The Shasta courier., 1865-03-25
SHASTA COURIER.
WAR NEWS.

Vests Fork, n. c., 10.-To GRANT: The
enemy made heavy attack ON our centre
and left to-day but was decidedly repulsed
with heavy loss. His dead and badly wound
ed were left on the field. We also took sew
era. al.hundred prisoners. Our loss was small.
Gen Couch is only twelve miles from here to
night, and will de up carly in the morning
We took prisoners from Lees and Stuart 5
corps They say two corps are here and the
rest Of Johnston army is coming.
fSigned.l ScHoFIELD.
New York. l5th.-The Herald's Newbern
correspondent. under date Of the 1lth, says
some Of the heaviest fighting that we have
seen since the corps commanded by General
Cox reached the vicinity Of Kinston occurred
on Friday the 10TH The rebels had evident
" learned that Couch, with a portion of the
Twentythrd corps was not far off, aud would
soon ioin Cox, and this urged them to extra
ordinary desperation. They charged again
and again upon our works, making ten or
twelve separate charges through the day
Generally; they spent their fury on the lett,
but Sometimes they would charge our entire
line vanly hoping that the momentum OF so
large a body would break down everything.
Our men, however. stood their ground hero
ically, as attested by the piles Of slain and
rections. The enemy also fonght with a val
or worthy of better cause. On Friday
night and Saturday morning, 10th aud 18th,
Couch's forces came up from toward VIII
mington and effected a junction with Cox.
which gave us the advantage of superior
force, of which the rebels were not slow to
become informed. They at once began to
fall back, abandoning all further opposition
this side of the Neuse river. They are now
on the North side of the river, with the bridge
that crosses over to Kinston partially burn
ed. The much talked of ram 'Neuse, lis also
partially DESTROYED Our forces followed
them up vigorously and will doubtlessly pre-
pare to cross the river at once by means of
pontoon bridge or by relaying new timbers
over the old bridge for ears to pass over. l
apprehend there will be no difficulty now in
driving the rebels back from any point where
they may see fit to make stand.
New York, 14th.-The Times editorially
thinks it probable Sheridan has moved from
Columbia to Join Grant by crossing the James
River and South Side Railroad. Returned
Union prisoners who reached Annapolis to
dav, direct from Richmond, communicate
some interesting intelligence relatiye TO af.
fairs at Richmond and Sheridan S movements.
On Saturday night last Richmond was
thrown into intense excitement by the an
nouncement that Sheridan was near the city.
All the alarm bells were rung, and all the
Home Guards, and every available man that
could be spared hurried off to repel the Yam
KEGS who were said to be at Bearn Mills aque-
duct, on the James river, twenty miles
from the city, destroying the canal. The ex-
citement continued all night and increased to
panic throughout Sunday down to Monday
morning, 18th. When they left alarm still
prevailed 1t is understood that Sheridan
had succeeded in destroying the aqueduct
blowing it up with gun powder 1t would
take at least six months to repair the damage
done. During Sunday afternoon, 18th, Pick.
ett's division passed Castle Thunder in great
haste on the way to meet Sheridan. There
was ferry at the aqueduct and it was believ.
ed Sherdan's purpose was to cross the James
and strike the Danvile Railroad near the
coal fields where there is an extensive bridge
to destroy and thus complete the destruction
of the communications of Richmond, and
then make junction with Grant. Move.
ments indicative of preparations for the evac-
uation of Richmond had been progressing fol
some time. Heavy machinery for manufac-
turing iron had been removed, and also the
machinery for the percussion cap manufac-
tory. The carpenters in town were al work
filling large Government orders for packing
boxes.
New York, 4th.-Times' Army of Poto
mac special of 18th says there is no military
news. The fine weather gives prospect of a
movement tits pretty we'll established tha
another considerable portion of Lees army
comprising Mahone's division left our from
last night Il is supposed to have been sen
to arrest the movements of Sheridan.
Washington, 14th.-Dlspatches direct from
Sherman and Schofeld have been received
this morning. Sherman's dispatch is dated
on the Sth, at Laurel Hill. N. C. He says
We. are well, and have done finely
Details are for obvious reasons omitted.
Schofeld, in a dispatch dated 18th, state
that on the night of the 10th, near Southland
Creek, Bragg was fairly beaten, and tha
during the night he retreated across th,
Neuse at Kinston. and now holds both banks
Of the river at that place.
(Signed) STANTON.
Steamer Champion arrived this A. NJ
from Wilmington llth bringing definite in
telligence respecting the movements of Sher
mans force. On the morning of the It'll
scouts from Sherman had reached Whining
ton, with news that Sherman had reached
Fayetteville, n. c., and was camped in the
immediate vicinity, quietly resting, and pre-.
pairing for another march northward
The uerad's Washington special saws a
letter from Schofeld's headquarters, dated
Newbern, llth, says: This morning Hoke
attempted to break our lines, but was repuls-
ed with terrible slaughter. Our own loss was
not more than 800 or 400 killed and wound
ed. Rebel loss in killed, wounded and pris-
oners IS eight times that of ours We have
possession of the field, and of the rebel dead
and wounded.
New York, 14th.-Herald's correspondent
IN front of Kinston, 1lth, gives the following
account of the fight there on Wednesday Sth:
The enemy. consisting of Hoke's division,
made a determined effort to turn our left
flank. They came rather unexpectedly and
furiously, and the consequence was the loss
on our part of large portion of two regi.
ments, who were fanked by superior mum
bers. The left of our line was held by the
second division of Gen. Carter's corps, who
fought desperately. resorting to the bayonet
when their ammunition was exhausted. To
compensate for losses here, Col. Savage. of
the l2th New York cavalry, made detour
on the rear of the enemy and cantured
nearly 100 prisoners. On the same p NJ
an attack was made on the right and re-
pulsed without loss. Schofeld came nm in
the T. NJ. and assumed command N3cbt
coming on the action ceased We took ner.
haps 500 prisoners during the dav. On