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a commanding position, named respectively Fort Gregg and Fort Whitworth.
The general decided that these should be stormed, and about one o'clock three of
Ord's brigades swept down upon Fort Gregg.
The garrison of 300 men, commanded by
Lieutenant-colonel J. H. Duncan, with two rifled cannon, made a desperate defense, and a gallant contest took place.
For half an hour after our men had gained the parapet a bloody hand-to-hand struggle continued, but nothing could stand against the onslaught of
Ord's troops, flushed with their morning's victory.
By half-past 2 57 of the brave garrison lay dead, and the rest had surrendered.
Fort Whitworth was abandoned, but the guns of Fort Gregg were opened upon the garrison as they marched out, and the commander,
Colonel Joseph M. Jayne, and 60 men surrendered.
About this time Miles struck a force of the enemy at Sutherland's Station, on
Lee's extreme right, and captured two pieces of artillery and nearly 1000 prisoners. At 4: 40 the general, who had been keeping
Mr. Lincoln fully advised of the history that was so rapidly being made that day, sent him a telegram inviting him to come out the next day and pay him a visit.
A prompt reply was received from the
President, saying: “Allow me to tender you, and all with you, the nation's grateful thanks for the additional and magnificent success.
At your kind suggestion, I think I will meet you to-morrow.”
Prominent officers now urged the general to make an assault on the inner lines, and capture
Petersburg that afternoon; but he was firm in his resolve not to sacrifice the lives necessary to accomplish such a result.
He said the city would undoubtedly be evacuated during the night, and he would dispose the troops for a parallel march westward, and try to head off the escaping army.
And thus ended this eventful Sunday.
Chapter 29
The general was up at daylight the next morning, and the first report brought in was that
Parke had gone through the lines at 4 A. M., capturing a few skirmishers, and that the city had surrendered at 4: 28 to
Colonel Ralph Ely.
A second communication surrendering the place was sent in to
Wright.
General Grant's prediction had been fully verified.
The evacuation had begun about ten the night before, and was completed on the morning of the 3d.
Between 5 and 6 A. M. the general had a conference with
Meade, and orders were given to push westward with all haste.
About 9 A. M. the general rode into
Petersburg.
Many of the citizens, panic-stricken, had escaped with the army.
Most of the whites who remained stayed indoors; a few groups of negroes gave cheers, but the scene generally was one of complete desertion.
Grant rode along quietly until he came to a comfortable-looking brick house with a yard in front, No. 21 Market street, the residence of
Mr. Thomas Wallace, and here he and the staff dismounted
