From the Philadephia Inquirer April 3, 1865 page 1

om Our Own a Correspondents
via Washington by telegraph

special correspondence of the inquirer

Headquarters Army of the Potomac
Friday, March 31 10 PM 1865

In general results this day foots up a grand success. There has been no heavy fighting on the right whatsoever. There may have been some on the left; no rapid advance. There is no brilliant general action. Still there has been a grand success everywhere. There has been a gradual advance of our lines everywhere. There are some symptoms of decreased strengths in the enemy everywhere, and some evidence of the utter collapse of the rebellion.

Brilliant Achievements of Gibbon’s Corps

The 24th Corps has done most of the fighting today. The right, under General Gibbon, crossing hatchers run and last evening, advanced up the run to perfect its communication with the Second Corps. That being done the further advance of the latter this morning necessitated a corresponding movement on the part of the 24th. In so advancing it fell upon the rebel works defending the Boydton road.

The outer line of entrenched rifle pits was gallantly carried by Turner’s division, after a sharp action of some two hours duration, in which the losses of that Corps amounted to some 125 wounded and about 20 killed. They captured 150 prisoners, and killed and winded as many more, making the loss of the Revels about 300, or double our own. The capture of the entrenched rifle pits included also two redoubts, mounting four guns. The whole affair was decidedly brilliant fighting and reflects great credit upon the officers and men engaged.

Part of the 25th Corps in action

One division of the 25th Corps under General William Birney, was also engaged and behaved well.

The Second Corps Marching on

The Second Corps has been leisurely walking into the vitals of the rebellion all day. The second division, under general Hayes, is still on the right of the corps, and has been steadily pushing forward its skirmishers, and the rebels have as steadily retired before them.

Reported capture of a Rebel fort

The third division, under General Mott, have kept pace with them, and late this evening it is reported that General Mott has captured a fort with 180 prisoners.

Prisoners Taken

Prisoners have certainly been taken, for they are already on their way to Sandy point, but it is too late tonight to obtain authentic details.

The Event of the Day

General Miles on the left of the Corps, is accessible to the Boydton plank Road, his line of battle crossing at Wilson‘s place, 1 mile south of Burgess Mills, and 7 miles south of Petersburg. That is the great fact of the day, so far as the right is concerned. The Boydton road rebels have a long flight for it with an intensity that shows how important they considered it, as they (column two ends) were defended by an elaborate system of works but these General Grant has rendered useless by his skillful movements, and has succeeded in flanking them. When we cross the Boyden Road, the country is open and level on our side, and Woodard and hilly on that side still held by the rebels.

A Heavy Artillery Force

We have in position on that part of our line the 10th Massachusetts battery, Captain Adams,; Battery B, 1st New Jersey; 1st New Hampshire battery, Captain Dakin; Battery K, 1st United States, Captain Rhodes; battery B, First Rhode Island, Major Brown.

Progress Through the Sacred Soil

That these batteries were enabled to get through the awful sea of mud in their rear is largely due to lieutenant Colonel J. G. Hazard, commanding the artillery brigade of the Second army Corps whose energy and pluck surmounted apparently insurmountable obstacles. The officers and men of the batteries themselves, in their eagerness for the fray, worked like Trojans, and at last had the satisfaction of getting within range of our war aquatic “warring brethren, “and sending them there their iron compliments.

Permanency of Our Advanced Position

The position we have acquired on the Boydton road is lasting, durable, and forever. There is no power in the rebellion to dislodge us. General Humphries has established the headquarters of the Second Corps tonight at the Rainey house, is a few hundred yards from the Boydton Road, on a cross road running from it to the military Road.

A Melancholy Accident

Several shells have passed through the house during the day, one of them killing Captain Mills, of General Humphrey’s staff, and valuable officer, whose death is an almost irreparable loss.

Gallant conduct of General Humphries

General Humpheys, is winning laurels as commander of the Second Corps, always at the point of danger, skillful, energetics and decisive, he is held as a model core commander.

Grant Still in the Advance

General Grant has removed his headquarters to Dabney Mills today. Our grand chieftain has been riding his hither and thither during the whole day, up and down the lines, seeing for himself the exact position. He looked cheerful, as if things were going well, and as if he were not disappointed thus far.

Meade’s Headquarters
General Meade has also removed the headquarters of the army of the Potomac to the vicinity of Dabney Mills.

The Formation of Our Line

This location of headquarters will give some idea of our line. It faces northeast and towards Petersburg, instead of away from it. It has been shortened somewhat, which is another good sign, and shows that our generals are succeeding in their plans.

“Cavalry Sheridan” at Work

General Sheridan was apparently engaged late this p.m., cannonading far to the left being heard for an hour or more. Whether he has yet obtained permanent lodging upon the south side railroad or not has not been heard, but it is more than possible. Some of his wounded from yesterday’s skirmishing are in the second division hospital.

The Federal Losses

Our losses during the day have been slight, but as infantry operations are in these days of stupendous battles only have a skirmishing, we have engaged escaped columns of casualties. We must, if there is any fight left in the rebellion, fight another battle, or if not the fate of Petersburg at least be sealed by our newest operations. The town whose spires we have looked at we have looked for so many months will be ours in less than as many days.

E. Crapsey