Dayton daily empire. [volume] (Dayton [Ohio]) 1850-1865, 1865-04-05
By Telegraph.
FOR THE DAILY EMPIRE
LATEST NE Ws.
FORENOON REPORT.

At midnight Saturday, General Wilcox had
orders to demonstrate on the right OF the line,
so as to draw the rebels from the left, prepara-
tory to operations IN that quarter The next
morning Admiral Porter and all the artillery
10 the works on the right were also at work,
including the skirmish line which was advanc-
ed The rebels were aroused and soon sharp
volleys Of musketry we're heard indicating
that they were at work ..- "H y
Amid the noise and smoke the skirmishers
pushed on until reaching the outskirts Of
Petersburg, when they meta heavy body Of
rebels advancing upon them,
A brisk engagement followed, but our mum.
Der was so small that we we're compelled to
withdraw. Wilcox then got orders to attack
Fort Mattone on the left He massed a col
umu for the purpose. While this was being
done, similar dispositions we're making further
to the left and system Of common signals
had been agreed upon 10 fix the moment of
starting, that all might assault simultaneou
Owing to a mist which hung over the field the
preparations had been concealed from the
rebels ..a l4.-.iti.. ..slIE T.I
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 accompanied by
detachment of heavy artillery, prepared to
turn and work the enemys guns.
Presently musketry was heard the rebel
picket line was reached now hearty cheer,
heard by the road musketry, The cheering
and musketry firing is taken up and runs
along TO the left, until il is lost in the dis
tapee Cd.
Instantly the artillery on both sides is at
work, and 200 big guns bech forth their thun-
ders But the work is quickly done
Hartman, Of the Thirty-seventh Wiscon
sin, in acting Brigadier, gives the order to
charge. Up and away the noble fellows went,
over breaslworks, rihepits, dbbatis, chepduE
de frise, and the parapet Of the fort, into the
main works, and the deed is accomplished -
For one moment the thunderstrnck rebels
looked, and then took 10 fight but our iel
lows were too quick for all of them, ard cap.
tured 250
Nine guns were found in this fort, and
quickly trained and set at work annoying the
rebel batteries This work, with the simulta-
neous operations further TO the left, cut the
rebel line in two, took from them their com
manding positions and large amount Of val,
liable artillery.
Scarcely were we quite in possession Of the
fort, when the rebels having reorganzed their
forces re endorsements came up with de-
teTmined effort to retake it.
They made a moSt desperate assault, stand
ing up manfullg against terrific discharges of
grape and canister and withering volleys Of
musketry; but 1t was to no purpose
Four times during the day did they attempt
TO retake this important position, but were
each time sent reeling back in ndisorder, losing
heavily each time,
IL in a Ito hot lao ahal
General A. p. Hill lost his life, seeking in
person to lead bis men up to the works
Meantime, the Sixth and Twenty fourth
corps having broken the rebel limo in their
'front.' we're swung around to their rear, and
coming down both upon their rear and flank
II was evident Petersburg was lost TO the re-
bellion.
The movements of the Sixth corps we're so
rapid that General Lee himself narrowly es.
capped capture. As it was, his headquarters
fell into our hands.
TRIBUSEs ACCOUNT
The Tribune correspondent recounLs the
operation on our left
At 4:30 Sunday morning, the Sixth corps
left the lines to attack the euemy's left center.
1t moved in echelon so as to unable the
corps to throw forward its left and flank the
works of the enemy One after another fell
into our hands Soon a battery Of four guns
opened upon the First division, but by rap
id charge OF the First brigade it was immedi-
ately captured,
The batteries of the enemy now opened
from every point but on went our gallant
braves. i.f ..ir#
The left soon reached some works in their
front and one by one they fell into our hands
At half past ten A. M a grand picture of
war presented itself. The line Of corps with
its left in advance was sweeping on toward
two heavy forts.
The rebels piled their guns vigorously and
shells buTst thiekly over our line. On pushed
the left division until it struck he Southside
railroad, and against the two forts swept the
Second division. Our artillery played upon
the forts from commanding positions inces
sanity, until our men were close upon them.
Then dash was made upon the works but it
was repused.
Again it was tried aud this time II met with
success, but so resolute were the rebels inside
that some Of them used the bayonet for a
short time.
As these works fell into our hands, a loud
cheer rent the air and the enemy we're seen
hastily retiring to this second line which open
ed sharply in an effort to stay our advance.
About this time Sheridan appeared on the
field and was received with cheers by the
Sixth corps who look up TO him with great
respect
At this moment, too, our entire line was
changing It's long front TO the right, and slow
| lly before il The broken lines Of the rebels was
falling back upon their rear deienseS.
Against the line to which they fell back a
heavy force was now pilted, composed Of parts
of the Twenty-fourh, Sixth, and Twenty 9Th
corps, nearly all fresh troops.
A lull took place, when the force was ready
to move, and il was plain that a Distinct action