOsiOn, our artillery opened with one sim
ultaneous. continuous roar. along the entire
line. The 9th Corps then charged the reb-
els, driving them before them to their second
line Of intrenchments, and taking number
of prisoners, some Of whom were dug out
of the dirt badly bruised. Prisoners state
that only about dozen remain Of their re-
giment. by 10 O'Clock We had captured
two other earthwOrks.
As soon as the explosion of the mine oc-
CURED, l20guns opened fire, while musketry
played in continuous fire along the front Of
the 9th and part of the 18th Corps. Pris-
oners say they were completely surprised /;
those in front being mostly asleepat the time
One prisoner says they had been busy min-
ing under our works, and in two days more
would have been ready to blow them up.
Reports just in say that we have posses
sion Of the entire first lineOf the rebel works,
with large number of prisoners. Our loss
in the charge was severe, as the men had to
cross an open field preach the rebel position.
The troops engaged were the 9th Corps,
supported by the 18th the I'd and 5th be-
ing in reserve. The firing is still going on
with great fury, end Grant, Meade and all
the corps Generals are at the front watching
its progress.
The Tribune special says Grants new
flank movement has entirely changed the
aspect of affairs. By it his right is thrown
on the north side of James river, within ten
miles of Richmond, enabling him to throw
his whole force upon either side of the river
within n very few hours, compelling the en-
emy to cover Richmond with large force
as well as Petersburg.
Prisoners state that when it was discov-
cred that the I'd Corps were on the north
side Of James river, the enemy Immediately
commenced pushing reinforccments from
Petersburg to Richmond.
Lee was completely taken by surprise, and
obliged to use the utmost dispatch in for
Warding reinforcements to these points.
All the roads between James river and
White Oak Swamp are strongly defended.
Last evening Merritt's brigade Of cavalry
drove HamptOn's troops from an important
position on the Central road.
Gen. Kautz took possession Of Malvern
Hill, which had been abandoned by the reb-
els to protect one Of the Richmond roads.
During the engagement, the gunboat Men
dota did good service.
A Nashville dispatch Of the 10Th says :
Sherman's army was again in motion yester-
day to accomplish important operations look
ing to the early investment Of Atlanta. The
enemy attempted to thwart the movement
by attacking the 18th corps, but they were
badly repulsed. During the contest we took
several regimental flags.
Gen. Bragg went to Atlanta to attend the
council of war held for the purpose Of con-
sulting as to the holding of Atlanta at all
hazards. johnson replied, to do so would
require the sacrifice Of the whole army. to
which he would not consent; therefore he
resigned. The command was then rendered
to Hardee, who refused to accept it on any
terms. 1t was then given to Hood on con-
ditiOn that he would defend the city to the
last. The rebels have very strong works,
aud possibly may keep us at bay few days
longer.
Nashville, July 3O.-Another battle oc-
CURED at Atlanta on the 2Sth. Our loss
was less than 600, while that of the rebels
was estimated by Gen. Howard at 5000.
We buried 642 dead rebels; q number Of
others we're left unburied. The rebel Gen.
erals Lower, Stewart and Long were severely
wounded. Everything is progressing favor
ably; the army being in good condition and
spirits.
Chambersburg, July 31.-0n Saturday
morning Eve hundred rebels under McCaus-
land entered Chambersburg and demanded
half million Of dollars from the citizens.
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