Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1865-04-14

rebels soon after retired, being indisposed
to await another charge. The loss on both
sides was very light.
The "a corps soon after crossed the river,
and pushing on after the enemy, drove them
behind their newly built breastworks. Gen.
Smythe was severely, and, it is believed,
mortally wounded in leading the charge
This was sad loss to the command Every
man in it feels the loss as a personal one.-
A more gallant soldier never served his
country, and he not only ranked high for
bravery on the field, but as a gentleman
and friend. He was beloved by all who
knew him. Theloss in the I'd corps will be
about $50, mostly of Smythe's division. In
the morning, before the enemy crossed the
river, twelve guns were taken from them,
and afterward six more, making eighteen
during the day, and about 1000 prisoners.
The number of prisoners taken on the 9th
is put down at 400, almost entirely of Ker-
shaw's and Curtis Lees divisions.
The correspondent, after giving further
details of events, but which have mainly
been published through official sources, says
the field where thesurrender took place was
| almost covered with the enemy's dead,
nearly all of them being shot in the
head and upper part of the body. The po-
sition was a very favorable one for them,
but our artillery had good range on an ad-
joining hill, and our men charged up the
| ascent with such impetousity that some
were bayonetted before they left their light
breastworks. The road for miles was strewn
with broken wagons, caissons and baggage
| OF all kinds, presentinga scene seldom wit
messed ont he part of Lees army; the loss
on the 9th will run up about 1000 in killed
and wounded. The 9th corps suffered the
heaviest.
Another letter, dated on the evening of
the 8th, says: Stragglers are found scat
tered along the line, and as the troops pass
they come in and surrender, expressing
their determination to fight no longer, as
they consider the rebellion as good as over.
Four guns were brought in this morning
besides long train of ambulances, many
containing wounded, who were placed in
hospitals and cared for. General Gordon
sent four surgeons through the line this af
ternoon, asking that they might be allowed
to minister to the wants of those left behind
on the road; but as we have plenty of such
they were returned to the army in the morn
ing. General Hays was relieved from COM
mand OF the I'd division of the I'd corps yes
terday, tor tardiness in moving his COM
mand in obedience to orders.
Anotherletter dated April 9th, says: Not
withstanding the correspondence between
Generals Grant and Lee yesterday, which
led all to expect formal surrender this
morning, the latter eXerted all his energies
to get out of the net laid for him. lie
marched rapidly all yesterday afternoon
and evening, until he ran against Sheridan
at AppomattoX Court House, when a sharp
fight ensued, resulting in the capture of a
number of prisoners and checking their re-
treat. The Ath and 9TH corps were close
up in support of the cavalry, and during the
night took up strong position across the
main road and on the south side of the APP
pomattox river, cutting them of from re-
treatin that direction. Early this morning
Sheridan attacked vigorously, and for some |
time brisk engagement was carried on.-
About 8 A. NJ, a flag of truce appeared in |
front of his line, and he was informed |
tlfat hostilities had been suspended. This |
was caused by agreement made by General |
Ord consenting to a cessation of firing, so
as to communicate with Gen. Grant, and |
was done, it is said, withoutp proper author
ity. Gen. Sherldan's Adjutant- General was
allowed to come through the rebel col
umn to communicate with Gen. Meade, |
who stated that he knew of no such ar
rangement, and that he was about to
move forward in accordance with his
previous intentions. General Lee, how
ever, sent another message desiring to have
an interview with General Grant to
arrange the terms of surrender, and
Gen. Meade was thus obliged to grant
two hours armistice, in order to commune
cate with Gen. Grant, who had moved
around to the left during the night, Gen.
Grant consenting to see Gen. Lee and dis
cuss the matter. About half past 4 o'clock
Lieut.. Col. Whittier, of Gen. Wright's staff,
came in and reported the terms arranged
and the papers signed, when the greatest
excitement prevailed throughout our lines,
cheer upon cheer rending the air. Soon
after Gen. Meade's staff with other officers,
rode along the lines of the I'd and 9Th corps,
and they were greeted with the most en-
thusiastic shouts, the men throwing their
hats in the air and dancing with Joy and
delight. No such scene has ever been wit
messed in this army, and the thanks of the
whole country are due to the brave men and
their heroic commanders, at such great
and glorious result. ......
1t is understood that the men of General
Lees army are to be paroled and allowed to |
return to their homes. They gave up ev-
erything in their hands, but last night they
destroyed large amounts of property in the |
shape wagons,gun carriages.and baggage,
papers, &c.
The number of Lees force is put down |
at about 10000. Very few guns were in |
their possession, as they abandoned nearly |
all they did not lose in action. Thirty eight |
guns were brought in yesterday and sever
al this morning.
The rank and file of Lees army are said |
to be well satisfied to give up the struggle, |
believing that they have no hope of sue
cess, but say that If Gen. Lee had refused to |
surrender they would have stuck to him to |
the last. The officers are somewhat surly |
and discontented, but this feeling will soon |
wear off when they find how literally and |
kindly our people are disposed to treat
them.
CINCINNATI, April 13.-Preparations for
the celebration here tomorrow are per-
fected. There will be a general turn out of |
all classes. |