The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1865-03-31

they did, making breach at point DOT
far TO the left Of Fort Steadman. The
same is located on rise Of ground nearly
opposite to Cemetery hill.
Breaking through on tho left Of this
work, the. enemy passed round to
travelled road, and captured the foft by
charging from the rear through the
regular entrance. So rapidly was this
accomplished that the officer in come
mand of the fort, Major Randall, together
with General Mclaughlin, and q mum.
Der of men, were taken prisoners. I'M
mediately succeeding the attack, General
Mclaughlin, who had commander the
line lust to the left Of where it was forced,
hurried into Fort Steadman, and was
giving orders and cheering the men up
To the last minute before he was cap.
tured
OIL gaining possession Of Fort Stead
man the enemy extended a line of battle,
facing west by little south, from the
fort along the hill, over to line of
breastworks, and behind the latter: At
the same time, the guns of Fort Stead
man were turned upon battery No. 10,
and wita effect, for our men were
hastily driven out. Battery No. 10 was
commanded by Captain John M. Twiss.
In it were four eight-inch. mortars and
three cohorn mortars. These the enemy
got, and for short time held possession
of them.
When the rebel line was formed, and
the enemy still in possession of Fort
Steadman and the mortar battery, he
was also busy extending his line in the
direction of Meade station and the rail-
road.
Another rebel line was also formed
and charged against batteries Nos. s aAd
and 8, both in charge Of Lieutenant
Arrow. This rebel advance was checked.
The enemy got within two hundred
yards of battery No. 8 and five hundred
yards of battery No. s. During the at
tack. Just referred to. telling fire was
poured in from Fort McGilvery. It was
to "a great extent an enflading one.
This was about Z o'clock. AT this
iuncture our position was not a flattering
one. The enemy had broken our line,
captured two or three works, taken some
four or five hundred prisoners; was
threatening our forts close to the Apo
mattox, and attempting to extend his
line over to the railroad near Meade
station.
Reinforcements were now brought up
So far, but small portion of the Ninth
corps were engaged. The achievements
were from General Hartranft's command,
Third division, Ninth corps. Some time
was consume2i in forming and arranging,
not merely 20 check the rebel advance,
but to regain the captured forts. During.
this period no less than three general
officers (rebels) were in Fort Steadman,
giving orders, urging their men up, while
no small number of the rebel privates
gave more attention to plundering than
to obeying ORDERS.
The reinforcements having been
promptly formed in readiness and po-
sition for action General Hartranft re-
ccived orders from General Parke to
move on to the recapture Of the lost
ground. On the left Of General Hart
ranft was portion of General Wilcox's
division. This materially contributed to
the success of the day.
General Hartranft made the advance
as ordered. AS he did so, terrific fire
was opened on Fort Steadman and bat,
terry No. To- from one of our reserve
works, and from batteries Nos. and
and Fort McGilvery. The charge Of the
infantry was admirably executed, and
the firing from the batteries remarkably
precise.
The rebels could not remain under the
heavy fire from our guns, and when st
last they commenced to fall back, the
infantry thanked the fort and cut Off
large body of the rebel troops, who, in
Guiding many officers, fell into our hands
as prisoners Of war. We also took seve-
raj battle>hags.
The rebels suffered terribly. Our men
literally slaughtered them as they re.
treated for their works.
By half-past eight the engagement
was ended.
The total rebel loss will reach between
six and seven thousand. This includes
killed, wounded and prisoners. We
have taken many officers, some of them
high in rank. Also, five or more stand
of colors.
Our loss will no: exceed one thousand.
THE FIGHTING ON OR RIGHT ON sAruR-
DAY.
Another Of the HeraMs correspond
ents gives an account of the fighting on |
our. right on Saturday, which was
brought. on by the enemy to prevent
our massing in front of Fort Steadman
for another attack, and, at the same
time, to ascertain whether our works on
The right were fully manned. We make