Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1865-04-15

/. bere last n,ght,.a part of the 9th corps
80 a. once despatched to his aid, and il is
srneeted that tonight or in the morning we
sLsU receive good news from that quarter.
n appears that Sheridan was moving on the
road leading to a place called the 7" Five
forks about three miles from theSouth Side
railroad, where two cavalry brigades OF Pick
80 division, which had been moved out in a
creat hurry, came down on a road running
from Sutherland Station. As Sheridan's cav
alry had most of them passed the junction,
the movement of the enemy threatened to
c1t him off. He, however, discovered his
Danger in time to get his command back,
Uith only slight loss, at the same time taking
100 prisoners Both the Lees we're specta-
tors, but one of them kept at a respectful
distance.
On being reinforced this morning by the
5th Corps, the enemy fell back so rapidly
that their dead and many of their wounded
fell into our hands, as well as those of our
own that we're unavoidably left behind yes
terday afternoon. The attack made on the
enemys line in front of the Gath Corps was
by Fosters division, and about 200 prisoners
we're brought in, the I4sth New York taking
most of them. Some 800 or 400 yards of
ground was taken from our picket lines.
At4 A N. this morning this position was
assaulted and few of our men captured, but
10 a very short time il vas retaken, with
about 90 prisoners and a stand of c0lOrs
Our losses up to the present time will not ex-
coed 2 800, while that of the enemy in some
parts of the line at least was greater than
our own, but of course the total cannot be
given.
NEW YORK, April 4.
of Saturdays operations, the Iriblule'S cor
respondence says:
aAt7A. NJ. the 9Th Corps was again in
motion. passing by the left along White Oak
road to Join Sheridan, executing the difficult
movement of marching by flank in the pres
enee of the enemy, Withdrawing divisions in
the rear of each other and marching them
of successfully from right to left, the left
division (Crawford's) executing some move
ments by brigade.
"While this was taking place, the I'd Corps
moved toward White Oak road by a more
direct route, and established connection with
the right of the 9TH Corps.
Meanwhile Sheridan with four divisions,
passing around the left of the whole army,
vent through Dinwiddie C. H., toward the
South Side Railroad, with his usual rapidity.
The force which drove Crawford and Ayres
across Gravelly Run, however, at once turned
their attention to him, moving rapidly TO the
right, and after a desperate conflict he also
TOTCGu Ddck WlLulu q mile OF UlnWluUle
{. H., but soon, joined by Warren's corps, he
again took the offensive, and in turn drove
The enemy, captured a position known as
Five Forks together with about 1000 pris-
oners and several batteries of artillery.
s'He was then Joined by Miles division of
the I'd corps and pushed westward for the
sOuthside railroad. This he soon reached
and took position upon it. The 9Th corps,
supporting cavalry also took 10 guns and
about 1000 prisoners, enabling Sheridan TO
drive back the force which on Friday after
noon checked his advance near DinWiddie
Court House.
"On receiving this news, it was determined
TO give the enemy no time TO send troops to
the right, and at once a simultaneous attack
was ordered all along the lines, by the 9Th,
6th, oath and I'd corps. An order was given
about o'clock at night, and in less than an
hour a furious battle began on the rebel en-
trenchments in front. Three several charges,
resulted in the enemy's being driven in from
their front into their second line of works,
with the loss Of over 5000 prisoners, several
forts, anu about 20 pieces of artillery.
The I'd cOrps.were engaged all day in their
front, and in spite of the terrible fire OF
musketry poured into their ranks behind
their works, succeeded in maintaining their
new lines several hundred yards in advance
Of the line they occupied in the morning
The oath corps occupied the center of our
line Is left connecting with the ID at Hatch
er's run and its right going to the left of
the 9th CORPS nofo-o S~yiisht G'ar.iag
morning the rebels made furious assault on
the position of this line, driving portion of
the 81 brigade from their breast works and
capturing abOEt 100. Their success however
did not last long, the goth Pennsylvania by
gallant charge driving them beyond their
first battle line.
"A sharp FIRE was kept up all day by both
sides. Owing to the hot fire by our sharp
shooters the enemy was unable TO work his
guns, consequently very few casualties &C.
cured to our side from shells. Our boys
however rained incessant fire into their in
trenchments.
"There was little fighting in front of the
9Th Corps till night, when considerably she'll
ing occurred. Quiet also reigned in front of
the 9th Corps.
$50 matters stood until 10 o'clock, when
the I'd Corps was startled into a sharper at
tention by few shots on their front swelling
into rafting vOlleys. The boys joined in the
clamor, firing spread rapidly to the front of
the oath Corps and on to the 9th, thence
away till it reached the 9th about o'clock,
at which time the fighting was at its height.
presently cheers broke out on the front
of the I'd as the fire slackened. By $50 the
Gre had nearly ceased along the whole line,
hut at in the morning it suddenly broke
ont again nearer than ever to the I'd Corps,
while sharp artillery practice was heard far
to the right, and again the crash of battle
spread from end to end of the line.
cat o'clock the battle was raging fierce
Iy, but our eOlors are advancing all along the
line"
The Worlds correspondence recounts the
attack on the Petersburg defences:
cit was to take place on Friday morning at
o'clock, but the failure on the left was
doubtless the cause of the postpOnement.
The plan of this last phase of the action was
ties: Gen. Grant on reception of the news of
Sheridan's victory at Five Forks immedi-
ateIy despatched oouriers in conjunction with
the telegraph leading to his headquarters, to
each of the corps commanders, directing them,
without loss of time, to open with both ar
tillery and infantry upon the works OF Pc
tersburg.
Sheridan, it will be remembered, attain
ed his success by halfpast seven Saturday
night. At nine Grant heard OF 1t, and be-
fore ten our columns had passed the picket
line and were ON their way 10 the rebel in.
trenchments-Parke on the right, Wright in
the centre. and Ord on the left-marched al
most at the same instant
"The 9th, Wright's, was arrayed IN line OF
hattie and without ceremony they threw
themselves e.. niaSSe into the ditch and up the
paranet. The contest was short, terrible and
desnerate Hand TO hand conflicts occurred.
a