Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1865-04-14
For the journal.
THIRD VERMONT LIGHT BATTERY.
CAMP NEAR CRY Porsr, Apr. 4, 1895.

mOIniuk tue entire Otn CORPS estimated ~
about fifteen thousand strong, made an as
ssult upon the enemy's works in their imme-
diate front. The corps was drawn up with
the Vermont brigade in lead, the 5th and 9th
Vermont being in the front column, and con-
nected at a certain angle. II having been
planned that after reaching given point the
corps should attack two forts simultaneously,
one-half Of it following the 9th regiment, and
the other half the 5th regiment, the corps
was massed some hours before the appointed
time, and the signal gun was fred by our
battery for the columns to move. 1t moved
slowly, without noise, and with loaded but
uncapped guns across the intervening ground,
and on reaching the point, divided, and with
ayell captured the forts with but very slight
resistance. Without losing time, nor allow
ing the enemy to recover from the surprise
one portion pushed on towards Petersburg
and the other toward Hatcher's Run. At
noon the firing had somewhat died away. and
Gen. Wright reported l6 pieces Of artillery
and 1900 prisoners, captured. Il learned
from prisoners captured that the celebrated
batteries, Norfolk Lieut.. Arty. Blues :"
Washington Art'y. Of New Orleans, and
PercelFs Battery of Richmond were among
those captured) The LIST division made a
charge which was stubbornly contested. It
was said that men were picked to hold the
fort at all hazards and after about an hour
and half Of bloody fighting our men entered
the works. We lost many men, and only
possessed ourselves Of the work by placing
the entire garrison hors du combat. SO des-
perate were the men who held the position
that after they we're surroundered and no pos
sibility OF escaping, they declared there was
no such word as surrender, and tell in their
places. Our battery occupied the nearest
position to the work and ploughed it up fear
fllly with solid shot. The bravery here
shown by our battery and the accuracy of its
fire brought a compliment from Genls. Glib
bons and Seymour, and has given it a high
reputation through this portion Of the army.
Although bullets whistled and shells were
flying, the firing was as steady and as accu-
rate as though at target practice. One piece
was considerably damaged-the trail was
splintered with shell. The battery was en-
gagged from 9 q. m. until dark and fred over
thousand rounds Of shot and shell. All the
officers and men engaged merit great praise,
and have the pleasure of announcing that
we are as fortunate as ever--not one man in
jured in the command. Captain Start was
placed In charge Of all the captured artillery
OF the corps and removed them to this place
yesterday. They amount to twenty guns and
caissons, some of which the rebs captured OF
US IN different engagements. but most were OF
their own make. To-day The Captain turned
them into the ordnance depot at this place.
lie has been chosen Tor his gallantry to take
command o. four batteries Of the 9th corps,
which was not considered necessary to &C.
company the corps in their hasty pursuit OF
the rebels They are now at City Point in
side OF the defences.
Yesterday morning portion of the 25th
corps (colored) charged the works and found
them empty. The city had been evacuated
during the night TIE 9th corps bad laid
pontoons across the Appomattox, and had
crossed, as we'll as the I'd aud 9Th corps, and
the cavalry under Sheridan, who are now in
hot pursuit of Lee. | visited Peters burg
yesterday. The President was at the resi-
dence OF Mr.. Wallace, and the curious inhab-
ltants were eager to see the great man. The
lnna bltants were all left in the city, they not
knowing Lee intended to evacuate, but mis-
trusted It from the fact of his firing the cot
ton, tobacco, the shops, and rolling stock oil
the railroad. The road running to Rich
mohd Is several inches narrower than the
Southsde railroad, so it became necessary to
dest'oy the stock to prevent il falling into our
hands was very much surprised % see
that the larger share of the inhabitants were
well dressed,-the gents as well as the ladies
All whom conversed with declared them
selves loyal, and there is no doubt but what
there are many loyal in the city. They are
very short of estabes, and are not permitted
to furnish only limited amount Of any food
at time-(ten pounds of -four at two dol
lars and half per pound) learned from a
confederate soldier that Gen. A. p. Hill was
killed, and which is reliable.
Petersburg is a very pretty city, and is
larger than Alexandria. There are many fine
residences and blocks of stores. The gas
works are totally destroy ed, as well as a large
portion of the buildings in the east part OF
the city, from our shells, which were thrown
from the celebrated gun called the " Peters
burg Express" The ctizens removed from
that portion of the city, and it is now only
occupied by negroes, who have bomb proofs
into which they crawl whenever the dreaded
gun opens. Confederate money is not now
taken-notbing but green backs will purchase
anything. Previous TO our taking the city
greenbacks sold for forty dollars confederate
While in the city we learned that Rich.
Lincoln had started for that city. Squads oil
overtaken rebs we're being brought in as prs
oners at different times during the day Citi.
zens of Petersburg who were pressed into
the rebel service improved the opportunity to
remain behind when the army evacuated. Nc
negro military organization had been started
in the city, and there are none in Lees army
but there were nearly regiment in Richmond
recruiting at the time of the evacuation.
left Petersburg last night, and the rail.
road from here there was nearly completed
The road to-day runs into the city. The tel.
egraph gives you the news and will not at.
tempt to say more. The latest reports how.
ever are that we have sent from City Poin,
twenty thousand prisoners-more on the
road (about three thousand just passed our
camp,)
have nothing about the loss in the VT
brigade. Gen. l.. A. Grant wounded Capt
Morey Of the I'd reported killed. Sergt. Dan
George, F, I'd, was wounded, and also Moves
and Hobart of Montpelier. It, Hawkins, sd,
wounded. The 18th Vermont suffered very
heavily as matter of oourse--its usual .or-
tune. / met Can't Robinson. A. Wilder and