Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 02.djvu/307

Rh his official dispatch, and states that Hampton "contributed largely to the success of the day"

In these four engagements, the enemy acknowledge a loss of above 7,000 men, and there is reason to believe that the occupation of the Weldon road during this month cost them between 8,000 and 9,000 men. The Confederate loss was not above one-fourth of that number.

Then followed the severe combats of September 30th and October 1st—known as "the Battles of the Jones House," in which the enemy again lost heavily in prisoners —after which succeeded a period of quiet, broken by several minor "affairs" brought on by continuous extension of the Federal left. The Presidential election in the North was now near at hand, and before settling down into winter-quarters, General Grant determined to make one more vigorous effort to turn Lee's right, seize the Southside road, and compel the evacuation of Petersburg. For this purpose the Federal commander concentrated on his left the greater portion of three army corps, and on October 27th, was fought

an action so confused by reason of the heavily wooded character of the country, that it would be impossible for you to follow the details without the aid of a map, so I must content myself with stating simply that the attempt failed; not forgetting the caution to you, however, that so far as concerns the conduct of affairs, and the numbers engaged, on the Confederate side, Mr. Swinton's narrative is a very fallacious guide.

Once more, Mr. Stanton, who had long preserved silence, appeared to chronicle victory, and gold, which ever sympathizes with success, rose from 2.18½ to 2.41—within ten days to 2.57. Nor shall we judge