The War News.
Matters along the lines in front of Petersburg were comparatively quiet yesterday until the time of the departure of the train for Richmond. The report that the enemy has crossed any considerable force to the north side of James river has died away, and the people are as much puzzled in regard to Grant's future intentions as ever. We have received some further intelligence of recent operations which will doubtless prove interesting to the reader. On Friday night and during Saturday there was incessant skirmishing and picket firing, accompanied, at intervals, with heavy cannonading. On Saturday night, from half past 12 to 1 o'clock, there was furious artillery firing from our batteries on the Chesterfield side of the Appomattox.--The discharges were estimated at thirty per minute, and it is thought that not less than forty or fifty guns participated. The earth fairly shook with the reverberations. It was at one time thought that our batteries were shelling the enemy's mortar lines, but the citizens of Petersburg seem as ignorant of the erase of the demonstration as those living at a distance. The Express says it was stated on Sunday, by an officer who seemed to be well posted, that the cause of the cannonade was an attempt of the enemy to throw a brigade or more across the river under cover of darkness. It was, however, a signal failure, for our men were well prepared to check any such movement. The storm of iron rained upon the Yankees on that night must have amounted to at least a ton, and the noise was perfectly terrific.On Sunday the usual picket firing and mortar shelling was renewed, and continued until a late hour of the night.
The rumor of Grant's death was revived yesterday in full vigor, and this time said to be upon the authority of a Washington paper, which announced the arrival of his dead body in that city. All humbug.
Capture of a Yankee Colonel — a Daring act.
On Sunday Adjutant Grigg, of Bushrod Johnson's Tennessee brigade, with four companions, proceeded down the north bank of the James river on a scouting expedition, to ascertain the strength of the enemy between Newmarket Hill and that stream. As the party were proceeding leisurely along in the vicinity of the Yankee lines, they discovered Lieut. Col. Hooper, of Bradshaw's (Federal) brigade, engaged, as field officer of the day, in posting pickets. He carelessly advanced some distance in front of his men, when he was suddenly halted by Adjutant Grigg, who drew his pistol and demanded a surrender. The Yankee sharpshooters endeavored to prevent the capture of their officer, and kept up quite a lively fusillade; but the Adjutant succeeded in bringing off his prisoner, with his horse and accoutrements.Col. Hooper is said to be a brother of the Yankee General of the same name, killed in Sherman's army in a recent engagement. Some important papers were found on the person of the captured officer, which were handed over to the military authorities.
From Georgia.
The following official dispatch, received yesterday at the War Department, satisfied, to some extent, the public clamor for news from the seat of war in Georgia;
In the engagement yesterday we captured 18 stands of colors instead of 5, and 13 guns instead of 22, as previously reported.
Brig Gen. Mercer was not wounded.
All quiet to-day, except a little picked firing and occasional shells thrown into the city.
The subjoined dispatch, also received yesterday, while only a repetition of a part of the foregoing, shows that up to Sunday evening no hostilities of magnitude had been resumed. As the enemy is near enough to Atlanta to throw shells into the city, it is to be presumed that he will indulge in that practice to a considerable extent, as Grant has done at Petersburg:
"All has been quiet to-day, except a little picket firing and occasional shells thrown into the city.
The Associated Press dispatch, which we publish elsewhere, brings the latest news from Atlanta. It appears that many shells have entered the town, and though several houses have been struck, but little damage has resulted.
From the Georgia papers, received last night, we gather some details of the fight on the 20th. The correspondent of the Appeal writes:
‘ "Finding that the enemy had crossed Peachtree creek and were attempting to turn his right, for the purpose of gaining possession of the railroad bridge, General Hood determined to attack their left, and Stewart's and Hardee's corps were ordered to advance upon them. The order to advance was received by the men with the wildest enthusiasm, and no sooner was the order given than the men swept forward with a yell such as only a rebel can give, and the enemy's skirmisher were soon encountered and driven back upon the main line, where temporary works had been erected. Our men never faltered, but dashed forward through the leaden rain,
and drove the enemy in disorder from the works, capturing a number of prisoners."
’ Among those lost on our side are Brig. Gen. Stevens, of Walker's division, and Major Preston, of the artillery, killed during the action.
Judging from the tone of the Georgia papers, Atlanta is to be defended at every sacrifice.
No official dispatches were received at headquarters last night.
Movements in North Mississippi.
A dispatch from Tupelo, dated July 16, says our forces had been fighting on the prairies since the previous Sunday. On Wednesday the enemy declined battle and moved toward Tupelo. We struck them in the flanks on every road, but rapid movements prevented concentration. On Thursday our troops attacked the enemy with three cavalry divisions at Old Harrisburg, but failed to drive them from their strong position. The enemy declined every invitation to fight. On Friday afternoon, our troops being well up and about to, bring the affair to an issue, the Yankees fled, and were soon in full retreat. They fought stubbornly when compelled to do so, but were evidently afraid of a set fight. Our loss in these affairs is represented to have been severe. The Yankee Gen Smith had 14,000 troops, all veterans, except eight regiments of negroes.
