Diary of John Beauchamp Jones: March 27, 1865

Bright, calm, but cold,—my disorder keeping me at home.

The dispatch of Gen. Lee, I fear, indicates that our late attempt to break the enemy's lines was at least prematurely undertaken.

The Dispatch newspaper has an article entreating the people not to submit "too hastily," as in that event we shall have no benefit of the war between France and the United States—a certain event, the editor thinks.

HEADQUARTERS ARMY CONFEDERATE STATES,              

March 25th, 1865-11.20 P.M.

HON. J. C. Breckinridge, Secretary of War.

 

At daylight this morning, Gen. Gordon assaulted and carried the enemy's works at Hare's Hill, capturing 9 pieces of artillery 8 mortars, and between 500 and 600 prisoners, among them one brigadier-general and a number of officers of lower grade.

 

The lines were swept for a distance of four or five hundred yards to the right and left, and two efforts made to recover the captured works were handsomely repulsed. But it was found that the inclosed works in rear, commanding the enemy's main line, could only be taken at a great sacrifice, and our troops were withdrawn to their original position.

 

It being impracticable to bring off the captured guns, owing to the nature of the ground, they were disabled and left.

 

Our loss, as reported, is not heavy. Among the wounded are Brig. Gen. Terry, flesh wound, and Brig.-Gen. Phil. Cooke, in the arm.

 

All the troops engaged, including two brigades under Brig.Gen. Ransom, behaved most handsomely. The conduct of the sharpshooters of Gordon's corps, who led the assault, deserves the highest commendation.

 

This afternoon there was skirmishing on the right, between the picket lines, with varied success. At dark the enemy held a considerable portion of the line farthest in advance of our main work.

 

R. E. LEE.

SOURCE: John Beauchamp Jones, A Rebel War Clerk's Diary at the Confederate States Capital, Volume 2, p. 459-60