364 
MIKUTES OF PROCEEDINGS OF 
of Petersburg, and thence generally south-west, with the object of eventually 
arriving at the Plank-road and the railroad, running into Petersburg from the 
south-west and west, which constituted, since the partial destruction of the 
Bichmond canal by Sheridan, the principal channel of supply for the con¬ 
federate position and capital. Fortification was continued round the flanks 
and rear of the federal position, and united it very securely to the James 
river running through its middle, and constituting its base of supply. 
The confederate lines were, in general terms, equal and opposite to the 
federal, though perhaps of slightly stronger profile; they had the advantage, 
being interior, of somewhat shorter lines of communication, but it was almost 
neutralized by a railroad constructed by the federals along most of their 
position. Begular siege approaches directed from several places against the 
confederate lines had been brought to a stand-still; and beyond the right of 
the lines an active force of undetermined strength had, from time to time, 
checked any direct efforts of the federals to extend their left. 
The plan of campaign laid down for the federals was simply to extend 
their existing front, until the confederates should either be unable to cor¬ 
respond and thereby continue to cover their channels of supply, or be liable, 
from being too much extended, to be easily broken in the centre. The con¬ 
federates appear to have resisted this extension with all the means at their 
command, but to have been finally stretched beyond endurance, and thus 
utterly broken. 
On the night of the 27th March, General Orde was withdrawn with one of 
his corps from the extreme federal right, and. moved, out of sight of the 
enemy, to the rear of the left, ready on the afternoon of the 28th to take up 
the defence of that part of the lines about to be vacated by the 2nd and 
5th corps. 
Long before dawn on the 29th, the 5th corps marched out towards the 
left rear of the position, having on its left the whole of the cavalry much 
extended, thus covering the left of the principal movement which was 
designed to be more directly towards the original left. Slightly connected 
with the 5th, the 2nd corps marched about dawn in the last-named principal 
direction, having in front one of its brigades in skirmishing order, its 
remaining 8 brigades following in one long column along a narrow road, and 
forming line of battle to their right in succession as they arrived on uncovered 
ground. 
The right of this line was within supporting distance, and almost in con¬ 
tinuation of the original fortified position; and during its establishment the 
5th corps came round from its circuit on the left, and placing one of its 
divisions in line on the left on the 2nd corps, retained the other two divisions 
in support of the extreme left and to ensure the communication with the 
cavalry, which was collecting itself on roads of some importance at 4 or 5 
miles to the left rear. This much (the occupation by the infantry of 4 or 5 
miles in the desired direction) was accomplished shortly after noon, without 
opposition, the few confederate videttes seen through the woods retiring 
hastily, and losing but one or two prisoners. 
It may be desirable here to call attention to the method followed by the troops 
in taking position on this occasion, as on almost all others that I was witness to. 
As soon as a brigade was halted in its place, without other word than perhaps 
company command, the arms were piled and the men broke themselves 
