Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1865-04-14

pickets were found IN their front, and the
Birney and the Second and TT ird Divisions
of Humphreys Corps continue their grand
right wheel, and at or about o'clock a. m.
were on the line of the Sixth, south west oI
Petersburg.
But the gallant old Sixth and Ninth had al.
ready accomplished the work assigned them.
The Sixth, supported by Ord had advanced
two miles, carried a complete line Of formi.
dable works, including number of forts, and
had seized the Southside Railroad, while the
Ninth, almost as successful, had, by a series
Of assaults, foreiI,ly passed three almost i'm
pregnable salier,ts, and occupied Fort Ma
hone in front of Fort He'll, the three Corps
alone capturing thirtytwo guns, nearly 5000
prisoners, and a indefinite number of colors.
And thus it was accomplished.
From mi6nigh to Sunday morning, furi-
Gus cannonadings accompanied by sharp skir-
mishing, was keIhup from the Rebel works in
front of the Sixth and Ninth Corps. The en-
emy had probably discovered our plan, and
were endeavoring to thwart our intentions
Their efforts were IN vain, however, for be-
fore daybreak the Sixth, in compliance with
orders, were massing between Forts Fisher
and Welch, regardless of the storm of shot
and shell, for the final charge. In massing,
more were killed and wounded by the fire of
the enemy than in the assault which followed,
as the rapidity with which the advance was
made soon placed our men where the missiles
of the Rebels whistled and howled harmless
ly over their heads.
Just before daybreak in the morning the
Sixth moved on theenemy's works as follows:
In the advance the Division of Gen. Getty
formed in two lines, supported on the right
and left respectively by the Divisions Of
Wheaton and Seymour formed in echelon of
Brigades, moving left in front to facilitate a
flank attack upon the enemy's forts. The ad-
vance of the Sixth Corps, in which Gen. Ord 5
command CO co-operated, was one of the grand
est military spectacles ever witnessed on tlIe
battle field. A bright wall of bayonets, fir IN
" grasped by masses Of determined men, un
daunted by the death dealing fire from the
enemy's forts, which were actually obsIcured
by the volumes Of smoke which were vomited
forth by hundred cannon, was sight once
seen never to be forgotten. Moving through
this murderous fire to the attack, with liHe
of white smoke pufs telling where the shells
of the enemy were bursting, the charging col
umns still advanced, and were soon under the
guns of the Rebels, who now almost ceased
their fire of artillery and OF ened with musket-
ry. But The doom of the rebels was sealed
from all sides our columns we're bearing down
upon them. Two unsuccessful assaults were
made to capture the enemy 5 forts, when the
First Division was formed in front with the
eccond, aud tnlra -eL~-ge cssaJoa e~kiel.
proved more successful; Fort Gregg lin which
fell the Rebel Gen. A. p Hill, pierced by
three bullets), Battery 40, and the whole line
in front of the Sixth and Twenty fourth Corps
falling into our hands. In carrying the works
the Third Division of the Sixth Corps formed
to assault the enemy's works on their left
flank, taking them without any considerable
opposition.
At II o'clock the engagement ceased, and
the Southside Railroad within three miles of
the town was in our possession. The opera
tons of the Ninth Corps, although gratifying,
we're not equally successful with those of the
Sixth and Twenty-fourth. The active parti-
cipants in the assault of the Ninth Corpswere
Harriman's Brigade of Wilcox's Division and
the Divisions of Gems Potter and Hartranf.
The main attack was to be made by the two
Divisions last named, supported on their
by Harrinan's Brigade upon the earthworks
in front of Forts He'll and Rice, the most for
midable of which was Fort Malone confront
ing Fort He'll.
Now every one has heard of Fort Hell--has
read of the fierce artillery duels which have
occurred between it and its antagonist, Fort
Malone, during the Winter. 1t was thissame
Fort Malone, with its labyrinth of moats and
abatis, that was assaulted by the left of the
Ninth Corps on Sunday morning, and which |
ultimately fell in our possession after fighting |
of the most desperate character. AT an early |
hour, Wilcox, in obedience to orders, had |
made a strong demonstration in front of his |
position on the Appomattox, while on the
left, Potter and Hart ranh had at the same |
time charged, carried and held Fort Malone |
and two other earthworks on its left, against |
the repeated attempts of the enemy to repos-
sess it.
At Fort Malone, the struggle was longer
and more determined on both sides. Carried
at about oclock a. M, it was found neces
sary to abandon its northern face as the enc
my had, on being driven out of it, retired a
short distance to the rear or inner work, from
which they swept with cannon-shot and mus
kerry the locality mentioned. The main part, |
however, was still in our possession. At
about ii a. m. the enemy made most turi-
Gus sortie to retake it, and for time our
chances of retaining it seemed dubious. The |
enemy assaulted in overwhelming numbers,
and It was plainly evident mad received rein
forcements. Fortunately a portion of the
Sixth Corps and the provisional Brigade, un-
der the command of Brig. Gen. C. II. 7. Col |
lis. arrived in the nick of time, and again
charging the enemy, they were again driven
from the fort, which he made no further at
tempt to re-occupy during the day.
Previously have stated that the Second |
Corps had carried the works in its front with |
but triAing opposition, and was wheeled to |
the north to cooperate in the attack OF the /
Sixth, Ninth and Twenty fourth Corps. 1t
was too late, however, to participate in the