Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1865-03-28
Correspondence Of Associated Press. I

rrespondence Of Associated Press
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THR POTOMAC,
March 26, p. m.-The engagement here yes
terday was, without doubt, the most impor.
tant and successful for the Union cause that
has taken place since our arrival in front OF
Petersburg. Not only was the enemy met and
defeated atevery point, but the fact demons
trated that they have lost heart in their cause
and that large numbers are ready to lay down
their arms and give up the struggle. After
they had succeeded in gaining possession OF
Fort Steadman, they at once fell to plundering
the baggage in the tents and all their officers
could do would not induce them to desist.
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 return 70 their own lines as rapidly as DOS =,
sible, and urging their men over the works,
managed to get large portion Of the assault.
ing party back In safety. Hundreds, however,
there for our men to come and take them pris-
oners. The number brought in by the 9th
corps was reported yesterday correctly-l,sOO.
The loss in this corps is not far from 600, the
official figures not yet being ascertained. After
the fighting ceased at this part OF the line, 1t
was thought that the attack might have been
left, and consequently the entire army was
put under arms to be ready for any emer.
geney.
General Humphreys was ordered to make
develop the enemy's strength and ascertain
their movements.
This was done shortly before noon, and the
picket line was either driven In or captured,
for considerable distance our men stlll con.
tinued to advance and took possession Of q
second line Of slight works. But the rebels
soon after charged the latter in line OF battle,
and forced our men pack to the line Just taken.
This was principally caused by an enfilading
fire from two batteries, which they were en-
abled to throw along their advanced position.
From this time to four p. NJ, the firing was
not very severe, the enemy having retired to
their works, leaving strong picket line to
At this hour the signal to fall In was sound
ed along the rebel line, and soon after a heavy
column appeared and forming In line of battle
advanced on Miles's division, 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 flank, but General Miles was ready
to receive them here as at other POINTS, and
thew they finally fell back and disappeared,
leaving their dead and many wounded on the
field.
The war of musketry was as severe and con-
tinuous tor two or three hours as ever heard,
and not surpassed even by that heard at the
Gen. Miles and his officers and men, (par.
ticularly the ninth brigade, )received the high.
est praise for their gallant behavior on this &C.
The third division, under Gen. Mott, held
the center Of the line and repulsed each attack
of the enemy with spirit, although the con.
test here was not so desperate as in front OF
the ninth division. The Goth New York and
18th New Jersey regiments are highly spoken
of for their conduct, under Dol. Schooner
The I'd division held the extreme left of the
line towards Hatchsr's Run, the brigade com.
mauded by Gen: Smith only being engaged,
they advanced 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 cOrDs. as rear A can he
ascertained, are about $50, with probably 100
missing Among the Casualties are the fol-
lowing :-t,ol. Biles, s9th Pa. infantry. wound
ed; Major Hamilton, 10th Pa, wounded; and
Capt. Stewart, 10th Pa, killsd.
The engagement between the 9Th corps and
the enemy was not SO ssvsre a. at tbs other
parts OF the line. where the I'd and 9th tonight.
Here. also, the object was to feel the enemy,
and ascertain If the works were occupied In
force. Some OF the troops finally reached the
rebel pickets and took SAT prisoners, driving
the remainder hack 10 the man works.
/ The enemy's batteries were very active here,
and did good deal Of mischief. Firing was
kept mp till dark, without any attempt on their
part to regain the Loaf ground. a's
The oasualdes In the 9Th corps are IS officers
and 415 men, jtt5