Journal and confederate. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1865-1865, April 24, 1865, Image 2
The Late Battle near Pe-|
tersburg.
The last decisive struggle for. Richmond and
Petersburg begun on Wednesday night. the
29th of March. Wt-eopy from the .Petersburg
Express the following thrilling account
of that memorable night:
Last night, at nine minutes'past 10 o'clock,
the enemy opened on our extreme left, near
the Appomattox with a fearful artillery fire,
while a simultaneous movement was made on
the part of their infantry, the men charging up
to otir breastworks in great masses.
Our men, under the gallant Gordon, were
wide awake, and received the charge with n
coolness and precision," which caused the assailants
to recoil with evident dismay and con -1
stemation.
The night was intensely dark, it being iin- |
possible to see a man at a distance of more j
than I went}' paces, and we cannot speak posi-1
lively of the enemy's losses, hut they must I
have beeti immense. Tlnv cum-? in swarms. |
supposed to he several lines of buttle deep, j
and as in no instance did they even e-et through j
our obstructions, the irresistible inference is j
that the slaughter was fearful. Our loss, we I
are pleased to h-ar was oompariti vely small.' j
We witnessed the scene from the brow of I
llollitur's Hill, and never saw one mote fear-1
fully grand. l>om the river around lo the j
"\Vilc?x House, for a distarce of three miles, !
the horizon was illuminated until bursting |
bombs and exploding shell, w'uilo the line of i
battle was most (dearly defined by th.> sheet ol'i
flame, which literally Mazed without cessation j
from the im.zzle of out small arms.
-Tl.o ..toirn e.iuimtinitv was amused be the '
<lcat?-ninjr r??:ir ofailillerv and iiicus?auUro!l of j
musketry, wiiir'i shook every dwelling from !
roof to basement, am! caused th: inmates t > J
shckfi witli agitation and alarm * .
The enemy evidently expected to sn rprire j
our troops, l>ut (ien'l Gordon's hoys never -m op 1
when danger is near, ami extended to . tlie a>*j
sailants a reception which we t: ink ii. probable !
they will never forget. Oen'l Cordon's im-ito
is ''eternal vigiiance is t!ic price of liberty." i
The gallantny of our men was displayed in ;
a most gratifying niaimer, and tlieir conduct;
. i^the theme of universal praise. The artillery j
fire on our side was magnificent, and v'nui*!
ing's and UradforJ batteries in Chesterfield, i
were emincntlv conspicuous for rapid am! ?e-!
vtira'e firing from the elevation w?; occupied.!
U is a fact especially deserving of m ntioti, j
that during the entire fight,' which lasted two j
hours, not a man was.observed coming to the '
rear.
Thcksdat, Ons O'clock, A .'.I ?We have-!
j4iou ov^ii an vjiiv>i;i n vni ?4iv* m-m. ji\ -*? * the
enemy charged up to out Chovaux de-fris,
within ten paces of the muzzles ?>t' our guns
and vere literally mowed down.?The slauuh
ter is kno.wn to have been vety great, .but
morning wiil alone reveal it> extent. Our loss1
is unprecedented!}' small.'
ADDITIONAL PA KTJCL' LA US.
A letter from Petersburg, dated 2 o'clock |
this morning, furnishes the annexed particulars
: *,
"I have just Returned from Hlamlford. 1
never witnessed .a grander sight. From the
rivar to the Wilcox House, the lin*' of battle
raged and roared for two hours, with a fierceness
which, to a noncombataut, was truly ter- v
rific.
The enoinv charged in several lines of battle,
coming, in some of their assaults, up to our obstructions
at the foot of the breastworks, ami
our boy8 literally uiowed them down.
The lus-es on the part of the enemy must
have no doubt been fearful, but it is impossible
to see what has been done. Daylight will
probably reveal a fearful scene of carnage and
blood.
?
The Progress of the War.
The Chester Carolinian furnishes us with
the following reported facts, as said to be furnished
by an officer of Gordon's corps :
On Saturday April Sth Gen. Longstreet's
corps in the rear and Gordou's in front, the
cn.emy worked their way along our flanks, and
uur roar was but little annoyed; at night some
' i
\' ^
?
Bawwaaac?cauMWiitfT win wmf
* "*** # " " * V
of their cavalry found f!i--ir way to tiie front,
and captured a huge imurlht of our wagons s
and a purliou of our. artillery at Appomattox
C. H.
Tlio next day, oiir aru.y reached this place,
on the road to Lynchburg. Gen. Thomas,
with his army, had arrived before us and effected
a junction with Grant; cavalry, infantry
and artillery completely surrounded our little
command. Wc had from live to eight thousand
prisoners, and oul?/ eight thousand effective
lighting mru, with muskets, ."11 told. The
supply of ammunition was nearly exhausted.? |
In ibis emergency, Gen. Lee determined, if 1
possible, to cut his way through, and if ho !
could do no more, save at least the remnant of j
his army. Orders were issued for a grand i
cbat-?fe, and or.r troops wore massed accord* I
iu<rly. !
(den. (irinu's' division led the charge, follow-cil
successively by two others. The (ingngo
tn.-ut commenced shortly after sunrise and ,
was continued enthusiastically until our ntcn
bad broken through (lie i'Vdeir.l lines, driven
(Item for nearly a mile and a ball', and eajuurud
several pieces of- artillery, besides some
hundreds of prisoners. The oid spirit of fight
was unsubdued. Meanwhile, a heavy force of
cavalry threat efflcd ourJlanks. For some cause
not stated, (Hen. Lee issued orders to the troops
to cense bring and "withdraw. ,
Subset]riently, an officer >aid to be flencral ;
Cuslar, oi the Yankee Cavalry?entered our'
lines, bearing a ftu<j{ of truce. Whether bis i
appearance was i^i response to a request from
I r... ,M. I,w 51 ^ ill.. In.lino- llf 51 fill'lll'll fill
niiirnl In,- surrender, i nil in t?*u hv Gun.' Grant,
we ;iiv not informed* At tliis lime, our annv
w^sftin lintt of Baltic 0!i or near the Appomattox
Koatl, the skirmishers thrown out, while ?
two hiiiidred and lift}' yards in front of those,
mi ai\Jiiinviice, was a laiuo body .of rede ml |
' ;ivulry. The coup Audi li desejitjeji as nin?nifl.iciit.
1 . . / . *
boon alter 1 lie return of Gen. {>star to hi.-,
lines, hen. Grant, ticcoinpiiiiii-il by. his stiff.,
iode to the heailquarti'is id'Gen. J.ee,s winch
were under an apple tree, near the road. The
interview is dcseiHied as ' xemlintgly iinprrs- j
sive. After the salutatory formalities, uhioli j
doubtless -Were hrit f ami linsioes?like, Gen. i
J.te tendered his sw'oid in -Grant in token, of,
.surrender, Tim? o'llii-cr, !i?wyvi:r. deelined to '
r-rtivu it, or icoeivitig, iJn;l!f.'d to rirtain it,.
ami aeoompanud its return w 1) substantially I
tin' fo.lowiug remark: "('Jui. Lee, keep that,
sword. Vuu have won ir by your gallantry.?
Von SiaVft not hcen whipped. but overpowered,
and i cannot receive it :i? a token of surrender i
frnin so brave a man." .Such is the report of,
the conversation made U? us. The reply of j
<tcii. Lee we do not know, ljnth tlranc and .
himself arc said to have been deeply affected
by tiie solemnity of l!ie occasion, and' to have .
shed tears. This see mi occurred between 10;
and 11 o'clock a in. ;
When the sad event became known to the
army, officers and men pave way to their ciuo-'.
tiuns, and some among liie veterans wept like ,
children. A considerable nuwfjer swore that |
the) never woulU surrender,ana made tncir way i
to tiie woods. Generals Gary, of this Slate, and i
liosser, of Virginia, with a few followers, cut j
their way out and escaped. Gut the bulk of j
the army was obliged to accept the protiered j
terms.
The } were?capitulation with all the honors |
of war, officers to retain flu ir side arms and per- ;
soual property, aud the uien their baggage.? i
Each one was thereupon paroled, and allowed j
t<3 go his way.
The fo'cejof the Yankee army is estimated at
20u,00'J men. Our owu at the time of surrender
embraced not more than effective ine
. ?J onn 1_..' : !.?? ,i.?
iHiiiry anu z,uw unvairy, i>ut it i? cam m?i, me
total number paroled was about lio,000 men of
all arms and conditions.
During Sunday and Monday, a large number
of Federal soldiers and officers visited our camps,
and looked curiously on our commands, but
there was nothing like exultation, no shouting
for joy, and-no word uttered that could add to
the mortification already sustained. On tlie
contrary, every symptom of respect was manifested,
and the Southern army was praised for
the' brave and uoble manner in which it had
defended our cause. i"
?A
N.
*
All the Federals spoke of Gen. Lee in terms
of unbounded praise. The remark was fro- '
qucntly made, "lie would receive as many
cheers in going down our lines as Gen. Grant
himself." ^
It js understood that Gens. Leo and Lo?,gstreet,
and other officers, arc now on parole in
the city of iiichuiond.
General Lee's Address
TOIIBSARi?iY O.I Sl ltniABJUttXi
Headquarters, Armt N. Va.,
1 April lOth, 18G5.
General Orders, No. 9.
Alter four years arduous service, marked by
unsurpassed courage ajid fortitude, the Army
ot northern Airgwm has boon compelled to
yield to overwhelming numbers and resources.
I need not tell the survivors of many hard
i'nlight battles, who have remained steadfast to
the last, that I have consented to this result
from no distrust ,of them. But feeling that
valor and devotion could accomplish nothiug
that could compfor the loss that, would
have attended the continuance of tli6 eont'St.
1 determined to avoid the useless sacrifice of
these whose past services have endeared tlietn
to their countrymen.
By terms of agreement,-officer's and men can
return to tbci* homes and remain until exchanged.
Vmi will take with you the satisfaction that
proceeds from a consciousness of duty faithfully
performed, and earnestly pray that a merciful
(!od will extend to you his blessing nud 1
protection.
With an unceasing admiration of your constancy
and devotion to your country, and a
gpatet'nl remembrance of your kind and getier
t e !* ? !? a*
>i!< cougjueranoii 01 inysen, i uu you an anoctioiiutu
farewell. *.
, fZ' It- E. Lee, General.
1 w /
? *?- - ?
Gen.-. Grant's Order.
Hbadquauteks Ahmif. of the U. S., I
In the Field, April 10, 1S65. j
Si'ec'ial (Jf'.DKlt.
All officers and men of the Confederate service,
paroled at Appomattox C. II.v Va., who,
to%each their homes, are compelled to pass
lltrui&h thy iinos of t!:e Union armies, will be
allowed to do so, and to pass free on all Government
transports and military railroads
.By command of Lieut. Gen. Grant.
v < pcl-m, a a a
-
Gen. Jos. E. Johnston's Order
for an Armistice.
* HEADQUARTERS DIST. OF S Cm
Columbia, April 20, 1SG5.
To the officer t-ommaciiing IJ. S. forces ou the Wnteree
lliver, S. C.
Sir?The following order issued by Gen. Jos. E.
.folinslou. Coufederate States Aran*, wms this day received
at these head quarters, and is cenununica ed to
von for vour information:
*.
General Order No. 14.
It is announced to the army that a suspension of
arms lias bcon agreed upon, pending negotiations betivocn
ilia tAvn firiverriBients. Dtlrini? its ooutiniinncn
ill* two armies arc to occupy their present positions.
1!)" eonimaud of GEN. JOHNSTON.
AnciiEE Anderson*, Lt. Col. ,fc A. A. G.
] aui fiirlliertnoro instructed by Gen. G. T. Boaurearanl,
that it was agreed bolween Gens. Johnston and
Sherman that forty-eight hours notice of tlio resumption
of hostilities should be given by the contending
parties. *
I am respectfully, your obt. servant,
M.LOYELL,
Maj Gon. Cora. Dist. S, C.
.fr, # ?
From Columbus.
Augusta, April 17.?The Yankees assault
cd Colunidns at noon Sunday,'16th instant,
and skirmishing with our forces through the
streets. At sun-set they occupied the city.
Their command is supposed to number four
thousand. They advanced from the Montgomery
and West Point railroad. Private
property was respected at Montgomery, but
all cotton, government and manufacturing establishments,
railroads antj boats were dc>
stroyed.
V ?
?? i i i n??ii n m ii??r??rmm*
Northern News.
Macon, Apri' 7.?The Nashville Union of '%
tlie 8th has been received. It'contains a despatch
from the Yankee general Sheridan, dated
the 6th, stating that the Confederates
made a stand at Bnrkville Junction. He attacked
them, capturing Generals Castas, Lee,
Ewel, Kershaw, Barton, C?rse# ami Debarry,
with several thousand prisoners. ; f
The New York Herald of the 7th has infor-v* -'
niation from Richmond that President Lin.
j *? V '
coin was there, and is actively engaged-in- the Vbusiness
of peace.; that on the 4tn lie had a \
private conference with Jndve Campbell, who,' - >
with the advice and consent of President Da- . '}i
vis, had remained in the city to sce-what could
? ? T. .1 1.1 al.i- __.il
ue none. it waii unaorsioou mat aneinec interview
was appointed for the 5th, when Gen.
Weitwl and other prominent Federal officers
and prominent Confederate leaders were to be
preset. The Northern press repprt does not
statC'who the prominent Confederate leadjere.
were. , , .
m ^ '??
It is currently rumored that Stoncraan and
his raiders were iu the vicinity of Lincointnn
last, night. The rumor has not been confirmed.
. Special Notices.
Will Stand for the Season,
A FINE ClirSNUT STALLION, AT HOBKIRK
HILL, at one.hundi^l dollars or iis eqtnyolent in
provisions. He is ont,of a thoroughbred mare, by. a
Morgan horse, nndyides and dr.nvs admirably. Xo
1IIUIV3 III UUPVIKU UUU1 IUO IIJVJJJUJ JO |Him.
Groom fees, $5. % .
April??12 JOHN CANTKY,. "' 'J
WANTED, f
pY MRS. BOBT. B. CHAPMAN, A WELL RE,
.O commended unrse. for a cliilil 18 months old!.
Apply ot Mrs. Connors, tTobkirk Hill, KiikwoocL c
tipril 2-t
NOTICE TO THE LADIES j
SU.1IMER DRESSES FOR
A FEW SUMMER DRESSES MAY BE HAD BY
Ji\ APPLYING SOON TO C'/.
J. SOMMERS, " ' -
next door to Dr. Zemp'a stofe. V
April 5
: ? ...
Kirkwood Flour and Grist
Mill. . '"IK
rnTit1 Al'.nvR mtt.t. ttRrvrn 7mjtemr?n to ,ei?
| , a -i *- uukpuxil/ jfj
I now prepared 10 grind Corn, Wheat, Rice and. - v
five. ' ! "
* - B. P. COLRURN. >;3?5
March 3] -. . fr
Certificates LostT?ROM
THE TRUNK OF THE SUBSCRIBER^
a? which was rified by the enemy, about 16 miles
from Caniden while in the care ol friends?five. cefr '
tificates numbered. 91, 02, 92, 94, 95 of stock in the V ^
Charleston Importing uml Exporting Company. Per-. rjjj
sons are cautioned against trading for them, as. ap
plication will be nnulo at the proper time for their renewal.
H. M. STUART. Sr.March
31
Uotice- " "::#i
TT1TC ntTT r. T3V TJDl'OC WT\ A Vfrv att a att t t
?i ijji.4 jjtj x uuijuoy xiiiu iJUJJlJl- r '
XX NERY Work done on application to " '
MRS. L. HAMMER3L0UGH, 41%
opposito the Market, at the burnt buildings. \
April 7 .2
? . p
Notice to Town TaxPayers- Si
r I MIE BOOKS FOR THE COLLECTION 0E THE v" ^
X Town taxes for 1804. ore now ope.ied at the- - yh
commissioner's otfice in the Court House. ' .*
It is enjoined on all inte:ested to. come- forward.
promptly, as the books will 8e closed in a qhort time, " ' '
and all defaulters doubly taxed. . - c>
J?D. DUN-LAP,
March 31 . 5 Collector. . ^
To Bonded Agriculturists. :.i
I AM NOW PREPARED TO RECEIVE EROM
Bonded men, their quota of beef aud bacon duo the;' .'
Government, and would urge upon them the necessity ,
of bringing in the same as speedily as possible, as well
as tliat portion of their surplus, to which the "Govera- "
mentis entitled. W. C. COURTNEY, ' ' -.v *;
April7?3 Agent. . '-.{J
LOSt'
LO?T ON MAIN STREET ON/WEDNESDAY- ' ^
morning, a dotted black Lace Veil. A liberal re-, .- ' i
ward will be paid lor same if left at Mr. CouRT.VEir'g.' . Z
April 7 . ; - tf'
4 * - t
>