The National tribune., 1904-08-18
right and proceeded by the Boy dton plank

IOdU tOWuTuS feteTSOuT&s
When these successes were reported,
Humphreys, holding the Union left to the
west of Hatcher's Run, advanced with
two divisions Of the Second Corps Ohe
divisions of Hays and Mott and stormed
and carried a redoubt in his front. Seeing
this lost, the Confederates abandoned this
position, and Humphreys moved up the
left of the Sixth Corps. The other Of
Humphreys Divisions, under Miles, pur-
sued whatever debris of the enemy re-
mained west of Hatcher's Run. This force
retreated northward to Sutherland Sta
ton, On the Southside Railroad, where it
was overtaken by Miles. who in spirited
charge dislodged and defeated it, taking
two guns and coo prisoners.
FORTS GREGG AND ALEXANDER TAKEN.
On reaching the lines Immediately
around Petersburg, a part of Ord's COM
mand, under Gen. Gibbon, began an as
sault with the view to break through to
the city, The attack was directed against
Forts Gregg and Alexander, two strong,
inclosed works, the most salient and COM
manding south of Petersburg. The for
lEer of these redonbts was manned by
Harris's Mississippi Brigade, numbering
$50 men; and this handful of skilled
marksmen conducted the defense with
such. intrepidity. that Gibbons forces,
surg:ng repeatedly against it, were each
time thrown back. At length, at A. NJ,
not till its $50 defenders had been re-
duced to 30; and it is calculated that each
Of these rifemen struck down mt least two
assailants. for Gibbons loss was above 500
men. The other fort found no such de-
tenders, and readily fell. This being ac-
compished, the Union line Of investment
was drawn close around the city.
l-a <.f Il,
the Confederates, having lost most of their
outer system of defenses. were pressed
back to a chain Of works ,immedia tely
around Petersburg. But as they had here
a short and strong line. with their left
resting on the Appomattox on the east of
Petersburg and their right on the same
river on the west side. they still protected
it was, found it impossible to dislodge
them. Lee, indeed. was even able to
make, in the old style, an offensive sally
or two, for about 10 A. NJ. slight re-
enforcement came to him. Longstreet
having at length discovered that the force
that for many days had confronted him On
the north side of the James was little more
his brigades, and at the hour named
reached Petersburg. accompanied by Ben
ning's Brigade of Fields Division. This
increase of his force, slight though it was,
together with the protracted resistance Of
fered by Fort Gregg, enabled Lee to es-
tablish what of force remained to him in
such wise as would best avail for the de-
fense of the city. Gen. A. 2. Hill then
pushed forward the division Of Heth on
the Confederate left, in an effort to regain
some commanding ground held by the
Ninth Corps. The attack was made with
such vigor and pressed SO heavily on that
corps. that it was with difficulty it could
maintain its ground, and the garrison of
the defenscs of City Point had to be or
dered up to its support. This may be ac-
counted the last blow struck by the Army
Of Northern Virginia while covering Rich
mond; and it is noteworthy, that in its exc
cnton fell Gen. A. =. Hill, who in all the
operations that from first to, last filed up
the four years defense of the Confederate
capital, had borne a most distinguished
part.
In thus maintaining a stubborn attitude
of resistance at the threshold OF Peters
burg, Lee had now but one thought, which
was to hold his ground until the oncoming
Of night should enable him to put into ex-
ecution the ulterior design he had formed.
This design was communicated to the
Richmond authorities in message sent by
Lee about II o'clock OF the forenoon of
that same Sunday. 1t was received by
Mr.. Davis while worshping at the church
OF Saint Paufs: and those who, as he
passed out, marked his eOuntenance ION
which it seemed the burden of an addi-
tional score Of years had in moment
tallen), knew that message could bear
nothing but tidings Of dircfnl import
1t announced Lees purpose of that
night abandoning Petersburg and Rich
To- 6o