The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1865-02-15
The Battle OF HatcheT's Run.
HEADQUARTERS Potomac ARMY,
Wednesday, Feb. s, 1868.

w ACU. OI -SOOs
The result of yesterdays engagement
was more important than reported 10 my
last despatch, the particulars of which
were not lully known here at the time !
sent it off.
When the Fifth Corps fell back to the
line of works at Hatcher's Run, on Mon.
day hight, the enemy did not follow very
vigorously NOR did they make any attempt
to storm the position.
1t was believed, however, that they
would do so yesterday morning, but up
80 noon no sign of an attack appeared,
nor did the Rebels seem to be in strong
force in the vicinity.
It was therefore determined to send a
reconnaissance out over the ground occu-
pied BY us the day previous, and ascer
tain where the Rebels were, and if possi-
BILE force them back to their works at
D4bney's Mill.
Gen Crawfords Division of the Fifth
Corps, baviug led the advance the day
before, and being best acquainted with
the ua;nre OF the country, was selected
for the duty, which they performed to
the entire satisfaction of the Command.
ing General.
The column moved about noon, taking
the Dabney's Mill road, and after ad
vanciug abuut haf mile struck the
Rebel pickets, who fell back as our men
advanced.
A line of battle was then formed, the
right resting on Hatcher's Run and the
left supported by part of Gen. Wheat
ou's command of the Sixth Corps.
The entire line then advanced eau.
tiously through the thick woods on each
side of the road. and before going far met
the Rebels in frce, when sharp engage
meut immediately began.
The Rebels were steadily driven back
until they took refuge behind their works
at the Mill, where they made a deter
mined stand.
Fighting here was kept up until dark,
when our men commenced throwing up
slight breastworks to protect themselves.
The Rebels did not seem disposed to
attack again, as they had done the day
previous. and the object OF the movement
having been accomplished, by the devel-
opmeut. of their position, orr troops
were withdrawn during the night to their
former position, on the Vaughn Road, iu
the vicinity of which strong works have
been erected.
The loss 10 the movement turns out to
be quite heavy, considering the small
force engaged. The Third Division of
the Fifth Corps suffered pri pally. The
following are the figures Killed. oti-
GERS, sc men. Wounded-28 officers.
491 men. Missing officers, $50 e..
Total wounded, LAB total killed, 81
Aggregate loss, |, ,l80 officers and men,
out uf about 1000 who went into action.
No doubt large proportion of those
put down as missing will appear in few
days, a. is usually the cese-the strag
glers keeping out of the way as long as
possible.
The heavy loss in the division indicates
the manner 10 which the men acquitted
themselves, and they have been highly
compIimented for their bravery by their
commanding officers.
The loss in the Sixth Corps is moi
reported, but is very slight, they acting
as a supporting column rather than al
attacking force.
Lieut. Col .Manlove, of the 4Sth
Mississippi (RebeD Regiment, was se.
veroly wounded and brought into the
Fifth Corps Hospital, where he died.
To day has been very quiet. The only
firing heard is from the batteries near The
the Appotomax this evening, lasting but
short time however
The weather bas cleared off beautifully
but the roads are in tad condition from
the severe storm of yesterday.
It 10 announced in Southern papers
tha. the Rebel General Pegram wa:
killed.