The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1865-04-13
THE BATTLES NEAR PETERSBURG.
M operations on the Right.
New YORK, April 5

.. NEW YORK, April D..
The Heyatd's correspondence has the fol-
lowing account of the operations on Sun
day % s.-e- IT.
At midnight on Saturday Gen Wilcox
had orders to demonstrate on the right of
the line, so as to draw the rebels from the
lett, preparatory to operations in that quar-
| ter 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 rebels were aroused,
and soon sharp voleys Of mpsketry were
heard, indicating that they were at work,
Amid the noise and smoke, the skirmishers
pushed on until reaching the outskirts of
Petersburg, when they met heavy body of
| rebels advancing upon them. A brisk en-
| gagement followed but our numbers were so
small that we were compelled to withdraw
| Wilcox then got orders to attack Fort
Malone on the left. lie massed a column
for the purpose While this was being
done, similar dispositions were making fur
Their to the left, and a system of cannon
signals had been agreed upon to fix the
moment of starting, that all might assault
simultaneously Owing to mist which
hung over the field, the preparations had
Y. y
At four o'clock the signal was given
The men advanced quickly and in perfect
order, with fixed bayonets That they went
to stay was indicated by their being accom-
panied bya detachment of heavy artillery,
prepared to turn and work the enemvs guns
Presently musketry was heard. fhe rebel
picket line was reached. Now a hearty
cheer arose, followed by the roar of musket,
ry. The cheering and musketry firing is
taken up and runs along the left, until it is
lost in the distance Instantly the artillery
on both sides is at work Two hundred big
guns belch forth their thunders; but the
work is quickly done. r5 s:5f
Hartman, of the 37th Wisconsin, acting
Brigadier General, gives the order to charge
up, " and away the noble fellows went over
breastworks, rifle pits, abbattis, cbe0aar de
triSe, and the parapet Of the fort, into the
main work, and the deed is accomplished.
For one moment the thunderstruck reb-
els looked, and then took to flight but our
fellows were too quick for them, and captur-
ed $50 men. Nine guns were found in the
fort, and quickly trained, were set at work
annoying the rebel batteries. This, with
the simultaneous operations further to the
left cut the rebel line in two, took them from
commanding position and large amount
of valuable artillery
Scarcely were we in quiet possessionof the
fort, when the rebels, having recognized
their forces, and picked up some reinforce
ments. came up with determined effort to
retake it, They made most desperate as
sault, standing up manfully against the
terrific discharges of grape and canister,
and whitening volleys Of musketry, but it
was to no purpose. Four times during the
day, did they attempt to retako this impor-
tant position, but were each time sent reel
ing back in disorder, losing heavily each
time 5ss 10 ,..a-.
1t was in one of these assaults that the
rebel General A. P. Hill lost his life, seek :
ing in person to lead his men up tc the
works.
Meantime, the 9th and 24th Corps, hav-
ing broken through the rebel lines in their
front, were swung round to their rear, and
coming down both upon their rear and flank
it was evident that Petersburg was lost to
the rebellion @ Ha
The movements Of the 9th Corps were so
rapid, that General Lee himself narrowly
escaped capture. AS it was, mis- headquar-
tiers fell into our hands. ~-g.a q. p,