Civilian & telegraph. [volume] (Cumberland, Md.) 1859-1875, 1865-07-06
THE LAST GRAND CAMPAIGN.
The Report Of General Meade.

campaign or the army OF tne Iouolhac pre-
sents clear and graphic, but somewhat tech
ncal account of the operations which resulted
in the surrender of the Confederate Army of
Northern Virginia, under Gen. Lee.
| On the Doth of March, in pursuance of or
ders from General Grant, the Second Corps,
under command of General Humphreys and
the Fifth Corps, led by Gen. Warren, broke
camp, and crossed Hatcher's Run, and moved
in the direction of Gravelly Run.
These movements were executed with but
little opposition by the enemy and at evening
the two corps occupied the line from Dabney 3
Mills to the Quaker Road. On the following
day General Humphreys advanced and drove
the enemy into his main line Of works This
movement was supported by General Warren
! who advanced his lines IN d Borthwes:crly di-
rection toward the White Oak Road. No
fighting of any Importance occurred except
picket skirmishing and artillery firing. AT
night the two corps entrcnchcd.
On the following day, 3lst, General War
ren was ordered to dislodge the enemy from a
Strong position on the White Oak Road. This
movement was repulsed by the enemy; where
upon General Humphreys was ordered to sup
port the Fifth Corps, and succeeded in driving
the enemy back to his lines with loss Of CO.
lors and prisoners. -. .,.-.
While this movement was executed by the
Fifth Corps, the Second has succeeded in eff
fecting lodgment on the White Oak Road.
Heavy firing having been heard in the di-
recton OF Dinwiddie Court House, General
Warren was ordered to move his entire corps
during the night to the support of General
Sheridan and Gen. Humphreys was directed
to extend his left to support this new move
mont. ..
In the meantime the Sixth and Ninth Corps
remained at Petersburg, with orders to attack
in case the cnemy's lines in front were weak
cned. On the first of April Gen Grant, be-
leving that the proper moment hal arrived
ordered Generals Parke and Wright to attack
at daylight OH the following morning (Sun-
| day). This order was brilliantly executed
| General Wright, at the head of the Sixth
| Corps, carried everything before him, and
captured tile eHem7's works ard gnns, from
his front to the Boydtown Plank Road, Meet
ing the head of the Twenty fourth Corps at
Itatchers Run, he returned and aided the
Ninth Corps in carrying the inner and strong
est line of the encmy's works at Petersburg
During the afternoon, Generals Parke and
at night Petersburg was evacuated ard cccu-
pied by cur troops
When the success Of the Sixth and Ninth
Corps was assured on Sunday, General Hum
phreys was directed to advance, but found that
the cncmy's position on the Boydtown Road
had been evacGated Early ON Monday morn
Ing he calamity attacked the euerty at Suth-
crlands Station, and drove back the enemy,
capturing many guns and prisoners.
After the evacuation of Petersburg General
Wilcox's Division of the Sixth Corps was o.
dercd to occupy the city, and the remainder
of the Ninth and the Second and Sixth Corps
were ordered to Sutherland's Station.
The enemy by this time was in full retreat
The three following days, the 3D., 4th, and
9th of April, the pursuit was vigorously con-
tinucd. The cavalry, under General Sheri-
dan, was in the advance, and the Fifth Corps
directly supporting the cavalry. The Ninth
Corrs was detached to guard the Southside
Railroad On the 9th of April the bulk of
the army vas moved toward Amelia Court
House to attack General Lee, but it was as
eertaincd that the latter had rctreated toward
FarmviIlc The pursuit was then resumed,
the cavalry in advance as before, and the Fifth
and Sixth Corps moving on parallel lines =
At evening, on the 9th, the enemy was so
closely crowded at Sailors Creek, that Gen.
twell and the greater portion Of bis corps
we're compelled to surrender.
On the 7th of April General Humphreys
came up with the enemy at the High Bridge
over the Apponlattox, and captured eighteen
guns crossing over in pursuit, he again came
up with them at the intersection Of the High
Bridge and Farmville Roads, and fornd tho
Rebels entrenching, evidently with view of
getting Off their supply trains. An assault
was then made, but it proved unsuccessful,
and the Sixth Corps was ordered to cross tie
river in support. by great e&er:ions a bridge
was constructed but it was night before the
troops conld get across.
On tie Sth the pursuit was continued or
the INnchbrrg road, the enemy having aban-
aoned the position on the previous day On
the 9th of April the head Of the secoud Corps
came within threo miles of the enemy at Ap-
pomattox Court House. Preparations for an
attack were made, when' letter wes received
from General Lee asking for q suspension Of
hostilitics, with q view to negotiations for u
surrender A two hours' truce was granted,
and attcrward General Grant commanded the
armistice to continue until further orders
~ lUCr L. W. Says pepelai -.cauo,
received the welcome news Of tie surrender Of
the Army of Northern Virginia"
General Meade concludes by calling attcn
ton TO the handsome repulse of the enemy
by Griffin's Division, Fifth Corps on the 29th
ult., to the important part taken by the Fifth
Corps in the battle Of Five Forks; to the gal
liant assault on the ID inst, by the Sixth
Corps, in my judgment the decisive moment
of the campaign; to the successful attack of
the Sixth Corps in the battle of Sailors Creek;
to the gallant assault, on the ID inst, of the
Ninth Corps, and the frmness and tenacity
with which the advantages then gaired wher e
held against the assault of the enemy to the
brilliant attack of Miles Division, Second
Corps, at Sutherlandfs Strtion; to the ener-
getic pursuit and attack of the enemy by the
Second Corps, On the 9th instant, terminating
in the battle of Sailors Creek; and to the
prompt pursuit the next day, With Earlow's
aud Miles attacks, as all cvincing the fact
that .hic army, officers and men, all no.
bly, did their duty and deserve the thanks of
the country. Nothing could exceed the cheer