Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1865-04-15

cuIlstanCeS Iney Iell Dack 10 the lett only U
see four close lines of battle waiting to driv,
them across the field. At the right hOrsemei
charged them in their vain attempt to fgh
out, and in their tear foot and cavalry began
to assemble. Slant.fire, cross-hre, and diree
fire by file and volley, rolled perpetually, cut
ting down their brayest officers and strewin:
rhe field with bleeding men, their own artil
lery was turned upon them. At last bodie
of cavalry mounted their parapet and charge,
down upon them, slashing and trampling then
into confusion. They had no commanders T.
lead them out of the tolls into which they haC
fallen. A few more yollies, new charge,
command TO Idle or surrender, and 5,OOC
muskets we're thrown upon the ground anC
5000 men are Sheridan's prisoners. Those
escaping were pursued by the fiery Gustav
and they were pressed far into the desolats
forest.
The HeroIfS Washington special says a dis
patch dated Spottswood House, Richmond, s
P. NJ. Monday, says but little property was de-
strOyed by fire, which was confined mainly to
tobacco warehouses. The reception of the
Union troops was enthusiastic beyond all ex
pectatiOn, proving that there were large
numbers of Unionists in the city. Many
Union flags were displayed yesterday on the
anniversary of Grants taking command of
the army in person at Culpepper c. H., Va.
HEADQUARTERS POToMAC Army, April 2.
The most important victory the Army OF
the Potomac has ever gained in Virginia was
won to-day, and the outer breastwOrks, which
we have been trying in vain for months to
overcome, has at last yielded to our victori-
Gus arms, and greater portion of this army
&,e tonight within a mile and a half of the
city on the southwest side. The struggle
made by the enemy to retain these works has
been of the most desperate character, and
for the success obtained to-day we are en-
debted, not only to the strategy exercised bv
the commanders, but to the overwhelming
numbers and bravery of the troops that did
the work.
The orders for an attack on the line cast
and south of Petersburg, by the 9th and 9th
corps, were carried out puEctually at daylight.
the artillery having been hammering away the
greater part OF the night along the entire
line held by the above corps. Such a furious
cannonade has very seldom been heard dur
il g the war, not even surpassed by that which
vas heard on the occasion of the mine explo-
sion in front of Petersburg.
The 9Th corps troops engaged in action
we're the I'd and Sd divisions and Col. SAM
Harriman's [37th Wisconsin brigade of the
of forts He'll and Rice, on the Jerusalem road,
and were so far successful that by s o'clock
A. NJ. we were in possession of these fortif-
cations, fort Malone being the most elaborate
and extensive. The works contained four
teen guns, some of which were at once opened
on the enemy by men from our infantry regi-
ments. just inside and about one hundred
yards from Fort Malone was another work to
which the rebels retreated, and from which
they threw a most destructive fire upon our
men, causing them TO retire from tine forts,
when the rebels made a dash thinking, to re-
cover il entirely, but the guns on the right
wing as well as in the centre had been manned
and shotted and the assailants were driven
back.
From this time till late in the afternoon,
the struggle continued, the enemy making
every effort to recover, while our men were
as determined to retain possession.
About noon, the chances seemed that we
should lose il, but soon after the Provisional
Brigade, under Gen. Calls, formerly of the
9Th Wisconsin, the Engineer Brigade, under
Gen. Benham, with Gen. Hamlin's Brigade,
of the 9th Corps, came on the ground, and by
their timely aid saved the gallant men in the
fort from capture, and again caused the enc
my to retire. The fire which rained on the
ground and around the fort was of the most
terrible and fearful character, and at dark
the position of the contestants was the same
as during the day.
Gen. Wilcox, with part of his division,
made an attack in front of Fort McGlvery,
near the AppomatOx, and took part of the
Haze, D~s "ds sYOa4 aftOr fOEo0S 40 rotiro TO
his former position owing TO lack of supports.
The loss Of the 9th corps will reach from 500
20 l 900 in killed, wounded and prisoners,
among whom are General Potter, command
ing the 9th division, who is badly wounded
in the groin, but not fatally, it Is thought
This corps has taken Ia guns, about 300 pris-
oners and battle flags. The latter were
taken by the 2llth Pa.
The 9th corps struck the enemy's line in
front near the celebrated lead works, and
carried them with very slight loss. They at
once pushed for the South Side road, which
they reached about 9 o'clock, and in very
short time several miles of it were torn up
and destroyed. They then moved on down
towards Petersburg, driving the rebels before
them across Town run, and into their inner
line close to the city. They took large
number of prisoners, about 1000, and some
20 guns.
No attack on the inner line has been made
as vet, as the position is a strong one, and
ated during the night.
The 9th Corps, holding the line north OF
Hatcher's Run and south Of the Duncan road,
connecting with the 9th Corps on the right,
and the I'd on the left, advanced at daylight
and took the works in their front with slight
loss. Over 1000 prisoners were captured
here by Fosters and Turner's divisions, under
Gen. Gibbons. They were supported by the
Colored Division of the 25th Corps, but the
latter did not get into action.
The I'd corps, who held this run, mile and
a half east of the Boydtown road and over a
mile west of it, delayed advancing until Sheri-
dan, with the 9Th corps, got within support
ing distance on the extreme left, when the
entire line moved forward, carrying the works
almost without opposition. The enemy was
found to have fallen back from this part of
the line, owing to the 9th corps cutting
them off, they having reached the South side
road early in the forenoon and were busy
tearing it up.
This, of course, cut the rebel army in two,
and the two divisions thus caught between
the 9th and I'd corps at once started across
the south side road, toward the Appottomax,
hoping to be able to ford it and thus escape
capture, but it appears they ran against Sher-
idan,. and putting on a bold appearance
made show to fight. News to this effect
reaching headquarters, two divisions of the
I'd corps were at once sent to flank, and if
possible capture the entire command.
Our losses during the day cannot be given,
but is believed 1000 will cover them. Many
valuable officers are among the number, whose
names, however, are not obtainable tonight.
Our captures viii sum up about 1000 pris-
Oners and 3S guns, including those taken by