Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1865-04-01
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Movement of the Army of the PO-
1Omac-A Heavy Brittle.

New YORK, March 3l.-The Tribunes
Washington special says an announcement
having been made that the Army of the
Potomac had again assumed the offensive,
1t will not be improper to state that while
troops of the Army of the James on Mon-
day and Tuesday crossed the James river
and Joined Grant in his new movement,
General Grant himself left City Point for
the front Tuesday afternoon. Sheridan
with his cavalry led the advance, ana by,
this time has probably cut off the only re-
naming line of communication with Rich
mond, somewhere between Burksville and
Danville. o-.., Ie.
The rebels on Sunday and Monday had
the bulk OF their army massed on their
right, either in anticipation of an attack Ia
that direction, or preparatory to an evacua-,
tion Of Richmond. e ..t ]rsi aIa
The line between here and City Point has
not been working for five or six hours, and
If there has been any fighting tits unknown,
here. 1t is believed, however, that heavy
battle took place to-day. ......... .'I
LATER.
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE PoToMAc
March 20, evening.-The. route taken by
portion of the army is the same over which
it has Travelled several times heretofore,
namely: the Vaughn and Halifax roads, run
ming southwest across Hatcher's run. The
column started at 3 o'clock this morning.
A large cavalry force under Gen. Sheridan
took the Halifax road toward Dinwiddie
Court House; the infantry column crossed
Hatcher's run on the Vaughn road and met
with no opposition until they reached with
in short distance Of Boydtown plank road,
where the enemy's pickets were found and
driven back. Griffin's division was sent up
fhn n1,o,, o1o o -. Il
afternoon division of the enemy made its
appearance, and not knowing the strength
of our force, formed in line and charged;
but the rebels were repulsed with heavy
loss. number of prisoners were taken
and brought in. They said the move had
been complete surprise to them, as they
expected an attack in the vicinity of Fort
Steadman and their troops have been massed
there to meet it.
1t is believed the rebels were hurrying
men toward the South Side railroad all the
afternoon, in hope of being able to prevent
its destruction; but great confidence was
felt that Sheridan would be a little ahead,
and that by the next night we would have
news of its destruction at some point near
Burksville. 1t this should be accomplished,
it is claimed that the evacuation of Peters
burg and Richmond must follow.
WASHINGTON, March 3l.-Information
from City Point, dated o'clock Thursday
afternoon, says very heavy cannonading
commenced at l0:30 that morning and con-
tinued until 1:30 in the afternoon, in the
direction of Petersburg front. A battle was
probably in progress but no particulars
were known at City Point at the time the
mail boat left. .............. .-....
LATEST.
WASHINGTON, March 31.-Information
| from the advance of the Army of the Po-
| tomac, dated Hatcher's Run, Thursday
| morning, shows that the locality of our ar
my under Gen. Grant at that time was in
! line parallel with and east of Boydstown
plank road, and west of Hatchers run.--
These important positions have been gained
with but little resistance from the enemy.
| The 9TH corps had an encounter with the
enemy on Quaker road on Wednesday, but
| lost in the affair less than 300 men, and
drove the rebels nearly mile with serious
loss to them, and captured a number of
| prisoners. .....' 10 .s
NEW YORK March 31.-The Commercials
| special says General Grants recent predic-
tions that within few weeks Richmond
| would be rendered untenable, is about being
| verified. Much OF the news is contraband,
but it does no harm to state that the COM
binations are of a character that seem to
assure success. The present movement will
cut off all communication between Lee and
Johnston. General Thomas is moving up
on Richmond from the southwest with a
heavy force. The enemy will be pressed
so as to compel him to give, instead of re-
ceive battle. .....
Reliable advices from the army represent
Grants movement as certain to secure pos
session Of the South Side railroad. which is
the key to Petersburg and Richmond.