Editor’s Note: This article was transcribed by Steven Lonergen.
TELEGRAPHIC REPORTS OF THE PRESS ASSOCIATION.
LATEST FROM PETERSBURG.
PETERSBURG, June 23—10, A. M.—Our forces, after driving the enemy up to 5 o’clock last evening, for want of sufficient force to go further, made a stand. The enemy soon endeavoured to retake the works which they had lost, charging us desperately four times, but without success. The fighting ended about 9 o’clock, and has not been resumed this morning. There is little or no firing in any part of the line this morning,
Colonel Shelly, of Alabama, was killed in the fight yesterday evening.
It is reported that our forces came up with the enemy’s rear near Dinwiddie Court House last night, and that there was fighting all night.
[Second Despatch]
PETERSBURG, June 23—7:30 P. M.—The prisoners captured yesterday evening number, by official counts sixteen hundred and seventy-six privates and non-commissioned officers. Our loss yesterday evening was about three hundred killed and wounded, that of the enemy is estimated as many as one thousand. Over fifteen hundred stand of arms were taken. The troops engaged were Mahone’s of Virginia, Saunder’s of Alabama, and Wright’s, of Georgia brigades, the whole commanded by General Mahone.
Our advance fought the rear of the enemy’s raiders near Dinwiddie Court House yesterday evening, capturing ten or fifteen prisoners.
The enemy are reported to have reached the Junction of the Southside and Danville railroads to-day about two o’clock.
The lasts information from Hunter was that he had retreated through Buford’s Gap towards Salem, in Roanoke.
Up to this hour there has been nothing to-day except sharpshooting and cannonading. The sharpshooters are very active.
The enemy took possession of the Weldon railway, six mile below here, this morning, and are busy fortifying. Their pickets in that direction are within four miles of the city. Our troops, after the success of last night, retired to their original position.
The enemy’s raiders burnt the depot, two engines and fifteen cars, and tore up a mile of the railroad at Ford’s station, fifteen miles from here, on the Southside road, last night.
FROM LYNCHBURG.
LYNCHBURG, June 23.—It i8 difficult to get any news from Hunter’s flying army. Information received this morning is that he is still continuing his retreat in demoralized confusion and so closely pressed by our army that they have no chance to forage on our people, and are pressed for provisions. Persons from Bedford say that the enemy’s trains were driven through that county by our forces at a furious rate under whip and spur, and that the road along the route is lined with dead horses that were killed by over exertion. Tuesday our forces attacked the enemy near Salem, capturing ten pieces of artillery, 200 horses, 150 prisoners and several wagons. The enemy have destroyed many of their caissons and wagons, to prevent their falling into our hands. It is reported that we have again overtaken the enemy to-day, near Fincastle.
One hundred and thirty more of Sheridan’s raiders have arrived here.
Hunter destroyed a large amount of private property in his advance, and stole a large number of horses and cattle.
LATEST FROM THE NORTH
PETERSBURG, June 23—Northern dates to the 20th have been received here.
Sheridan’s official report, which is published, says that he destroyed the Central railroad from Travillian’s to Louisa Court House. His intention was to cut the railroad between Charlottesville and Gordonsville and march on Charlottesville. The engagement was the most brilliant of the war, and was not renewed because the horses were out of forage and the men out of ammunition. He took and brought off three hundred and seventy prisoners of war, including twenty commissioned officers-His loss in prisoners will not exceed one hundred and sixty.
Grant claims to have captured four hundred and fifty prisoners and four guns of Friday last. He speaks of his change of base as a great success in flank movements, and boast that he has lost not a wagon or piece of artillery.
Gold closes at ninety sis and three-eights.1
Source:
- “Telegraphic Reports of the Press Association.” Richmond Examiner. June 24, 1864, p. 2 col. 6 ↩