The New York Herald Newspaper, April 3, 1865, Page 1

THE NEW YORK HERALD. WHOLE NO. 10,444. VICTORY. (MR BATTLE ON FRIDAY. Important Despatches from Gen. Secretary Stanton. THE BATTLE ON SATURDAY. | THE FIVE FORKS STRUGGLE. Triumphant Success of Our Arms After Three Days Hard Fighting. Sheridan Captures Three Brigades of Infantry, a Wagon Train, and ‘Several Batteries of Artillery. TUR BATTLE ON SUNDAY. | Furious Fighting Along the Whole Line. Continued Successes of Our Troops. Generals Parke, Wright and Ord fSreak Throngh the Enemy’s-Lines, from the Appomattox to Hatcher’s Run. \ ! The Southside Railroad Cap- tared and Destroyed, | Tho Union Armies Intrenched from the Appomattox, Below Petersburg, { to the River Above. ' Lee Driven Into His Last Line of Works. PETERSBURG VIRTUALLY OURS Qwelve Thousand Prisoners ‘and Fifty Pieces of Artil- lery Captured from the Enemy. Au Important Fort with {ts Entire Garrison Taken, des, Ser, &e, THF OFFICIAL DESPATCHES. THE BATTLE ON SATURDAY. Seoretary Stanton to General Dix. ‘War Drrarrwent, ‘Wasumorox, D. C., Aprit 1—1t zu} Major General Dix, New York :-— ‘Tho following despatch from the President, received o-night, shows that the decrerate etrmer'a between our forces and the enemy continues undecided, although the advantage appears to be on our side. EDWIN M. STANTON, Beoretary of War. The President to Seerctary Stanton. rey Pore, April 1, 1865. Won Epwm M. Staxron, Secretary of War:— ‘A dospateh Just received shows that Sheridan, aided by Warven, had, at two P. M., pushed the enemy back #0 os to retake the Five Forks and bring his own headquar- ters up to F, Boisseau's, ‘Tho Five Yorks wero barricaded by the enemy, and carried by Doven's division of cavalry. ‘This part of the enomy seem to be How trying to work slong the White Ob& road to join the main foree in front of Grant, while Sheridan and Warren aro pressing them A. LINCOL as oivcely a8 poselble, Secretary Stanton’s Second Despatch, Wan Deranrment, April 2—6 A. M. tajow General Dix, New York :— Adespatch, Just received frpm General Grant's Adju- int General at City Point, aniapunees the triumphant aaccoss of our armag after three days? hard fighting, during gnwoo? . ° NEW YORK, MONDAY, APRIL 3, 1865. SSROWM HOUSE fe sen 40USE “SCALE OF MILES PUN CATTAIL = 6 THE DECISIVE BATTLE OF THE REBELLION. Scene of the Terrible Conflict Between the Union Army Under Grant and the Rebel Army Under Lee, South of Petersburs, Friday, March 81, Saturday, April 1, and Sunday, April 2, 1865. which the forces em both sides exhibited unsurpassed | and part of the Second, ie coming in from the west valor. EDWIW M. STANTON, Beoretary of War, ADJUTANT GENERAL BOWERS TO SECRETARY STANTON, Curr Porvr, Va, April 2—6:30 A. M. A despatch from Genoral Grant states that General Sheridan, commanding cavalry and infantry, has carried everything before him, He captured three brigades of infantry, a wagon train, and several batteries of artillery, The prisoners captured uitl amount te several thousand. T. 8, BOWERS, THE BATTLE YESTERDAY. Secretary Stanton’s Third Despatch. War Deranrwenr, Wasmmcrox, April 2—11 au} Major General Dix, New York :— x ‘The following telegram from the President, dated at half-past eight this morning, gives the latest intelligence from the front, where a furious battle was raging, with continued success to the Union arms. EDWIN M. STANTON, Secretary of War, ‘Phe Presitemt’s Second Despatch. Orr Porvr, Va., April 28:30 A. M. Hon. Eowm M. Santon, Secretary of War:— Last night General Grant telographed that General Sheridan, with his cavalry and the Fifth corps, had cap- tured three brigades of infantry, a train of wagons and soveral batteries, the prisoners amounting to several thousand. ‘Thies morning General Grant, having ordered am attack along the whole line, telegraphs as follows ;— Both Wright and Parke have got through the enemy’s lines, The battle now ragesfuriously. General Sheridan, with his cavalry, the Fifth corps and Miles’ division of the Second corps, which was sent to him. this morning, ta now moccping down from the west. All now looks highly favorabte. General Ord ts engaged, but Ihave not yet heard the result in his front. A. LINCOLN. The President's Third Despatch, Wasmmaton, April 2—12:90 P, M, Major General Dix, New York :— ‘The President, in the subjoined telegram gives the latest news from the front. ; EDWIN M, STANTON, Bocrotary of War, MR. LINCOLN TO MR. STANTON. Crry Por, April 211 A. M. To B. M. Stayton, Secretary, of War:— Despatches aro frequently coming in. All is going on finely. Generals Parke’s, Wright’s and Ord’s lines are ex- tonding from the Appomattox to Hatcher's ran. Thy have alk broken ‘through the en-my’s tntrenched lines, tak ing sme forts, guns and priconers, Sheridan, with his own cavalry, the Fifth corps on the enemy’s flank, and Wright ts already tearing up the Southside Railroad. A. LINCOLN, The President’s Fourth Despatch. War Daranrunnt, Wasmxotox, April 2—11 ru} Major General Jonw A. Dix, New York :— The following telegrams from the President report the condition of affairs at half-past four o'clock this after- ‘noon, EDWIN M. STANTON, Secretary of War. MR. LINCOLN TO MR, STANTON, Crry Pourr, Va., April 2—2 P. M. Hon, Eoww M, Stawron, Secretary of War:— Ata quarter before eleven A. M. General Grant tele- graphs as follows:— Everything has been carried from tho left of the Ninth corpa. The Sixth corps alone captured more than three thousand prisoners. The Second and Twenty-fourth corps captured forts, guns and prisoners from the enemy; but I cannot tell the numbers. We are now closing around the works of thé line immediately enveloping Peters. burg. All looks remarkably well. I have not yet heard from Sheridan. His headquarters have been moved up.to Banks’ House, near the Boydton road, about three miles southwest of Petersburg. A. LINCOLN. The President’s Fifth Despatch. Gry Pour, Va, April 2—8:30 P. M. Hon, Eowm M. Srawron, Secretary of War:— At half-past four P. M. to-day General Grant telegraphs as followa:— is ‘We are now up and have a continuous line of troopa, and in s few hours will be intrenched from the Appo- mattox below Petersburg to the river above, The whole captures since the army started out will not amount to less than twelve Oousand men and probably Sty pieces of artilery. 1 do not know the number of men and guns accurately, however. a A portion of Foster’s division—cTwenty-fourth corpe— made a most gallant charge this afternoon, and captared & very important fort from the enemy, with ite entire garrison. All seems well with us, and everything te quiet just now. A. LINCOLN, THE HERALD DESPATCHES. THE BATTLE ON FRIDAY, To the Editor of the Herald, Warmartox, April 2, 1865, T arrived here this morning wounded. I have brought Heratp despatches from the army. 1 am shot through the shoulder, It is bad, but not dangerous, 1 shall leave for New York to-night. THEO. G. WILEON, Mr, 8. Cadwaliader’s Despat: Dane's Mira, April 1, 1865, THM FORMATIONS HEFORR THR ADVANCE, To anderstand the eperations of to-day the reader munt beag in mind the conformation of the line and the parte occupied by the different corps before the iast advance. ‘Tho left of the Sixth corps extended to Hatcher's run. ‘The Second corps extended m the run from the left of the Sixth, at nearly a angle, until reaching the crossing of the Vaughn road. The Fifth corps was sub- stantially in reserve, and extended back at a right angle from the left of the Secon d, in rear of the Sixth. ‘THR TACTICAL DETAILS OF THE MOVEMENT. When the present forward movement commenced the Fifth corps was moved southwesterly across Hatcher's Tun, and then northwesterly to the Quaker road and Boydton plank road, between Hatcher’s run and Gravelly run, The Second corps crossed Hatcher's run simul- taneously, and moved up the south side of the creek, to- wards the Boydton road. The Twenty-fourth corps was pat into the place occupied by the Second, and assists in forming the main line, and is also somewhat in the position of a reserve. Sheridan in the meantime moved his entire cavalry command around to Dinwiddie Court House, thus threatening the Southside Kajlroad and the enemy’s right flank. At dark on tho evening of the 30th the left of the Second corps rested on the Boydton plank road, near Burgess’ tavern, about one mile@uth of the bridge across Hatcher's run. The Fifth corfh had pushed on nearly due west, and lay front- ing northward, with the pickets of Ayres’ division within five hundred yards of the White Oak road, at a point be. tween two and three miles west of its intersection with the Boydton road. THE ATTACK ON THE FIFTH CORr?, On the morning of the 3ist the rebel troops, composed of Wise’s, Bushrod Jobnson’s and a part of Pickett’s command, brought from the Chickahoming within the past forty-eight hours, and perhaps detachments from other organizations, fell on tho;left of the Fifth corps, and succseded in throwing it into great confusion. Ayres’ division is reported to have fought well, but to have been overpowered. Crawford's division was thrown into irre- parable confusion also, and was driven back pell mel! for at least a milo and @ half. They were finally reformed beyond the Boydton toad, in front of the house, led to the attack before neon, and by half-past four P. M. had not only regained the lost ground, but established two brigades on the White Oak road. ‘ ava ron, In front of Ayres’ position in the morning the fight was purely an infantry one, and the troops that behaved so mem Pin -hay the forenoon fought like veterans Defore night. ‘TURER-QUARTERS OF A MILE YROM FIVE FORKA. At sundown last evening our left flank reached to Wm. Dabney's, on the White Oak road, throe and a quarter miles from Five Forks to the wostward, and tnree miles from the intersection of White Oak road with the Boyd- ton road. From Mr, Dabney's wo held the road about one mile eastward, From that point our line ran across in an irregular semi-circular form to the Second corps, near Burgess Farm. Tite WRC OF THE WEATHCR ON THR OrERATIONS, The rain of the past two days has been heavy and al- most inc ssant, The roads are not only as iinpassable as mad can maké them, bat tho whole faco of tho country ia little better, Single wagons cut through the pine branches strewn in the woods, and fink to the axles if half loated, Horses plunge into quicksands in tho tim- ber, and are mired in the open field on apparently dry land, Yesterday afternoom was cloar; to-day wo have prospects of fine weather, LER'S DETERMINATION TO DRFEND RICHMOND, There is no longer mach doubt that Loe has deter. mined on concentrating here, and attempting to aave tho reb I capital by whipping Grant and Sherman in deta‘! Hoke’s division i# reported by prisoners to be at Five Forks to day. in Shoridan’s front, JOUNETON REPORTED MOVING NORTH. ‘They also state that Johnston’s whole army is en route to Richmond, and that all non-combatants, ‘melnding the families of the rebel leaders, are being sent away from the city. If this be go, much stub- born fighting ts before wz Should this prove tobe the rebel policy Johnston’s army will most likely be gent over the Petersburg and Weldon Ratiroad to Stony Creek station, and marched thence across to the Southside Railroad, at some point between Sutherland's station, near our left, and the junction of this and the Danville road at Burkesville, The latter road differs in gauge from most of the Southern railroads, und is already taxed to its utmost in supplying Lee's army at Rich- mond, . Its poverty in rolling stock is such that no forage has been transported over it for two or three months. For this reason the rebel cavalry has been and now is mainly at Stony Creek station—the only point at which they can be supplied by rail. The Weldon Railroad has abundance of rolling stock on it, whieh cannot now be taken elsewhere. DIFPICULLIRG OF JONNSTON'S ASSISTING LER, , The country along the road is also as well supplied with forage and subsistence as any near portion of the confederacy, Two days would suffice to land the bulk of Jobnston’s army at Stony Creek; but they would then be without wagons or animals, If in prosecution this can be delayed two days, the Weldon road wit! probably be destroyed by usat a point far to the southwani of Stony Creek station. We shall see, SHERIDAN EXPERIENCES SRVERE OFTOSTTION. Sheridan found him: #0 strongly confronted with infantry yesterday that he was unable to make any sub- stantial advance. Late in the evening he had a stabborn fight, resulting in @ drawn battle, the details of which ‘will be given by your correspondents with his command. ‘THE FIFTH CORPS MOVES TO SUPTORT THR CAVALRY, During the night @ partpf the Fifth corpe was moved to his support, with the expectation of striking the robel infantry on flank and rear and catting them off from Petersburg entirely. If mot apprised of our approach we shall probably succeed. Tote Ra, ‘The losses of the Fifth corps yesterday are just ascer- tained to have been not farfrom one thousand in killed, wounded and missing. THE CAVALRY OPERATIONS, Mr. Theodore C, Wilson’s Despatch. Dunwippre Court Housm, April 1—2 A. M. CONNECTED ACQOOUNT OF THE CAVALRY OPERATIONS. The operations of the present spring campaign were yesterday attended with very hard fighting, which com. menced on the left of the line at an early hour in the morning, lasted through the day, and until night and moonlight covered the scene of action, When at last the fighting did cease, and our generals reviewed the work of the past forty eight hours, it was found that the gain and swore decidedly in our favor; that we hod ge. hi in the matter of position, and competiod the atiack 1, and canse the sui total of losses to foot up about equal on both sides, It is intended in this despatch to enter into a detalted the operations of the left of the lino—the movements of the cavalry, its co-operation with tho Fifth corps, and the Fifth corps with it As stated in a previous despatch, Goneral Sheridan, after @ march of four hundred miles, from Winchoster to White House, and thence to the Army of the Potosnac, reached (he lines of the latter at about noonon the 27th oflast month, When he arrived there was cheering and enthasiarn generally, and the man of the horses and sabres was welcomed by every one, The night of his arrival wag tienalizel by thousands of warm meetings PRICE FOUR CENTS. between old friends long parted. The offlcers of the cavalry of the Army of the Potomac and those who hed Just arrived mingled freely, as also did the enlisted men; and all pasties had a happy time of it generally. FREPARATIONS 70 MOVE, ‘The succeeding day (March 28) was devoted to getting the whole cavalry command in readiness for another mov ‘This being accomplished by dark, we awaited further ‘These arrived during the night, and in ‘accordance with said orders we moved at six o'clock the following morning, March 29. ‘THE LINK OF MARCH. Our line of march was from the Jerusalem plank road to Reams’ station, on the line of the Weldon Railroad. General Crook led the advance, General Custer brought. ‘up the rear and guarded the train. Not the least inter- esting sight was to look over the camps now being aban- doned by the officers and.men of the Potomac army, who had occupied them so long and fitted them up so nicely. Many of the camps were handsomely laid eut and very picturesque in general appearance. 4T BEAMS’ STATION AND ROWANTY CREME. Arriving at Reams’ station, we thence continued our march to Rowanty creek at Malone’s bridge. This bridge we found totally destroyed and had to construct a new one. On the line of this creek we expected to have » fight, but were agreeably disappomted. The delay oces- sioned by having to reconstruct the bridge was of serious consequence to the interests of the general plan of move- ment, and tended to materially retard it. General Sheri- dan and his officers did all that lay in their power to hurry matters up, but itwas not until four hours had fitted away that we were able to with horses. We made several attempts to find a fording place, but failed todoso. Thre creek is not very deep, nor is it very wide, Dut it was difficult of approach, from the Swampy nature of the country, and was found to be full of snage and mud when we got into it. While the work of building the bridge was going on officers of very high and very low rank walked forward, and all chanced to get seated in a row on a log—the sight reminding one of the order of the great and litle peas all found in one pod. At one end of the log was a major general in the regular army, next @ major gexeral of volunteers, a brigadier general, brevets in abundance, and last of all a second lieutenant, “open to fame, for- tune and promotion.’” ACROSS THR CRERK, As soon as one division of the cavalry had got across the creek wo pushed on rapidly for Dinwiddie Court House, leaving the rest of the command to follow after. On our way we were again retarded by the very bad con- dition of one portion of the road. Indeed, so bad did this portion of the road become that when our traine came up they coukd not get over it, In attompting to do go they got mired, ‘‘Stuck in the mud” was no name for it. ‘‘Swallowed up’? was decidedly more applicable and nearer the truth. APPROACHING DINWIDDIB COURT HOUSE. On arriving within a short distance of Dinwiddie we en- countered and skirmished with the Sixteenth North Car- Olina Independent battalion, now only about eghty strong—a smali body of troops who have been ranging about the country seeking forage for their horses and food for themselves, They were a lawless band, whom the citizens feared muce more than they respected. This small party attempted to check our advance by ekirmish- ing freely and felling trees across the road. Finding it would not do to let them go on in this way, General Irvin Gregg ordered Colonel 0. B, Knowles, commanding Twenty-first Pennsylvania, to charge with a portion 0; ) his regiment, and drive the rebels off. The charge was accordingly made, and was successful. 4 OCCUPATION OF DINWIDDER, We took one officer and a few privates prisoners. After ‘ this there was no more skirmishing, and we entered Din- {.widdie without opposition. As we entered the town the { Sun was setting ; it had rained some during the day, and | the roads were rather muddy. What few people had re- { mained in the placo now came out to seo us, and when | they ascertained that General Sheridan was in command they manifested a strong desire to see him, and the general inquiry was, “Where is he? where is he?” ‘That night the troops encamped in and around tho town, and that night, too, the privates fared better than the gene- rals; for while the former had their rations and horse | feed with them, the latter had not, and as tho several headquarters wagons did not get up, the generals and their staffs had nothing to eat, and both went to bed hungry. On this occasion hard tack was at a premiam | around headquarters, ‘The town could not afford us any thing to eat, and consequently we did not get an opportu- | nity to live on it, For the night General Sheridan made his hea dquarters at the hotel, and;General Crook hung’ his banner on the outer wall of the Court House opposite. The other gene- rals took up their quarters jn the fields around the town, Some of the staif officers slopt in the Post Office, and be- fore going to bed amused themselves with reading the centents of the mails, They found many spicy love let- ters, letters contain ng Confederate notes, rings, &c., and private and public letters of a much more interesting than important character, Almost all of the letters con- tained referenves to the suffering condition of the South- ern people, and some of them contained paragraphs op the question of, and lamenting the necessity for, con- scripting, pressing and arming the negroes, TUR PROPLE. At the hotel we found some ladies who had just arrived, from Petersburg. They were exceedingly well dressed for Southern people. Ono of the youngest, @ itt of about stxtoen, wore a rich velvet cloak with an el-gant fringe attached, We inquirod bow it was these people could dress so well in times like these, and.the answer was, “They have worn oat all of their old clothes, and now they wear the best they ever had, When you sea. this suit you see all they pomess in the way of weaning. apparel.” The truth of the matter is'that if the war is not soon ended the ladies of Petersburg will have to take- to fig leaves for something to wear. wring a, COMMUNICATION WITH THR INFANTRY, During the night of the 28th we opened communica- tion with the infantry on our right, On tho 30th it rained hard, and tho roada were soon rendered almost impassable. Do all we could, it was found impossible to get our trains up. By reason of this no small portion of the,command had to be left @ long distance back to pro- tect the train from capture by tie enemy's cavalry. This was known to be near ty, patiently watching for an op- portunity to make a dash, It ts almost needless to say it did not get one, Barly in the morning of this day, after having protected our rear, we opened communication with the infantry on the Boydten plank road, Here we rested our right, GRNPRAL MERETT'S ADVANOR, Wost of the Boydton plank road Is a road running to Five Forks in this latter road. General Merritt advanced a. portion of his corps. General Devens led the advance. They bad not got far out before he eame upon the enemy's cavalry, This he charged and drove back in confusion, taking quite a number of prisoners. con- tinted to.follow ap his success until he in sight of the Five Forks, where the enemy's infantty wae found to be posted behind breastworks or rifle pia. Ho was now within three milos and a half of the Sofitheide Railroad. After a careful reconnoissance of the enemy's line we advanced again, moving leftward—but Bo mate ter where we struck ow THE EXEMY I FORCE, We found an infantry line opposed to us, Soon after wo learned that General Pickett had command of this rebel infantry line, that it was his division that held it, and that Pickett’s right rested by White Onk swamp, and his ft by the rebel fortifications near Hatch~ er's run. Pickett’s division is reported to be betwee ight and ten thourand etrong, and Is sald to be as strong, in numbers aa any division in the rebel service, This rebel line we could have broken had it not been for the fact that to the right Of us lay the White Oak reed, pa rallel to whieh road the éneny had established @ strong Hine, Tho partionlar point was tiis—the Witte Oak road rane from® the Boyd'on plink over to and Ganpects with the road necessary for us to mov on tM order to reach Five Forka, We eauld not move on the Boydton plank in the direction of Petersburg to, and then turn off the Whito Oak road, for the reason that om and parailol with the railroad the enemy had establianed a strong infantry line, It, therefore, became necersary fom us, in order to continue on, to move to the next avattable road to the westward and left, This woe did for « short distanee, when it was found that our columa would heave PONTINUED ON EIGHTH PAG peat