On the 27th of October a heavy column was thrown across Hatcher’s Run, in the vicinity of Burgess’s Mill, on the Boydton Road, and an obstinate attack was made on Lee’s lines there with the view of breaking through to the Southside Road.  In this, however, General Grant did not succeed.  His column was met in front and flank by Generals Hampton—­who here lost his brave son, Preston—­and W.H.F.  Lee, with dismounted sharp-shooters; infantry was hastened to the threatened point by General Lee, and, after an obstinate struggle, the Federal force was driven back.  General Lee reporting that General Mahone charged and “broke three lines of battle."[1]

[Footnote 1:  Dispatch of Lee, October 28, 1864.—­It was the habit of General Lee, throughout the last campaign of the war, to send to Richmond, from time to time, brief dispatches announcing whatever occurred along the lines; and these, in the absence of official reports of these occurrences on the Confederate side, are valuable records of the progress of affairs.  These brief summaries are reliable from the absence of all exaggeration, but cannot be depended upon by the historian, for a very singular reason, namely, that almost invariably the Confederate successes are understated.  On the present occasion, the Federal loss in prisoners near Burgess’s Mill and east of Richmond—­where General Grant had attacked at the same time to effect a diversion—­are put down by General Lee at eight hundred, whereas thirteen hundred and sixty-five were received at Richmond.

Lee’s dispatch of October 28th is here given, as a specimen of these brief military reports.

HEADQUARTERS ARMY NORTHERN VIRGINIA,

October 28, 1864.

Hon. Secretary of War: 

General Hill reports that the attack of General Heth upon the enemy on the Boydton Plank-road, mentioned in my dispatch last evening, was made by three brigades under General Mahone in front, and General Hampton in the rear.  Mahone captured four hundred prisoners, three stand of colors, and six pieces of artillery.  The latter could not be brought off, the enemy having possession of the bridge.

In the attack subsequently made by the enemy General Mahone broke three lines of battle, and during the night the enemy retreated from the Boydton Road, leaving his wounded and more than two hundred and fifty dead on the field.

About nine o’clock P.M. a small force assaulted and took possession of our works on the Baxter Road, in front of Petersburg, but were soon driven out.

On the Williamsburg Road General Field captured upward of four hundred prisoners and seven stand of colors.  The enemy left a number of dead in front of our works, and to-day retreated to his former position.

R.E.  Lee]

With this repulse of the Federal forces terminated active operations of importance for the year; and but one other attempt was made, during the winter, to gain ground on the left.  This took place early in February, and resulted in failure like the former—­the Confederates losing, however, the brave General John Pegram.