Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1865-04-06
LATEST WAR NEWS.
ASSAULT ON FORT STEADMAN-CAP-
TURE & RECAPTURE-BRIL
Union STTCCESS
City POINT, Saturday, March 25,

City POINT, Saturday, March 25, 1865.
News has just reached here of an attack
on our lines this morning at daylight by
the enemy at Fort Steadman, near the Ap-
pomattox River, capturing the fort and TAX
ing prisoners nearly all its garrison.
They sent these prisoners over the works
toward their line but on their way they
broke from the guard, and nearly all es-
capped back to our line on each side of the
works.
The line each side of the fort was taken
and held for a short time by the Rebels but
reenforcements arriving, they were driven
back, losing heavily in killed and wounded
as they ran between the line.
Our loss is not known at this hour but is
believed to be small.
The line is now reported to be reestab-
lished, as formerly
At the point where the enemy charged,
the main line are only $50 yards apart, the
ground between being level and free from
distractions, except the abatts in front of
the works on each side.
At this place firing between the pickets
has been almost continuous, and scarcely a
day passes without two or three being
wounded on our side at least.
This part of the line has been occupied
by the Third Brigade of the First Division
of the Ninth Corps, Gen. Mclaughlin com
manding.
He has often expressed his ability to
break through the enemy's lines here, and
only yesterday he showed how it could be
done to some visitors who were inspecting
the works.
Tbic e
my were massed in the rear of their line,
under the command of Gen. Terry, who
was appointed to lead the charge These
troops consisted of Bushrod Johnsons,
Walkers, Evans's and Grier's Divisions,
Of Gen. Gordon's Corps.
At 5 a. m. the charge was made, and the
time occupied in crossing the space between
the lines, cutting down the abatis, and get
ting to the rear of the fort, was the work
of only few minutes. Here they formed
in line of battle-brigade front-and while
one portion advanced on the fort, the other
swept the right in toward the Appomattox,
expecting to flank and capture the whole
line to the river. The latter party were
met by the l7th Michigan and driven back,
after some hard fighting. The force that
attacked the fort were repulsed by the gar
rison several times, but their numbers be-
ing so superior to ours they finally over
powered and took prisoners nearly all who
were in it. They at once sent the captured
over the works to their line, and many sue
ceeded in getting away and running back,
the guard being very small that had charge
of them
Gen. Wilcox moved up part of his COM
mand from the sight to the scene of action,
and soon drove the enemy from the line on
the right of the fort. Gen. Hartranfts Di-
vision, lying partly i'll reserve and partly
on the line, to the left, was quickly on the
ground with reenforcements, and at once
assaulted the fort in turn from the rear,
which the Rebels seemed determined to
hold at all hazards Three repeated char
ges were made, and, after that, the fight
ing here was over the Johnies laying down
their arms and surrendering
To the left of Fort Steadman is located
Battery No. IL, which the enemy also man.
aged to get possession Of but did not keep
it long ; and although they fought hard,
they were forced to relnquish it.,
Col. Mclaughlin Cowdy, of the brigade
occupying this part of the line, was among
the captured. Our loss in killed, wounded
and prisoners is believed to be about five
hundred, over one-third of whom are prob
ably prisoners
1t was at first reported that the Rebels
had carried off three mortars, but this