The New York herald., 1865-03-28

Army OF the Potomac moved to their proper positions
argues well for the state Of their efficiency and discipline
and bespeaks success in the ensuing campaign.
| TIE PRMDEw AND LADY VISIT THE HEADQUARTERS on
GENERAL NxADE.
The President and Mrs Lincoln, accompanied by Gene
raj Grant and staff, and Mrs. Grant, and Mrs. Rawlins
visited General heades headquarters yesterday and will
| probably go to General Ord's to-day.
sHzRIDAN's MOVEMENTS.
General Sheridan reached Harisons Landing on the
James river yesterday.
FORT STEEDMAN.
Mr.. Theodore G. Wilson'S Despatch.
FoRr STEEDxAN BEFORE PEERsBvRG,(
March 25-Noon.
The stiffness Of the past few this morning
broken by attack from the rebel side bold and fierce
in its character but ending in defeat and disgrace those
who made It.
PREPARATIONS BY THE EsEMY.
For several days past the corps commanded by tho
rebel General Gordon has held position in front OF tho
right and right centre OF the line Of tho Army OF the
Potomac. To-day, two hours before daylight this
corps was silently and promptly formed for charge
Everything being ready and the proper disposition Of
the several divisions and brgades having been carefully
made, the order Forward" was given. AT this time
the first streak OF dawn appeared In the It
one Of those bright golden tins that found when
smiling sun Is rising TO cheer and warm but dull,
hcavy light-the usual accompaniment Of cloudy
ther.
THE ENEMY OUTSIDE HIS WORKS.
Without arousng alarm suspicion the rebel troops
got safely out TO the line Of works thrown up tho pro-
lection of their skirmishers At given signal they
bounded those and rapidly cutting gaps in their
own chepaaS deTse pressed on with yell towards
line
ATTACK.
That portion of the Union line attacked was occupied
b, troops Of the Ninth army corps The attack being
sudde and totally unexpected and made In almost over
helmn. force caused skirmish line to give way be-
fore the arve could be got up to support it. The
rebels noting their Success pressed with vgor and
succeeded in breaking line at point just this side of
For. steedman -~--.
rHE scnst OF v1E CONFLICT
This side OF The Apponattox river the front line,
are two strong works. then comes Fort McGlvery and
to the left OF tho latter Batteries Nos g. O. TO- Fort
Steedman, battery No IL, mortar battery and Fort
Haskell This embraces frontage Of about one mile
and quarter IN length i was on this limo that the
whole Of the fighting was don6
TUE ESEMY IN OUR ApArH
Reaching our abats the enemy poured III tor.
rife volley, while heir pionoors under heavy return
fire, cut IT away-that A they made many largs gaps In
H. sufficient N size and number for the easy passage Of
large bodies Of troops. but the work Of very
few minutes for them TO forco main line which they
did, making breach at point not far to tire left of
Fort steedman. The same rs located . rise OF ground
nearly opposite TO Cemetery Hili
fE ATTACK PORT srEeDxAN
Breaking through the left Of this work, the cncmy
passed round travelled road and captured the fort by
charging from the rear through the regular entrance
60 rapidly this accomplished that the ooes in
mand of the fort Major Randall together with General
Mclaughlin and number o( men, taken prison.
Immediately succeeding tho attack General Nc
Laughn who had command Of the line just to tho left
Of where forced, hurried into Fort Seedman, and
giving orders and cheering the up TO the last
minute before he captured
TUE MEHr FoRses LANE or BkTrIR 0sEsB FROM
MMDnAs.
On ginning possession 0f Fort steedman the enemy
extended line Of battle facing west by Little south,
from the fort along the hill 10 line Of breast
works, md behind the latter. Al tho same time shc
guns Of Fort steednan were tured upon Battery No.
10, and With effect for our pcn were hastily driven
out. Battery Ne. 10 ooannapded by Captain John
n Twss- In it four eightinch mortars and thrce
oohosn Those thc enouiy got, aud Cur short
time held possession Of them
When the rcbei nne formed, aud the enemy still IN
possession OF Fort setman and the mortar basery, he
also busy extending hs limo IN the direction Of
Meade station and tho railroard.
THE REsxL ATTACK BATTERIES Soa AzD o.
Another rebi hne was also formed and charged
against batteries Nos and o. bosh In charge Of Dcute
uant Arrow. This rehe 1ndvanec checked. The
enemy got within two hundred yards Of battery No o
and Eve hundred yards Of battery No. g. During the
attack just oferpcd to telling are poured In from
Fort McGit~ery II was 70 great extcut an eualadng
POSITION or AFFAIRS AT sEvEx A. Il
This was about seven O'Clock At this tuncturo our
position not a aaitering Tho onemy had
broken line, captured two throe works. taken
some four I've hundred prisoners, threatening
forts close 10 the Appomatox and attempting TO
tend his line to the railroad near Meade station
REINFORCEMENT
were now brought up SO far bit small portion Of
the Ninth corps engaged. The renforooents
from General Hartnnfts command, Third division,
Ninth corps Some time consumed In forming and
Arranging not merely 10 ceok the rebel advance but 70
regain the captured fors During this period no less
than three general officers (rebek in Fort steed
man. giving ordors, urging their men up while no small
number of tho rebel prvaes gave attention to plum
dering than 70 obeying orders.
uARrRAxyr ORDERED TO RECOVER THE Losr GROUND
The reinforcemens having been promptly formed In
readiness and position for action, General Harranft re-
ceyed orders from General Parkc TO to the
capture Of the lost ground On the loft Of General Hart
ranft was portion Of General wlcox's division This
materially contributed TO the success OF the day.
cHAR1E
General Hartranft made the advance as ordered As
he did so terrific re opened on Fort stecdman and
battery No 10 from Of works. and from
batteries Nos and and Fort McGilvery. The charge
by the infantry admirably executed, and the firing
| from the batteries remarkably precise.
| THE WORKS RDcApruREp.
The rebels could not remain under the heavy Hre from
guns and when last they commenced TO fall back
the infantry nankcd the fort and cut or large body Of
the rebel troops, who including many officers, fell into
| our hands prisoners Of We also took several
| battle aags
| THE REBEL ATTACK
II General Gordon, in person, who commanded tho
1 rebel attack.
rsasIBrx PUNISHMENT or THE ENEMY.
The rehels suffered terribly. Our mon literally aaugh-