Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1864-08-24
Very Latest News


HEADQ'Rs ARMY OF THE PoToXAc, Aug.
20th.-Our new position firmly establish
ed across the Petersburg and Weldon
Railroad, seems TO be a source of great
jealousy to the rebels, and desperate ef-
forts have been and probably will be
made to dislodge US.
Yesterday afternoon about 4 o'clock
they made another ferocious assault on
our line. I'd Division. 5th Corps, beyond
the railroad and going across. The Sd
Division, with one Brigade of the 4th, on
the extreme right, formed in line of bat
tie interesting road about 5 miles below
P~etersburgh, and facing north. Wilcox's
Division of the 9th corps. had just arriv-
ed, but had not taken position. The LIST
aud I'd Divisions are DOW on the way.
The design OF the enemy seemed to be
TO sever General Warren's slender com
munications with the main army, and
hen to entangle and defeat him among
the forests and swamps that cover the
country.
To this end, strong demonstrations
were made against our whole line, accom-
panied by a wild charge upon our ex-
treme right, and another upon the cen
tire.
General Bragg's command was over
powered by the strength and force of the
assault, and gave way, expecting our right
wing to attack in flank and rear. The
simultaneous charge upon the center,
prevented any massing OF troops by Cen
eral Crawford.
The enemy were coming down upon
his right flank with a shout.
The General himself, in trying to rally
his men and recognize his line, received
a slight shell wound in the foot and a
MIME ball scratch across the..breast. One
of his staff, Lieutenant CLARK, of the Sec
ond Regulars, had his arm badly shatter-
ed. and Orderly Donofsn was struck in
the breast, and the bearer of the Division
, colors lost his horse.
1t was q trying moment.
General Wilcox coming to the rescue.
the enemy, though surprised at this new
!, opposition, persisted in their attempt to
swing round our right flank.
They had already taken our front line
of battle by a daring and reckless assault
aud seemed wrought to madness at the
check that was presented to their right
and.still crowded to our right. and throw
ing themselves 6ercely against Genera
Wilcox. 1t was plain to see that the for
tunes of the day were not fixed.
At this juncture, General White, who
was approaching with the LIST Division o.
, the 9th corps through the woods, hasten
ed at double-quick to the spot. His arr
! val was most opportune. Getting imme
diately into position to support Genera
, Wilcox, a stubborn and effectual resist
ance was offered to any further rebel ag
erosion.
On the center the assault was hardly
less furious, though less determined
Our troops made a resistance to the on
, slaught of overwhelming numbers.
Il Two Rebel corps-HilPs and Brecken
ridges-being engaged. forced them bach
from their front line of battle.
The regulars. with their Spencer rifles
bore a conspicuous part in the engage
ment. holding their advanced position
, after nearly every support had giver
! away, and inflicted terrible havoc on tn,
enemy.
Brigadier General Hayes and some o
I his command were captured in their gal
; liant attempt to hold their position.
We took a few prisoners, probably TIVE
! or three hundred. and lost at least twic,
as many.
! The 18th n. Y, I'd brigade, Sd division
corps captured a stand of colors at night
|, Our troops re-took the position of tn,
! morning and still hold it. They are nov
, strongly intrenched and with still NOR,
reinforcements on their way, are perfect
" secure, and these new movements i
, another step toward the practical sieg'
of Richmond.
n Rebel prisoners report their leaders Il
be determined to re-occupy the Railroad
and a fight is liable to occur at any mo
ment.