The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1865-04-14

all their artillery, excepting one or two olt
Cplpmbiads and a few heavy ,mortars
which they could not transport readily :
Alarge number of men deserted and hi,
il town until our troops entered, whel
when, they made their appearance, ant
were taken into custody. .. :, 90
at is believed they retreated towart
Lynchburg or Danville, but they will hav'
to make good time if they allude the pur
suit of our army now, flushed with victory
and willing to travel at any rate and any
where to head them off.
The city presents very clearly. and re-
spectacle appearance. Many houses in the
lower part Of the city. have been badly in.
jured by shot and shell thrown from oul
batteries last summer, and since that time
most OF, the houses located there have beer
vacated y y g., TO-,
FIVE O'CLOCK P. M.-Ever since morn
ing our troops have been passing through
the city westward, taking the Cox and riv-
er roads to Sutherland Station, on South
Side railroad, where our headquarters are
in camp tonight.
At this hour the rear guard are passing
and wagon trains are following.
The railroad from City Point here is to
be put in running order Immediately, and
although 1t is not expected permanent
force will be established here, vet it viii
be held as depot Of supplies to the army
so long as it is within reach. All rolling
stock of the railroads was run off toward
Richmond, but in this they must have
been very deficient, or they would not
have burned so much tobacco. I'D -..'.
NEW York, April 5.-The Herald,s cor
respondent, speaking of Sundays fight,
says through q part Of the night, opera
tons were confined to skirmishes, but
few minutes after IL O'Clock the rebels
advanced, making demonstration. 1t
was OF short duration, promptly repulsed.
Then followed a season Of stiffness with
orders to prepare for an advance, SO that
when the rebels started to 60 we were to
go after them. 30
At 3 o'clock our advanced forces in pur-
suit occupied their main line, and our forcs
were arranged for an immediate advance.
At o'clock we were in Petersburg.
New YORK, April 1.-The rebel Gener-
a! A. T. Hill, is reported by prisoners as
killed. ~
New YORK, April 5.-The Herold's
correspondent has the following account
of the operations on Sunday. At mid
night on Saturday, Gen. Wilcox had or
ders to demonstrate on the right of the
enenIy's line so as to draw the rebels left
preparatory to operations in that quarter.
The next morning Admiral Porter, and all
the artillery on the works on the right we're
also set at work, and General Wilcox's
skirmishers were advanced. The rebels
were aroused, and soon sharp volley's of
,musketry were heard, indicating that they
were at work. Amidst the noise and
smoke, the skirmishers pushed on until
reaching the outskirts of Petersburg, when
they met heavy body of rebels advance
ing upon them. aa
A brisk engagement followed, but our
numbers were SO small, that we were com.
PEELED to withdraw. -s
Gen. Wilcox then got orders to attack
Malone on the left. He massed column
for the purpose. While this was being
done similar dispositions were making fur
ther to the left, and system of cannon
signals had been agreed upon to fix the
moment of starting, that all might assault
simultaneously. a.'E =. 5, DO
Owing to mist which hung over the
field, the pre-. arations had been concealed
from the enemy. .'3'.t Ton g."
At four o'clock the signal was given.
The men advanced quickly in perfect Or
der with fixed bayonets. That they went
to stay was indicated by being accom-
panied by detachment Of heavy artillery
men to work the enemys guns Presently
musketry was heard as the rebel picket
line was reached, and now and then
hearty cheer followed by the roar of mus
kerry. The cheering and firing is taken
up and run along to the left until it is lost
in the distance. g.. e 'r 80
Instantly the artillery on other sides is
at work and 200 big guns belch forth their
thunders, but the work is quickly done.
Col. Hartman of the 9Th Wisconsin, act
ing Brigadier General of Volunteers, or
dered q charge, and away the noble fell
lows went over the breastworks, rifle pits,
abattis, chevreax de frise to the parapet of
the main work, and the deed is accom-
Pushed. For one moment the thunder
struck rebels looked, and then took to
flight, but our fellows were too quick for
all of them, and captured 1000. Nine
guns were found in the fort and were
quickly trained and set at work annoying
the rebel batteries.
These simultaneous operations further
to the left cut the rebel line and took from
them commanding positions and large
amount Of artillery. Scarcely were we in
possession of the Fort when the rebels,
having their forces picked up and some re-
Inducements, came up with yells to re-
take it. They made most desperate as
sault, standing up msnfully against terrific
discharges Of grape and canister and
whitening volleys Of musketry, but it was
to no purpose.
Four times during the day did they at
tempt to re-take this important position,
but were each time sent reelino hack in