Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1865-04-12
FROM PETERSBURG.
The Plan "f the Recent Grn, ~vr-
ments-A OdIfyIng Cfreumsta-,,s-
She tdsn's Great MOVement-Final
sGeeess-Attaek on and Capture Of
Petersburg.

ttacA OA anu capture "a
Petersburg.
Especial Correspondence Cleveland Label = =
PETERsBURG, April 3, 1865.
In my last lette: esssyed to conjecture
the plan of the campaign which thus far
has been so signslly triumphant, but late
events prove was somewhat mistaken in
the details, though not in the general plan
as It vas then marked out. An unexpect-
ed delay OF ten days was occssioned by the
non-arrivsl Of Sheridan's cavalry, and the
fierce attack made by the enemy on our
lines in front of Petersburg, from which
ell inferred that they felt themselves suf-
ieiently strong to assume the offensive. As
you a-e already informed of the operations
of the 9TH and I'd corps and Sheridan's
cavalry need not enter into tiresome de-
tails. viii, however, remark here that
when the army took up its line of march
for Burksville, headed by Sheridan and the
5th corps,
THE ORIGINAL PLAN
Of the Lieutenant General was to move
a large portion of his army we'll to the left
of Lee, while the balance were engaging the
rebel forces. As soon as the enemy's left
flank was fully turned, our troops were to
march directly on Burksville, the only re-
naming line of communication between
Richmond and the South. This would ne
cessitate the immediate evacuation of
Petersburg, and perhaps Richmond, be-
cause the forces defending those places
would have to be Withdrawn TO protect a
more vital point-Burksville. The I'd
corps were already enscting their part fne-
ly by attacking the enemy's works at
Hatchers Run, and Sheridan, with the cav
airy and the 9th corps, was smashing
through the wilderness near Dinwiddie,
trying to travel around the everlasting g
earthWorks that defend the Southside road,
and take possession of that important
thoroughfsre before the enemy could head
him of. But, owing to the culpsble tsrdi-
ness Of General Warren 10 obeying his i'm
perstive orders, this bold
MOVE MIsCARRIED,
though well conceived in all its details as
it was. As soon as the willy Lee saw this
body of troops isolated from the main
army he pounced upon it, undoubtedly
determined on its utter snnihilstion.-
For time the full power Of the fierce on
slaught fell upon the cavalry alone, but
Sheridan promptly relieved Warren of
his command, and disposing of the infantry
in his own original way, he now taught
mis- great adversary that what he lacked
in men he made up in skill. The result of
the days work was briefly summed up in
General Grants despatch to Gen. Wright,
commanding 9th Corps, received at 10
o'clock, Saturday night: SHERIDAN has
beat them. Captured three brigsdes, and
two batteries. Attack them OF once in
front of Fort Fisher. Break through if
possible" In obedience TO these orders,
Petersburg was captured.
SATURDAY NIGHTS ATTACK.
The blackest of all the year was Sstur-
day night; not breath of air TO rouse 8
moaning among the pines, not a star
nor yet a cloud could be seen; it was one
of our spring nights of mized smoky black
ness. At IL o'clock while stiffness, SEEM
ingly unnatural, prevailed along the entire
line, more than two hundred cannon
broke the silence With their terrible voices
in one simultaneous roar, Immediately fol-
lowed by the half smothered shouts of the
charging column, and dull roll of mus
ketry. The cheers of our gallant fellows
coming back through the smoke announced
the fact that the enemy's first and import
ant line of works were taken with compsr-
stively small loss. The rebels were so
thunderstruck by the Irresistible, and unex-
pected assault, that they scarcely made a
worthy defence of their great strongholds
That the importance of this charge may be
morsfully understood, will state that Fort
Fisher, where it was made, is exactly in
the center of our line, being five miles from
the Appomstox. five from Hstcher's Run,
and one mile west of the Weldon Railroad.
On account of the intense darkness, moth
ing further was done after the occupation
of the first line until daylight, which re-
vesled the fact that between our forces and
Petersburg there was no continuous line,
but every prominent piece Of ground was
capped with an inclosed fort, over the par
apets of which saucy looking cannon peered
at US. will not enter intoR detail of all the
heroic deeds saw enacted that beautiful
Sabbath morning. At early dawn the
army moved, and those detached forts were
taken one after another; all taken save
one-Fort Lee. The heroism of its garri-
son, and the persistent valor Of the attack
ing column, will pass into history as among
the grsndest deeds of the bravest men. I
went into this work, which after three hours
of the most desperate fighting was finally
occupied by the oath Corps. Out of one
hundred men (rebels) forty-two lay dead on
the bsnquette and thirty-six wounded.
Our own loss was three times as great The
rebel Colonel commanding this work closed
the gate, telling his men thatthey must die
where they we're, or defend the place sue
cessfully. This Colonel, who was brother
of one of the officers attacking his fort, was
killed.
Tomorrow will stroll around Peters
burg, and jot down for you such it ems as
may seem interesting. d.
The Alabama Cavalry Expedition.