[337]
Cheering the victors of Petersburg, April 3d Here, on the gabioned parapet of “Fort Hell” (Sedgwick), the garrison left behind, with shouts and waving of hats and firing of muskets, are signalling their enthusiasm at the success of their comrades, who now hold the works of the old antagonist, “Fort Damnation,” across the way. Such scenes were enacted all along the lines on the 3d, when the victory became assured. The long siege of nearly a year was over and the men knew that its consequences were momentous. If there were to be more fighting it would be against a retreating army, without any of the weary waiting in cramped fortifications. The army was soon to be on the move; Lee was already evacuating Petersburg. |