The Smoky Hill and Republican union. [volume] (Junction City, Kan.) 1861-1864, 1864-06-25

Gen. Grants New Movement.
A special from Headquarters Army Of
the Potomac, near Petersburg Friday morn.
ing, jane II, says:
We are again in front of the entire rebel
army, which has bsen engaged BY the I'D.
vance of the Second and Eighteenth corps.
An important capture Of guns, prisoners
and positions has been accomplished. Tho
Second aud Eighteenth Corps are in line Of
battle, and on the arrival of the balance of
the troops disposition will be made for
final assault upon the works of the enemy.
Since Tuesday night when the advance
of the Eighteenth Corps arrived in the We
ciuity of the town, our lines have been
pushed steadily forward. Several strong
positions have been wrested by charges
from the enemy, and we have taken some
eighteen guns aud several hundred prison
ers. Our advance is within half mile
of Petersburg, which is within full view OF
almost the entire line.
Prisoners state that portions Of Lees
army commenced arriving at Petersburg
Wednesday night only few hours after tho
arrival Of Hancock with the Second Corps.
City Point railroad is now in possession
of the Norfolk and Petersburg line, COM
manded by our troops, the Eighteenth Corps.
which landed at Bermuda Hundreds, cross.
ing the Appottomax on pontoon bridges
laid four miles above its mouth, penetrating
southwark to within four miles Of town be-
fore encountering any opposition. Here
skirmishing commenced, and our advance
steadily pushing forward, drove back the
pickets of the enemy, who took position in
their outer defences. These defeh,es were
Immediately charged BY Hincks' negro d.
vision with most splendid gsllantry. The
enemy were put to fight, and two guns and
a considerable number Of prisoners captured.
The works were held until the arrival Of
Hancock
At half past Eve, on Wednesday, q recon-
noisaoce, for the purpose Of ascertaining
the exact position, which was made by
Hancock considerable skirmishing ensied.
Only two divisions of the Second Corps,
Birney's and Gibbons reached the field
Wednesday night. Barlow, who pursued
another road, bringing up the rear, came up
at six o'clock yesterday.
Thursday morning, the divisions of Bir.
ney and Gibbon were deployed in line Of
battle, when their proximity to the rebels
was discovered and our troops bivouacked
on the field. Birney occupying the left Of
Gibbon. Between five and six o'clock yes
terday morning the enemy opened with .
heavy artillery fire on our line, enflading it
with batteries posted on our left and rem
dering an advance or occupation Of posi-
ton to the rear Immediately necessary.
Accordingly an advance Of ths Second and
Eighteenth corps was ordered by Hancock.
who in the absence of Meade took command
of both corps. The result was highly sue
being carried at the point Of the bayonet
and number Of redoubts of great strength
occupied and sixteen guns taken and turned
upon the enemy BY the Eighteenth Corps.
Col. Elgin's brigade of Birney's division, /,
led the charge of the Second Corps and
gallantly drove the enemy from his works,
capturing at the same time formidable re-
doubts, and with Dwight's and ellis bat
teries completely .sileneing the artillery on
our left. About p. NJ. dispositions for .
anal charge upon the enemy's last line was
uaUe AT tulS uuie COiOueI EHan W60
severely if not seriously wounded in the
spine and the attack was temporarily post
poned. At 6 o'clock last night another
charge was made by the Second Corps
and advanced position assumed aud main
taiaed, the lioe thus occupied Immediately
rendered secure by immediate construction
of esrtbworks. al,
At this time it is impossible to ascertain
the extent Of our loss. but 1900 probably
cover total causalties. 1t is to be regretted
that our advance was not pushed forward
Wednesday afternoon, as prisoners concur
in the statement that General Wise's bri-
gade alone held the town, and until late in
the evening when Lees troops commenced
to arrive, portions Of his army marched
from Malvern Hill, crossing James river on
pontoons above Fort Darling, while many
were dispatcbedby the Petersburg railroad.
Our line as now formed faces the city from
the east and south, partly encircIiug it. and
extends across City Point Railroad south
ward to the vicinity of the Petersburg and
Norfolk railroad. Burnside holds to the
left of our line, Hancock the centre, ap9
Smith the right. Our troops are con6dsus'
of final success.
A dispatch from City Point this morning