vering this movement, retreated early in
the morning, Sherlin following and assaulting them at every opportunity.
Laws had instructed his infantry and cavalry that Five Forks must be
held. Sherlin well knew the importance of this position; Petersville
must fall with this in our possession. He ordered Mullet to assault in
front with his cavalry, while the Fifth Corps, and McKenon, with his
cavalry, were to hold the White Oak road and to drive the enemy back
toward Petersville. At five o'clock the assault was made. The cavalry
dismounted and fought on foot. The division of the Fifth Corps under
Griffith and one brigade under Ames charged the rebel ranks, and under
the inspiration of the bands playing and the lead of the intrepid
Sherlin, the works were stormed by our men and the rebels routed,
leaving 6,000 prisoners in our hands. Five Forks was ours, and a noble
day's work had been accomplished. This was the first great battle fought
in the last campaign against the rebel Capital.

"Gen. Silent now ordered the enemy's works assaulted at three points
at four o'clock the next morning, April 2. Promptly on time Wight and
Parker moved against the strong works of the enemy in their front. They
broke over the enemy's picket-line with ease; but now in their front
frowned heavy earthworks and forts. They moved under a galling and
deadly fire, tearing away abatis and all kinds of obstructions until
they came to the main works. Here the contest was severe and bloody.
Bayonets clashed and musketry rattled; but our troops seemed to know
that the end was near, and nothing could stay or resist them. They
climbed and leaped over parapet and wall and into the enemy's trenches,
capturing men and guns. The advance of our men could not be stopped.
They pressed forward to the railroad, tore up the track, and turned and
swept right and left down the enemies' lines. Soon the whole line, from
the point of attack to Hatcher's Run, and all the artillery and forts
were in our possession.

"Parker made his assault near the Jerusalem road. His column stormed and
carried the works in his front, capturing twelve pieces of artillery and
about 1,000 prisoners.

"Orden now assaulted, Gen. Anderson's division leading. The fighting was
severe, the rebels saw that this kind of fighting meant the capture of
Richmond. Anderson led his men in person, and was one of the first to
scale the enemy's works. The enemy retreated in great haste. Anderson
again rec