Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1865-04-05
NUMBER 237.

forward followed by his staff, ,headquarters'
| flag and escort, and with his hat of waving
] it in air, cheered his men and they
cheering him. The sight was thrilling
one. Theenemy had driven our menout Of
| the forts, and were fighting in open field.
Just before the enemy had got out of the
woods, our men made low breastworlB Of
fence rails, which did not afford them any
particular protection. At half past five
o'clock the enemy made grand advance In
two lines of battle from the woods across
fields; thereupon Immediately followed the
hardest fighting of the day. The enemy
got about midway between hewo0ds and
our lines when he was checked, He con-,
tinued TO hold his line for some time, and
had much the advantage of us In this way,
that his rifles outranged our earbines and
gave him odds in distance of firing. The
engagement continuing, our batteries pour
ed in well directed fire which more than
once broke the enemy's line, and threw GER
tain portions in confusion. By dark the
enemy delivered one terrific volley which
seemed to be continuous line of fame,
but as it did not move our men, the enemy
broke and went back, and we were left M
possession of the field and held our position
at Dinwiddie Court House. During the
night Grant ordered a portion of the 9th
Corps to advance so as to strike at the rear
of the infantry force which attacked Sheri-9
dan. 1t was thought that Pickett had now
got his command into position from which,
he would find it very difficult to extricate
it. We are expecting more and heavy fight
ing, it is probable the 9TH and ID Corps and
portion of Ord's army will be heavily en-
gagged. l5ssg
tne 3lst says, tt.a close of operations last
nlght letC our forces In pOssession of Rovd-
ton plank road, with the righs~ of the btb
Corps and the left of the I'd Corps meeting
in the vicinity of the Quaker road. A,
very strong line of breastworks was thrown
up during the night, covering the Boyd
town road and running paraiiel with it----i
The enemy were intrenched few hundred
yards in advance, beyond deep ravine,
with q stream of water Intervening. The
| fighting commenced at an early hour this
morning, and continued with little inter-
mission during the day. Our forces were
pushed across ravine, and drove the enc
my nearly mile, when he massed his forces
against the right wing of the 9th Corps,
and, for time, succeeded in forcing it
back in some confusion, when the 1st Divis-
ion of the I'd Corps was thrown forward, and
we, in turn, drove the enemy, with heavy
loss. The lighting here was very severe,
and the losses on both sides were heavy.
At dark our forces were still advancing,
and had arrived in the vicinity of the heavy
works of the enemy, where General Ham
cock had his fight in the fall.
The Herald's "a Corps special of the 3lst,,
SAYS that, shortly alter So'clock, heavy
| firing was heard on the left Of the 24th
Corps, now occupying the works formerly
held by the I'd Corps. The enemy massed
his troops in front of fort recently con-
structed near Hatcher's run, and charged
with great impetuosity, doubtless hoping
to break our line at that point, capture and
destroy our trains which were parked in
the rear. The great extension of our lines,
probably led him to believe that it was
week in front of those works held by us
prior to the recent movements. He found
it stronger than he anticipated, and the
attack resulted in great slaughter. Soon af-
ter, our troops at that point, assumed
the offensive, and charging on the
rebels drove them back, capturing
two long guns and large number
of smaller guns. The rain checked of about
nine O'Clock, and skirmishing commenced
along the lines of this corps, continuing tor
over an hour WITHOUT important results. AT
| IL o'clock the rebels made fierce assault
on the right of the 9Th Corps, near the
Boydton plankroad, where it connects with
| the left of the 1st Division of the ID Corps.
| At this time the 9th Corps was moving at
| the lines further to the lett, which was pre-
vented by the enemy, who fastened to the
attack before our troops could be placed in
position to meet him. The attack was made
with great vigor, and for moment PRONE
ised to be successful. Our line was driven
| back a short distance. The Sd and 4th Brig
AIDES, Sd Division, whose lines had been ex-
| tended to the left, simultaneously with that
of the 9th Corps, Immediately advanced to
the support of the 9th Corps, and aftera
| fierce conflict, the rebels were driven back
| from the ground they had gained. Our
| lines still continued to advance, the enemy
retreating before them, leaving their dead
and wounded ON the field. Our line ad
vanced three-quarters OF mile, the enemy
abandoning their line OF works after but
slight resistance. Skirmishing and artillery
| firing continued until about six o'clock
Nothing important occurred in front ofour
lines after it advanced. AS before stated,
| the I'd and Sd Divisions had not been en-
gagged during the day, although cunsidorG
| lie slzirmishing had taken place in front of
neir lines. gu8 Ia. ailou
The Herald's 9th corps special of the 3lst
says we have had severe fighting to-day:
| Our losses in killed, wounded and captured
| has been not less than 600. 1t has not been
a pitched battle, and long-continued, hotly
| contested fight, but rather an irregular con-
test, ending in complete and splendid sue
| cess to our arms. Our intentions was to avoid
any active, hostile demonstration on our
side, and not figS.t unless compelled to do
| so by the enemy. ...t-t
About 0 O'Clock General Ayres sent Gem
eral Winthrop's brigade to feel his wayiff
the direction of White Oak road.r The whole
of Ayresi division, as also Crawford's, was
| then across what is called Big swamp, near
Boydtown plank road, and live miles from
Dinwiddie Court House. General Grif1in's
division was moved on thisside the swamp,
over which the troops, In the meantime, had
| constructed temporary bridge. The enc
my met Winthrop In large force and sucL
ceeded in flanking him, hurling his troops
| in confusion on General Coulter's brigade,
What remained of the I'd and Sd divisions
coming to their aid, this overwhelming
force united in the assault on them, with ah
Iincessant rattle Of musketry, with which
was soon mingled the roar OF cannon. Tue
| tloops were in evident confusion, but rs
| facts afterward showed, through no fault
|'of their commanding officer. The broken
Icolumn was quickly rallied. d General Bart
Ilett's brigade was soon on the ground;a
| new battle-line was formed, batteries placed
| in position, and the work of driving the
enemy back began Our men fought their
/ way lp the hill beyond the swamps, and
/ drove the enemy from his rifie-pits on the
crest, and scattered his battle lines, gilenced
his batteries, and ended by the possession
Of the White Oak road. tv-l2'i'loV shh
lIThe Herald's 9th corps special, Of the 3lst
9~ Not gun has been fired in our front to-
rtt< .t..,% n,,r 80 <ro..x~ ..t..t