The New York herald., 1865-04-05

racted day md night Struggles could nos avoid sssp-
ing whenever moments opportunity presented itself
Quickly the lines ve In readiness and everybody Il his
post Then the firing increased Soon the forts opened
with their heavy artillery. Tho rsbel guns responded
briskly. The darkness was intense thick mist hung
over the country, mixed with the smoke Of tho past
days battle, rendering II night Of hoErid character
Through the thick darkness bank Of lufid light hung
over the city Of Petersburg betokenng destruction and
ruin in progrcaa And amid II all the unseen attack;
the roar Of musket the thunder Of artillery the cheer
ing and shouting Of tho soden the cropping about in
apprehension and fear-who can paint such scenes
RxPUIMD.
But tho attack was Of short Duration The brave fel
lows In tho Tenches knew its import They appreciated
Also how near they were 10 glorious victory and how
important that they should stand their ground without
wavering. And faithfully they performed their duty
sending the rebels back bleeding, dishsartsned, dis
souraged.
Then followed season Of anxious stiffness Not
sound disturbed the quiet Of that thick black midnight
No picket firing, no signal guns attacks or indica
tons Of atsack-a terrible, momentous, threatening
quiet which only be appreciated by those who have
spent night battle Aed Orders issued to tho
pckets 70 advance and keep close to the rebel lines
Watch them closely; give them chance 10 rum when
they start 20 after them; matter for rest sleep
comes after the victory. Vigilance was all-im.
portant
An hour passed; everything remained quiet At last,
tired out with Watching and exhausted threw myself
down and in q moment dreaming Of happy home
and dear ones far away from battle fields and of
blood and carnage.
TBB yoHNNrEs GOING.
But my dreams were Of short duration. At three
O'Clock was reused by STAFF officer with message
fporn tha ,pa xha
lines Of the rebel works. and orders issued an
immediate advance
zAIyPAsr THREE O'CLOCK, MONDAY, A.. M.-PErERsBuRa
At han-past three horses saddled, coffee swal
lowed and away to Petersburg
ooLoCK-PErERsBURa OCCUPIED
At four O'Clock Colonel Ely reported his brigade in
Petersburg The First Michigan sharpshooters leading
the skirmishen and pressing hard upon the rear
Of the rebel forces, were the first TO enter the
long fought for city. With cheers and shouts
Of triumph they entered but tho fighting
was done. At every step they picked up rebels
anxious 10 surrender, but nowhere found any willing
fight Petersburg was ours-won by hard lighting and
determined bravery. Nthere be any confedcacy left
its people may seek give the impression that they
evacuated the city voluntarily complete driving
out was accomplished. victory signal and
indsputable has not been gained In this war.
GLORIOUS CORPS.
The Ninth corps has made reputation in this grand
sufficient had before achieved dstinc-
tion to place among the most gallant corps Of the
United States army Left alone hold the old lines that
formerly had been garsoned by the whole of tho Army
Of the Potomac not only hold thom securely but ad-
vanced against the main rebel lines piercing them In
several places capturing and holding several forts and
Of guns, with largo number OF prisoners holding
their advantages and contributing very large
TO the glorious achievement that has crowned the united
efforts Of the whole army.
rm WORK Accomplished NJ nRsr DIVISION.
The FIRST division alone under General Wilcox thc
operations Of yesterday only held the extended
OF two miles and against all attacks but themselves
attacked the strongest positions on the rebel lines cap
turing two forts, nine guns nearly thousand prisoners
several nags &C., and all with loss 10 themselves Of
but about two hundred And now they add 10 thei
record the capture Of the Of the rebel nes guns
tents prisoners innumenbe, and finally the city Of Pc
tersburg Glory enough for ono division.
GENERAL WILCOX
was in the field throughout the whole affair.
the operations Of the division the result demonstrates
with great judgment and ability His men have be
haved with sailanty that seldom equalled Whether
attacking defending, they always presented the
determined 'front.' never ninchins however nsrse ths
danger
COLONEL HARTMAN,
Of the Frst brigade particularly noticeable for hi
saantry in tho assault and defence Of Fort Malone
This affair exhibited great genius and skh - we'll q
gallantry in tho manner in which IL accomplished
and should win for the able oncsr that conducted
speedy promotion, which he well inertia
roRr nsoEY
The guns Of Fort Emory, in line, directly opposite
Fort Malone, contributed very materially 70 the sue.
cess. This fort sArrisoned by Company ~ Of the
First Connecticut heavy artillery, Captain Faxon CON-
mandng and 10 battery of thiry-poupdsr Panotss va,
served most sncisntly.
Among the casualss during the day were the follow
ing
Colonel q. n. Gowan, lsth Pennsylvania, killed.
Brsvst Major General Potter, Second division, wounded
Isusna.s Colonel Nichols, Ist Michigan sharpshoo.
2solain Kelly, ssth wisconnn, seriously.
Captain Ballard, S6th Wisconsin, seriously.
Captain Do lane 1st Michigan sharpshoote, MORALLY
Lieutenant ekesie, s7th Wisconsin, slightly
Lieutenant Colonel Avery, 9th Ohio, thigh.
at.n Lsutsnens MT nonshsn, 27.h Michigan, slightly
Captain Richard Watts General Harranfts stan, head
rm wonx on TIE Ixy
would not have the impression obtain from anything
ths have written above that the other two divisions Of
the Ninth corps have lacked in gaanty enthusiastic
cooperation In the great events described II Ia sum-
cient for 70 write what have seen Other CORES
pondents were sent 70 the lines 70 the le who
will doubtless DO justice 70 the gallant who there
performed equally heroic deeda
TIE yoanTcAnoxs AND rrRESmuxrs ABOUT Ykrrns-
BUR0
Ny route from Fort Amory the city of Petersburg
wn by the Baxter rosd and led directly the or
ncaiions Of both srmisa dcult ride IL Twas
my fortune 70 attemp-covered ways rife pits, cAevauz
de.fis broastworks, bresstworks eAevduzde frSe,
rife pits and covered ways bitches that could
be lcaped, and ditches wide and Deep parallels
and cross sections, abatis and entanglements Of
every dcscrption--the exhaustion Of engineering
skill. An lentansIement Of digging, such never
before was seen covered the greater part Of tho distance
For breadth Of than mile the country Ia literally
all dug over Every manner Of earthwortk has been
thrown up BY eithcr army Corrections Of tho lines,
Chan1nQ aro