Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1865-04-13
RUTLAND HERALD.
TUESDAY, APRIL IL, 1865.
THE GREAT STRUGGLE.
Review of the Five Days.
[eOaoudea from Third Page.l
SUNDAY AND VICTORY.


Sunday, that glorious day, came bring
ing with 1t sun dimmed only by the
battle-smoke of the four days preceding,
and the Indian Summary haze which
for week had hung over the two arm
les. Sheridan's legion of prisoners began
TO arrive at Humphrey Station on their
way to City Point, seemingly well
pleased with the change in their condi-
ton. A grand right wheel of the whole
line south Of the Appomattox had been
decided upon by Gen. Grant. The 9th
and 9th corps, the latter east and the
former south-e and south of Peters
burg, had been ordered to make a grand
and combined assault upon the enemy's
works in their trent, while the command
of Gen. Ord on both sides Of Hatcher's
Run moved to their support, followed
by the I'd, which was to connect on the
left of the 9th, south west of the town.
Early in the morning Turner's tand
Fosters divisions of 0rd's command,
moved to the support of the 9th corps,
leaving Birney Of the colored division
to charge the enemy simultaneously
with the I'd on its left. The charge of
the I'd corps and that of Birney's dtvis-
ion of the oath was almost a bloodless
one; no enemy but few pickets were
found in their front, and the Birney and
the I'd and Sd divisions of Humphreys
corps continued their grand right wheel,
and at or about II O'Clock a. m. were
on the line of the 9th, southwest of
Petersburg.
But the gallant old 9th and 9th had
already accomplished the work assigned
them. The 9th, supported by Ord had
advanced two miles, carried complete
line of formidable works, including a
number of forts, and had seized the
Southside railroad, while the 9th al
most as successful, had by series of
assaults, forcibly possessed three almost
impregnable salients, and occupied Fort
Malone in front of Fort He'll the three
corps alone capturing thirtytwo guns,
nearly 5000 prisoners, and an indefinite
number of colors. And thus it was &C
complished.
From midnight to Sunday morning,
a furious cannonading, accompanied by
sharp skirmishing, was kept up by the
rebel works in front OF the 9th and 9th
corps. The enemy had probably discov-
cred our plan, and were endeavOring to
thwart our intentions. Their efforts
were in vain, however, for before day
break the 9th in compliance with or
ders, were massing between Forts Fish
er and WEIGH, regardless of the storm
of shot and shell, for the final charge.
In massing, more were killed and
wounded by the fire of the enemy than
in the assault which followed, as the ra-
pidity with which the advance was
made soon placed our men where the
missiles of the rebels whistled and
howled harmlessly over their heads.
Just before daybreak in the morning
the Sixth moved on the enemy's works
as follows: In the advance the Division
of Gen. Getty formed in two lines, sup
ported on the right and. left respectively
4, by the Divisions of Wheaton and Sey-
/ mour formed in echelon of Brigades,
g moving left in front to facilitate flank
, attack upon the enemy's forts. The adj
] vance of the 9th corps, in which Gen.
2 Ord's command sco-operated, was one of
the grandest military spectacles ever
( witnessed on the battlefield. A bright
4 wall of bayonets, firmly grasped by
masses of determined men, uadaunted
by the death dealing fire from the enc
my's forts, which were actually obscured
by the volumes of smoke which were
vomited forth by hundred cannon,
was sight once seen never to be for
gotten. Moving through this murder
Gus fire to the attack, with q line of
white smoke puffs telling where the
4 shells of the enemy were bursting, the
charging columns still advanced, and
were soon under the guns of the rebels,
who now almost ceased their fire of ar
tillery and opened with musketry. But
the doom of the rebels was sealed from
all sides our columns were bearing down
8 upon them. Two unsuccessful assaults
were made to capture the enemy's forts,
when the 1st division was formed in
front with the 2nd, and third charge
essayed which proved more successful !;
Fort Gregg Gin which fell the rebel Gen.
A. P. Hill pierced by three bullets) bat
terry 40, and the whole line in front of
the 9th and oath corps falling into our
hands In carrying the works the Ord
division of the 9th corps formed to as
sault the enemy's works on their left
flank, taking them without any consid-
cradle opposition.
At II O'Clock the engagement ceased,
and the Southside railroad within three
miles of the town was in our possession.
The operations of the 9th corps, al
though gratifying, were not equally
successful with those of the 9th and
oath. The active participants in the
assault of the 9th corps were Harri-
mans brigade of Wilcox's division and
the divisions of Gems. Potter and Hart
ranft. The main attack was to be made
by the two divisions last named, sup
ported on their right by Hartmann
brigade upon the earthworks in front OF
Forts He'll and Rice, the most formida-
BILE of which was Fort Malone confront.
ing Fort He'll.
Now every one has heard Of Fort
Hell-has read of the fierce artillery
duels which have occurred between il
and its antagonist, Fort Malone, during
the Winter. 1t was this same Fort Ma
hone, with its labyrinth of meats and
abatis, that was assaulted by the left o
the Ninth Corps on Sunday morning, and
which ultimately fell into our possession
after fighting of the most desperatf