Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1865-03-28
OPERATIONS AT PKTERSBCR0.
The Capture Of FsFt Steadman and Fight

Inc capture Of Feft SteAdman ana ElSAs
at Hatcher's Run.
From the City Point correspondents OF the
Philadelphia Inquirer 1t seems that marching
orders were issued Friday night 70 JohnsoA's
division OF Anderson's corp, lying Opposite
our extreme left. This force marched through
Petersburg during the night, and was Joined
nv the ID corps, commanded by General Cor
dom. composed Of three strong divisions, led by
Generals Terry, Grimes and Walker, the as
saultins party thus formed massins in front of
the forts to be attacked.
About four O'Clock Saturday morning q rebel
officer attempted to relieve General Wilcox g
pickets. Riding down the line, he gave orders
Tor the men to fall in, march Immediately to
their regiments, announcing at the same time
that the Ninth Corps was to march instantly.
Some OF the piekets, too wary to be caught
brisk skirmish fight. The morning was very
dark, the movements Of the Rebels during the
night were entirely unknown to our officers,
and this picket firing being NO unusual thing
on that part OF the line, aroused no great atten.
ton. Still the garrisons OF the works started
from their beds and stood to their guns. ready
for any emergency.
works-Spring Hill Battery, opposite Stead
man, the S.inch mortar battery on its right,
and Goose Neck, Clifton and Chesterfield on
the north side OF the river. Our artillerists,
still supposing it nothing more than challenge
to one Of the old duels so common between
them, sprang to their guns, and No 5, McGil-
very, No. 9, Steadman, No. IL and Hascall re-
turned the fire at once. While this heavy can
noHading was going on the rebel assailing
column made rush for our works across the
level plain about oHe hundred and fifty yards
tillery had been firing wild, the darkness con-
cealing all movements OF the enemy, but as the
rebels approached the batteries all the guns
were trained on them.
however, by superior numbers, were dri ven
from their pieces, and many Of them captured.
At daylight, Gordon had possession OF the
fsrt, and dispositions were at once made by
brigades OF Hartranft, the first under Colonel
q. w. Deven, 2OOth Pennsylvania, and the Sec
ond under Colonel Jared Mathews, 205th
brigade, under Colonel Ely, sth Michigan, on
the right, and the third, under Colonel Robin
son, Sd Maryland, after the capture Of Brevet
Brigadier General Mclaughlin, on the left.
In this order the four brigades fought their way
up to the fort, and after terrible struggle, re-.
took 1t with all Its guns, and captured eigh-
teen hundred prisoners.
Gordon, not faneying the musketry fire, sent
his horse of by an orderly, and escaped by
running down ravine.
We lost 900 wounded and about so Killed.
The number Of prisoners lost is still indefinite
The capture of Gordon's men having re-
vealed to Gen. Grant the weakness Of the rebel
right, the I'd corps, holding the left OF our
line, advanced in three columns, the LIST di.
vision, commanded by Gen. NJ lies, on the right
I'd division, commanded by Gen. Hayes, on the
left and the Sd division, Commanded by Gen.
Mott, in the centre.
The lire thus formed connected with the left
OF the 9th corps on its right, and advanced
steady distance of about q mile, when line
OF works, occupied by the enemy's reserve
pickets, was encountered, who stubbornly dis
puted our advance.
After elaboration 1t was determined to dis.
lodge them, and the third brigade of the second
division charged the works, capturing about
$50 prisoners.
Alta o'clock p. M, heavy firing commenced
In front OF the third division General Mott's)
which was kept up without losing or gaining
ground until O'Clock p. NJ, when a charge Of
the entire line was ordered, in which the first
division General Miles) succeeded In carry
Ing portion of the enemy's main works de-
Tending the South Side Railroad. The second
and third divisions also gained considerable
ground In that direction, and at present hold
their position.
During the entire engagement little artillery
was used, but the musketrY firing was not
surpassed by the battles OF the Wilderness and
Spottsylvania Court House. The country in
which the battle took place is low, covered
with thick growth of pine timber, and in
some places marshy.
General Wright lost in this tightly killed,
401 wounded and 80 missing. Total, 47S. He
took 400 prisoners and estimates the rebel
killed and wounded at about 400