The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1865-04-18
The Capture Of Richmond.
Operations Of Sunday

fcorrespoiidenthas the following account
Of operations on Sunday: At midnight
! Saturday. Gen. Wilcox had orders to
demonstrate on the right of the line so
as to draw the rebels from the left, prep
aratoryto operations in that quarter.
The next morning Admiral Porter, and
all the artillery in the, works on the
right were also set at work. Wilcox's
skirmish line was advanced The reb-
els were iaroused&d soon sharp volieys
of musketry were heard, indicating that
tlEy were at work. Amid the noise and
smoke the slSirmishers pushed on until
reaching the outskirts of Petersburg,
when they met heavy body of rebels
advancing ubon. them. A brisk en-
gagelnent followed, but our numbers
were so small that we'were compelled
to towithdraw. Wilcox then got orders
to attack Fort Malone on the left. He
massed column for the purpose
While this was being done, similar dis
positions were making further to the
left, aud system Of cannon signals had
! agreed upon to fix the moment ofstart-
Ilig, that all might assault simultaneous
ly Owing to mist which hung over
the field, the preparations had been con-
cealed fromthe enemy.
y AT five o'clock the signal was given.
The men advanced quickly and in per-
feet order, with fixed bayonets. That
they went to stay, was indicated by be-
ing accompanied by detachment of
heavy artillerists, prepared to turn and
work the cnemy's guns. Presently
musketry was heard. The rebel picket
line was reached. Now, hearty cheer,
| followed by the roar of musketry. The
cheering and musletry firing is taken
up and runs along to the left until it is
lost in the distance. Instantly the ar
tillery on both sides is at work, and 200
big guns belch forth their thunders.-
But their work IS quickly done. Col.
Harrison of the 37th Wis, Acting Brig
adler General, gives the order to charge
up, and away the noble fellows went,
over breast-works, riAe-pits, abatis and
chevaur de trixe. The parapet Of the
Fort into the.main works and the deed
is accomplished. For one moment the
thunder-struck rebels looked, and then
took to fight; tut our fellows were too
quick for all of them and captured $50.
Nine guns were found in the Fort,
quickly turned and set at work annoy
ing the rebel batteries. This with the
Simultaneous operations further to the
left, cut the rebel line in two, and took
from them commanding positions and
large amount of valuable artillery.
Scarcely were we in possession of the
fort, when the rebels, having re-organ-
lied their forces, and picking up some
reinforcements, came up with deter
mined effortto take it. They made a
mogt desperate assault against terrific
discharges of grape and canister and
vollies of musketry; but it was to no
purpose. -Four times during the day
did they attempt TO take this important
position, but were each time sent reel
ing back in disorder, losing heavily each
time. 1t was in one of these assaults
that the rebel Gen. A. p. Hill lost his
life, in seeking in person to lead his men
up to the works.
Meantime, the goth and oath Corps
having broken through the rebel lines
in their front, were swung around to
their rear, coming down both upon
their rear and flank. 1t was evident
Petersburg was lost to the Rebellion.
The movements of the 9th Corps were
SO rapid, chat Gen Lee himself narrow
ly escaped capture. AS it was, his
headquarters fell into our hands.
The Tribune's correspondent records
the operations on our left At 4:3O
Sunday morning, the 9th Corps left its
| lines to attack the enemy's center. 1t
moved in such order as to enable the
Corps, to throw forward its left and
flank the works of the enemy one after
another. Soon a battery of. A guns
opened upon Division, but by rapid
charge of the lst Brigade, it was imme-
diately 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 10y one they fell into our
hands. of '
At 1880 A. M. grand picture Of
war presented itself The line of the
Corps, with its left in advance, was
rushing on toward two heavy forts.-
The rebels piled their guns vigorously
and shells burst thickly over our lines,
On pushed the left Division until it
struck the South Side Railroad and
against the two forts swept the 2d Di-
vision. Our artillery played upon the
forts from commanding positions inces
sanity, until our men were close upon
them. There dash was made upon
the works, but it was repulsed. Again
il was tried, and this time with success,
but so resolute were the rebels inside
that some of them used the bayonet for
short time. AS these works fell into
our hands, q loud cheer. rent the air and
the enemy were seen hastily retiring to
their "a line, which opened shortly in
an effort to stay our advance.
About this time Sheridan appeared
on the field and was receivec with loud
cheers by the Gtc Corps, who look up
to him with great respect, AT this
moment, too, our entire line was chang
ing its long front to the right, and slow
ly before It the broekn line of the army
was falling back upon their rear defen-
ses, against the line or which heavy
force was now pitted, composed of
parts of gath, 9th and 25th Corps, and
nearly all fresh troops. A lull took
place when the force was ready to
move, il was plain that a distinct ac-
ton was to be fought. Dusk. stole
over the scene and the attack was de-