The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1914-08-14


At 4p. m. Sen. Francis c. Barlow. who
commanded 1000 men OF his own and
Gen. John Gibbons divisions, was in
position to attack the enemy on the New
Market road. When the order was given
the officers soon found that the men
were no longer the Old Second Corps OF
glorious memory. - mass Of new re-
cruits, substitutes and wouId-be bounty
jumpers had been added 10 their ranks.
The corps could not De urged to figh:
as IL had once fought Only one brigade,
that commanded by Col George n. Macy
of the Twentieth Massachusetts, Regi-
ment, who had come back to battle that
day Inirus a hand. los: under Grant in
the spring. acted with spirit.
The enemy had massed in force on the
threatened part OF his line, and the Fed
erals were repulsed.
Gen. Birney. near the river. was more
taking four guns.
When darkness fell the Federals were
exhausted, and the outlook was not
cheering. There were greater numbers
in front of Hancock than ne had expect
ed 20 meet. Grants information As to
the enemy's numbers north OF the James.
as well as to the numbers sent Early, had
/ been faulty. Lee had three divisions in
position TO meet Hanc'.ck.
Brilliant Fighting.
There was little res, that night for
Birney's corps, as II vas moved TO the
New Market road
The next morning Hancock sought 10
turn the enemys position by sending
Gen BIrney's force 10 the right. Owing
TO the heat and a roundabout route,
ton assigned hin. The day passed
without heavy fighting
In the forenoon Of August Is Gen. Biz
ney attacked, with Gen. Alfred II. Terry :
division Of the Tenth Corps. a brigade
OF colo-ed troops and a brigade OF the
Second Corps led by Col. Calvin 4. Craig.
of the IOSth Pennsylvania Regimen.
They made a brilliant fight, carrying a
part Of the enemy's line and taxing near
ly 90 prisoners and flags Col Craig was
killed while leading his men.
The Federal victory was OF short life.
for the enemy made gallant counter at
tack and drove the Federals from the
captured works.
Meanwhile Gen. Gregg's cavalry. GOV
ering the right OF the line. moved up the
Charles City road TO Whites Tavern.
stern resistance from the enemy's cayal-
~. under Gen. John z. Chambliss. and
in the fight Gen. CL6n:biiss was killed,
his body falling into the hands OF the
Federals. Gregg was driven back.
though, aided by tie brigade of Gen.
Nelson A Miles. which supported him.
he made a stubborn fight
Losses in the Feint.
August II passed with heavy skirmlsh-
ing. ia which Col Daniel Chaplin OF the
First Maine Heavy Artillery, was killed.
From TO there was a truce, requested
by the Federals, for the burial of the
The hN6N- pf (,an (HhannhligE
which had been especially buried at 3
crossroads. called the POtteries," was
exhumed and delivered to the enemy.
On the 18th the enemy attacked, late in
the day, and there was heavy fighting by
Gregg's cavalry and on Gen. Birney's
front In the course OF the day Gen.
Grant ordered a division Of the troops.
Gen. Gershom Motifs, to return to Pc
tersburg. He also requested Gen. Han
cock to hold on another day II possible,
to detain the enemy in force while the
Weldon Railroad attack was launched.
On August IS Gen. Barlow. who had come
on the field suffering from sickness and
old wounds, collapsed and was borne to
the hospital.
During August - there was no heavy
fighting. On August - the Federals re-
crossed the James.
The loss in this feint was nearly 1900
men, being 81 killed, 500 wounded, and
S25 missing. without taking into account
the sick.
The feint had the effect Grant desired.
of drawing troo IS from Petersburg
though he found the Weldon Railroad
strongly held, and did not break II with
out heavy loss. The effect with regard
to Sheridan was satisfactory, as Lee was
obliged to Withhold intended REINFORCE
ments for Gen. Early.