The tri-weekly news. [volume] (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1865-1876, 1866-06-09
TNE TRI-WEEKLY NEWS.
,, LFrom the Petersburg Index.
Closing Scene Of The Wharf.-The Eyacua.
.al,t tiOn OF Petersburg.

There Is not much need to dwell npon
the scenes of which these bright, quiet
days are anniversaries. No one has
forgotten yet; still, some notice may be
expected. D'..
At daybreak on the morning Of the
lst OF April. 1865, the cannonading
which along the lines on the immediate
front OF the city had been continuous
and severe, extended along the whole
line with redoubled fcrceness, until. by
Sunrise, from tho Appomattox to Five
Forks, there was scarcely fifty yards Of
ground along the entertainments but had
It's black.mouthed pieces belching forth
angry smoke, and lending the reverbe.
ration, of its fearful thunders to the mad.
dening tumult. a'@|H .a'' l"
Early nthe morning, the rattle of
musketry began on the right, and soon
nnccasing roar told that the battle was
in earnest, and that the spring campaign
had Begin. Gen. Grant's forces-two
corps OF infantry and the cavalry under
Sherldan--advanced in solid lines upon
the entrenchmenls held by Pickett and
Bushrod Johnson's divisions. under the
command OF Lieut.. Gen. r. H. Ander
son, and after several gallant and inef.
fectual feint attacks, movement in
column was made by Sheridan to force
a passage between the left flank of the
Confederate infantry and Fitz Lees
iIsteble cavalry for continuing that line.
ny some error, a gap had been left,
which Sheridan struck, and his troopers
poured through.
Pressing back towards the rear of
Lees cavalry, they swung to the left
upon Pickett's lines, and era long
wild cheer rung from the troopers in the
rear to the infantry in front, and long
lines of empty trenches, roads strewed
with abandoned guns, and fields dotted
with hurrying, beaten men, showed that
the work was done---that Lees right
had been crushed. But this had not
been done at once. Night followed
speedily upon its accomplish hment, and
the rumors of disaster which reach.
ed Petersburg from the battlefield,
though gloomy enough, were not expli
cit of the total overthrow Of our forces,
and slumbrr in the city was assured Of
safety that night as ever. No one
knew what real ruin had come.
Night brought with it no quiet, bu,
instead the streaming fuses and burst
ing shells of new bombardment.
Morning came, as bright and smiling rs
any day OF any spring time. With
light came sounds of conflict, which
grew louder and more fightfnl. Did
they not draw nearer? 1t sounded so.
And soon strange rumors filed the
streets. The church bells rung out
their first call 10 prayer, but no one
needed the summons. The olear sweet
tones fell upon the agony of hearts that
listened, as the birdnotes sounded to
those who mourn the dead. Men gath.
cred in groups around the corners and
looked with rstralning eyes, toward the
clouds Of battle.smoke that hung around
the town--stood silently, and listening
tothe dull reports of heavy ordinance,
and the sharp rattlo,o musketry, upon
which their fate hung trembling.
Men grew white In the agony of sns.
pense, and women wept. ~ = r .
~. ne olun toWn CLOCK struck 8--the
breakfast hopr7Tbut3 the scanty meals
stood on the board untasted. The hous.
eswere deserted, and eager qnestioners
crowded around The men who now came
in, with haggard faces and wild eyes.
~ What is it2 'sas .'''aS 'a i''S''"' s's' ''.a
And one answered, tThey have taken
the River Salient"
isAnd another, pickett and Johnso,.
were overwhelmed yesterday, their line
broken, aud their commands broken and
crushed Cit off from the army and
forced up the country"
Aud another, Gibbons corps struck
Wilco&s front at day This morning,
piercing his line; The, troops to the, right
Were turned, and those TO the left forced
bRck.haThe enemy have reached the
y a, !. :. ~... :.