Year: 1865

H'po'Rs ARMY OF THE POToMAC, March
engagement here yesterday was
without doubt the most important and
successful for our arms that has taken
place since our arrival in front of Peters
burg. Not only was the enemy met
and defeated at every point, but the re
sult demonstrated the fact that they
have lost heart in their cause, and that
large numbers were ready and anxious
TO Law down their arms aud give mp the
STRUGGLE. After they had taken posses
sion Of Fort Steadman, they at once fell
to plundering the baggage i'll 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 exhibited last
hummer, and many laid down their arms
at the first opportunity of reaching the
rear On witnessing this the rebel OF
.ticers determined to return to their own
lines as rapidly as possible, and urging
their men over the works managed to
get a large portion of the assaulting col
nmn back in safety; hundreds, however,
ran and hid in the bomb proofs and wait
ed for our men to come and take them
prisoners.


The number of prisoners brought in
by the 9th corps was reported Yesterday
correctly at 500 The loss i'll this corps
is not far from Goo, sthe figures not yet
being ascertained.


After lighting ceased at this point OF
the line, it was thought that the attack
might be made to cover more impor-
tant one on the left, and consequently
the entire army was put under arms to
be ready for any emergency. General
Humphrey was ordered to make recon
noissance in front of his line, in order to
develop the enemy's strength and rs
certain his movements. Tbs was done
shortly before noon, and the picket line
was then driven i'll or captured for a con
siderable distance Our men continued
to advance, and part of the division
reached and took possession OF IA second
line of light works, but the rebels soon at
ter 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 ad-
vanced position From this time until
four p. NJ, the firing was not very severe,
the enemy having retired to their works.
leaving a strong picket line to hold the
pits


! At this hour the signal to fall i'll was
sounded along the rebel line, aud soon
after heavy column appeared, and form
ing in line of battle. advanced i'll the
CHARGE on Gen. Miles division, but they
were gallantly received by the troops OF
this division, who soon drove them back
in disorder with heavy loss Twice they
repeated the attempt TO break through
this line, and failing in this they endeav-
ored to turn the right flank: but Gen.
Miles was ready TO receive them here rs
at other points, and they finally fell back
and disappeared, leaving their dead and
many wounded ON the field


The roar of musketry on this ground
was as severe and continuous, for two or
three hours. as was ever heard, and was
not surpassed even by that heard at the
wilderness.


General Miles and his officers and men
particularly the Irish brigade, received
the highest praise for their gallant be
havior on this occasion. The Sd divis
ion. under Gen Mott, held the centre OF
the line and repulsed each attack of the
enemy with spirit The I'd division b. ED
the extreme left of the line toward
Hatcher's Run, the brigade of General
Smythe only being engaged. They ad
vanced at the same time with the rest OF
the line, and took part of the enemy;
works with a number of prisoners.


The losses in the I'd corps, as near as
can be ascertained, are about 600, with


probably 100 missing Among the easu


alties are the following: Col Bilsee


10Th Pennsylvania infantry, wounded


Lieut.. Col Andrews, 20ath Ind, wounded


Maj. Hamilton, 10th Penn. wounded


and Capt Stewart, 10th Penn, killed


The engagement between the 9th corp