The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1865-03-29
0snditlsn u Issss Arny-J1S StsnaeI

Oe1osSl09 ~ boo1 012y-Bo 0eo0ae
Headquarters Army Of the Potomac, !
March Is, 1865. {
The engagement here yesterday VA
without doubt the most important an'
successful for the Union armies that ha
taken plspe since our arrival in front q
Petersburg. Not only vas the enem,
defeated q every point. but the resui
demonstrated tho fact that they bave los
heart in their cause and that larpe mum
ben are rssdy and anxious to lay dow,
their arms and give up the struggle.
After they had succeeded in gsinin,
possession Of Fort Stsdman they e. onc
fell to plundsring the baggage in th,
tents and al that their officers could d.
would not induce them TO desist. Thos,
who remained in line fought With nothin,
like the former enthusiasm and were soor
exhausted. Many laid down their arm,
st the first opportunity Of reaching th.
rear. On witnessing this the rebel of
GERS determined 70 return to their owr
lines . rapidly as possible, and urging
their men over the works managed to %,
! large portion Of the assauIting column
back 10 safety. Hundreds, however, ran
and hid in the bomb proof and waited for
oar men to take them prisoners.
The number Of prisoners captured
brought IN BY the 9th corps was reported
yesterday correctly at 1900. The loss in
this corps 10 not far from 800.
After the fighting ceased at this poin,
of the line, it was thought the attack
might have been made to cover Q more
important one on the left and con-
sequently the entire army was put under
arms to be ready for any emergency.
Gen. Humphrey was ordered to make
q reconnaissance in front Of his line in or
der to develope the enemy's strength and
their movement. This was done
shortly before noon and the picket line
was here driven in or captured for . con-
siderable distance. Our men continued
10 advance and part of division reached
md took possession of second tline of
light works, but the rebels soon after
charged the latter in line Of battle aud
forced our men back to the line taken.-
This was principally caused by the fire
rom two batteries which they we're en-
lbled to throw along this advanced posi-
lion. From this time untll 4 D. IN. firing
vas not very severe, the enemy having
'etired to their work leaving strong
picket line to hold their pits. A. this
hour the signal to fall iu was sounded
Il ng the rebel line and soon after heavy
appeared and forming in line of
battle advanced to charge on General
Miles division, but they were gallantly
received by the heroes of this division who
.oon drove them back in disorder with
heavy loss. Twice they attempted
TO break through the line, and falling
10 this they endeavored to turn the right
aank, but Gen. Miles was as ready to re-
,eive them here as a. other points, and
hey finally fell back and disappeared,
eaving their dead and many wounded on
.he field.
The musketry ON this ground was as
severe and continuous for two or three
hours rs ever heard aud was not surpass-
I'd even by that heard at the Wilderness.
Gen. Miles and his officers aud men,
the Irish Brigade, received
The highest praise for gallant behavior
On this occasion. The Sd division under
Gen. Mott held the center of the line an d
repulsed each attack of the enemy with
spirit, although the contest here was not
Is desperate ~ in front of the let dIvis-
ion. The I'd division held the extreme
left Of the line toward Hatcher's Run, the
brigade commanded by Gen. Smith only
being engaged. They advanced at the
same time with the rest of the line and
took part of the enemy's works with q
number Of prisoners. Losses 10 ed corps
as near as can be ascertained are about
600, With probably 100 missing. Among
the casualties are the following: Col,
Biezee. 49th Pa. infy, wounded; 1t. Col
20,h Ind, wounded; Maj. Ham
ilton, lI0th Pa. wounded, and Captain
Stewart. ll0th Pa, killed.
The engagement between the 9th corps
and the enemy vas not % severe ~ .,
other parts OF the line, where the ed and
9th corps fought. Here also the object
Of the attack was to feel the enemy and
If the works we're occupied in
force. Some of the troops finally reached
the rebel pickets and took about SAT pris-
oners, driving the remainder back to the
main works. The enemy's batteries were
very active and did . good deal of mis-.
chief. The firing was kept up till dark
without any attempt on their part to re-
gain lost ground. The casualties in 9Th
corps were 35 officers and 4l4 men
Among them are Capt. A. G. Douglas,
NJ. Martin, l22d o.; Adjt. L. L. Craw-
ford, l39th Pa.
The number Of prisoners in our hands
IS the result Of the days operations il
1911, enlisted men and SO officers, be.
sides about l50 wounded in our hospitals
An order is being issued to the army
congratnlating officers and men on the
splendid victory achieved over the enemy
OF the country and thanking them for gal
lant behavior on the occasion.
To-day good deal Of picket firing ha.
been kept up along the lines, but withou,
any casualties as far as known. Aboul
- =