The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1865-04-04


the War Department at e:2O this morn
ing, reports Petersburg evacuated.
From the Army Of the Potomac.
NEW YORK, April 1.-The Sunday Mer-
Gurus Washington special says 1t was
fully expected at City Point yesterday
that Sheridan struck the South Side rail-
road at Wallsville Depot. near White
Oak creek, which would be in line di.
rectly west of Burkesville Junction Of
the Danville and South Side railroad.
All of the rebel infantry sent out by
Lee to intercept Sheridan, was engaged
by Gen. Grant about ten miles this side
of the South Side railroad as early as
Thursday last, and it is known that the
enemy have no force of cavalry able TO
compete with Sheridan. 1t is considered
that the cutting of both railroad lines by
the latter will doubtless be accomplished.
The HeralTs Army of the Potomac
special, of the 30th, says: All that IS
necessary to insure heavy ralnstorn, Is
to have General Meade issue al order for
movement of the Army OF the Poto-
mac. Whenever the movement has taken
place a storm begins. For the past tit-
teen hours rain has fallen in torrents
Since the engagement between Gritfin's
division of the fifth corps and portion
of Anderson's rebel corps, on Quaker
road. yesterday, very little fighting has
occurred and our line is steadily pressed
forward. On the left the 5th corps occu-
pies Boydton plank road, near the juno
ton of the Quaker road. The second
corps Joins the fifth on the right, while
Sheridan moves toward his destination.
The enemy opened u furious bombard.
ment last night along the whole line IN
front of Petersburg, occupied by the
ninth corps, to ascertain if we still held
the line in force, He also made dem
onstration with infantry at three differ
ent points, but without doing much
damage. Our loss was trifiing. rlI
A second corps special says: Various
divisions of corps advanced simulta-
neously in line of battle, the skirmishefs
soon meeting those of the enemy, who
fell back almost without firing shot
The country over which we passed is the
worst imaginable ground. NATURALLY
swampy and full of euicksands, decayed
trees and thick growth of underwood.
The heavy rain has made the country
one vast lake, through which the line
waded, driving the enemy before them.
Several lines of works had been con-
structed by the enemy, bnt they did not
attempt to hold them, and slowly fell
back as we advanced. BY noon our
lines had advanced q mile and hall IN
plain sight of the enemy's main line OF OF
works. 49, ~. y !. .;Ily4I1sET
1t being impossible to bring up artii
lery, halt was ordered, and our troops
commenced throwing up works, rap aud
turning those constructed by the enemy
We now occupy the dividing ridge be-
tween Graveily, run and Hatcher's run.
We are a mile north Of the Quaker and
Boydton plank road, with Gen Sirattin On
the right, Crawford in the center, and
Gen. Ayerson the left, whose troops now
command White Oak road.
Prisoners, and deserters agree that Lee
is in Command of the enemy confronting
us 81 TT Is said that preparations were
made for a general assault this morning.
but after riding along his line Lee coun-
termanded the erder, and decided In case
OF our advance, on failing iback to- the
position they now occupy. Andersone Q
WllcOA - w 1901 ttfiu 0uohiO>A ooANrN|-r =
command are said to have hesn- on our
front Yesterday. and to-day Hatch's and
Heath's divisions are saidto have Joined
them. Brickell's troops, are stated to
have just come from Richmond, where
they had been sent to oppose the expect
ed advanceof Sheridan on the rebel cap
ital. s.
& sncoSp prspArcH.
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTo-
MAC,aApsiis2IaAlidnight.--Aoour
Msior. General Sheridan has Just arrived
With the most cheering news, = The com.
binsd forces of cavalry and Major Cen
Warrens b infantry advanced against the
enemy. this eysaiags sasisias. .thsaa. .ssxsE'
al miles aud capturing about 1000 pris-
oners ma number of pieces of. artillery
TNSs lfetfSktSdF TO Elave ,iits fofks = wnsfe
thsS Vere fiauked BY part Of the. 6th
4 ....-Sv. -: ~ haad ,,,nva1 down fhA White