Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1865-03-29
Further Details of the Battle on
SATURDAY..

|
| Further Details of the Battle ON
| Saturday.
New YORK, March 2S.-The Herald's 9th
corps correspondent says: just four hours
after the repulse of the rebel attack on the
right, the thunder of artillery and the
crash of musketry were heard on the left.
This time we were the attacking party.
Our object was to prevent the rebels from
massing their troops, and at the same time
to ascertain, If possible, their strength. The
rebel line captured is considerably in adj
vance of our main line, upon which they
had erected an elaborate series of rifle pits,
behind which they could have massed
10000 men. They were driven out of these
works and compelled to take shelter in their
forts. The majority, however, preferred to
be captured. The charge was made with
great gallantry by our men, and the line
was occupied; but the rebels massed an
overwhelming body of troops, returned,
| and in turn drove our men out. The artil-
lery then opened, during which our assault
ing party was reinforced and another
charge was made, when it was carried.
Some escaped, though scores remained to be
captured. Col. Dwight, of the l22d New
| York, was killed in this charge.
The result of this fight is looked upon as
showing that the energy of Lees troops is
| dWindling down to zero. They fight like
hopeless, not desperate men. Even the ar
tillery is not served with old-time energy
and precision.
The new position gained and occupied by
this corps is now held by strong body Of
our troops, who will be able to repel any
| attack.
The I'd corps correspondent says:
| frOnna a ot n m " hnn ~
by reports of fighting in the night; the men
were put in line and reconnaissance sent
out, which returned, bringing in some pris-
Oners. Soon after the enemy's skirmishers
were met and driven off their picket line
and their rifle pits were occupied by our
| troops. About o'clock the enemy made
an attack. They came up in gallant style,
and demonstrated that there was still some
| fight in them. 1t was successfully met and
| repulsed, however. They soon reformed
and again advanced, only to be driven back
with great slaughter. Four assaults were
thus repulsed, when the enemy withdrew.
The 9TH corps correspondent says: There
was widespread enthusiasm at night over
the glorious success of the day. Between
5000 and 1000 prisoners were reported hours
since, and it is reported that several hun
dred have just been brought in.
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE Potomac,
March 26.-The enga cement here yesterday
was without doubt the most important and
successful for our arms that has taken place
since our arrival in front of Petersburg.
Not only was the enemy met and defeated
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 struggle. After they had sue
ceeded in gaining possession of Fort Stead
man they at once fell to plundering baggage
in tents, and all that their officers could do
would not induce them to desist. Those
who remained in line fought with nothing
like the enthusiasm they exhibited last
the first opportunity of reaching the rear.
On witnessing this the rebel officers deter
mined to return to their own lines as rapid
ly as possible, and, urging their men over
the works, managed to get large portion
of the assaulting column back in safety.
Hundreds, however, ran and hid in the
pomb-proofs, and waited for our men to
come and take them prisoners.
The number Of prisoners brought in by
the 9th corps was reported yesterday cor
rectly at 1900. The loss in this corps is not
far from 600, the official figures not yet be-
ing ascertained.
After the fighting ceased at this point of
the line it was thought that the attack
might have been made to cover more inn
portant one on the left, and consequently
the entire army was put under arms, to be
ready for any emergency. Gen. Hum
phreyswas ordered to make reconnaissance
in front of his line, in order to develope the
enemy's strength and ascertain their move
ments. This was done shortly before noon,
and the picket line was here driven in or
captured for considerable distance. Our
men continued to advance, and part of the
division reached and took possession of q
second line of light works; but the rebels
soon after charged the latter in line of
battle, and forced our men back to the line
first taken. This was principally caused by
the fire from two batteries, which they were
enabled to throw along this advanced posi-
tion.
From this time until four, P. M. the firing
was not very severe, the enemy having re-
tired to their works, leaving strong pick
ct line to hold their pits. At this hour the
signal to fall in was sounded along the
rebel line, and soon after a heavy column
appeared, and, forming in line of battle, ad-
vanced in the charge on Gen. Niles divis-
ion. But they were gallantly received by
the heroes of this 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 right flank; but Gen.
Niles was ready to receive them here as at
other points, and then finally fell back and
disappeared, leaving their dead and many
wounded ON the field. e'aq ha, ~
+ The roar of musketry on this ground was
as severe and continuous for two or three
hours, as overheard, and was not surpassed
even by that heard at the Wilderness. Gen.
Miles and his officers and men, particularly
the Irish brigade, received the highest
praise for their gallant behavior on this
occasion. The third division, under Gen.
Mott, held the center of the lire, and re-
pulsed each attack OF the enemy with spirit,
although the contest here was not as des-
perate as in front of the first division. The
I'd division held the extreme left of the line
toward Hatcher's run, the brigade COM
manded by Gen. Smyth only being engaged.
They advanced at the same time with the
rest ofthe line, and took part OF the enemy's
works, with number of prisoners. ,eso
The losses In the I'd corps, as near as can