The War News — movement of Yankee cavalry — raid upon Petersburg, &c.
Matters continue quiet in front.
So far as we could learn not a gun was fired yesterday.
Our army holds the strong position on
Turkey Hill, on the other side of the
Chickahominy, while the enemy are below, their line extending in the direction of Bottom's Bridge.
It is reported that they are throwing up strong fortifications in our front, and it is probably their purpose to attempt a crossing at some of the bridges to this side of the
Chickahominy, and thence make their way to
James river.
The following dispatch from
General Lee was received at the War Department at a late hour on Wednesday night:
The enemy has been unusually quiet to-day along the whole extent of his lines, and nothing of importance has occurred.--Two divisions of his cavalry, under
General Sheridan, are reported to have crossed the
Pamunkey yesterday at New Castle Ferry.
The cavalry force alluded to by
Gen. Lee is reported to have encamped Tuesday night on
Pollard's farm, near
Aylett's, in King William county.
On Wednesday morning they proceeded on up the
Pamunkey, and that night we hear of them at Chesterfield Station, on the Richmond and Fredericksburg railroad, fourteen miles beyond
Ashland, and at Colman's Mill, two miles still further on. Various conjectures are indulged in as to the object of this movement, but nothing has up to this time been developed.
Since the above was written we have learned something more of the movements of
Sheridan's raiders.
After leaving Chesterfield Station they proceeded on to
Athens, in Caroline county, three miles from
Milford; then taking a westerly direction, were heard from at 2 o'clock yesterday at
Childsburg, six miles from
Beaver Dam, evidently making for the Central Railroad.
What their purpose was in taking this circuitous route is not known.
It is to be hoped that proper measures have been adopted to obstruct their progress.
Our cavalry have now a line opportunity to distinguish themselves by putting a final check upon this bold raiding party of
Sheridan's. They have already done mischief enough, and should not be permitted to roam about at will, plundering and destroying property, and cutting off our communications with the interior.
From the Southside — a demonstration near Petersburg.
Information was received last evening that a force of Yankee cavalry, under
Kantz, approached
Petersburg on the south side of the
Appomattox, and about two o'clock yesterday afternoon made their appearance in front of that city.
The local forces first engaged them, and lost five or six killed and about the same number wounded.
This engagement took place within our outer line of fortifications.
They were subsequently attacked by
Wise's brigade and driven back, after which they retired.
This was certainly a bold attempt on the part of the enemy.
They probably relied upon the assurance of a runaway negro, that
Petersburg was ready to surrender, and doubtless expected to enter the city with flying colors; but they found out their mistake before the close of the day.
This movement explains the frequent advances of Yankee cavalry towards
Petersburg recently, which may now be regarded as reconnaissances.
Various rumors were in circulation last night relative to the demonstration above alluded to, one of which was that the enemy actually got inside of the city, and were mowed down by batteries posted in the streets; but nothing was known of this in official quarters.
We learned at the War Department that a dispatch was received at 5 o'clock, stating that the enemy had been repulsed, and we have good authority for saying that they got no nearer to the city than the water works.
The troops engaged on our side were
Dearing's cavalry, a part of
Wise's brigade, and the local forces.--Some few of the latter are reported killed, among them
Mr. John Friend and
Mr. Jones, druggist.
The
Yankees, at last accounts, were retreating through Prince George.
The object of these two raids — starting almost simultaneously on the north and south sides of the river — is obviously to embarrass our transportation and cut off our means of communication.
We have received some additional particulars of the fight near
Staunton, Va., on Sunday last.
It is stated that the battle opened at 11 o'clock A. M. at
Piedmont, near New Hope, eleven miles northeast of
Staunton, on the road leading from
Port Republic to
Waynesboro', and raged with great intensity until about 4 in the afternoon.
During this period the enemy made several desperate assaults upon our position, but were in each instance repulsed with loss.
Gen. W. E. Jones, commanding our forces, then assumed the offensive, but was unfortunately killed in leading a charge.
His fall created some confusion in our ranks, and caused our left wing to give way, thus necessitating the retreat of the centre and right to prevent being assailed in the rear.
Our troops fell back in good order to
Waynesboro', about twelve miles distant from the battle ground, where at last advices they were in position to defend the mountain gape.
Our loss in the fight has been estimated as high as 400 killed, wounded and missing. --The enemy's casualties are believed to have been heavier than ours, from the fact that they made the assaults, and were repulsed Indeed,
Gen. Vaughan, who succeeded
Gen. Jones, telegraphed that we inflicted more loss on the enemy than we sustained, and that though having been by over whelming numbers compelled to fall back, we lost nothing, but brought off all our artillery and wagons.
In addition to the loss of
Gen. Jones, it is reported that
Col. Alken, of the 52nd Tennessee regiment, was killed, and
General Vaughan slightly wounded.
The report that
Gen. Imboden is missing needs confirmation.
The Yankee force under
Hunter's command consisted of two divisions of infantry --
Couch's and
Sullivan's — and four regiments of cavalry.
It is stated that two of the infantry regiments were negroes.
We have good authority for stating that the enemy entered
Staunton on Sunday night, and burnt the
Court-House, the railroad depot and water tank.
Since the fight at
Piedmont,
Hunter, it is reported, has been reinforced by
Crook with six thousand men, making his entire force thirteen thousand strong.
These numbers are probably exaggerated.
The enemy still held possession of the place on the 7th instant.
