The New York Herald Newspaper, April 7, 1865, Page 1

THE NEW YORK HERALD WHOLE NO. 10,448. GRANT Off by Sheridan. Probable Destruction of Lee’s Army. General Sheridan Confident of Taking the Whole Army of Northern Virginia, Capture of Artillery, Wagons, Battle Flags and Prisoners. Gee’s Army, and Not Richmond, Grant’s Objective Point. RICHMOND. AFFAIRS IN THE REBEL CAPITAL President Lincoln Holds a Reception in the Late Residence of Jeff. Davis. Libby Prison Filled with Rebel Officers and Soldiers. THE PRESIDENT IN PETERSBURG, Bey ke, ae. THE OFFICIAL DESPATCHES. Secretary Stanton to General Dix, War Deranrnst, ‘Wasmmoron, April 6—12 "7 } Wager General Jouw A. Dix, New York:— ‘Zee following telegram announces the probable speedy destraction of General Lee's army, If our troops pe =p to support Sheridan, who has headed of the ‘eaemy. EDWIN M. STANTON, Secretary of War. Suscrion Sovrnsrps axo Dasvinuw oe } Foiaiomscrc Mage chr ah 4 Gem. Bow M. Srarton, Secretary of War:— Lieutenant General Grant received the following de (patch at half-past siz P. M., while on his way to this point, and at once proceeded to General Sheridan's head yoerurs. @eneral Grant desired me to transmit the de fetch to you on the opening of the telegraph # this placo, and to say that the Sizth corps wuhoul Sout reached General Sheridan's porition within an hour whee after the despatch was written. ‘Pwo divisions of the Twenty-fourth corps wil) encamp dere to-night, and ore division of the Twenty-Arth army corps at Biavk's and White's station, Southside Railroad. S. WILLIAMS, Brigadier General, headquarters cavalry. General Sherid '¢ Despatch. Jerunsvitus, April 6—3 80 P. M. Uentenant General U. 8. Grayt:— G@exena1—I send you the enclosed letter, which will ive you an idea of the condition of the my and their @bereabouts, I sent General Davies’ brigade this mora. ag around on my loft dank. Ho captured at Fame's crossroads five pieces of artil- ‘tery, about two hundred wagons, and eightfor nine battle legs and « number of prisoners. ‘The Second army corps ts now coming ap J wish you ware here yourself, 1 feel confident of capturing the Army of Northern Virginia if we exert ourselves J se0 pe cpap: for Le, Iwill putall my oavalry out on our bef fank, except McKenzie, who is now on the right. P. KH. SHERIDAN, Major General. GETTER FROM A RERML COLONEL TO HIS MAMMA. Auras Covet Hovsa, Apri) 6, 1865, Daan Maxua—Our army te ruined, I fear. We are all eafeas yet. Shyron leftas, sick, John Taylor is well; aw him yestorday. Weare in line of battle this even- mg General Robert Lee is inthe field near us My rust is still in the Justice of our cause, and that God, &e. General Hill is killed. Teaw Murray afew momenta tdece, Bernard Terry, it is said, was taken prisoner; but Waly got out, Isend this by a negro I seo passing up She railroad to Mecklenburg. Lovetoall, Your devoted oa, ‘W. B. TAYLOR, Colonel. THE HERALD DESPATCHES. AFFAIRS IN RICHMOND. Mr, William H. Merriam’s Despateh. i ‘Mason Gawnnat Werrzn.'s Ara! a Ricnwomy, Va, April 4, 1808. 1866. } he constant recurrence of enlivening scence ie Rich- ‘mond since the Union accession, le so much tn contrast ‘with the sobor realities of a life in camp, to which 1 have feean 80 largely socustomed of late, that I have not aa yet sddressed myself to the writing up of those many scones marking rebel life and manners which will go to his- tory, when written, as remembrances of our occupation a the rebel capital, PRESIDENT LINCOLY 1 wOTMOND. Perhaps, however, it may be said, no one incident of of all this drama will so attract and fx the attention of ‘the American people and the civilized world ag the ap- pearance to-day in the city of Richmood—erased capital ‘of infernal traitors—of Abrabam Lincoln, Prostdent of tho Unitod States, {08 ARAIVAL AND ORERTING. On yesrday itcame to be known that tho President (would outer Rivhroond, and hold counsel with all who nigh! vw desirous of lending & Lelping baud to the resto: THE HEADING OFF OF LEE’S ARMY. The Enemy Headed |Scene of the Rebel General Lee’s Last Struggle-—-The Line of Pursuit of the Union Forces NEW YORK, FRIDAY, APRIL 7, 1965. fo AMHERST SS GQUAT, (HOUSE § SCALE vation of the Union. Mr. Lincoln left City Point in the flagship of Admiral Porter, accompanied by the Bat, and, ascending the James, arrived at Rockett’s Landing early in the day. He was accompanied, in the way of a guard, by one company of marines and one company of armed sailors (a distinction without a difference), As the President approached the headquarters of Major General Weitzel the salutes were opened, and he was found to be accompanied by Adiniral Porter and an im- Mmense crowd of the people, who accorded to their libe- rator the cordial acclamations of arace owing him 60 Tuch. It was truly a cheering sight to see Abraham Lincoln walking, rather than riding in pageant, tho Streets of Richmond—proud, but fallen city of the South— followed by an admiring crowd, where, but afew hours before, he would have been the subject ef rebel jest and ribaldry, which his own patience has overcome, even to the approaching point of rebel reconsideration of folly. MR. LINCOLN IN JEFF. DAVI2’ LATE RESIDENOR. ‘The President, upon his arrival in the city, was imme- @iately escorted, by his own choice, upon foot, to the headquarters of Major General Weitzel, commanding de- partment, which are in the house of Jefferson Davis, and the threshold of which that arch-rebel crossed for tho Jast time on Sunday evening, to take the cars for Dan- ville, followed by his broken army. The President of the United States receiving the congratulations of an admiring auditory in the city of Richmond, and within the (late) domestic precincts of Jefferson Davis, needs no comment to causothe American people to believe that this atrocious struggle is quite at its end. 4 RECEPTION. ‘Major General Weitzel, upon the sudden appearance of Mr. Lincoln, held extemporized drawing room receptions im the Executive mansion of the confederacy, to which the President loaned, in his presence, the chiefest at- traction, He was introduced to the leading general and staf! officers of the Department of Virginia and the Army of the James now present in Richmond, among whom were General Shepley, General Kautz, General Devens, Gen. Roberts, Colonel Ed. W. Smith, Assistant Adjutant General; Colonel F. 8. Manning, Provost Marshal Gene- ra) Army of the James; Colonel Coughlin, Provost of the Department of Virginia; Colonel Placidus Ord, Assistant adjutant General ; Colonel Donnohoe, commanding brigade; Colonel WV. Hutchings, Major A. H. Stevens, Major D. D. Wheeler, Major F. E. Graves, Captain Fred. Marten, Captain Lewte Weitzel, Captain Fitch, Captain Graves, Captain Howard, Lieutenant H. 8. Merrell, United States Army, and Lieutenant Struble. THB PRESIDENT RIDES THROUGH THR CITY, Just subsequent to the reception there was a private conference, after which the President rode out to soe the city of Richmond—object of all his Presidential affec- ions. RETURN TO IY STRAMER IN THE JAMES. ‘The ride over, the President proceeded to his ship, Veaving us to the kindly realm of future developments, ‘The President's condition of body and mind is best under- stood by the presentation of the fact, that physical ina- bility, confessed to those with him in his carriage, alone prevented him from hoisting the flag of his country over the ancient Capitol building of Virginia—several hundred years of ago tn respect of patriotism, only four years old In treason. THE PRESENT CONTENTS OF LIFRY. The late prison of Union patriote—Libby Prison—re- Joices to-day ip a crowded complement of rebel officers and soldiers’ They ere there for the express purpore of being permitted to Libby-ize just as our men suffered, RONONS TO GENPRAL WEITZEL. The following telegraphic despatch was received this evoning by Major Genera) Weitzel, the first of the Union generals to enter Richmond The despatch is signed by the Mayor and otber prominont citizeos:— Creomnati, April 4, 1865. Major General Weirzey Queen City of the West sends greeting to her pal son. He has deserved well of the republic. This graifying despatch found General Weitzel sur- rounded by # number of friends, all of whom shared in the glorious enterprise of the occupany of Richmond, SOMRIETY—AN ORDER. ‘The following order indicates that nobody shall keep a grocery in or about Richmond :— Orne Provost Manet, Rremmoxn, April 3, 1 All places in the city of Richmond where intoxicating i are hereby ordered to be immediately oe, person whatever, who shal! sell or give to any soy eat man of the armies of the United States aaa an foeoate ‘ating Uquor, will be immediately arrested gummarily pw By direction of Gen. GEO. F. SHRPLEY, itary Governor of Ric! ‘hmond. Freo, L. Maatna, Lieutenant Colonel and Provost Marshal of Richmond, ’ THE ARMY IN PURSUIT. Mr, 8. Cadwaliader’s Despatch. Soramatann Station, Va, April 4, 1866, FES MAGNIFICENCE OF GRANT'* OPERATIONS agatnaT muct- MOND AND PRTRRSHURO, ‘The more the military movements of this weok by the armies operating against Richmond are considered and studied, the more the attentive reader of history will find them but superior to, the most brilliant achieve. mente of the ablost generals of the world. But few logos of modern days have been so prolonged aa this of Petersburg and Richmond. On none have a tithe of offensive and defeusive engineering skill been expended. The history of the world affords no parallel to this in the length of the linos constructed and held by a8. No finer strategy has over been recorded of any general than has been displayed by General Grant in deceiving Lee as to bia real point of atiack; @ more audacious sasault wae never made on an enemy's works than the successful one of the Sixth corps, by command of Liew. -- EDWARD* , tenant Gencral Grant; and no such commensurate results were ever attained at such trifling expense of men and material, But tho striking difference between this and the deci- sive achievements of other chieftains is, that it was di- rected against the enemy’s line of communication at such an immense distance. No pitched battles have been fought this week for the possession of Richmond; @ comparatively small portion of our forces have been in actual battle for the pos- session of Petersburg; yet the strategy of General Grant has been such as to give us the former at small cost, and to compel the evacuation of the other without a shot, though so many miles away, The real battles for Richmond were fought by Sheridan ‘and Wright, on separate days, The former compelled Lee to weaken his line, and the latter took advantage of ite weakness, Lee made the gravest mistake imaginable in sending Pickett’s division so far from the defences of Petersburg. While he strengthened his flank we pene. trated his centre. His army was completely cut in two. Its separate parts can never be wholly reunited. The fatal error will cost him one half of bis army. GENERAL GRANT'S CONFIDENCE IX THE SUCCESS PLANS. So confident was General Grant of the success of lis plans, a8 coon as he discovered the porition of Pickett, ‘that the moment an assault was determined upon on the centre Sheridan's cavalry and the Fifth army corps were ordered to push out directly westward, in order to be nearer the line of retreat which the enemy must take up. And when tho assault was successful, and Peters- burg ours, the entire army was immediately put in motion for the same purpose, and in the same direction. Peters- burg was taken yesterday morning. General Grant's head- quarters were ten miles west of that city last evening. Such celerity of movement is novel in war, and bewil- dering to an adversary. THE SITUATION ON THE NIGHT OF THE 47H INST. The military situation to-night is sbetantially as fol Jows:—General Grant’s headquarters are at Sutherland station; General Meade’s are # half-milo distant, and nearly in the rear; General Ord’s are not much further away, but more to the northward; those of General She ridan and the Fifth corps are more than thirty miles west of Petersburg, beyond the Namozine creek ; thoee of the Second corps north of the Appomattox, and five miles northwesterly from here; those of the Sixth corps two miles in our rear, with the Ninth immediateiy bohind it. ‘The grand army is evidently headed for Burkesville or the nearest point on the Danville Ratiroad. General Grant long ago expressed the sentiment that Lee's army, instead of the city of Richmond, was his objective point, NOTHING POSITIVE KNOWN OF LEK. Nothing positive is known of Lee's whereabouts. He is supposed to be on his way to Lynchburg via Burkes- ville Junction. THE PRESIDENT HAS AN INTERVIEW WITH GENFRAL GRANT. The President rode out to Petersburg yesterday fore- noon for the purpose of sceing the famous city, and had in the meantime a short interview with General Grant. He was-overjoyed at the success of our arms, and can now return to Washington in renewed spirits. CURIOSITY TO SKE THM PREAIDENT. Much pardonable curiosity was manifested by all classes to see tho President and the Lieutenant General. One old German seized the President's hand, pressed it to his lips and thanked God “he was now released from his yoke.” oy ms ‘THE CITTZENS OF PRTERSRORG REMAIN, The citizens generally remained behind. In fact, but few had warning of its intended evacuation in tims to escape the Yankeos, But little bitterness was mani- fested by them, and quite « respectable proportion seemed rather satisfied than otherwise at the final termi- nation and our occupancy. One remarkabie thing was that the children of Petersburg speak frequently in a very commonplace manner of ‘‘the demoralization’’ of the rebel army. They say, “Oh, yes, yon Yankees whip- ped us at last; you got in; our soldiers were so demoral- ized they wouldn't fight.” Such remarxs were common armong the masters and misses of the most respectable families. Such childish remarks may at first seem anim- portant, but they are the small, anerring indications of the prevailing belief of Southern parents. The children do but repeat the oft-heard remark. ANOTHMR STATEMENT HOW THR REVEL GENERAL WILL WAS KILLED, Mrs. Wallace, of Petersburg, and cousin to General A. P. Hill, states that the latter desired to obtain a nearer view of a portion of our line during the attack of the 2d inst., and, leaving his staf behind place of safety, rode forward, accompanied by # single orderly, and soon came upon a squad of our men who had advaffced along ravines far beyond our lines, Ho immediately ordered them to surrender, which they were on the point of do- ing, ander the supposition that a column of troops were at bis heels. They soon discovered he nearly unat- tended, and shot Hill through the heart and wounded the orderly dangorously, ‘THY RABEL GEYERAL LER LRADS A BRIGADM IN PERSON, When Wright had cut his way through tho rebel lines Lee saw he must be promptly repulsed oF ail was loet So vital was this considered that he led a brigade in per- fon, and narrowly escaped death from the explosion of a shell, which stunned him for an Instant and killed seve- ral in bis vicinity, But even bis presence failed to in- spire his troops. A feeble assault wan made and so easily repulsed that General Wright never thoughts it worth re- porting. HENRY A. WISH REPORTED KILLED, It f® reported that Henry A. Wise waa killed, but I could trace it to no positive foundation, nis 1, GENERAL PICKETT NOT IN COMMAND OF me DIvI- , fon. An intelligent resident of Petersburg states that Pick. ott waa pot io command of hie division ip front of ‘couiar Hy USE ee ia PRICE FOUR CENTS. consequently had an excellent opportunity of witnessing the hervism of Sergeant Spence. THE CAVALRY. Mr, James B. Wardell’s Despatches. Heapqvuaxreas, Tap Govan wns 1860'S TUB PURSUIT OF THE ieee ben FIGHTING, At my last writing the cavalry, in conjunction with @ r a — mall part of the infantry, had succeeded in routing the rebels and sending them in great confusion flying towards the Appomattog river. Saturday night, April 1, the Third division camped om the farm over which they had charged, the rebels scat- tering in all directions, Sunday morning we again took up the line of march for the Southside Railroad, the Third brigade, Colone! Caphart commanding, separating from the main column and following a straight road for the railroad, coming out at Ford Stat.on, Before striking the railroad the brigade encountered — cons.derable force of rebels, who were inclined to dis- pute the advance, A strong skirmish line was thrown out and moved steadily forward, pressing the enemy backward until they attempted to make a stand, when @ charge was made upon them, breaking through their lines and insuring complete possession of the road. In this charge Colonel Pegram, of the rebel artillery, was killed. ‘The road reached, the men commenced tearing up the rails and destroying the track for miles, a column of dense smoke bearing witness to the main column of the success of the expedition, The rest of the divmion A oui pene, (AL sunction’ IO - AR GROI iE S FORDS. Ls aa few 55 PETERSR BURG “ STAERLAND A pao | <>) rik f E, / meBERE “F7 Sinwip ste ZA BX fT eee COURTHOUSE KEYSVILLE @ Y ial Norr, x] ‘ Lg eo B Yon Revtp DRAKES#S TewisTOwN \ Vy ~. OF MILES. 10 90 80 Sheridan, im consequence of a quarrel with Longstreet, which ¢aused his suspension. THE LOSSES SUSTAINED BY LER. Leo is belioved to have lost twenty thousand men this week which we can account for, and nearly an equal number will probably be lost in addition by desertions and straggling, OUR OWN Losses. Our losses in killed and wounded and prisoners will certainly not exceed five or six thousand for the past week, CAPTURES BEFORE THR EVACUATION OF PETERSBURG. Wo had captured fifty guns and ten thousand prisoners before the evacuation of Petersburg. SHERIDAN CAPTURES MORE PRIBOXERS. General Sheridan reports the capture of one thousand three hundre@ prisoners yesterday. THE SIXTH CORPS. Mr. Oharles 1. Hannam’s | Despatch. Beangvarters, Sixtus Army Corrs, Mount Purasaat Cuvncn, Dixwivpie Court Hov April 3, 1865. RESULT OF THE AIXTH CORPS’ VICTORY. The brilliant vietory guined by the Sixth corps yester- day cannot be over estimated, and its results are already of a most important pature. The charge of Major General ‘Wright's veteranay under cover ofthe darkness and mist Preceding the break of day, will forever live in history as one of the grandest and most sublime actions of the war. With irresistible force they broke through the rebel line, on which months of labor had been expended, and then turning the rebel guns on other hostile forts, they swept along the rebel line for a distance little short of five mites, capturing both guns, men and colors. When it is remembered how much depended on their success, and what would have been the consequences of their failure, the country will treasure as household words, the names of “Wright,” ‘Getty, “Seymour,” “Wheaton,” and other generals who led the often tried and never defeated men of the Sixth corps to victory on the morning of Sunday, April2. Its first important ro- sult was tho surrender of Petersburg, which took place eurly this morning. From the position held by our troops last evening it was cleafly apparent that the city was virtually ours. The left of General Getty’s division Tested on the Appomattox river, and closely encircling the doomed city were the divisions of General Wheaton and General Seymour. The Second division of tho Second corpa, together with a division of colored troops, were also co-operating in the movement, and, with the Ninth corps on the = extre’ right, Lee must have perccived that no efforts of his could prevent the city from falling into our hands, Un- der cover of the night he withdrew the remnant of his army and fell back across the Appomattox. The bridge across that river was partially burned by them, but for- tunately the flames were extinguished by our troops be- fore it was materially injured. A deputation to surrender the city eame out on the routh side this morning. It consisted of Mr. W. W. Town, Mayor of the city, accompanied by Mr, W. R. Mal- lory, Chairman of the Common Council; Mr. C. F. Col lier, City Treasurer, and Rey. D. W. Paul. They came out ina carriage to General Wheaton’s picket line, and were met by General Edwards and Colonel Naylor, corps and division officers of the day, and also by Major M. L. Butterfleld, of General Wheaton’s staff. The Mayor handed them a letter for transmission to General Grant or any other general officer, stating that the city had been abandoned by Leo's army and would bo surrendered to our troopa The letter was forwarded to Major General Wright, who returned an answer stating that General Parke had already entered the city from the other side, and any further proceedings were unnecessary. The Mayor then returned, and was accompanied to his house by Major Butterfield, where Roger A. Pryor was mot, who stated that he had abandoned the Southern confederacy, as he believed the cause was a complete failure, THE AIXTH CORPS ENTRRS PRTERSNURG. General Joseph EK. Hamblin, commanding the Second brigade im General Wheaton’s division,~ was the first general officer to enter the city. RSTHOMASM OF TI NEGROES IN PETERERURG, The colored troops commenced entering it ahortly after sunrise, and were objects of great curiosity to the scores of negroes in the city. But very fow white people were ible, and their absence was more observable on account of (he large crowds of negroes in the streets, who ap- peared to be incapable of sufficiently expressing their Joy at the arrival of our troops. They capered around our men in @ most ludicrous manner, and at every fresh arrival yelled out, “Dar comes de clebber Yankees.” THE CINSENY BATINFIRD WITH THR CHANGE. ‘The stores were closed and the city appeared to have loft off doing business, The Mayor expressed consider. able satisfaction on the subject of its capture by our troops, but It appeared to be ehiefly on account of his hope that Northern goods would be admitted there sub- ject to the sane restrictions as at Savannah and Charles. ton, The inhabitants bave for some time past expo- rienced great difficulty in procuring @ sufficient quantity of food, leaving the question of quality aside altogether, and since the capture of the Woldon road by our troops they have not been able to prooureany fresh supply of clothing. NEWSNOYS EXTER PRTeRsNCRO. Greatly to the surprise of tho inliabitants, our enter. prising newsboys entered the city along with phe eoldicrs, and almost before the rear guard of the rebels had cros#ed the Appomattox the New York Elenato of the Bist alt, wae being sold in the streets of Petersburg. Daring the very #hort time I wae able to etop in the city I could not observe that the houses had suffered an mwurb “amawe from tho fire of our battorios ay might have been expected from their proximity and the length of time during which they have been exposed to ft. All matters in relation tothe amount of public stores we found will be fully related by your correspondent accom- panying the troops stationed there. THE PURSUIT OF LER'S ARMY. The forward movement in pursuit of the balance of Lee's army commenced about daybreak. It was General Grant's intention to use them up entirely in case the charge of the Sixth corps should prove a success; and ac- cordingly this morning the Sixth, Fifth, Second and Twenty-fourth corps, together with the cavalry under Generals Sheridan and Crook, were put in motion to find the rebels. We left our camps around Potersburg at an early hour, and marched out aleng the River road, which runs for many miles in a a westerly direction, and almost parallel with the Appomattox river. The whole of the grand Army of the Potomac was fairly en route by eight o'clock, with all their teams, ambulances, pack mules, droves of cattle, and other necessary auxilianes. AGRERADLE CANOE OF SCENES. After the long, weary wailing around Petersburg the change was very agreeable, and the prestige of recent victory added considerably to the good spirits of the whole army. The country we hi passed through to- day was in a fine state of cultivation, and the bright green of early vegetation looked very cheerful when contrasted with the brown, sandy wastes we have looked on for #0 long a time. THE ORDER OF MARCH OF THE SIXTH CORPS. The Sixth corps moved in the rear of the Second, and in the following order:—General Getty's diviston first, General Wheaton's in the centre, and General Seymour's in the rear, CAMP ON THE NIGHT OF THR 3p. We reaohed our present camps shortly before sunset, and General Wright pitched his headquarters tent in the rear of the Mount Pleasant Baptist church, a small wooden building on the left of the river road. It is this evening occupied by General Frank Wheaton and bis staff. ENTHUSLASTIO RECOGNITION OF MAJOR GUNWRAL MEADE, During a temporary balt this afternoon Major General George B. Meade passed the Sixth corps on his way to the front. He was recognized by the men and greeted with loud and enthusiastic cheers, For a short time the scene was one which can be better imagined than de- scribed, 80 great was the enthusiasm inspired by tho presence of the Commander of the Army of the Potomac. Caps were waved and lusty cheers given in a manner which is only seen and heard when thousands of soldiers are greeting a commander who has won their confidence and respect. General Meade returned the greeting of the Sixth corps by repeated bows, although compelled to bestow considerable attention on the management of the spirited horse he was riding. On reaching the spot where General Wheaton was standing be reined in his horse, ‘and said to him, laughingly, “The Sixth corps men are in such good spirits that they seem determined to break my neck,” to which General Wheaton replied that he imagined they were proud of their success; when Gene- Tal Meade, with much feeling, said:—"Yes, we all know, and the country shall know, that the Sixth corps did the business, To them we owe our success, and we feel very grateful to them for it,” RECOGNITION OF GENERAL WRIGHT'S RERVIONS. The valuable services which General Wright rendered tothe country yesterday are to be recognized by pro- moting him to be a@ brigadier general in the regular army. This prompt action on the part of the govern. ment is as gratifying to the corps as the promotion is wall deserved by General Wright. GALLANTRY OF MAJOR . W. ADAMS, An inc'dent of the charge, and one which contributed materially to its success, was the services rendered by Major G. W. Adams, commanding Battery G, First Rhode Island artillery. He suggested that a number of artillery- men should accompany the column, for the purpoee of turning captured guns on the enemy, and volunteered to lead the men himself, His services were accepted, and he entered the rebel works along with the attack ing column at the head of his men, and instantly turned a number of the captured guns on the rebela. GENERAL LER SUPEBRINTENDS® THe FIRM OF ONE OF Mis BATTERIES, Tho rebel generals, like our own, exposed themselves to the hottest firo yesterday, General Lee commanded a battery of three light pieces in person. They were in a fort captured by General Edwards’ brigade of Genoral Wheaton’s division, and if General Lee had but delayed his departure for a few minutes longer he would have been captured. General Hill's headquarter flag—a blue ground with a white cross In the centre—is now at these headquarters, in the possession of General Wright. HALL, LOSKER OF THR AIXTH CORPS ON TUM 2p. Our losses yesterday were, I am bappy to state, re- markably light. But eight hundred and forty-five wounded were received at the division hospitals, and they wore all cared for early in the day by the medical gentlemen Attached to the corpa Last evening they were sent down to the permanent hospitals at City Point Our Fort Fisher (Va,.) Correspondence. Camp Near Fort Fiewnn, March 30, 1865. GERGRAST SPENOR THR FIRET TO ENTER TOR ENEMY'S WORKS On tH 25TH, To the Herat of the 28th, in your correspondence from the scene of the late engagement of the Sixth corps, on the 26th, it fs erroneously stated that Major ©. K. Pren- tise, Sixth Maryland regiment, and Colonel R. F. Smith, Ove Hundred and Twenty sixth Ohio regiment, were the first in the rebel works. They were, 1 believe, the first officers who entered, but still not the fret. Sergeant Robert Spence, of Company B, Sixth Maryland, color bearer, was the first individual who reached the works, and gallantly planted our starry banner on them, Your Correspondent was a participavr in the engagement, aud moved off to the right, crossing the railroad between Ford and Sutherland stations, and followed the road the retreating rebels had taken, The march was kept up all day without meeting with the enemy, although evi- dences were plenty of their rapid and demoralized flight. The first division of cavalry had the advance, and about six P. M., having pressed on very rapidly, caine up with the rear guard of the enemy at a point five miles from the Appomattox on the leftand six from Suther- land Station on the right. The guard attempted to make a stand across an open field, but were soon driven from that position into the woods in their rear, where they again turned and fought well, But it was of no use; our cavalry pressing them so hard that they were obliged again to turn and retreat inside a well intrenched position, which had been taken haifa mile from the edge of the woods, The first division followed them up and attempted to take their position at « charge, but four pieces of artillery opened upon them with such effect asto causoa falling back. A brisk skirmish tire was kept up until the Third division came forward, Gene- ral Custer at the head; but, night closing in, the fre on both sides slackened and gradually closed. A picket line was stationed in the woods, while the two divisions encamped close by. Your correspondent, whfle hunting in the dark for headquarters, ran directly into the rebel pickets, aud in- quired what division this was. When told he was much surprised to learn be was with the enem: ut, the dark. ness favoring, he was not recognized as Yank,” apd succeeded in gaining our lines, Heapquarters, Tarp Cavatry Division, Wuits Oak Roan, April 2, 1865. ADDITIONAL DETAILS OF THE CAVALRY OPERATIONS ON TRE [st ist. My last despatch closed abruptly, the mail carrier being obliged to leave at once. The cavalry at this writing (ten A. M.) are resting short time on the ground captured from the enemy, six miles from Dinwiddie, preparatory to moving upon the enemy, four miles in advance, The commands aro all right, and greatly + elated by their victory last night, The report has just reached us of the capture of Petersburg, which adds ad- ditional zest to the spirits of the commands, The report of the number of prisoners captured last night was not overstated, as they are constantly being brought in. In the charge made yesterday General Custer received orders to dismount his division and go in on the right; but, deeming it advisable, sent two brigades, mounted, around on the left, and came in op the rear, charging the enemy and routing them completely, and gained a handsome victory. CUSTER COMPLIMENTED. General Sheridan complimented General Custer’s com- mand very highly, by saying that if he had two corps of infantry and they would fight like his cavalry, he would take the whole of the rebel army. The enemy we fought last night were two brigades of Pickett’s division and two of Basrod Johason’ PARTIAL LIST OF CASUALUIRS IN THE CAVALRY, I send « partial list of casualties in this division, » larger list being now impossiblo to get at:— Col Wm P Robinson, 34 N J cavalry, 24 division; Capt Fred Zaha, F, 3d 'N J cavalry, 84 division: W'H Stickney, @, 20 NJ cavalry, 34 division; Adjt A B sticklas, 3d N'Y’ cavairy, 3d division; Lieut’ Bochn, of Gonaral! Caster's: Gat cre aah, Neat; Ligue Mangh’ A 2d N J eavalry, killed; Capt AC Ho ghton, 24 Ohio, Col Pennington's staf, arm; Lient J Chamberlain, B, 8th N Y cavalry; Lieut J A wan, C, 3d N J cavalry; ut Waltham Bryan, L, 15th N Y cavalry; Serge JH Wall, C, 2d NY cavalry: Sergt 8 F Hancbtt, L, 15th NY cavalry? Sergt Allen Rhett, K, 34 N J cavalry: John Cawley, K, 2d Ya (Union) cavalry ; Goo Rolfe, H 2d N Y cavatry Jax Boswei, B Ist Veeavatry; HB Young, Ey nt Ve cay. iry; Hinry Hemmon, Edd NJ cavalry; Jas W Kirk ad Va cavalry; Julius Guyster, H, 8th N'Y cavalry; tt airy; G Bostwick, H, 1th NY 15th’ NY cavalry; Stephen aval ri A 1 Bunn, B, Ist Coan «ay- N Yeavalry: Jona t Cook, K, 24. N Y cavniry; Jas Dew ‘2d NY cavalry; Jas Coyle, D, 1th NY cavairy; John Lowry, B, 2d N ¥ cavalry; Jas Donvey, B, 2d Olio cas airy. WASHINGTON. Our Special Washington Despatch. Wasminaton, April 6, 1806, The statement in General Grant's despatch, published yeeterday, that he should pursue the fleeing enemy as long as it was of any use, was accepted as an wimission that Lee had eseaped for the present. The further re- ports published this afternoon show that it will not do to construe the despat-bes of Grant and Sheridan as those of other less indomitable and persevering gene- rals aro, It is evident that Sheridan has Lee at bay near Amelia Court House, while the column which Grant accompanied has forestalled him at Burkesville Junction. The fullest confidence ia felt here in military circles that the remnant of tho Army of Northern Virginia has at last met its fate, and that within twenty-four hours it will cease to exist as an organized body; and it is not impossible that its com- mander may within that time be killed ora prisoner, which of itself would end the war; for Davis without Lee would be like a body without a bead to contrive or an arm to execute. The prisoners captured and being enptured by the foreos under Generals Grant and Sheridan are being sent to Point Lookout primarily, from whence they will be distributed to different prison camps throughout the country, as may be found advieabic. General Hoffman, Commissary General of Prisoners, has not yet returned from City Point, where he is personally superiatendiog the disposition of the multiplying thousands of capturee rebels, ‘The railroad from Aquia Creek via Fredericksburg to Richmond is to be immodiately rebuilt. Ibis expected that one thousand laborers will go to Aquila Creek to morrow to relay the track from that place to Fredericks. burg. The grading of the road has not been materially Injured, and the old and most direct route will be re opened in a short time. A number of capitalists here and in New York bave already fled an application to establieh a mations: bar & at Richmond, and it will probably be done in @ tbort ume. A despatch from General Ord to the father of Generel Russell, of the Twenty.ffth army corps, who was re- ported killed, received this afternoon, states that that officer is not tajured. Arefagee who arrived here to-day from Fredericks burg states that the conscripting officers in that section are more active than ever, In conseripting citizens and arresting deserters, since the evacuation of Richmond. Every house in Fredericksburg is crowded with people from Richmond, who Ged from there om the evacuation of the place cavalry; Chas Cragz, 1 Myers, B, 15th NY alry , Geo Bell, M, The Press Despatch. Waamixerov, April 6, 1868. Tho special agent of the Post Office Department (Mr. Parker) Was accompanied by Mr. ©. A Davis, of CONTINUED ON ZIGHTH PAGE,