The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1865-04-12
Lee Surrenders! !!
rNe Rebellion Drawing 10 an
End

h. l;eutenants have gathered up aud
Huur back upon Richmond the greater
part of the enemy's forces, General Gran'
h,s given the word to the Army OF the
Potomac and launched 1t against Lee with
,erri6c and decisive force: As these words
ere put into print, the North rings with
she tidings of glorious VIctory-the ways
and means of gaining which are briefly
summed up in the following paragraphs
Two weeks ago it was announced that
Mr Lincoln had gone to City PolDt.-
The purpose of this visit remained unex-
vlained for two or three days, but on the
18th of March it was announced that zen.
Sherman had arrived at City Point, where
a council of war was held Generals Grant
Sherman, aud Sheridan were present at
this conference Sherman came from
Goldsboro, to attend it, accompanied only
bv one staff officer and two orderlleS.-
The result of the council was the opening
Of the last grand act ofthe campaign.
AT daylight on Wednesday, March 20,
Sheridau's cavalry fifteen thousand strong
started to destroy the Southside Railroad
the line connecting Richmond with
Lynohburs At the same time, Grant
moved the Second and Sixth corps from
his lines 10 front of Petersburg, IN order
60 distract Lees attention and occupy the
rebel troops Shortly after. the Fifth
corps followed in force. Our works
arouud Petersburg were defended by the
Army of the James, which took the blace
of the corps withdrawn from the trout
The route of the march of the infantry
columns was toward the southwest, after
ards divergipg to the northwest SO as TO
cover Sheridans intended attack upon the
Southside Railroad. The Second corps
encountered no opposition during the hrst
day; the Fifth bad a sharp fight in the
afternoon with strong body OF rebels
posted on Gravelly Run, but drove the
enemy. taking hundred prisoners. At
lnoon General Grant arrived on the ieId,
and directed the advance in person; his
first active supervision Corporations since
ast October. The same night he estab-
ished headquarters on the south bank Of
Rowauty Creek.
The same night, Lee again precipitated
his troops upou the center of our line in
front OF Petersburg, hoping to find weak
place through the withdrawal of SO much
Of our force. But Grants Sagacity again
foiIed his purpose. The enemy plunged
again upon Fort Stedman, where they had
been so disastrously repulsed on the pre-,
vous Saturday but they were again driv-
en- back with severe loss, which would
have been heavier but for the darkness of
the night, which concealed them from
view
On Thursday, March 80, Grant adVarc-
I'd his army two miles, in spite Of heavy
ain storm, which bad set in during the
previous night. The Fifth reached the
tSoydtun plank road, and took up new
position near its junction with the White
Oak road. The enemy made but very
hight resistance.
On Friday, March 51.there was terrible
lighting in the field. Grant advanced his
eft. consisting of@the Second and Fifth
sorps, when the enemy made furious aud
sustained attack and gained temporary
success Our troops were forced back
from near Dabuey's House toward the
Boydtou road but there they turned and
drove tie enemy in turn, finally occupy
log the ground held by Lee in the morn
iug. Four rebel battle flags were captur-
ed. Grant advanced his headquarters
one mile
Sheridan's cavalry, which started on
Wednesday morning, reached DlnWlddle
Court House at o'clock the same day.
Still pushing forward, while the force
under Grant kept Lee busy, Sheridan,
aided by Warren's corps, continued to
drive the enemy aud at P. N, on Satur.
day carried the Five Forks.
From this point, Sheridan swept every.
thing before him. On Saturday (the
fourth day of the great movemenDhe cap
tured three brigades of Infantry, a wagor
train, and several batteries of artillery.
On Sunday morning, April, 8, Genera
Grau: ordered an attack along the whole
line. Instantly there was furious fighting
Our troops under Generals Wright ant
Parke broke through the euemy's Inca
bscame hotly engaged, while Sheridaa'
cavalry and the Fifth corps, with Miles,
division of the Second corps, swept dowr
from the West. Thus the battle rage,
during the whole of Sunday morning
At noon, our lines were extended frou
the AppOuattox to Hatchers Run; tn
rebel intrenchments having been broke
through at all points. Forts, guns, an
prisoners were taken in rapid Successio
by our eager troops, flushed with succes
AMI confident of victory. Later 10 tn
d,y our boys struck the SouthSide raj
rad, and began to tear it up. 1t di
L.