Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1865-04-05

deck Of the Perry, and from the ramparts OF
Fort Harrison, on WeitzePs lines, is described
as grand in the extreme. A deafening, crash
ing roar, thousand Kissing, GLOWING masses
OF hery matter, suspended for an lnstant IN
mid. air, then falling with q heavy souno ano
mighty splash in to the yexed river. Inus JIG
of the rebel rams passed from existence,
few minutes later and the scene was repeateo,
and the other ram followed its mate from earth
The slighter explosions and great connagra.
tioas, further up the river at the same Tune,
were ascribed, and without doubt correctly,
to the destruction OF the rebel wooden fleet.
Around our lines from Hatcher's Run to Pc
tersburg, in the changing, shifting scenes of
sunday up the James, the story is complete;
but to the full recital Of the glories Of the day
there yet remains WeitZels lines north of the
James to chronicle. When Gen. Ord with
drew to the lines investing Petersburg he
brought with him exactly one. half OF his army,
being Turner'S and Fosters divisions of the
2ith corps and Birney's division OF the 18th
[coioredl corps. On the north side, occupying
his entire line, he left Weitzel, with Kautzs
division of the cath corps, and Asborne's and
Thomas divisions of the 18th corps.
Yesterday, while the greatest scenes Of his
tory were enactIng around Petersburg, Welt.
zels entire lire was perfectly quiet, not a shot
anywhere. The enemy made great show;
every man on the line doubtless had orders to
make himself appear as much as possible IKE
six. WeitZel command certainly had such
orders; both sides were playing the same game,
and one was probably as little deceived as the
other. When night came on the rebel bands
rions parts of their lines; probably half the
bands in the rebel camps had been called into
requisition in the game of attempted deception.
WeirZel followed the example set him; he set
all his bands to work upon our national airs,
and the night was filled with melodious strains,
conflicting somewhat, however, in their polit-
ical significance.
Towards midnight, however, this musical
contest ceased, and silence, complete and ab-
solute, broOded over the contendIng lines. At
the hour specified the camps were startled into
life again by the explosions already detailed.
To WeiZels clear brain the full meaning OF
need the confrmatory lurid light he saw
hanging over the rebel capital to tell him that
the hour had almost come His orders were
to push on whenever satisfied of his ability to
enter the city, and summOning what patience
he could he waited the short interval until
daylight, when he sent out the 5th Massachu.
sets cavalry to reconnoitre. Its report soon
came In, no enemy - be found: his camps de.
serted, whatever force had been there, and it
is difficult yet to designate the particular or.
ganiZation gone in the darkness of the night
The way to Richmond was open. Southwest
of Petersburg had been found the key that had
unlocked its stubborn gates, and Weitzel was
instantly on the road.
Osborne's division took, by q singular COIN
cidence, the river road known as the Osborne
old turnpike. and Kautz and Thomas moved
on the Darbeytown and Newmarket Road, and
began their march into the city. Here must
leave him on the threshold of his triumphal
entry; my Information comes to no later date;
other pens than mine must take up the narra-
tive at this point and carry it on in its glorious
progress.
A material fact must be stated. The railroad
into Petersburg, am reliably informed, will
be In running order tomorrow night. notwith-
standing large trestle must be built, but q
heavy construction corps having been sent out
early this morning and the timber all being
ready, there is no doubt that two days at fur
thest will put the road it order orrespon-
dence Philadelphia Inquirer.