Editor’s Note: This article was transcribed by Jackie Martin.
THE WAR.
ARMY OF THE POTOMAC.—Further particulars have been received respecting GRANT’S movements on the north bank of the James. The Tenth Corps (BIRNEY’S) moved early Wednesday night [SOPO Editor’s Note: September 28, 1864], crossing the river on a pontoon bridge, and effecting a lodgment of the entire force before daylight [SOPO Editor’s Note: On September 29, 1864]. An advance was immediately ordered, and the enemy’s works on CHAPIN’S farm were carried in a brief space of time. Few Rebel troops appeared to dispute the progress of our forces, and it is believed that LEE had hurried those of his men who were stationed at this point forward to reinforce EARLY, or else transferred them to the Weldon Railroad, where he received a fresh and formidable attack from GRANT. BIRNEY pushed on with his corps, and seemed to have astonished the Rebels completely. Evidently they did not expect a movement in this direction.
There is no news that would indicate that ORD and BIRNEY have met with any check in their advance. A ludicrous attack was made on our advanced works on the Jerusalem Plank Road last Wednesday night, but it was brilliantly repulsed by a portion of the Second Brigade, Third Division, Ninth Army Corps, under command of Colonel RUSSELL, Twenty-eighth United States Colored Troops. This is the second unsuccessful attack made upon these works. Passengers by the City Point boat at Washington, yesterday, assert that GRANT has put the entire army in motion; that he has been ready for some time, and only awaited the development of SHERIDAN’S Shenandoah campaign.
LATER.—Secretary STANTON telegraphs that General WARREN attacked and carried the enemy’s line yesterday [SOPO Editor’s Note: September 30, 1864], on their extreme right, taking a number of prisoners. General MEADE also moved from his left, and carried the enemy’s works near Poplar Grove Church. Late yesterday afternoon the Rebels in three columns attacked Generals BIRNEY and ORD at Chapin’s Farm, but were repulsed.1
Source:
- “The War.” Philadelphia Inquirer. October 1, 1864, p. 4 col. 1 ↩