The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1865-03-31

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repulsed by the garrison several times, but
their numbers being superior to ours, they
finally overpowered and took prisoners
nearly all who were in it.
NEW YORK, March 2S.-The Herdlds
9th corps correspondent says soon after
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 rom
massing their troops, and at the same tme
to ascertain if possible their strength: The
rebel line captured is considerably in ad-
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 into their works.
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.
The enemy then opened, during which
time our assaulting party was reinforced,
and another charge was made. 1t was
irresistible, and the rebels soon scattered,
though scores remained to be captured.
COL Dwight, of the 1920 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 their artillery is not served
with old time precision and energy.
LATEST.
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 Second Corps correspondent says
the troops were aroused at an early hour
by reports of fighting on the right. The
men were put in line and reconnoisances
sent out, which returned bringing in some
prisoners. Soon after the enemy's skir-
mishers were met and driven off their
picket line, and their rifle pits were Occu >
pied by our troops.
At 5 O'Clock the enemy made an attack.
They came up in gallant style, and demon
strated that there was still some fight in
them. 1t was successfully met and re-
PEELED. However, they soon reformed and
advanced, only to be driven back with
great slaughter. Four assaults were thus
rerulsed, when the enemy withdrew.
The 9Th corps correspondent says there
was wide spread enthusiasm at night over
the glorious successes of the day. Be-
tween 5000 and 1000 prisoners were re
ported ours since, and it is reported that
several hundred have just been brought in.
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE PoToMAC,
March 26-The engagement here yester-
day was without doubt one of the most
important and successful for the Union
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 succee ded in gaining pos
session of Fort Steadman, they at once fell
to plundering baggage in the 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 exhib-
tied last summer and many laid down their
arms at the first opportunity of reaching
the rear. On witnessing this the rebel Of
fcers determined to return to their own
lines as rapidly as possible, and urging
their men over the works managed to get
q large portion of the assaulting column
back in safety. Hundreds, however, ran
and hid in bomb 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 no:
yet being ascertained.
After the fighting ceased at this point Of
the line it was thought that the attack
might have been made to cover a more
important one on the left, and conse-
quently the entire army was put under
arms to be ready for any emergency.
Gen. Humphrey was ordered to make
reconnaissance in front of his line in order
to develope the enemy's strength and
ascertain their movements.
This was doRe shortly before noon, and
the picket line was here driven in or cap
tured for considerable distance. Our
men continued to advance, and part of the
division reached and took possession of a
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-
ton. From this time until P. N. the
firing was not very severe. The enemy
having retired from their works leaving q
strong line to hold their pits.
At this hour the signal to fall in was
sounded along the rebel lines, and soon
after heavy column appeared and form
ing in line of battle advanced in the charge
on Gen. Miles division, but they were gal
lantly received by the heroes of this di.
vision, who soon drove them back in dis
order with heavy loss, and they disappeared
leaving their dead and many wounded on
the field. The roar of musketry on this
ground was as severe and continuous for