Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1865-04-12

mile OI tOuTJ
This morning he again took the initiative,
however, having been joined by Gen War
ren, and has been driving IN his turn Heavy
firing both of artillery and musketry could
be heard away ON the left at nghttall.
Sheridan was about midnight at Five
Forks, the junction of the White Oak and
Ford roads He and Warren had taken u
bout four thousand prisoners and several
batteries Of artillery. He was joined last
evening by Miles ID vision of the Second
corps, and with four corps Of cavalry and
four OF infantry he pushed forward for the
Southside road
Several attempts were made during the
early part Of the night to break through the
lines Of the Second Corps on our LETT. Gen.
Miles retaliated witt demonstration which
reached the abatis IN front OF the Rebel
w,rks along White Oak road. About 9
o clock a H. the Rebels made prolonged
and desperate assault upon the part OF our
line held by Gen. Ord on the right Of the
Second Corps. Our losses day before yes
terday are reported at 500 killed and wound
ed, and few prisoners.
Gen Grant yesterday moved his head
quarters TO the Vaughan road, about halt
a mile west Of Hatcher 5 Run.
Glorious news has just arrived from Sher-
idan He has struck the SOuthside railroad,
which he now holds. In the engagement
yesterday afternoon he captured 200 pris
oners and several batteries Of artillery. The
Fifth Corps which was supporting the cav
ally, have also taken about 5 guns and a
bout 1000 prisoners, enabling Sheridan to
drive back the force which in the latter part
OF Yesterday checked his advance in the Vi
ci, ity OF Dinwiddie Court House.
On receiving this news it was determined
to give the eiuuy 40 time to send troops to
their right, and at once simultaneous at
tack was ordered all along the line by the
Ninth, Sixth, Twenty fourth and and Sec
ond Corps The order was given at about
nine clock at night, and in less than an
hour furious assault began on the Rebel
ntrenchmentS In the fronts OF their several
commands, resulting III the enemy being
driven in confusion, from their first into
their second line of works, with loss Of
over five thousand prisoners, several forts
and about 20 pieces of artillery
The Second Corps was engaged all day
with the enem, i'll their front. and in spite
OF the terrible fire Of musketry poured into
their ranks by the Rebels behind their work,
succeeded in maintalng their new line sever
al hundred yards in advance Of the line they
occupied III the morning. Two divisions OF
Hill, ; Corps held the Rebel line i'll front OF
the Second Corps the other division being
opposed to the Twenty-f0urth Corps, which
joins the Second on the right; the ground
over which the Second Corps fought, was
for the most part covered with pine forests,
which while affordng good shelter to our
men, we're unfavora5ie for flank movements
and the maintenance of our lines in close order.
Before daylight this morning the Rebels
made a furious assault on this position of
our line, driving portion Of the Third Bri
l,I,A f,Yn,l thnir hr,.a-t nrnrES and
ing about eighty or hundred prisoners
Their success however, did not last long.
the 206th Pennsylvania, by gallant charge
compelling them to abandon their position
and driving them back beyond their first
battle line. A sharp fire was kept up all day
by both sides. Owing to the hot fire by our.
Sharpshooters. the enemy was unable to
work his guns, and consequently very few
casualties occurred on our side from shell.
Our batteries however raineIan incessant fire
into their intrenchments, which must have
caused them some loss.
There was little fighting in front of the
Sixth Corps till night, when considerable
Shelling occurred Quiet also reigned along
the Ninth Corps front.
So matters stood until 10 clock, when
the Second Corps were started into sharper
attention hy few shots on their front, soon
swelling into battling voleyS. The bate
RES joined their deep bass to the martial mu-
sic, and the pine woods rang with the ciamor,
and fitfully illuminated by the glare. The
firing spread rapidly to the front of the Twen-
ty-tourth Corps, and on to the Sixth, then
away to the right till it reached the Ninth
Corps. about II o clock by which time the
fighting was at its hight. Presently cheers
broke out on the front Of the Second as the
fire slackened By p the fire had nearly
ceased along the whole line, but at 4 in the
morning iC suddenly broke out again, near
er than ever to the Second Corps, while
sharp artillery practice was heard far to the
right. and again the crash OF battle sped
from end to end of the line.
At g. the battle is raging furiously, and
thank COP the colors are advancing all along
the line.
Sundays Fighting Victory.
This has been glorious day for tie ar
mics operating against Richmond. For the
first time in its annals the noble old Army of
the Potomac, ably assisted by a portion OF
the army of MajOr-Gen. E. o. e. Ord, has
achieved a graod and almost overwhelming
victory over the best army of the bogus
Confedetacy.
In accordance with the programme arrang-
ell last night the attack upon the enemies
lines on the east and south of Petersburg
was made simultaneously at daybreak this
morning by the Sixth and Ninth Corps,
Turner's and Fosters Divisions of the
Twenty fourth Army Corps, and Rirney
Colored Division of the Twenty fifth. The
Second and Third Divisions of the Second
orps likewise assaulted the enemy's lines
in their front at later hosr, and after
brief but sharp contest with the opposing
pickets drove them into their works across
the B,vdtown Plank-road, and pressing
forward were soon in undisputed possession
of the Rebel line, having met with compa-