Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1865-03-30
The Rebel Troops Disheartened'
&c.
&c,
pr.m the ARMY of she Potomac.


NEW York, March %.
A dispatch dated headquarters Army
of the Potomac Goth says The engage
ment here yesterday was without doubt
the most important and successful for
the Union armies that has taken place
since our arrival in front of Petersburg.
Not only was the enemy met and de-
feated at every point, but the result
demonstrated the fact that they have
lost heart in their cause, and that large
numbers are ready and anxious to lay
down their arms and give up the strug-
gle After they had succeeded in gain
ing possession of Fort Steadman, they
at once fell TO plundering the baggage
in the tents, and all that their officers
could do would not induce them to de
sist. Those who remained in line fought
with nothing like the enthusiasm they
exhibited last summer, and many laid
down their arms at the first opportunity
of reaching the rear. On witnessing
this the rebel officers determined to re-
turn tC their own lines as rapidly as
possible, and urging their men over the
works, managed to get portion of the
assaulting column back safely. Hun
dreds, however, ran and hid in the
bomb proofs, and waited there to be Ia
ken prisoners. The number brought in
by the ninth corps was reported yester-
day, correctly at 1900. The loss in this
corps is not far from 600. The official
figures are not yet ascertained
After the lighting ceased at this point
of the line, it was thought the attack
might have been made to cover a more
Important one on the left, and the enire
army was put under arms to be ready
for any emergency. Gen Humphrey
was ordered to make q reconnaissance
in front of his line, in order to develope
the enemy's strength and ascertain their
movements. This was done shortly af-
ter noon, and the picket line was either
driven in or captured, for a considerable
distance. Our men continued to ad-
vance and part Of the division reached
and took possession Of a second line Of
slight works, but the rebels soon after
charged the latter in line of battle, and
forced our men back TO the line first tax
en-. This was principally caused by the
enfilading fire from two batteries, which
they were enabled to throw along this
advanced position.
From this time until 4 o'clock in the
afternoon fling was not very severe, the
enemy having retired to their works,
leaving a strong picket line to hold their
pits.
At this hour the signal to fall in was
sounded along the rebel line, and soon
after heavy column appeared and form
ing in line of battle and advanced in a
charge on Miles division, but were gal
lantly recaiTed by the heroes of this d.
vision, who soon drove them back in
disorder, with heavy loss.
Twice they repeated the attempt to
break through the line, and failing in
this, they endeavored to turn the right
flank, but Gen. Miles was as ready to
receive them here as at the other point,
and they finally fell back and disap-
neared, leaving their dead and many of
their wounded on the field, ~~
The roar of musketry on this ground
was as severe and continuous for two
or three hours as was ever heard, and
was not surpassed even by that heard at
the Wilderness.
Gen. Miles and his officers and men
receive the highest praise for gallent be-
havior on this occasion. The Sd divis-
ion under Gen. Mott held the center of
JUG llLt anu IGHuISGU tdIu hbbdCh WIN
spirit, although the contest here was
not so desperate as in front of the first
division. The second division held the
extreme left of the line towards Hatch
er's run, the brigade commanded by Gen.
Smyth only being engaged. They ad-
vanced at the same time with the rest of
the line and took part of the enemy's
works with number of prisoners.
The losses in the I'd corps as near as
can be ascertained are about $50, with
probably 100 missing.
The engagement between the 9th
corps and the enemy was not so severe
as at other parts of the line where the
I'd and 9th corps fought. Here also the
object of attack was to feel the enemy,
and ascertain if their works were occu-
pied IN force. Some of the troops final
ly reached the rebel pickets and took
FIVE hundred and forty seven prisoners
driving the remainder back to the main
works. The enemy's batteries were
very active here and did a good deal nj
mischief. The firing was kept up tin
dark without any attempt on their part
to retain the lost ground The casual
ties in the 9th corps were 30 officers and
Ala men.
An order is being issued to the army
congratulating the officers and men on
the splendid victory achieved over the
enemies of ovr country, and thankino
them for their behaviour on the occa.
sion.
To-day a good deal of picket firing has
been kept up along the line but without
any casualties. a..
About % deserters came in this morn.
ing, bringing, however, no news.
pox. BALTIMORE, March Is,
A "a rortress Monroe letter saws that the
man steamer Webster, from Citv Point
reports all quiet at the front