Carson.] ^'± [Dea. o, 



vere action took place, which resulted in the extension of the Federal en- 

 trenchments to the left as far as Hatcher's run at the Vaughn Road cross- 

 ing. Humphrej's was on the extreme left, with the Fifth Corps massed in 

 support. On March 25th, Lee made his desperate attack upon Fort Sted- 

 man, a blow aimed at the Union base of supplies at City Point, which, 

 though well conceived and g illautly executed, was frustrated by the good 

 conduct of Gen. Hartranft. On the same day Humphreys and Wright, 

 availing themselves of the opportunity thus ofiered, attacked Lee upon their 

 respective fronts, and accomplished most valuable results, Avhich contrib- 

 uted to the success of Wright's assault on the morning of the 2d of April, 

 by which the enemy's entrenchments were carried, and Lee forced to 

 abandon his lines. On the 30th, Sheridan had his fight at Dinwiddle 

 Court House, and on this day when Warren met with temporary disaster, 

 while advancing to cut Lee's communication with his extreme right, 

 Humphreys suddenly launched his first division under Miles against the 

 successful Confederates, striking their front and flank, "withering their 

 triumph," driving them back, capturing three hundred prisoners, and 

 advanced to tlie AVhite Oak road, the first time that this important thor- 

 oughfare had been reached by our troops. On the 1st and 2d of April, the 

 Second Corps carried the works in their front, and Miles again won lau- 

 rels at Sutherland Station, 



On the evening of April 2d, Lee began his retreat. Early on the morn- 

 ing of the 8d, Petersburgh was occupied by General Willcox, and at 8 a. m. 

 Richmond fell, and the great pursuit began ; the cavalry, under Sheridan, 

 supported by the Fifth Corps under Warren, leading the advance, while 

 the Second Corps followed, rapidly building bridges and repairing roads. 

 Sheridan, with Crook's Division and the Fifth Corps, arrived, at about 

 4 p. M., at Jetersville, and entrenched there, so as to dispute Lee's attempt 

 to join Johnston. On the morning of the 4lh, Lee was at Amelia Court 

 House, but instead of attempting to break his way through Sheridan's 

 lines, dallied there to bring up his baggage. The delay was fatal. On 

 the 5th, the Second Corps reached Jetersville, followed by the Sixth. In 

 the evening, Lee finding the forces in his front top strong to be attacked, 

 turned north, and pushed towards Farmville in search of supplies. Early 

 on the 6th, the Army of the Potomac moved out, " like the ribs of a fan," 

 from Jetersville, in the direction of Amelia Court House, where they 

 expected to meet the Army of Northern Virginia in battle array. But, 

 instead of awaiting them there, Lee had nearly slipped by their front 

 westward. While Sheridan and his immortal cavalry, supported by the 

 Fifth Corps, were dealing with the advance bodies of Lee's army, Hum- 

 phreys was fighting and driving the compact and well-organized forces 

 that remained, hanging persistently upon their flank and inflicting wounds 

 from which, as has been said, "Lee bled to death." The conspicuous 

 service rendered by Humphreys was in retarding and crippling the retreat 

 of the main body, thus rendering it possible for the cavalry to head ofT 

 the advance. On the Cth, at 8 a.m., Humphreys caught up with the 



