The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1865-04-29
Sheridan's Pursuit or IL

\ -ENAANA - 'Nf tA"HTN~H N'--N - -
y Of the Government, aud by the skill, intrepidty
All SELF sacrificing devotion Of the Army and Nary.
Sheridan's Pursuit OF Lee.
New York. april 4-The Uor!i's Geographic
account Ct Sheridan battle At the Five Forks, says
that il was the turning point in the great CONFLICT.
and under Sheriian's geueralship will take rank With
anything On record. Il appears that Grant was not
satisfied with the days business on Friday, and
I placed Sheridan in supreme command Of "arren's
I Corps, and all the cavalry. Sheridan, at once ma
I IRuyred with his cavalry, tlsmcuntIng a portion in
[ front Of the rebels, gradually pursued them back
into their works. under the most terrible and desper-
ate fighting Of the war. While this vas being done,
Sheridan set about forming the infantry, showing the
same genius in infantry tactics be has shown IN cav
airy. 1t was a marvel 10 see so paltry a force q
/ cavalry press back and hold n check 5000 rebel
7 infantry. Still they did il, and in such a manner as
20 completely hide the Oyements Of our infantry.
They were driven back, step By step, into their works.
The signal was then given, and the infantry closed
or their works Ike huge barn-d0ors. The rebels saw
their situation but did not appear 10 appreciate how
desperate were their circumstances. They fell back
70 the Iet only to see the close line Of battle waiting
20 drive them across the field. At the right our
horsemen charged them. In their vain attempt 10
sght il cut, IN their rear foot and cavalry began TO
assemble. Soon a cross FIRE and a direct ire, by NE
and battery, rolled along, cutting down their Drayest
officers and strewing the field with bleeding men.
Their own artillery was turned on them at last;
bodies Of cavalry mounted their parapets aud charged
down upon them, slashing and ~trampling them into
confusion. They had no commanders 10 lead them out
Of the tolls into which they had fallen. 4 few more
yolieys, a new charge, a command 10 die or surren'
der. and 5000 men are Sheriiau's prisoners. Those
who escaped were pursued by the fiery Gustav and
pressed far into the desOlate forest.
WAR DEPARr'r, wAsErycToy. April 10 a. NJ.
To Major Gen. Dir-Shcridan has whipped and
routed Lee, capturing Generals Ewell. Corse, Ben
nett, Kershaw, and many other General officers,
several thousand prisoners, and many guns, and We
nope soon 10 capture OF s%nnihilate what remains Of
Lees army. Will send particulars soon, though the
telegraph lines are working badly.
L. VI. STANTON, Secretary OF War.
NEW YORK, April 1O.-The Hcrali's correspond
ent's account Of the pursuit Of Lee states that the
whole army moved five miles on the road TO Deacon
willie on the forenoon Of the 18th. The Second and
Fifth Corps succeeded in falling upon Gordon's camp,
guarding Lees army, in the vicinity Of Deeconyille,
and stOrming n portion Of il, making many captures
Of men and material. Gordon took up one position
after another Oh the hill tops, and succeeded in re-
taTding the pursuit to a limited extent. Refugees
and deserteTs stated that the rebel army was falling
TO pieces. Refugees also say that trains were run
ming from Richmond to Danville a.! that day, and
that JET. Davis and his Cabinet reached there in the
afternoon. They were taken to the residence Of Mr..
Sutherland. A refugee says that Gen. Beauregard
telegraphed that Stoneman was on the Danyille and
Greensboro Railroad, tearing 1t up between those
places.
The HerGld's correspondent from the cavalry re-
counts the movements OF this arm Of the service in
pursuit Of Lee. The rebel rear guard was overtaken,
numbering $40, strongly entrenched across Namozin
Greek. having destroyed the bridge and felled trees
across the ford TO impede the pursuit in advancing.
The enemy opened fire, which was returned With
yigor, and they were finally shelled from their posi-
ton. y number of men were at once dismounted.
the distractions removed, and the command crossed,
making 4 demonstration against the enemy at once.
The road was strewn with all sorts Of munitions and
debris, and cannon and ammunition were discovered
secreted in the woods. 4 column pushing on BARN.
gers Brigade Of cavalry was soon encountered by
our Second Brigade, Col. Wells commanding. The
rebels scattered like n flock Of sheep, on being fred
upon. In this charge Lieutenant Gustav, brother of
General Custar, got detached ON his command, but
came in with a rebel battle flag and fourteen prison.
ers. Colonel Cophart, Of the Third Brigade, about
the same time overlook the rebels near Drainsyille,
spreading on each side OF the road. Our men went
ia under the widest excitement, and Gen. Custar
covered the ground with our cavalry. Many more
rebels would have escaped had they not been sent
back He hurried up the First Brigade. and several
miles were thus passed over Many Of the rebels
and quantities Of munitions were captured, but final
ly the rebels rallied to make i stand. Our cavalry
formed for n charge, when Q strong force Of rebel
infantry was discovered in the rear, which ours
fought slowly, falling back when they were rein
forced, and the rebels were driven again, and follow
eli closely till night set in. The rebels had been
driven twenty-five miles, routed at every point, losing
men, army wagons, etc. Our whole loss was not
ff;y on the irh. The march was resumed, and con-
tnued until the afternoon. when the enemy were
Oyertakeu. Skirmishing eusued, which continued
Till night.
NEW YORK, April IO.-The HeraId's Second Corps
special dispatch Of the Attn says that a large number
Of prisoners, s~tragglers and deserters from the rebel
army had been brought in during the day. 1t is
said that the woods on the tanks OF our column are
filled with them. The same special dispatch says
that Gen. sheridan, with the Fifth Corps and cavalry, /
reached Jeitesville on tie evening Of the Attn, and
found the enemy in his front He Immediately tele-
graphed 10 Gen. Meade that he was between the
rebels and Lynchburg, and requested that the troops /
now move forward Immediately. Two Divisions Of
cavalry under Crooks have been Sighting the enemy
since morning, and Crooks struck the enemy's train, |
destroying three miles OF wagons and their contents. /
Officers report thai with another brigade they could
have captured the entire train. Two thousand pri-
soners, a battery Of Armstrong guns, and six flags
were captured.
New York, April lO-The herald correspond.
ent's account Of the pursuit OF Lees army says the
Twenty fourth Corps reached near Blacks Sta
ton, on the Southside Railroad, on the morning
OF the 9th, with Generals Grant and Ord. The Fifth
Corps and cavalry pushed on to Jettesville, then on
70 Dlnville, and met with no fighting until the night
Of the 4th. The Second, Sixth and Ninth Corps
were following closely in their rear, and by the night
OF the 9th they were all up on the Danville Road,
and the Twenty-fourth up to Bunkeryile junction.
1t appears that General Lee ordered that portion of
his army cut off by our piercing his line, on Sunday,
TO join him at Amelia Court House, fearing to have
them attempt to reach Bunkeryille Junction anu so
on to DdnvilIe.
When General Grant reached Nottaway Court
House, staff officers arrived stating that Sheridan
had encountered the enemy in small force al Jettes-
VILE, driven him in, and he made important cap
lures. Our column had intended to 90 into camp,
but General Grant thought Lees only hope was in
forced marches, and he therefore ordered the advance
The men, who had already tramped
twenty miles, on being informed Of the stirring news
from Sheridan, clamOred to march all night, and
started of with cheers.
Wherever General Grant was recognized as he rode
along the line, the delight Of the soldiers was ex.
pressed in the most enthusiastic manner. As one
division exhausted itself in cheering, another would
tQEe II IN. and so II went alrug tho ubo1a column