Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1865-04-07


killed is not true. He was unframed late
this p. IN.
EN- STANTON,
Secretary Of War.
Wilson Station. Va. April 4.
To Hon E NJ Stanton, Sec'y Of War;
The army is pushing forward in the hope
Of ovcrtaking or disposing of the remain
der of Lees army. Gen. Sheridan with
his cavalry, and the 5th corps is between
this and the Appomattox.
In every direction hear of rebel SOL
ders pushing for home-some in large and
some i'll small squads-and generally with
out arms. The cavalry have pushed him
so closely that the enemy has been forced
to destroy, probably, the greater part of
their transportation, caissons and munit-
IONS of war. The number of prisoners
captured yesterday will exceed 20OO.
General Meade, with the I'd and 9th
corps, is following.
General Ord is following the line of the
SOuthsidc Railroad.
All of the enemy that retains anything
like organization, have gone north of the
AppOmattOx, and are apparently heading
for Lynehburg. Their losses have been
very heavy. The houses through the
country arc nearly all used as hospitals for
wounded men.
From the 25th of March to the present
time our loss in killed, wounded and cap
tUed will not probably reach 1900, of
whom from 1,5OO to 1000 were captured.
and many but slightly wounded shall
continue the pursuit as long as then ap-
pears to be any use in it.
(Signed) U 5 GRANT,
Lieut.. General.
New York, April 5.
The Herald's correspondence has the
following account of Sundays operations ::
At midnight, Saturday, General Wilcox
had orders to demonstrate on tho right OF
the line, so as to draw the rebels from the
loft, preparatory to operations III that
quarter. The next morning Admiral Por-
ter and all the artillery in the works on
the right, were also set at work. General
WilcOx's skirMishers were advanced, when
the rebels were aroused, and sharp volleys
of musketry were heard indicating that
they were at work.
Amidst the rain and smoke the skirmish-
ers pushed OH until resting on the outskirts
of Petersburg, where they met a heavy
body af rebels advancing. A brisk en-
gagement followed, but our numbers were
80 small that We were compelled to with
draw.
Wilcox then got orders to attack Fort
Malone on the left. He moved u column
for the purpose. While this was being
done, similar dispositions were making
further to the left.
At 4 o'clock the men advanced quietly
and in perfect order, with fixed bayOnets.
That they meant to stay. was indicated by
being accompanied by q detachment Of
heavy artillery. Presently, musketry was
heard, and cheering runs along the left
until it was lost in the distance. The artill-
cry on both sides is at work, and 200 big
guns belch forth their thunder. but the
work is quickly done Ivy gallant charge
led by Brig. Gen. Harmon. For one
moment the thunderstruck rebels looked,
and then fed.
We captured 9 guns and $50 prisoners.
The rebel guns were Immediately trained
and set at work annoying the retreating
ession of the fort, when the rebels, having
rcorganized their forces and picked VI
some rcinforcements, came up with dc.
termned effort to rctake it. They made
most desperate assault, standing up man
fully against terrific charges of grape and
canister, and volleys Of musketry. but il
was all to no purpose.
Four times during the day did they at
tempt to retake this important position
but were each time sent Keeling back in
disorder, losing heavily each time. II
was in one Of these assaults that the
rebel Gen. A. =. uill lost his life, while
seeking in person to lead his men up to
the works, In the meantime the 9th
ann Oath corps, having broken through
the rebel lines in their front, were swing
ing around to the rebel rear and flank.
Il was evident that Petersburg was
lost to the rebellion. The movements Of
the 9th corps we're so rapid that Lee
himself narrowly escaped capture. As
it was his headquarters fell into our
hands. aal ~ g7is sf
The Tyidxns,s correspondence Of tho
recent operations on our left gives
the following
AT 4:3O sunday morning the 9th corps
left its lines to attack the enemy's left
centre. 1t moved 80 ~ to enable the
corps to throw forward its left. and flank
the works of the enemy, one after the
other.
Soon battery Of 4 guns opened on
the LIST division. but BY rapid charge Of
tho LIST brigade it was Immediately cap
tured. The batteries Of the enemy now
opened from every point, but on went our
gallant heroes.
At 1890 a. m. grand picture Of war
presented itself. The line of the corps,
with its left in advance was sweeping on
towards two heavy forts. The rebels
piled their guns vigorously, and shells
burst thickly over our line.
On pushed tho left division until it
struck the Southsidc railroad, and against
the two forts swept the I'd division. Our