Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1865-04-14
FROM TIE POTOMAC ARMY.

/
vile, but, being cut of by our forces get
ting to Burksville, he changed his course
and started toward Lynchburg. A part o.
his army passed through Farmsville on the
morning of the 7th. After crossing the
AppOmattox the bridges were burned, and
before our troops could get over the enemy
had taken q position q mile from the river
where they erected works and made 6
stand, in order to allow their wagon trsinl
to get out. of the way.
On this side of the river, just outside oi
the town, a division of cavalry had taken
up q position, determined TO annoy our ad-
vance while reconstructing the bridge.
| The 2i Division, under General Crooks, at
tackled them vigorously, driving them back
some distance, but they had force dis
mounted, lying in ambush, which poured a
heavy fire into our men as they advanced
| to the second attack, and they were COM
| PEELED to fall back on their supports. The
rebels soon after retired, being indisposed
to await another charge.
The loss on both sides was very light.
The % corps, soon after, crossed the river,
and, pushing on after the enemy, drove
them behind their newly built breastwsrks.
| General Smyth was severely, and it is be-
/ lieved mOrtslly, wounded in leading the
| charge. This was g sad loss to the COM
| mand every man in it feels the loss as e
| personal one. more gallant soldier never
| served his country and he not only ranked
high for bravery on the field, but as q gen.
| tleman and friend he was beloved by all
who knew him.
The loss in the ID corps will be about $50,
mostly of Smyth's division.
In the morning, before the enemy crossed
the river, twelve guns were taken from
them, and afterwards six more, making
eighteen during the day, and about 1000
prisoners.
The number of prisoners taken on the
5th is put down at 200, almost entirely
of Kersbaw's and Curtis Lees divisions.
The correspondent, sfter giving further
details of events, but which have mainly
been published through official sources,
SAYS: The field where the surrender took
place was almost covered with the enemy's
dead, all of them, nearly, being shot in the
head and the upper part of the body. The
position was very favorable one for them,
but our artillery had good range on an ad-
Joining hill, and our men charged up the
ascent with such impetuosity that some
we're bayoneted before they left their light
breastwOrks. The road for miles was
strewn with broken wagons, caissons and
baggage of all kinds, presenting a scene
seldom witnessed on the part of Lees ar
my. Their loss on the 9th will sum up about
II ,OOO in killed and wounded.
The Sixth corps suffered the seVerest.
Another lelter dated on the evening Of
the 9th says: StragglerS are found scatter
ed along the line, and as the troops pass
they come in and surrender, expressing
their determination to fight no longer, as
they consider the rebellion as good as over.
Guns were brought in this morning, besides
a long train of ambulsnces, many of them
containing wounded, who were placed in
the hospitals and cared for. Gen. Gordon
sent four surgeons through the lines this P.
N asking that they be allowed to minister
to the wants of those left behind on the
road, but as all have plenty of such help,
they will return to the army in the morn
ing.
Gen. Hays was relieved from command
of the ID corps yesterday, for tardiness in
moving the command in obedience to
orders.
Another letter, dated April 9Th, says:
Notwithstanding the correspondence be-
tween Generals Grant and Lee yesterday,
which led all to expect formal surrender
this morning, the latter exerted all his en-
ergies to escape the net laid for him. He
marched rapidly all yesterday afternoon
and evening until he ran sgainst Sheridan
at Appom attox Court House. Asharp fight
ensued, resulting in the capture of num-
Der of prisoners and checking their retreat.
The oath and 5th corps were close up in
support of the cavalry, and during the
night took up a strong position across
the main road and on the south side of
the Appomsttox river on the north side, cut
ting them off from retreat in that direction.
Early this A. u. Sheridan attacked vigor-
ously, and for some time brisk engage
| ment was carried on. About seven o'clock
A. N. a aag-of- truce appeared in front of
his line and he was informed that hostili-
ties had been suspended. This was caused
by an agreement made by General Ord,
consenting to d cessation of firing so as to
communicate with General Grant, and was
| done, it is said. without proper authority.
General Sheridan's AdjuJant General was
allowed to come through the rebel column
to communicate with General Meade, who
stated that he knew of no such arrange
| ment, and that he was about to move for
ward in accordance with his previous in
tentioD. General Lee, however, sent an
other message desiring to have an interview
with General Grant, to arrange the terms
| of surrender and General Meade was thus
obliged to grant 8 two hours srmistice, in
order to communicate with General Grant,
who had moved around to the left. During
| tue ufgtIs 05uvr al GtGIIL consented 10 SEQ
General Lee and discuss the matter. About
half-past four O'Clock Lieut. Colonel Whit
tier, of General Wright's staff, came in and
reported the arrangement complete and the
papers signed, when the greatest excite
ment prevailed throughout our lines-cheer
upon cheer rending the air. Soon after,
General Meade's staff, with other officers,
rode along the lines of the I'd and 9th corps,
and they were greeted with the most en-
thusiastic shouts, the men throwing their
| l, osr Nd md ia
light. No such scene has ever been Witness
| ed in this army, and the thanks of the whole
country are due the brave men and their
commanders at such great and glorious
result.
1t is understood that the men of General
Lees army are to be paroled and allowed
to return 10 their homes. They give up
everything in their hands, but last night
they destroyed a large amount of property
in the shape of wagons, gun carriages, bag
gage, papers, &c.
at about q, 900. Very few guns were in
their possession, as they abandoned nearly
all they did not lose in action. Thirty
eight guns were brought in yesterday and
several this morning.
The rank and fle of Lees army are said
to be well satisfied to give up the struggle
believing that they have no hope of success
but say that if General Lee had refused t
surrender, they would have stuck to him
to the last. The officers are somewhat sur
ly and diseontented; but this feeling vii
soon wear off when they find how iberally
and kindly our people are disposed to trea
them.
Another letter from the Army of the Po
tomse, dated April 18th, says:
The final arrangements for the surrende
of Lees army were completed yesterds..
. and to-day. They are at liberty to pro
; ceed to their homes or elsewhere, as the,
/, choose. The terms granted were certainl
I ofs very liberal character. 4 large mum