The New York herald., 1865-04-05

70 small that we were compelled To withdraw,
and reluctantly fell back 10 own lines Had the
troops been a hand to reinforce this movement instead
Of being simply demonstration IL could easily have been
turned into an actual stack and would have given
then the whole LEFT Of the rebel line Of works and cut
them Oh from Petersburg entirely General Wilcox was
very anxious to change the character Of the ar but
It the critical moment he received orders 70 attack the
earliest dawn Of morning his le 90 that he could do
nothing at this time The success Of this demon
saton gave rise to the report which was sent away yes
terday morning that we had possession Of Petersburg
In the movement We Loss few men only, among them
Lieutenant Colonel Nichols Of the First Michigan sharp
shooters seriously wounded One effect Of the mcvement
was most excellent Leo had mobilized 20 large por
on Of his army against Sheridan that there was merely
picket line left here. The demonstration compelled
him to recall some Of the troops that had been sent else
whore, in order that he should not be fanked here
An RARNEsr ATIACE
30 soon a this AFFAIR was over Wilcox began massng
bis few available for tho appointed attack the
lsft This to be combined and determined attack
on the rebel front far troops properly formed
could attack. The object was twofod First, by moro
earnest demonstration TO recall greater portion Of the
rebels who were massd on their extreme right; and
second, II possible, to force their lines
FORT HAHom
The part Of the attack assigned TO General Wilcox was
to carry Fort 4ahone Of the most formidable works
on the rebel nes situated at the point where their limo
crosses the Jerusalem plank road and directly in front Of
Fort Emory where the left Of willooxs division rested
For this purpose the first brigade, Colonel Samuel Hari
man, OF tho Thirty seventh Wisconsin, was brought
around from the right Of the line and put into position
supported by brigade Of Poters division Of the same
corps While this being done similar dispositions
were making further to the left and system Of cannon
signals had been agreed upon fix the moment Of start
ing, that all hands might assault simultaneously.
DARKNESS.
AT precisely four o'clock the signal gun heard 1t
was yet scarcely gray dawn and q considerable mist
hung over the fields 80 that objects were quite ndistnct
at very short distance and not visible at all few hun
dred yards away From this the preparations made
had been wholly seoroted from the enemy The signal
gum breaking the stiffness Of the early morning, may
possibly have been alarm Of danger TO them; but
they knew not whence to look they doubtless simply
remained very quiet.
TIE ASSAULT.
Colonel Hartman advanced at once A small detach-
ment Of his brigade thrown out In advance as skir
mishers while the rest followed close after in line Of
battle with fixed bayonets The moved very quietly
and in perfect ORDER though manfesng eagerness Of
spirit that was assurance Of success That they went
to stay was indicated by their being accompanied by
detachment of one hundred Of tho First Connecticut
heavy artillery prepared TO turn and work upon the
rebels the guns that should be captured They passed
out into the darkness and all was still painful
Of suspense followed Presently musket is heard,
then another and voey. They have reached the
rebel picket line. Now hearty cheer heard followed
by roar Of musketry. The cheering and the musketry
firing Is taken up and along TO the left until IL u
In <1nH nors
the positions Instantly the artillery Of both sides is At
work. and two hundred guns bech forth their thunder
tones Of anger In the Of tho artillery all other
sounds are hushed or drowned But the work Ia done
II done quickly. second cheer and second vol
Icy from skirmishers and the gallant Hartman gave
the order, "Charge bayones I-douOQuisk i-CuARGE!"
and away the noble fellows went breasworks rne
pits abbat, cheuaur dc rs the parapet Of the fort in
TO the main work, and the decd is accomplished For
the thunderstuck rebels looked and then took
to fight But our brave fellows were too close after
them. They could not al escape. Two hundred and
fifty In that single work wero sent back - prison.
er Nine guns also wore captured, which were
quickly trained In directions opposite TO where they
had been facing and set at work upon other an
noying rebel batteries Tho glory Of the first
into tho work disputed the Twenty
Michigan Volunteers and the First Connecticut heavy
tery. The former had their colors with them, which
were the st set upon the parape and hence they have
the proof Of priority
THE MAIN REaxL LINES sEvKRED.
The importance Of this gallant aohIevment and those
simultaneously made farther to the le cannot be
estimated 1t rent the whole limo in two separated
the right and left wings Of their army evacuation
had been determined upon by thsm il closed the main
door Of escape for their right wing. Moreover took
from them commanding positions Of great importance
and large amount Of valuable artillery Il was not 70
be supposed that they would yield points Of such vital i'm
porance to themselves without further effort.
m REBEIs Arr1NPr 10 RErAKs THE FORT
Scarcely quiet in possession Of the fort, when
the rebels having rcosanixed their forces and picked
some endorsements, came up with determined effort
10 retake it, They made . most desperate asssult,
standing up manfully against terrific discharges
Of grape and canister, and witherng vsleys
Of muskctry; but was all 10 no pur-
pose The heroic little garrison stood their ground
brAvely and obsnatey, while the artillery Of I'll our
forts sent forth murderous assistance In rapid time The
din Of the nrs assault fully revived Pandemonum
would bs place Of rest in comparison 70 the unceasns
Of that artillery the shsking and bursting Of
many shells the yes Of the rebels the rattle the
kerry, and the nnal checrng Of the rebel lines
wavercd broke and finally went back In disorder Four
tmoo buobeQucnty uufluB TIC ohy oiu tnoy astcpS 70
retake this position but each time sent back In
disorder In of those assaults that the rebsl
General Hill lost his life, while seeking in person 10
lead his men up TO the works
rm nxm ASD rwuTY-PoURrH CORPS GAINING THE nzAa or
THE RDsxIA
These successive attacks and repulses consumed the
entire day Meantime however, the Sixth and Twenty
fourth corps having broken through the rebel lines in
their front, Iswnging around TO their rear and
coming down both upon their rear and flank.
II evident then that Petersburg lost TO the rebel
lion. II they could not retake these works where our
lines extended how much less their chance whom
concentrating and bringing within reach force
vastly superior to any they could possibly muster
The day up with them and tLey know Il; but now
their anxiety for night "Oh for night Bluchsr,
they might well cry.
LEES HEADQUARTERS CAPTURED.
The movements OF the Sixth corps rapid after