Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1865-04-13
Battle of Five Forks.
Nrv Nopx. Anril 4

NEW oRk, April j.
The World has an account of Sheridan's battle OF
Five Forks. which was the turning point in the
giant conflict, which under Sherid,ns generalship,
will take rank with anything on record.
1t appears that Grant was not satisfied with the
days business on Friday and placed Sheridan at
once in supreme command OF Warren's corps and
all the cavalry. Sheridan ranouvered with his
cavalry, dismounting a portion in front of the
rebels, and gradually pressed them back into
their works under the most desperate and ter
rible fighting Of the
While this was being done slowly, by order, Sher
idan set about forming the infantry, showing the
same genius in infantry tactics that he has in cav
airy. 1t was marvel TO see so paltry force of
cavalry press back and hold in check $4,000 rebel
infantrv vet they did so in such manne- as to CON-
pletcly hide the movement Of our infantry. They
were driven back, step by step, to their works;
then the signal was given, and the infantry clo-
.ed on the works like huge barn door.
The rebels their situation, but did not ap
car to appreciate how desperate were their circum
stances. They fell back to the left only to see
four lines of battle waiting to drive them across
the field at the right. Horsemcn charged in their
vain attempt to fight out, and in the rear tho
foot and cavalry began to assemble. Slant fire,
cross fire. direct fire, fire by file and by battery
rolled pcrpetuily, cutting down their bravcst off,
GERS and strewing the field with bleeding men.
Their own artillery turned upon them. The
bodies of cavalry mounted their parapct and
charged down upon them; slashing and trampling
them into confusion.
They had no commanders to lead them out of
the trouble into which they had fallen. A few
more yollcys, Il few more charges, with the
command TO die or surrender and Ave thousand
musk,ts were thrown OF ne ground and five
thousand men were Sher.iin's prisoners. Those
who escaped were pursued by Custer who pressed
them fac into the desolate forest.
No attack on the inner line has been made rs
vet, as the position is a strong one and Will be
defended to the last or evacuated.
During the night the 4th corps, holding the
line north OF Hatcher's run and south of Dun
cans road, connecting with the 9th corps on the
rights and the ID, the left advanced ut daylight
and took the works in their front it'll slight loss,
Over 900 prisoners were captured there By
Fosters and Turner'S divisions under General
Gibbons. They supported by the colored
division Of the 5h corps bu. the latter did not get
into action.
The ID corps, which held the line from the run
mile and half east OF the Boydstown road to
over mile vest Of it, delayed advancing till
Sheridan with the 9th corps got within short
distance or tine extreme left, when the entire
line moved forward, carrying the works almost
without opposition.
! The enemy was found to have fallen back from
this part of the line, owing to the 9th corps cut
Side road carly in forenoon, and have been
tearing it up. This cut the rebel army in two,
and the 81 division thus caught between the 9TH
and 81 corps at once started across The South
Side road towards the Appomattox, hoping to he
able to ford it, and thus escape capture; but they
ran against Sheridan, and putting on bold ap-
pearance, made show to fight.
News to this effect having reached head quarters
two divisions of the ID corps were at once sent to
flank and il possible capture the entire command
Our losses during the day cannot be given. b
ii is believed that 1900 will cover them. Many
valuable officers among the number, whose
names, however, are not obtained. To-nigh ouI
captures will sum up about 5000 prisoners and 300
guns, including those taken by General Sheridan
yesterday. The loss of the enemy, in killed anc
wounded, is not known, but in front OF 9Th corps
they lie on the ground very thick. They were
mown down by the hundreds at each effort to re
gain their lost ground. General Ransom is wounded
and prisoner in hands. He was found ut 8
house on the Boydstown road, from which it wat
dangerous to remove him. Prisoners report tina
General A. P. Hill was killed.