Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1865-04-14
INTERESTING DETAILS OF THE
PURSUIT OF LEE.
Enthusiastic Spirit of our Troops.

New York, April 10.
The Herald's correspondent recounts the
pursuit of Lees army. The gath corps
reached near Blacks and Whites Station on
the Southside railroad. on the morning of the
5th, with Gems. Grant and Ord. The 9Th
corps and cavalry pushed on to Jettersviile
on the Danville railroad, and arrived there
without any fighting until the night of the
4th. The I'd, 9th and 9th were following
closely in their rear By the night of the 9Th
they were all up on the Danvilie road, and
the oath up to Burkesville Junction. 1t APP
pears that Lee ordered that portion of his
army cut off by our piercing his line on Sun
day, to join him at Amelia Court House, fear
ing to have them attempt to reach Burkes-
vile juno ion, and so on to Danvlle.
When Gen. Grant reached Notaway Court
House staff officer arrived stating that Sber-
idan had encountered the enemy in small force
at Jettersville, driving him and making i'm
portant captures.
Our column had intended to go into camp,
but Gen. Grant thought Lees only hope was
in forced marches; he therefore ordered the
advance continued.
The men, who had already tramped twenty
miles, on being informed of the stirring news
fro m Sheridan clamored to march all night
and started off with cheers Whenever Grant
was recognized as he rode along the line the
delight of the troops was expressed in the
most enthusiastic manner As one division
exhausted itself in cheering another would
take it up aud so it went along the whole
line.
Soon another dispatch was received from
Sheridan, and its contents we're such as to
cause Grant to leave the road and cut across
the country to Sheridan's headquarters.
On the night Of the 5th the army lay in
line Of battle stretching across three or four
miles OF country and facing north ward at Jet
tersville. Custar's division of cavalry lay on
the right flank, and Mex enze on the left.
The infantry was formed with the 9th corps
on the right, 9th in the centre, and I'd on the
left. During the night Lee moved off many
of his trains. 1t was feared be would elude
this column.
! Gen. Ord was to march in the morning to-
] ward Lynchburg to cut off his retreat to any
point south of that. The whole army in the
morning moved Eve miles on the road to
4 Deatonville.
In the forenoon the I'd and 9th corps pro-
ceeded and fell upon Gordon's corps, the rear
guard of Lees army, in the vicinity of Dea-
tonville, stampedng portions of it aud max
ing many captures of men and MATERIAL
Gordon took up one position after another on
hill tops and succeed in retarding our pursuit
to a limited extent. Refugees and deserters
stated that the rebel army was failing to
I pieces. A refugee also said that trains were
running from Richmond to Danville all day
Sunday, and that Davis and HE cabinet arriv-
ed at the latter place in the afternoon and
was taken to the residence of Mr.. Souther-
land He also said that Besuregard telegraph
ed that Stoneman was on the Danville and
Greensboro railroad, tearing it up between
those places.
The Herald's correspondence with the
cavalry reoounts the movements of this arm
Of the service IN pursuit OF Lee. Their rear
guard was overtaken on the morning OF the
Sd, strongly intrenched across the Nawapine
creek, having destroyed the bridge and felled
trees across the road to impede the pursuit.
On advancing, the enemy opened fire. which
was returned with vigor, They were finally
shelled from their position. A number OF
men were at once dismounted and the OBJ
structions removed, and the command crossed.
Evidences of decentralization on the part OF
the enemy we're at once met with. The road
was strewn with all sorts of munition can
non and ammunition were discovered secret-
ed in the woods. Pushing on, Barringers
brigade Of cavalry was soon encountered by
one brigade. Col. Wells commanding. when
the rebels scattered like flock Of sheep on
being fred upon. In this charge Lieut.. Gus
tar, brother of the general, got detached
from his command, but came in with a rebel
bstIle'hag add IA "Johnnies" Col, Cape.
hart's Sd brigade about the same time over.
took no rsh-ls aer' n."vii. soH q, w.