The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1865-04-14
"a. 'nJ 10 9ol0aqQ 81; 10 GOV :. .
5Gd3 sac GRANTS ARMY,
Con,inu alton Of tie Account OK ne
5fi$hting Below, Petsrsburg!.-Es-

|
Fighting Below Petersburr...Es
cape OF Lee-.Surrenders or Peters
burg. % ,s'b s.!l r9iis VI
aNRw YORK, April l4.-The headduar
tiers OF the I'd division of the I'd CORPS were
at once sent to the flank, and if possible
capture our entire command. /, Our losses
| during the day cannot be given, but it i:
believed 1000 will cover them. Many
valuable officers are among the number
whose names, however, cannot be given
| Our captures viii sum up about: 9, DOC
prisoners and eighteen guns, including
those taken by Gen. Sheridan yesterday.
The loss OF the enemy. in killed and
wounded is net estimated, but in front OF
9th corps they lie on the ground very
thick. They were mOwn down by hun
dreds at each effort to regain lost ground.
Gen. Ransom is badly wounded and a
prisoner in our hands. He was found at
a house on the Boydtown road, from
which it was dangerous to move him.
General A P, Hill is reported billed by
prisoners. 4sT =,
WASHINGTON, April "A passenger
from City Point, who left there early yes
terday morning, says late Sunday night
ourmen commenced laying railroad from
Pitkins station to Petersburg, a distance
of three miles, and also began throwing
bridges over the river, the former ones
being destroyed. The work now in prog
ress will establish the complete line ten
miles from City Point to Petersburg. Only
a few hours are required to establish COM
munication with all points. 'r5 211 q. A,t.
Very little property was destroyed by
the rebels in Petersburg, who during Sun
day night made hasty retreat @9I1' sGf
1t was supposed there that Lee was en-
deavoring to escape BY way of the Dan
vile Railroad. A portion of our army
was following in that direction. No par
ticulars had been heard up to the hour the
passenger left City Point. ."." -
WASHINGTON, April 4 Correspondents
from City Point states that Lee had divi-
ded the remnant of his army and was re-
treating in two small columns.
Our prisoners at noon yesterday ex-
ceeded $4,000. The rebel destruction of
property in their retreat literally beggars
description. Stragglers and deserters are
even in excess of what was anticipated.
WASHINGTON, April 4.-From the mail
boat Dictator, which left City Point yes
terday at 10 A. NJ, the Star obtained the
following, among other items: b..
Our gunboats have moved up the James
river, and are now engaged in removing
distractions.
Gen. Weitzel, upon entering Richmond,
was directed by Gen. Grant to allow no
one to leave the city. q" ea
The rebels fired Petersburg in several
places before evacuating. The fire was
speedily extinguished. -.
Over 5000 prisoners have already been
received at City Point, and others are con-
stantly arriving. In fact there are so
many prisoners there that sufficient num-
Der of troops could not be spared to guard
them, and consequently detachments of
sailors and marines were taken from the
gunboats and placed in charge of them.
The entire number of prisoners captured
by our troops up to yesterday was esti-
mated at $4,000, by well-informed officers.
Our wounded are being sent in to City
Point asrapidly as possible. lf3. gsH 49,
The Dictator brought up nearly 700 re-
bel deserters, who desire to take the oath
OF allegiance. ~ - -l.sl -. .'r. ..'
New YORK, April 5.-The Posts spe-
cial'says advices from Richmond represent
that the fire there was very destructive
totally destroying many tobacco ware
houses. g. =. -.r .-,t..
General Grant was confident that the
spirit Of Lees troops was completely bro
ken If he stops at Lynchburg he will be
surrounded by our forces
PETERSBURG, Va, April 3.-The Army
of the Potomac has been in and out of
Petersburg this morning, merely making
flying visit.
The rebels commenced evacuating last
night at 10 O'Clock, and by O'Clock this
morning were over the bridges across the
Appomatox. .a...-.... 49,.
Our troops charged the inner line of
works at daylight, taking picket line of
some 500 men prisoners. ... '....
The troops on entering the city behaved
most admirably-not but few houses be-
ing entered by them, and those mostly
containing tobacco The provost guard
soon arrived and established order. ,....
The mayor of the town met the troops
as they entered, and handed to the officer
commanding the following communication
offering the surrender of the city:, -..
Liem.-Ges. o. s. Grant, oomx,gsd;ng Il rmies of
the United Stafes or the MAJOR General com
nsdpding United States Forces IN front of Pc
tersbwy: - ~ D'.v'.. ~ b!
.GxsERAL: the city of Petersburg having
been evacuated by the Confederate troops we,
being authorized by the Common Council, do
hereby surrender the city to the United States
forces, with q request for the protection of the
persons and property Of the Inhabitants.
We are respectfully your obedient servants,
w. w. TOWNS, Mayor.
d. ARCHY PAUL, Com.
Protection was promised on the part of
the troops, and the citizens have no cause
of complaint, for certainly there is no in
stance on record where an army, after Iy-
irg so long in front of . place of 80 much
importance, and losing so many men in the
effort to capture it, entered city with
less disorder and doing less damage to
private property, than in this case.
The citizens did not show themselves
during the fore part of the day, but after