Editor’s Note: This article was transcribed by Jackie Martin.
THE WAR NEWS.
Yesterday passed off quietly in this vicinity, without rumours or even the sound of distant artillery. The question which chiefly exercised men’s minds was the number of Kautz’s raiders that had been captured south of Petersburg.
About 11 o’clock, A. M., two hundred and eighty of these raiders were brought over from Petersburg, and the general conclusion was that these were all; but persons who came over on the same train stated that about seven hundred more were still to come. During the day it was confidently asserted by officers of the army that we had taken about one thousand prisoners, the negroes not included.
The Petersburg papers were not received until seven o’clock last evening. Full extracts from them will be found in another column.
From an officer who came over in the evening train we obtained some information touching the extent of our captures from the enemy and the present situation south of Petersburg, which we think is near the truth. He learned at [illegible] at Lee’s headquarters yesterday that we had captured about five hundred raiders, including the wounded, sixteen pieces of cannon, between five and seven hundred negroes of all ages and sexes, and the wagons, ambulances, &c., mentioned by the Petersburg papers. The main body of the enemy have made good their escape and returned to Grant; but a very considerable number are still west of the Petersburg and Weldon railroad, and still in danger of capture. Several hundred are dispersed through the woods and are being picked up or are coming in of their own accord.
From the facts before us, we feel authorized in declaring the attack upon the Yankees cavalry, begun at Sapponi [sic] church and concluded at Reams’ station, a great Confederate victory. The fruits have not been as great as people were prepared to expect; but it cannot be expected that hopes entertained in ignorance of the difficulties to be overcome shall be realized. We think we have much reason to be satisfied with the fate of the three last Yankee raids in Virginia. Sheridan was beaten at Trevillian’s and turned back in the very beginning of his enterprise; Hunter was struck in mid career, and only saved himself by ignominious flight; and Kautz was beaten by the militia in Charlotte and mauled by Hampton and others in Dinwiddie.
THE SITUATION ABOUT PETERSBURG.
From the officer previously alluded to, we learn that there is no change in the situation about Petersburg, except that it is very clear, from certain unmistakeable indications, that one corps of the enemy has moved from our front. Whether it has been sent to Washington city, as reported, or to reinforce Sherman, it is impossible to say. We think the latter disposition of them the more probable.
FROM HUNTER.
It was said yesterday that Hunter was moving towards the Potomac by a route west of the Shenandoah mountains. The Yankee papers of the 28th announced his arrival in “Western Virginia,” but did not give any further account of him. He and his campaign are subjects they must find very little pleasure in dwelling upon.1
Source:
- “The War News.” Richmond Examiner. July 2, 1864, p. 1 col. 1 ↩