Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1865-04-06
i8g G1legllragb.
From the Potomac Army-Details of
81 g.BundaV's Rattle: ff'sTE7. =

the operations on Sunday:
Atmidnight on Saturday Gen. WILCOX
had ordersfto demonstrated on the right 81
as to draw the rebels from the left, prepar
{ atoryto operations in,that quarter the mex
morning. Admiral Porter aud all the,ar.
tillery in the works on the right were also
set at work. Wilcox's skitniBh line iWaE
advanced, the rebels were aroused, and
soon sharp volleys of musketry were heard
indicating that they were at work. Amid
the noise and smoke the skirmishers, push /.
ed on until reaching the outskirts of Pc.
Itersburg, where they met q heavy body oil
! rebels advancing upon them. A brisk en-
lgagement followed, but our numbers were
80 small that we were compelled to with
draw. Wilcox then got orders to attack
Fort MShone on the left. He mAssed q
column for that purpose. While this was
being done, similar demonstrations were
making further to the left, and a system Of
cannon signals had been agreed upon TO
fix the moment Of starting. that all might
assault simultaneously. Owing to mist
which hung over the field, the preparations
had been concealed from the enemy.
At four O'clock the signal was given,
and the men advanced quickly and In per-
feet order, with fixed bayonets. That they
went 70 stay was indicated by being s6-
companied by q detachment Of heavy al
tillery, prepared to man and work the enc.
my's Runsslf p
Presently musketry was heard, and tie
rebel picket line was reached. Now
hearty cheer was given, followed by. the
roar of musketry. The cheering and
musketFy firing is taken up and runs along
to the left, until it is lost in the distance.
instantly the artillery on both sides is at
work and 200 big guns bslch forth their
thunders, but the work is quickly done.
Hartman, of the 37th Wisconsin,, actiug
as Brigadier General, gives the order to
charge and away the brave fellows went
over breastWorks, rifle.pits, abatis, chsa
VsGWx de Jriss, and the parapet Of the
fort into the main works, and the deed is
accomplished. ss s.
For one moment the thunder struck reb.
els looked, and then took to flight, but our
follows were too quick for all Of them aud
captured $50. d."
Mime guns were found in the fort and
quickly trained and set at work, annoying
the rebel batteries! This, with the SINH.
lar operations further to the left, cut the
rebel liue in two, and took from them
commanding position and Q large amount
of valuable artillery. A
Scarcely were we quiet in possession o.
the fort, when the rebels, having reorgan-
lied their forces and picked up some rein
forcements, came up with determined eff.
fort to retake it. They made most despet
rate assault, standing up manfulIy againsr
terrific discharges of grape and csnistet
and whitening volleys of musketry, but lie
was to no purpose. Four times during tht
day did they attempt to retake this importau
position, but were each time sent reeling
back in disorder. losing heavily each time.
It was In one Of these assaults that the
rebel Gen. A, P. Hill lost his life, seeking
in person to lead his men up to the works.
Meantime the 9th and Goth corps having
broken through the rebel lines in their
front were swinging around to their rear
and coming down both upon their rear aud
flank. 1t was evident Petersburg was lost
to the rebellion. The movements of the
9Th corps we're so rapid that Gen. Lee him.
self narrowly escaped capture. Asit was
his headquarters fell into oup+ hands,
The Tribune's correspondent recounts i
the operations on our left: ,ay...
+ AT 1870 Sunday morning the eth corps
left its lines to attack the enemy's left cen
tire. It moved in echelon, SO 90 to enable
the corps to throw forward its left, and
flank the works of the enemy one after
another. Soon battery of four guns
opened upon the lst division, but by
rapid charge of the Let brigade it was i'm
mediately captured.
The batteries of the enemy now opened
from every point, but on went our gallant
braves. The left soon reached some works
in their front, and one by one they fell ia
to our hands.
AT 1890 a grand picture of war pre-
sented itself. The line of the corps, with
its left in advance, was sweeping on toward
two heavy forts. The rebels piled their
guns vigorously and shells burst thickly |
over our lines. On pushed the left divis.
ion, until it struck the Southside railroad,
aud against the two forts swept the I'd dis,
vision.
Our artillery played upon the forts from
commanding positions incesslntly, until
our men were close up to them. Thena
dash was made upon the works, but it WAS
repulsed. Again it was tried, aud this
time it met with success, but 80 resolute
we're the rebels inside that they used the
bayonet for a short time.
As these works fell into our hands a
loud cheer rent the air, and the enemy
were seen, hastily retiring to their second
line, which opened SHARPLY. About this
time Sheridan appeared on the field, and
was received With cheers by the eth corps,
who look to him with great respect. At
this moment too our entire line was chang
ing Its. long front to the. right, aud slowly
before it the broken line of the enemy was
falling back upon their rear defences.
Against the force which tell back heavy
force was now pitted, composed of parts
of the 24th, 9Th and ex; 9th corps, and 18th
corps, and nearly all fresh troops. a lull
took place when the force was ready TO
move, and It was plain that a distinct ac
tion was to be fought. Dusk stole over
the scene aud the attack was deferred for
'SWhile the above fighting was taking
place the 9th corps aud cavalry, under
Sheridan. turned the right wing of the
rebel army, taking from 1900 TO 5000
prisoners The I'D corps, connecting with
the right of the 9Th, was also victorious,
notwithstanding they had, perhaps, the
roughest ground to fight over and brave
and determined foe in the rebel Sd corps.
The line of defences in front of the 9th