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adjacent batteries.
But the three ‘redoubts’ were found to be only some old open lines at commanding points now unoccupied.
Federal infantry presently came in force and killed or captured all of the three columns sent under a misapprehension very likely to occur where earthworks have to be guessed at from imperfect observation.
Field's division, which had been ordered over by rail from the north side, was delayed by the breaking down of the train.
The column which had taken
Fort Stedman was caught like rats in a trap.
Humphreys writes: —
‘The cross-fire of artillery and infantry on the space between the lines prevented the enemy from escaping and reenforcements from coming to them.
Many were killed and wounded trying to get back to their own lines; 1949 prisoners, including 71 officers and 9 stand of colors, fell into Gen. Parke's hands.
His loss was 494 killed and wounded, and 523 missing, a total of 1017.’
While this fighting was going on, the other Federal corps were ordered to feel the lines in their fronts, it being hoped they might find some weak spots from which men had been drawn for
Gordon's attack.
Much sharp fighting resulted at many points, the total casualties for the day reaching 2000 for the
Federals and 4000 for the
Confederates.
These attacks, however, everywhere failed entirely of their purpose except at a single point, on the lines of the 6th corps, about nine miles to our right from the point of
Gordon's attack.
Here, opposite a fort called
Fort Fisher, our abattis had been weakened to get in fire wood from the front, and here the enemy were able to make a lodgment within our intrenched picket-line.
When
Grant's general assault was made at 4 A. M., April 2, this was the spot, and the only one, where at first it was successful.
Humphreys states that it was—
‘through openings made by the enemy for his convenience of access to the front, Gen. Wright told me that this was the weakest part of all the line he saw, and the only point where it could have been carried.
His loss in killed and wounded was 1100, all of which occurred in the space of 15 minutes.’
Apprehensive now that
Lee might abandon
Petersburg and
Richmond at any moment,
Grant determined to delay no longer,
