Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1865-04-12

/ along the SiXtn ana N1ntn corps 'front.' sew
{ sral hours before daylight. The troops were
massed as quietly as possible for the attack
| at daybreak, but, notwithstanding, their
manevers were discovered by the enemy,
who at once opened terrific artillery and
masketry fire upon them, continuing 1t un-
til they moved outside of their works for
the grand charge which resulted in such sig
nal success. 1t was yet dark when our for
ces began their march for the enemy's line
in the face of fierce and incessant fire such
as has seldom been exceeded during the war.
The firing of the enemy was wild and mae
curate, however, and our troops suffered
less while moving to the charge than when
massed two hours before.
At the time before mentioned the line of
the Ninth Corps was advanced from the
Appomattox to its left, near the Weldon
Railroad, and after short but desperate
contest was in possession of the greater por
tlon of the Rebel line east of Petersburg,
including most of the formidable salients.
The Division of Wilcox, resting its right on
the AppomattoX, was atterward furiously
attacked and forced to retire to its original
position, while those of Potter and Hartranft,
further to the left, still held tenaciously the
greater portion Of the enemy line, notwith-
standing the desperate attempt made to dis
lodge them Fort Malone, in front of the
notoi iOuS IOFG Ileii, duu tUTce QUIET lOTln-
ldable earthworkS to the northward had
been carried by storm, and the enemy, mad
dened at the success of our assault, were in
turn assaultlng, now driving our men from
the works, and again being hurled back
leaving them in our hands. The history of
the fighting of the Ninth to day is made up
OF series of charges and counter charges,
finally resulting in our retention of the
works carried by Potter and Hartranft in
The morning, with the exception Of Fort
Malone, one portion of which is still IN the
hands of the enemy. Gen. Potter was Sc
verely if not fatally wounded while fighting
his Division this morning.
To the gala 1t old Sixth was re erved the
honor Of carrying the whole Rebel line of
works on their 'front.' of sweeping down to
the left to the Apomattox, southwest,
and two miles from Petersburg, of cutting
the long coveted Southside Railroad, and of
capturing some 1000 prisoners, 20 guns,
anl number Of battle flags. Brig. Gen. l..
u Grant, commanding the Second Brigade
'oiGetty Division, was severely wounded
in the head by the fragment of shell while
preparing his command for the charge an
hour before daybreak. The Corps are
massed for the attack as follows: In the
ce ter deployed in line of battle the division
Of Gen. Getty supported on the left and
ItStil iSSDCCtlNCiS Dg lIlC blNlSiO vi pCilA
Seymour and Wheaton, moving in echelon
The Division Of Getty leading the advance
vas formed from left to right of the Second
Brigade, Lieut.. Col. Tracy of the I'd Yer
mont temporarily commanding. the First
Brigade. Gen Warner, and the Third com
lnanded by Col. Hyde Of the lst Maine Reg
imcnt. Under the fire of four Rebel bate
ries, and in the face of storm Of bullets the
different Divisions, IN the order mentioned,
moved steadily on to the attack, driving
back the Rebel skirmishers, piercing two
lines Of abatis. carrying ut the point Of the
bayonet the whole line in their front, and
making the important capture referred to-
The first entering the enemy works was
the l39th Pennsylvania, of the Second Bri-
gade of Getty's Division, led by Col Mum
dee, A. 4. G.. on the staff OF Gen. Getty.
The line wrested so galantly from the enemy
was but plie from the Southside Railroad
toward and across which the troops Of the
Corps were Immediately thrown, with the
left of our new line resting on the Appomat-
tox, west of Petersburg All attempts of
the enemy to repossess their line having re-
suited in his repulse, he withdrew between
10 and / clock across Town Creek to his
inner line of earthworks, In the Immediate
vicinity of the city.
The enemy having thus been completely
cut in two, dispositions were Immediately
made to roll up his right wing in the direc-
Division Of the Second Corps, led by Gen.
Hun phrey in Person, being at once dis
patched down the Cox Road running toward
Dinwiddie Court House, between the Boyd
town Plank road and the Southside Road,
for the purpose of environing the Rebels on
the north, while Sheridan, supported by the
Fifth Corps and Miles Division of the Sec
ond cut off their retreat southwark. How
far we have succeeded in accomplishing this
result has not transplred at the hour OF
writing 1t is generally believed that that
portion of the enemy cut of In the direction
Of Switzerland 5 Station viii make every eff
fort to escape without giving battle, but
it may very reasonably be supposed that our
cavalry, with the aid of infantry supporting
it, will be able either to capture or annihi
late the whole Of the Rebel force. News
from Sneridan's army may be expected to-
morrow, and there is every reason to believe
that it will be of the most gratifying char
acter
The command of Gen. Ord was also hot
~ engaged this morning. From its posi-
tion across Hatcher's Run, the troops at
daybreak charged the enemy's works, car
rying them and driving the enemy in confu
sion. In obedience to orders, Gen Ord then
moved up from his position on the Run. and
formed to the support and on the right of
the Sixth Corps. Ords troops have been
equally successful with the Sixth in the
capture of works, guns and prisoners.
Not content 10 rest upon the new laurels
he has won, Gen. Grant will tomorrow fol-
low up to-day achievement by another as
sault upon the enemy. Preparations are
now going forward for tomorrow $ work.
The Appomattox is being pontooned for the
crossing of troops to the west and north
n..d