New-York tribune., 1911-12-17
With the Evacuation of the Virginia City by the Forces
of General Lee the Door to Richmond Was
Opened to the Army of the Potomac.

chief role. Refusing TO surrender, he was
shot to death. Coming to Hatcher's Run
the major part Of Wrights men met their
victorious comraoes of Humphreys corps,
and, sweeping around, closed up on the
Appomattox River. General Parkc, on the
east side. also had had brilliant success.
capturing 400 yards Of intrcnchmcnts. many
guns, colors and prisoners lie did not
have things entirely lis own way however,
for Gordon, from the heavily fortified in
terror line. took the offensive and assault
ed several times il the course OF the day.
hut without retaking the works that had
been lost. General Miles who had bee"
left to hold tho White Oak Road, was
obliged to withstand an attack from Heth's.
division. which had hastily ntrenched Itself
near Suthcrland's Station. on the south
SIDE Railroad. just north Of IIatchers Run.
Twice no was repulsed. lie stuck TO his
task. however. with a persistence that was
finally rewarded in tie afternoon at 3
o'clock. when he iislodged and thoroughly
whipped his opponent taking many souve-
Mrs Of his prowcss Heth was driven off
toward the AppomattcX and Amelia Court
House.
The Union line swung around in giant
curve upon the main Confederate works
on the west side of thc "Cockade city
II came face to face with two strong forts.
Gregg and Whitworth With unninclhng
energy the troops undertook to master the
stout resistance Of tdc brave defenders Of
the former. Before they gained possession
~ Union soldiers had been killed or
wounded The bodies of Gry-nyc Confcd-
crates we're found inside the fort when
the Union troops entered. Fort Whitworth
now capitulsted. The Confedcrates fell
back slowly along the whole line between
the Appomattox and the Weldon Railroad
to the inner line manned by Longstreets
men.
General Grant now stayed his hand for
the night Wrights and Humphreys
troops, on the Union left, had been march
ing and counter marching and fighting for
eighteen hours. Confronted by the fresh
troops Of Longstreets corps, established
behind formidable works. IL seemed the
better part Of wisdom not to attempt more.
General Grant saw no reason for pushing
the bloodshed further. for ne expected that
Lee would retire in the course of the night
from the citadel which the COnfederates had
held for welnigh ten months. So he sent
orders TO Sheridan to get upon the line over
which he expected Lee would retreat lie
sent Humphreys TO assist Sheridan. Then
ne ordered d general bombardment to begin |
at ) o'clock the following morning, this TO
lee followed by an assault at s. Late in the |
afternoon ne mad sent telegram TO city |
Point. where President Lincoln was stay |
ing. suggesting that the latter might make |
the army visit The following day. All the |
preparations for the mornings work hav- !
ing been arranged. Grant and his soldiers |
lay down to take much needed sleep, rest
ing securely in the belief that the war /
would soon be over
The Commandment and the assault were
never delivered While the Union army |
slept so confidently upon its arms without |
Lee and his soldiers within the city were
wide awake. General Lee had adopted a
plan for the salvation Of his army. lie pro-
posed TO lead it out from the untenable |
peninsula between the James and the Ap-
to a point where it could join the
forces under General Joseph T.. Johnston.
then i'm North Carolina. and continue the
contest in other fields. He selected az his
objective point Burkeyille, where the South |
Side and the Danvile railroads crossed,
nifty miles southwest Of Richmond. This
place was only short distance from Dan
Vile where the junction could be made.
In the midst of defeat he clung tenaciously
TO his cause. and, like the great warrior :
in al walks of life. refused TO accept 1T.
As the pail Of darkness silently settled over
the bcleapurcd city Lee mounted his horse
and. riding through the streets Of the town.
started westward along the banks Of the
NppomattoX on MS last march. Dismount-
ing at tn" point Of diversion OF tho line Of !