From Petersburg.
[from our own correspondent.] Petersburg, Virginia, September 3, 1864.
Heavy musketry, accompanied by occasional discharges of artillery, were heard on our extreme right yesterday morning, and indicated, quite unmistakably, active operations in that direction.--The firing turned out to have been an encounter between Dearing's cavalry and a body of the enemy's cavalry, estimated at fifteen hundred strong, accompanied by four pieces of artillery, provided with rations and forage for three days. Their object was doubtless, a raid in the direction of the Southside railroad.
They found, however, our boys on the qui vive; and after driving in the pickets, came upon a body of our reserves, who engaged and drove them back pell-mell towards their own lines.
In their retreat they threw away canteens, side-arms, sabres, and scattered "their oats" in every direction.--Our loss was a few horses; we captured a few prisoners.
Our lines have been re-established, and all is quiet to-day.
We hold the railroad at Reams's still, but the enemy still have the road on our front just out of this place.
Grant's next object (mark my prediction) will be to cut the Southside railroad with his raiders, or, if possible, to make a permanent lodgment upon it as he has upon the Weldon road.
In order to accomplish this last result he will have to swing his columns around full six miles. The next fighting here will be for the Southside road.
Last night the Yankee soldiers all along the lines were cheering vociferously.
Some say because of McClellan's nomination, whilst others allege that they have received news of the fall of Atlanta. X.
