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

Major-General Parke's attack at four A. M. was also successful, carrying the enemy's lines, capturing guns and prisoners, but the position of the Ninth corps, confronting that portion of the enemy's line, the longest held and most strongly fortified, it was found he held a second and inner line, which Major-General Parke was unable to carry. Receiving a despatch during the morning from Major-General Parke, reporting his being pressed by the enemy, the troops left in City Point defences, under Brigadier-General Benham and Brevet Brigadier-General Collis, were ordered up to General Parke's support; their prompt arrival enabling them to render material assistance to General Parke in holding his lines.

So soon as Major-General Wright's success was reported, Major-General Humphreys was ordered to advance with the remaining divisions of his corps; Hays, on the right, advanced and captured a redoubt in front of the Crow house, taking a gun and over one hundred prisoners. Mott, on the left, on advancing on the Boydton plank-road, found the enemy's line evacuated. Hays and Mott pushed forward and joined the Sixth corps confronting the enemy. Early in the morning Miles, reporting his return to his position on the White Oak road, was ordered to advance on the Claiborne road simultaneously with Mott and Hays. Miles, perceiving the enemy were moving to his right, pursued and overtook him at Sutherland's station, where a sharp engagement took place, Miles handling his single division with great skill and gallantry, capturing several guns and many prisoners. On receiving intelligence of Miles being engaged, Hays was sent to his support, but did not reach the field till the action was over.

At three A. M. of the second of April, Major-Generals Parke and Wright reported no enemy in their front, when, on advancing, it was ascertained Petersburg was evacuated.

Wilcox's division, Ninth corps, was ordered to occupy the town, and the Second, Sixth, and Ninth corps immediately moved up the river, reaching that night the vicinity of Sutherland's station.

The next three days, the third, fourth, and fifth, the pursuit was continued along the river and Namozine roads — the Fifth corps following the cavalry, and the Second and Sixth following the Fifth; the Ninth having been detached to guard the Southside railroad. The progress of the troops was greatly impeded by the bad character of the roads, the presence of the supply-trains of the Fifth corps and cavalry, and by the frequent changes of position of the cavalry, to whom the right of way was given. On the night of the fourth, receiving a despatch from Major-General Sheridan that his army was in position at Amelia Court-house, immediate orders were given for the resumption of the march by the troops of the Second and Sixth corps, reaching Jetersville between four and five P. M., where the Fifth corps was found intrenched expecting an attack. No attack being made, on the morning of the sixth of April the three corps were moved in the direction of Amelia Court-house, with the intention of at tacking the enemy, if found there; but soon after moving, intelligence was received that Lee had moved from Amelia Court-house toward Farmville.The direction of the corps was changed, and the six corps moved from the right to the left. The Second corps was ordered to move on Deatonsville, and the Fifth and Sixth corps to move in parallel directions on the right and left respectively.

The Second corps soon came up with the enemy, and commenced a rear-guard fight, which continued all day till evening, when the enemy was so crowded, in attempting to cross Sailor's creek, that he had to abandon a large train. Guns, colors, and prisoners were taken in these successful operations of the Second corps.

The Sixth corps, on the left of the Second, came up with the enemy posted on Sailor's creek.Major-General Wright attacked with two divisions, and completely routed the enemy. In this attack the cavalry, under Major-General Sheridan was operating on the left of the Sixth corps, while Humphreys was pressing on the right. The result of the combined operations was the capture of Lieutenant-General Ewell and four other general officers, with most of Ewell's corps.

The next day, the seventh of April, the Fifth corps was moved to the left toward Prince Edward's Court-house. The Second corps resumed the direct pursuit of the enemy, coming up with him at High bridge over the Appomattox. Here the enemy made a feeble stand with his rearguard, attempting to burn the railroad and common bridge. Being driven off by Humphreys, he succeeded in burning three spans of the railroad bridge, but the common bridge was saved, which Humphreys immediately crossed in pursuit, the enemy abandoning eighteen guns at this point. Humphreys came up with the enemy at the intersection of the High bridge and Farmville roads, where he was found intrenched behind rail breastworks, evidently making a stand to cover the withdrawal of his trains. Before reaching this point Humphreys had detached Barlow's division to the left toward Farmville. Near Farmville Barlow found the enemy, who was about evacuating the place, which operation was hastened by a successful attack of Barlow's.

When Humphreys ascertained the position of the enemy, Barlow was recalled, but did not reach Humphreys till evening, and after an unsuccessful assault had been made by part of Miles' division.

The Sixth corps moved early in the morning toward Farmville, but finding the road occupied,