Mr. Seward to Mr. Adams.
Sir: Vigorous activity has been displayed in the campaign, but no great change in the military situation has occurred since my last notice thereof. The insurgent expeditionary force which visited Maryland a short time ago, then retired before our pursuit into the valley, and again assumed the aggressive when the chase was relinquished, have, during the last week been operating on the south side of the Upper Potomac, west of Harper’s Ferry. On the 29th a cavalry detachment of that force, 400 or 500 strong, mareed into Chambersburg, [Page 265] burned a considerable portion of the town, and then made their escape before a government force, under command of General Averill. Measures have been taken to repel any further incursions without weakening our army on the James river.
On the morning of the 28th ultimo Lieutenant Generall Grant, by way of diverting the enemy, sent a column, under Major General Hancock, across the James, and took possession of Malvern Hill; an engagement ensued, in which he drove three insurgent brigades from an intrenched position, captured four guns and many prisoners, without any serious loss. On the night of the 29th this column returned to their accustomed position unobserved by the enemy. On the morning of the 30th the mine which had been prepared under the portion of the enemy’s fortifications, in the centre of the circumvallation of Petersburg, was exploded, and thereupon an assault was made over the breach produced by the explosion. The breach and a considerable length of parapet on the right, together with a fort in front, were taken and held by our forces. Some 300 prisoners were captured, and a large portion of a South Carolina regiment were buried under the debris of the explosion; but the assault upon the main line failed with considerable, though not very great, loss.
No important event has occurred at Atlanta since the battle of the 22d, in which it now appears that our army, although surprised, as I have before reported, was completely triumphant, yet the enemy, nevertheless, for a brief space, claimed a victory.
I am, sir, your obedient servant,
Charles Francis Adams, Esq., &c., &c., &c.