The Washburn leader., 1915-04-02
of
the
South
Yiield
BY G. LUTHER LANGDoN.

Gordon on the lines OF the Ninth
corps at Petersburg March 25,
l865-fifty years ago-was the last
aggressive blow by the army Of Rob-
ert E. Lee. No inkling was given in
the Federal camps until the sleeping
trench guards ON nearly mile Of the
tines were aroused by the sounds Of
attack and the cold steel Of daring
enemy was held to their very breasts.
The point selected for the bold enter
prise was on the east Of the city. Fort
Stedman. FASHIONED earthwork, with
outside batteries. stood on a salient
elevation known as Hare's hill.
The Prince Georges Court House
road ran directly from Petersburg past
Hare's hill, crossing both the Confed-
crate and the Federal lines. 1t seemed
feasible for the Confederates to throw
4 column into this space and add
strength to it as it should move down
the Federal works toward Grants left.
Gordon's Daring Plan.
But first it would be necessary to
make breach in these works. This
Gordon provided for as follows:
To take Fort Stedman by direct as
sault at night. then send separate
body of men to each Of the rear forts;
next to press to the rear of Grants
main line and force him out Of his
trenches, destroy his pontoons. cut his
telegraph wires and rush his flank.
The distance from Fort Stedman.
where the first blow was to be struck.
70 the Confederate salient (Colquitt's),
where Gordon was to start his storm
ing parties. was sixty rods.
Promptly at 4 a. m. these storming
parties. Of about 100 each. moved out
Of the Confederate works and, passing
inside Of the enemy's picket pits, sep
arated for the work Of the hour-the
capture of the batteries bearing on
Stedman-namely, Fort Haskell on the
left, battery 0 on the right and a
fortified battery in the rear Of Sted-
man; also a long line Of skirmishers
deployed to the rear and set out for
the interior lines. Some of these
reached the United States military rail
road running from City Point along
the line of Federal camps. Here they
cut the telegraph wires.
Meanwhile Confederates swarmed
| in Fort Stedman. The storming party
sent against battery . was repulsed
and returned to Stedman for re-en-
forcements. and Il column set out along
the Federal trenches between these
points. A strong defense by Fort Has
kell against attack gave Gorlons
movement check on the other flank
and limited the success counted upon.
1t was now growing light. Gordon
had not silenced the guns which swept
the space between the lines where he
intended to move out his main force.
The attempt on Fort Haskell was
repeated twice, with no success, and
as similar movements on battery 8
had failed Gordol's men found them
selves .hemmed In under a CALLING fire
from batteries much nearer to them
now than when they occupied their
own lines. 1t was daylight. and the
artillery on both sides opened ter
rife cannOnade. the Federal guns
shelling Gordon's men and the Con
federate guns firing back upon the bat
teries and upon the Federal troops
drawn up around the breach. Re-en-
forcements which had been promised
did not arrive. and Gordon ordered his
men to retire. This they attempted
under storm of bullets. shell and
grape.
Lees Trenches Assailed.
As soon as the result of Gordon's
sortie became known on the Federal
left General Humphreys. commanding
the Second corps. advanced his men
beyond the Confederate picket line.
but found the main works too strong
to carry by assault. General Wright
ALSO advanced his corps. the Sixth. in
the same way.
After March IS there was constant
firing across the lines. both with artil-
lery and muskets. Sheridan Joined the
besieging army on the 9th Of March.
and the movement to the left around
Lees right flank began on the Goth.
The left wing of the Army Of the Po-
tOmac hud also been REINFORCED by
Ord's Army Of the James. from the
north side Of the Appomattox. The
Army Of the Potomac numbered 75.O00
for duty: Sheridan added $4,000 and
Ord about 1900. making total OF
abont 10000. The Army Of the James
had reserve Of about 10000. making
grand total under Grant at this
point of 125OOO. Lee had a total on
his twenty miles Of defensive lines Of
81 600
The several movements on the Fed
craI left had crowded the Confederates
i,ack to one road running in a general
direction southwest and lying between
the Federal positions and Hatchers
run. Hatchcr's run Is a swampy
stream and made good barrier when
defended at the forls About thirteen
miles west by south Of Petersburg