Rebellion Record: a Diary of American Events: Documents and Narratives, Volume 11.
Frank Moore, Ed.

The fourth assault was made with such overwhelming numbers that our forces found it impossible to resist the pressure, and were compelled to give way. The enemy now poured over the works in streams, captured three of our pieces, and turning the guns on our men, opened upon them an enfilading fire which caused them to leave precipitately. The guns captured belonged to Sturdivant's battery, and we regret to hear that Captain S. himself was captured, and two of his lieutenants were wounded and fell into the enemy's hands. The gallant manner in which the battery was fought, up to the last moment, is the theme of praise on every tongue. All present, with whom we have conversed, say that Captain S. and his men stood up manfully to their work, and the last discharge was made by Captain S. almost solitary and alone.

The city was filled with rumors last night regarding the killed and wounded. But as we could get nothing authentic regarding names, we fear to give them. It is generally conceded that Captain Sturdivant was captured, and also Major Batte, of the Petersburg city battalion. The position gained by the enemy is a most important one. Our generals are fully aware of this, and we shall undoubtedly have hot work to-day.

Officers in the field yesterday, estimate the number of the enemy actually seen fronting different portions of our lines at from ten to twelve thousand. It is believed that this is only the column, and that Grant has nearly his entire army on this side of the river. Thirty odd transports ascended the James river with troops yesterday.

Twenty three prisoners brought in last night, belonging to the One Hundred and Forty-eighth New York regiment, all concur in the statement that Baldy Smith's entire army corps (the Eighteenth), is on this side of the river. Again, other prisoners taken yesterday morning, state that they belong to Burnside's corps.