New York Times April 2, 1865
From our own correspondent
headquarters army of Potomac
Sunday, April 2 8 AM
After we quitted the field on Friday evening the left of the Fifth Corps swung about half a mile further round and drove the enemy before them. But intelligence being received from General Sheridan that the condition of the ground on his [column one ends] front was such that he could not operate with cavalry, and his advance had, therefore, been compelled to fall back. The fifth corps was ordered to go to his assistance, in order to relieve it and prevent itx withdrawal. Being perceived and taken advantage of by the enemy, General Miles‘s division of the second corps was advanced by the left flank to the front and it was then withdrawn to the Boydtown road.
General Miles’s division of the second corps then fell back to a positiom on the plank Road behind a temporary embankment that had been thrown up on Wednesday, leaving in the line he had recently occupied nothing more than skirmishers, who were directed to fall back if attacked. The second division of the fifth corps, General Ayres, set out early this morning to support General Sheridan, and the divisions of General Griffin, and General Crawford followed at about noon. They all formed a junction with general Sheridan score at a distance of some 5 miles from the Mrs. Butler house, and a general engagement commenced there about 3 o’clock
I was not able to go out as of the distance was too great for me to accomplish anything in time for the mail. I understand, however, that the combined forces of Generals Sheridan and Warren succeeded, after a hotly contested fight, and putting the enemy in flight. They captured 4000 prisoners, four batteries of artillery, a large train of loaded wagons and a number of cattle. The rebel loss in killed and wounded, as well as our own, was very heavy, but I am unable to give any estimate of the numbers
On our lines during the day there was no fighting except on the 24th corps front. The rebels assaulted the pickets of that corps, and attempted to retake the picket line, from which they were driven yesterday. They were speedily repulsed with a loss of about 75 killed and wounded and 60 for prisoners. Our loss was 15 in the aggregate.
In the afternoon our troops were massed at three places in the ninth corps front, at two in the sixth, and one in the 24th, one in the 25th, and two in the second, with a view of making several demonstrations on the enemy’s works and going through them, if necessary, for the complete development of the plan of attack. In pursuance with this design our artillery opened opened aa furious cannonading along the entire front at about 11 PM, which was continued with little intermission until 6 o’clock this morning. At three this morning, such of our troops as it was deemed proper to be seen were got into position in front of our works and held ready to make the assault.
I have not had time to ascertain which troops were led to the assault, nor the results of different points, and I am only able to speak of the second division, General Potter‘s, of the Ninth Corps. This division was posted on that part of the line between forts Sedgwick and Davis and sometime before the hour of attack arrived, the brigade commanders Generals Griffin and Curtin, perceiving the opportunity to do so without endangering their own men, made a sortie and captured 133 men and four officers of the rebel pickets.
His picket line was completely surprised and only knew of the attack when called upon to surrender. At this hour 6 AM there is exceedingly heavy firing along the entire line from deep bottom to the Boydtown plank Road, and the fleet of gun boats on the James River are participating in it.
The assault on the enemies works commenced at 6 o’clock in several points, and is still progressing, but with what results is not yet known. In the front of the second division of the ninth corps there seems to be more artillery engaged than elsewhere on the line, except at the point where the gun boats are engaged. But General Potter and his two able brigadier generals Griffin and Curtin, are holding their men well up to the work, and the determination is universal throughout the division to do so if repulsed. Gen. [column two ends] Potter and his staff are in the hottest part of the field, overseeing the assault in person. The general feels, no doubt, that his front is one of the most important positions in the whole line, and from its proximity to the rebel works, most liable to be broken through, except that opposite fort Stedman, and he is consequently extremely solicitous respecting it. The front of Fort Stedman is ably defended by General Wilcox
Later
Part of the line on the left is said to have made a successful demonstration and captured a number of prisoners. If possible, to get through in time, I will send you particulars, dispatching it to City Point by express before the boat leaves.
Among the prisoners captured by the Ninth Corps are eight officers, one of them a major. Colonel Gowan of the 48th Pennsylvania was badly wounded, as also Colonel Winslow and Colonel Steinberger of the 106th New York; Colonel Gregg, of the 179th New York, badly wounded and the reported dead. The fighting was so severe that the loss on both sides must necessarily be very heavy. The rebels fought our men hand-in-hand when we were about climbing the parapet of the fort, although lying down at the time to avoid the fire of our advancing line. General Griffin of the second brigade of the division led the way into their works and when General Potter sent to ask him to ask if he could hold the works, and if not to fall back, his reply was “tell general potter I can hold the works. Send me more men if you can, but I will hold the works. “He took command of the division on General Potter being wounded. General Curtin of the first brigade, also behaved with great gallantry holding his men up to the works till an entrance was effected and then dashing forward at their head driving the enemy before him. This fight, even if not ultimately successful, proves the old nine score is equal to any emergency. The attack set for the task set for it is the worst this army ever had to do, and so far has accomplished the object I needed. Everybody here thinks those who are left of us will quarter in Petersburg tonight, and that the old stars and stripes will wave over the cockade city air the setting of the sun. I’m taking Petersburg we draw the card that will soon strangle the rebellion in Richmond.
General Wilcox is also in the field with his staff. The lines here are very close together also very close together, and if our forces should be repulsed and disordered, the enemy would have an excellent opportunity to inflict serious damage, and make us pay dearly for the temerity we have evinced in attempting to assault such almost impregnable works as these he occupies along this line.
General Hartranft’s Division is engaged in the assault, but I am not able to set at what particular point or with what successes. It is composed wholly of mew troops who have never been in any engagement but that of the 25th ult. But they behaved so nobly om that occasion that great things are expected of them. And they have such regard for their brave and noble division commander that they will no doubt strive hard for the sake of his reputation and their own Gen. Parke, the corps commander, is also near the scene of action with his staff and within range of the enemy’s guns directing the operation. From the present aspect of affairs, he will have cause to be proud of his corps as we are no doubt already partially within the enemy’s lines, strong as they are, whether we can hold them will soon be known. It is thought here that we can both take and hold them.
1 o’clock a.m The demonstration in front of the second division of the ninth corps promises to be s success. We have captured two of their forts guns and all, and the line of work between and on either flank, and have taken two hundred more prisoners. The fight is still raging furiously. Our loss must be [column end] heavy, but at this hour it is impossible to give any estimate. We have succeeded in compelling them to bring their forces from the left and thus opened the way for Sheridan and Warren to operate successfully. Their force in this front and which we are now fighting, ix Gen Gordon’s corps, principally Southern troops from Alabama, Georgia, and South Carolina. They have fought hard since the attack commenced, and till continue to dispute the ground inch by inch.
I regret to say that Gen. Potter is severely wounded, being shot through the stomach. It is not classed as a mortal wound, but is highly dangerous.
I have not yet been able to learn how matters stand elsewhere but we have a strong force within their line of works and will hold them. By to-night I hope to write you from Petersburgh.
H.H. Young
SKIRMISHING ON MARCH 30 AT SUPPORTY CROSS ROADS
from our own correspondent Dinwiddie courthouse Virginia
Thursday, March 30 via Washington, Monday, April 2, 8:45 PM
The advance of General Sheridan’s command crossed Hatchers Run yesterday meeting only slight resistance and annoyance at that place from the enemy’s Cavalry.
WHF Lee’s cavalry, three brigades, was in front, but did not see fit to make a stand.
Today, in an attempt to reach Supporty Crossroads, some of Pickett’s command and Lee’s Cavalry formed a line of battle and held the ground,. In the skirmish that took place the following named persons were wounded
Killed and Wounded
John Leonard, company F, 6th United States cavalry, left side flesh; James M. Glossware, Company A, 6th United States cavalry, hip,; John Thompson, Company M, 6th United States cavalry; Henry M Feelan, first United States cavalry; Patrick Gorman, company F, 6th United States cavalry; John Mooney, Company M, seventh Michigan; Sergeant Marsh, first Michigan, killed; Sergeant J.L. Callek, seventh Michigan, foot; Sergeant R. Harris, 5th United States cavalry; J. B. Morrill, Company E, fifth United States cavalry; Sergeant Thomas M. Welles, Company F 6th United States cavalry; Sergeant James Homer; Corporal E. Lesbe, 5th United States cavalry, arm, severe; Sergeant J Miller, sixth United States, J Davidson, first Michigan; Maj. Duggin, first Michigan; William Sherbourn, 20th Pennsylvania; D. Duggin, first Michigan; George Nash, Corporal George Derrick; Sergeant Robert Rordan 6th New York: Corporal George B. Lott, 20th Pennsylvania
EA Paul
New York Times
April 4, 1865
Page 1:4
John Leonard, company F, 6th United States cavalry, left side flesh
James M. Glossware, Company A, 6th United States cavalry, hip,;
John Thompson, Company M, 6th United States cavalry;
Patrick Gorman, company F, 6th United States cavalry
; Sergeant Thomas M. Welles, Company F 6th United States cavalry;
Henry M Feelan, first United States cavalry
Sergeant James Homer
Sergeant R. Harris, 5th United States cavalry;
J. B. Morrill, Company E, fifth United States cavalry;
John Mooney, Company M, seventh Michigan;
Sergeant J.L. Callek, seventh Michigan, foot;
John Mooney, Company M, seventh Michigan;
Sergeant J.L. Callek, seventh Michigan, foot;
Sergeant Marsh, first Michigan, killed; Sergeant R. Harris
J Davidson, first Michigan;
Maj. Duggin, first Michigan;
D. Duggin, first Michigan
George Nash,
Corporal George Derrick;
Sergeant Robert Rordan 6th New York
B. Lott, 20th Pennsylvania
William Sherbourn, 20th Pennsylvania
Reserve Brigade
1st US Cavalry – 0 k 1 w
5th US Cavalry – 0 k 4 w
6th US Cavalry - 0 k 6 w
Total: 0 k 11 w = 11
Stagg’s Michigan Brigade
1st Michigan 1 k 0 w
7th Michigan 0 k 2 w
Fitzhugh’s brigade’
6th New York Cavalry - 0 3 w = 3
20th Pennylvania Cavalry – 0 k 2 w = 2
Grand total = 22