We have received the following interesting summary of news, compiled chiefly from the Baltimore
American, of the 2d instant:
The Intelligence from
General Grant is highly important.
The assault on the rebel works at
Petersburg, for which preparations have so long been in progress, was commenced in earnest Saturday morning. At daylight, the mine constructed under the rebel fort in front of the Ninth corps was sprung.
The effect of the explosion is described as terrific, and the sight magnificent in the extreme.
The entire work, a very strong one, mounting sixteen guns, was blown into the air and rendered a mass of rules.
Immediately after the explosion an assault was made on the rebel works by the Ninth and Eighteenth corps, the Fifth corps being held in reserve.
The assault was successful in carrying the entire front line of the enemy's works and the capture of many prisoners.
Our lost was, of course, heavy, from the character of the work done.
The fight was still going on at last advices, but the dispatches speak confidently of a successful result.
Later.--Our loyal people are again called upon to show how they can hear themselves under disaster.
The assault upon
Petersburg has failed.
Our forces were repulsed with heavy losses, and the strength of the rebel position is still unimpaired.
That is, briefly, the whole story, and it is well to accept it without palliation.
Our loss in the assault was about 5,000, including prisoners captured.
The rebel force on the
Upper Potomac is engaged in an invasion or raid into
Pennsylvania, which has been marked by the infamy of the deliberate destruction of the beautiful little town of
Chambersburg, in the
Cumberland Valley.
It appears that the rebel cavalry, after withdrawing from the front of
Martinsburg, moved up the
Potomac and crossed the river at
Cherry run, a point about fifteen miles above
Williamsport.
They passed directly across
Maryland, which is very narrow at this point, and entered
Pennsylvania.--Going through
Mercersburg by a detour around
Hagerstown, which was occupied by our forces.
They entered
Chambersburg on Friday morning.--Their number was estimated at forty thousand; but there is no reason to suppose the forces to be
other than
McCaussland's command.
Only about five hundred entered
Chambersburg.
McCausland presented a requisition, signed by
General Jubal Early, demanding the payment of $500,000. Before the demand could be compiled with the town was fired and nearly the whole of it was burned.
Over two hundred and fifty houses in the heart of the town were consumed, with their contents, no time being given to the citizens to remove their furniture or other property.
General Averill overtook the raiders beyond Connellsville, and, it is reported, "whipped them handsomely." At the last accounts they were retreating in the direction of
Hancock, with
General Averill still in pursuit.
Governor Curtin has called the
Pennsylvania Legislature together to make arrangements for the defence of the
State.
We learn there has been something of a panic among the people is the vicinity of
Gettysburg and
Emmetsburg, growing out of a rumor of the advance of a large rebel force eastward, with the probability of a battle near the old
Gettysburg battle-ground.
They are represented as sending off their stock and valuables, and hurrying along the pike.
This panic is, of course, groundless, and doubtless grows out of the rumors of an immense force of rebels in
Bedford county, which has proven to be altogether unfounded.
General Wright's strong column must, ere this, have reached
Winchester, and if the rebels at tempt to retain possesion of the Shenandoah Valley a desperate battle may be expected.
Miscellaneous.
President Lincoln was at
Fortress Monroe on Sunday, and had an interview with
General Grant, at the conclusion of which the
President returned to
Washington and the
General returned to the front.
The
Detroit Tribune, of Saturday, status, on trustworthy authority, that
Jacob Thompson, in company with
Messrs Clay and
Holcombe, crossed the
Detroit river, at Gross Isle, several days ago, and is now somewhere in the
Western States.
The latest gold quotation in New York is 258½.
