Editor’s Note: This article was transcribed by Brett Schulte.
From Richmond.
Richmond, June 17.
A dispatch from Gen. Lee to the President this forenoon says: at eleven o’clock last night we took the breastworks at Howlett’s farm and other portions of the same line, the battery at Howlett’s being reestablished.
Five vessels have been sunk by the enemy on Trent’s beach. No steamers are within reach, being behind the monitors.
Some fighting near Petersburg this morning without result.
(Signed,) R. E. Lee.
[Second Dispatch.]
Richmond, June 19.
Authentic information of Sheridan’s movements have been received. He passed through Bowling Green Thursday [SOPO Ed.: June 16, 1864], and arrived at Newtown, King and Queen county, yesterday, where it is reported he was again attacked by Hampton. Sheridan is evidently aiming to reach Gloucester point, his wagon train is reduced to twenty-three wagons. Prisoners taken confess a thorough defeat of the expedition.
No official dispatches received at the War Department to-day.
*****
From the Vicinity of Petersburg.
Richmond, June 18.
The yankees having been driven from the Rail Road at Port Walthall Junction last night, direct communication with Petersburg will be resumed this morning.
*****
The Latest from Petersburg.
Petersburg, June 19.
Grant’s whole army are in front of this place in line of battle. More or less fighting every day since Wednesday [SOPO Ed.: June 15, 1864]. The enemy have been generally repulsed, gaining little or no ground since Wednesday, when they got within a mile and a half of the city, taking some of our works, which they still hold. Occasional shells have been thrown into the city, doing, however, but little damage. The enemy yesterday attempted an advance on our lines, but our troops opened upon them with artillery and musketry, inflicting a loss upon the enemy equal to any of the campaign. The enemy at no time got nearer than four hundred yards of our lines.
To-day there has been some cannonading and heavy skirmishing. The people of Petersburg are quiet and resolute–all able to bear arms being in the service. The bulk of Grant’s army is on the south side of the Appomattox.
Grant’s new base is at City Point on James river, twelve miles distant from Petersburg. The enemy have erected an immense Observatory, about twelve miles below Petersburg, from which to observe operations hereabouts.
Advices from Lynchburg say, the enemy have been pursued since daybreak, (probably Saturday) and that we have captured three pieces of artillery and two hundred prisoners.1
Source:
- “Telegraphic Reports of the Press Association.” Raleigh Confederate. June 20, 1864, p. 2 col. 6 ↩