The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1865-04-05
PARTICULARS OF THE ATTACK ON
PETERSBURG.
DESPERATE QHARAOTER OF TIE
FIGHTING,
Gen. Ransom Wounded and A. P. Hill
Killed. Tr
HEADQUARTERS ARMY PoroMAc,


The most important victory the army OF the
Potomac has ever gained in Virginia was won
to-day. The outer line OF the rebel works has
at last yielded to our victorious army and the
greater portion OF this army are might with
Ia one and half miles OF Petersburg. The
struggle made by the enemy to retain this
work mas been of a most desperate character.
The orders for the attack on the line east and
south Of Petersburg by the 9th and 9th corps
were carried out punctually at daylight, the
artillery having been hammering away nearly
all night. A charge was made in front OF
Forts Hell and hice, on the Jerusalem road,
/. and was SO far successful that by A. M. we
were in possession of these Notifications, Fort
Malone being the most elaborate and extern
sive. 81 1~e
These works contained fourteen guns, some
OF which were at once opened on the enemy
About 100 yards from Fort Malone was an
other work, TO which the rebels retreated, and
from whence they threw most destructive
fire upon our men, causing them to retire from
the westerly end, when the rebels made dash
thinking to recover it entirely, but the guns
IN the right wing as well as in the centre had
been manned and shotted and the assailants
were driven back. From this time and until
late id the afternoon the struggle continued,
the enemy using every effort to recover the
fort while our men were as determined to hold
possession of what they had fought SO hard to
gain. About noon the chances seemed 10 be
that we should lose it, but soon the provision
a! brigade under Gen. Colliss, and the engineer
brigade under Gen. Benham, with Gen. Haw-
Inns brigade of the 9th corps came on the
ground and by their timely arrival saved the
gallant men in the fort from capture and again
compelled the enemy TO retire. The fire
which ragged on the ground and around this
foit was OF the most terrible and fearful char
acter, and to stand and see our men advance
on run through the very thickest of it, many
OF them being torn to pieces and lost to sight
before they crossed half the distance, was
sight not soon to be forgotten. AT dark the
condition OF the combantants was the same as
during the day. eP
Gen. Wilcox with part of his division
made an attack in front of Fort McGilvery.
near the Appomattox, aud took part of the
line, but was soon forced to retire to his FORM
er position owing to the lack of supplies. The
loss OF the 9th corps will reach from 800 to
l0O0 In killed and wounded and prisoners.
among whom are Gen. Potter, commanding
"a brigade, who is badly wounded in the groin
but not fatally. Col. Gethell and Major Bot
tons OF the 3lst Maine were severely wounded. |
The corps has taken IA guns, 200 prisoners |
and two battle flags.
The 9th corps struck the enemv's line in |
front of Fort WEIGH and carried them with |
very slight loss. they at once pushed for the |
Southside railroad, which they reached about |
O'Clock and tore up several miles of track. |
They then moved on down towards Peters
burg before them, across Town Run and into |
their inner lines close to the city. They took |
about 30C prisoners aud some twenty guns. |
No attack on the inner line has been made |
yet. eTm
The 9th corps connecting with the 9th on |
the right, and the I'd on the left, advanced at |
daylight and took the works in the front with |
slight loss. Over 1000 prisoners were taken.
Thev were supported by colored division of |
the 25th corps. fol8Ysl H4
The I'd corps delayed advancing until Sher- |
idan and the 9TH corps got within supporting |
distance on the extreme left, when the entire |
line moved forward, carrying the work with |
out much opposition, when the rebels retreat |
ed across the Souihside railroad, but ran |
against Sheridan and made show to fight. |
News to this effect reaching headquarters the |
I'd division of the I'd corps were at once sent |
to flank, and if possible capture the entire
command. Our losses during the day cannot |
be given, but it is believed 1000 will cover
them. Many valuable officers are among the
number whose names are not obtainable to-
night. Our captures will sum up about 5000 |
prisoners and 3S guns. iaa q
The loss of the enemy in killed and wound |
ed is not known, but in front of the 9th corps |
they lie on the ground very thick. Gen. Ran
som is badly wounded and prisoner in our |
hands. He was found at home on the Boyd |
town road. Gen. A. Hill is reported killed by |
prisoners.
Monday, april 8, $50 4. M.-Petersburg
is ours. The I'd brigade, LIST division, 9th |
corps took possession this morning at day
light. aae eo gsb So s'es 81