The Atlanta Journal Constitution Presents
The Atlanta Constitution
August 21, 1864
VOL. 5 - No. 21 (235)
"Front Page" 

Assaults Near Richmond Fail
  Grant Setback After Some Initial Gains

Petersburg, VA 
  Twin federal assaults - one north of the James River and another closer to this besieged city--failed this week, despite some bloody engagements.

The Richmond Dispatch crowed yesterday:  "It might be supposed that Richmond is in more danger than at any previous period of the campaign.  But the truth is, the people have no apprehensions whatever ... Grant has a Herculean task before him, and all his strategy will be of no avail..." (Yet, Gen. R. E. Lee suggested to Pres. Davis that local defense troops at Richmond be called out). 

The federal drive opened Sunday last as Grant believed Lee had completed defenses of Deep Bottom Run (Bailey's Creek) to support Gen. Jubal early in the Shenandoah Valley.

Some federals were to attack Confederate positions opposite Deep Bottom, penetrate their lines along four Mile Creek and move toward Chafin's Bluff and Richmond. Others were to move up the new Market Road while others were to make a dash for Richmond -- the entire operation being aimed at turning the Confederates out of the Bluff.

The initial thrusts found Confederates stronger than supposed and the federal infantry was stymied Sunday but Tuesday some federal advance was made on the Charles City Road and units reached White's Tavern, seven miles from Richmond. 

Confederate counterattacks Wednesday drove federals back to their lines behind Deep Bottom Creek.  Tuesday night, a fleet of federal vessels moved up to Deep Botom to make the Confederates think an evacuation was in progress but the ruse failed.

Fighting was suspended until Thursday when seesaw clashes occurred.  Last night, federals withdrew south of the James, their campaign a failure.  Of the 27,974 federals engaged, 2899 are listed as casualties:  Gen. H. L. Patten wounded Tuesday, has had a leg amputated; Col. D. Chaplin, wounded Wednesday, died yesterday. 

Of the 20,008 Confederates engaged, casualties reportedly number about 1,000, including Gens. V. J.B. Girardey and J. R. Chambliss, both killed Tuesday.  (Girardey, a Georgia Native, had been promoted from Captain to General by Lee on July 30, for gallantry at Petersburg, the only such battlefield promotion known.)  Capt. R. E. Lee, Jr. was wounded slightly in the arm Monday.  

While the Deep Bottom Run operations were in progress, federals south of the James launched a campaign to extend their lines west and south of Petersburg to cut communications.  The actions are known as Globe Tavern, Six Mile House and Weldon Railroad.

On Thursday federal units set out to destroy track south of Globe Tavern.  Despite the rain, heat and densely wooded terrain, federals made some progress but on Thursday there came Confederate reaction and federals were driven back, but held some gains.  Both Lee and Grant sent reinforcements.

On Friday, Confederate Gen. A. P. Hill took the initiative, striking before dawn and first gaining ground, then losing it in a federal counterattack.  Last night, Lee began withdrawing most of his troops north of the James to support Hill and additional fighting is in progress, the total casualties not yet known, but the outcome seems indicate a federal failure. 


Sheridan and Early in Shenandoah. 
  Harpers Ferry, Va.  
Contending armies under Gen. Philip Sheridan and Confederate Gen. Jubal Early maneuvered in the Shenandoah Valley this week without a significant clash.

Sheridan, with 48,000 troops and a strong directive from Gen. U.S. Grant to destroy Early, has had reports that Confederates number about 40,000 men and was ordered to act on the defensive.  In fact, Early has been able to amass 23,000 troops.

On Aug. 10, Sheridan advanced from Harpers Ferry to Berryville and Early fell back to Strasburg to await reinforcements under Gen. Richard Anderson.

But on Sunday last, Sheridan fell back to Harpers Ferry, destroying military supplies as he withdrew, with Anderson and early in distant pursuit. 

'CHEW & CHOKE'
  City Point, Va. - Gen. H. W. Halleck, hearing there will be resistance this month to the draft, advised that part of Gen. U.S. Grant's army be withdrawn to put down expected rioting.

Grant telegraphed his protest to Washington on Wednesday, saying any removal of troops would weaken the federal campaign against Petersburg. Pres. Lincoln agreed with Grant, wiring the general the same day:  "I have seen your dispatch expressing your unwillingness to break your hold where you are.  Neither am I willing.  Hold on with a bull-dog grip and chew and choke as much as possible."

When Grant saw the telegram, he laughed with delight, saying:  "The President has more nerve than any of his advisors."