The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1865-04-04
BATTLES AROUND PETERSBURG.

The bloody work of battle has only begun but
progressing in the right Grants long
plated and long anticipated movement to extend his left
and possible reach the South Side Railroad has
pass and he is endeavOrng to press forward with all his
might
lie has forty thousand men on the ied-two or three
corps of infantry, corps of cavalry, and full compile
ment of artillery.
On Tuesday night the enemy al vanced up the Military
road to within mile of the Boydon Plank road threw
up entertainments either side. and built large fort
the Lewis House During the night he also pushed
forward body OF troops to within few hundred yards OF
the Plank road.
On Wednesday this column was attacked by our troops
and driven back-our vanguard entering and for time
holding the fort the Lewis House. Not receiving
mediate sufficient support the fort yielded After
driving the enemy thus far with beautiful success our
troops fell back short distance and offered battle, but the
Yankees declined to accept it, and failed to make
pursuit.
The fighting in the vicinity of Hatcher's Run on Wed
nesday afternoon quite for while and the
Yankees suffered heavily. One Brgader General whose
could not learn killed, and a number of
Officer and men placed hors de combat.
Thursday morning. the enemy cavalry ascertaned
to be approaching the give Forks" the White Oak
road, leading from the Plank road Burgess MILL
across to the South Side railroad This point is about
midway between these two points This cavalry column
had passed around our works. and was confidently making
for the railroad. But lion found in their path, in the
person OF Gen. FitLee and his brave troopers. Heavy
firing heard the give Forks subsequently, and
from the direction took late hour it believed that
battle was joined and the enemy driven.
Just beyond Burgess Mill, and the southeast Skin
mshing commenced early in the day. Here Grant had
his infantry massed and his tanks supported by cavalry
and here the heaviest fighting occurred While we have
the gratifying intelligence that all well with US
yet unable to give any official of the fighting
We held our own and the enemy gained no advan age.
An intelligent courier, who arrived in business
about sunset reports that the enemy attacked lines in
heavy force and made several furious charges thereon in
subsequently massed heavily in front of of dvi
sions ard forced back for distance but
Inducements coming up the tide turned and charging
upon the Yankees, they driven in confusion and
slaughter back to their original position We give this
statement in the absence of more reliable intelligence from
the field
fighting but unable to form any correct
estimate We also understand from good authority that
own loss was comparatively slight We refrain from
giving such casualties have far reached for want
of confirmation.
1t is stated that some five or SIX hundred prisoners were
captured Their condition ptiable They were covered
with mud from head to heels.
Gems Grant Meade and Sheridan were on the field or
in its vicinity during the day All the prisoners and
several deserters who to this fact
Both prisoners and deserters that the enemys in
enton to strike the South Side Raroad-probaby
the Junction These statements uniform to
cedence to be placed in them The prisoners state
their loss to be very heavy-PETERsBCRG EXPRESS, Of
Friday
ARMY MOVEMENTS IN NORTH CAROLINA.
On Gen Johnston's lines everything WAS quiet at
the last accounts Our cavalry picking up blue
jackets every day, while engaged in foraging. We
hear oflarge reinforcemens to Sherman, and of the
operations of the Yankees in Duplin, Wayne &C., but
we know nothing in regard to it. Some of these
mors sound very extravagantly, such the establish
ment of negro camp of instruction Kenansville,
parcelling out the land already to the negroes and
putting them to work. &c. 1t is certainly unnecessary
to color what the enemy is doing where he has full
sway. The reality is bad enough and needs help
to make it more shocking and oleuSive.-RaEegh Con-
serUative
Our armies below still quiescent. No doubt
both parties preparing for desperate struggle.
Prisoners declare that it is the intention Of Sherman
come to Raleigh; but they probably know "a little of
his intentions do-and if he does intend
he may not succeed.-Raleigh Progress.
NORTHERN ITEMS.