Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1865-04-05
The Very Latest.
THREE O'CLOCK A. "

NEW YORK, April 4
The Herald editorially thinks Lees retreat
will prove a rout. 1t says Lee will endeayor TO
break Grants lire in order to join Johnson,
who, of course, will retreat towards some point
On Lees line to facilitate junction. From all
appearances the utter destruction of Lee and
johnson is certain within a short time between
Grant. Sherman and Sheridan, leaving Thoms,
out of the question.
The Herald's Washington special claims TO be
informed through high officials Of he govern
ment that il the early part OF last week JEFF
Davis made direct overtures to Mr.. Lincoln 20
surrender everything TO the United States gov
erument on condition that all who had taken part
in the rebellion should be restored 10 citizenship.
All else be would give up If that granted
Mr. LincOn's reply was that be bad not the
power to grant that request Thus ended that
peace negotiation. and The fight commenced
within forty eight hours thereafter.
The Worlds account of Sheridan's battle at
Five Forks says Sheridan's forces on Saturday
morning were three divisions of Infantry under
Griffin, Ayers and Crawford; two divisions OF
cavalry, formerly constituting the army of the
Shenandoah. now commanded by Merritt, under
Devin and Gustav; one division OF cavalry from
the army OF the Potomac; brigade or more
of cavalry from the army Of the James, under
Mackenzie In this composition the infantry
Sheridan was absolute lie visited every part
of bis line. though it stretched from Dinwddie
Court House to the road along the Bo,dtovn
plank and ts adjuncts
At ia, break Saturday &c hred several
shots TO admonish Warren that he was of, and
his cavalry. by dverging roads, struck their
camps. Just south OF Culpepper certain
Stoney creek tributaries which Wind northwsrd
and certain roads. Over Stoney Creek wen:
Crook, making the longest detour. Gustav took
the bottom called Chamberlain Bed, and Devin
advanced from Little Five Forks, driving the
rebels toward The left to their works on White
Oak road
Imagine great big barn door shutting TO and
you have the movement II yor can, also i'm
agine the door itself. hinges and all. moving for
ward. One ont of every three engaged took
prisoner.
We captured four cannous. ambulance trains
baggage teams, 600 muskets, and twenty eight
battle flags
The battle hss opened to Us the enemy's flank
so that We can sweep down upon the AppomattoI
and inside his breastworks, enabling Us 10 shorter
our lines of entertainments one half and all this
Gen Sheridan tells me has cost him personally
no more than 500 men and the service no nor'
| than 500
Mounted carbineirs are no match for infantry
90 when the horsemen wsre close 20 the rebel
they were dismounted and attacked q. infantry
A portion OF them under Gregg and Mckenzie
adhered to the saddle. that they might be put II
rapic motion for fankDg and charging purposes
Now and then detachment Of rebels uoult
charge down upon us, svsyipg our lines, threat
ening TO annihate W.. Sheridan himself va
there, short and broad and active, seldom givin.
orders, but never stationary. Close By fell tn
long yellow locks ef Custar. sabre extended
! though he WAS worn and haugsrd with nue.
| work
At o'clock the rebels we're behind tbei
works, consisting of WOODEN walls.
Gen. Crawford commanded the centre an
Griffin the right.
These advanced from Boydtown 1T 10 O'Clock
while Sheridan was laundering away with hi
cavalry, mounted and dismognted, deludiug ID
enemy with the idea thst he was the sole attack
ing party. They lay concealed in The woods be
yond GravelIy Run meeting house. Their lei
vas DO, bait mile distant from the rebs
works.
Little by little Sheridan extended his line
and drove the shole rebel force into sher breast