From The New-York Times April 7, 1865:
THE REBEL ROUT.; Lee’s Retreat Cut off by Sheridan. BURKESVILLE IN OUR POSSESSION Lee’s Army at Amelia Court House, East of Burkesville. A Junction Between Lee’s Forces and Johnston’s Now Impossible. Sheridan Hopes to Capture the Whole Rebel Army. The Infantry Moving Rapidly to His Support. General Grant at Sheridan’s Headquarters. [OFFICIAL.]
WAR DEPARTMENT, WASHINGTON, April 6, 1865 — 12 o’clock noon.
Maj. Gen. Dix:
The following telegram announces the probable speedy destruction of Gen. LEE’s army if our troops get up to support SHERIDAN, who has headed off the enemy.
EDWIN M. STANTON, Secretary of War.
JUNCTION SOUTHSIDE AND DANVILLE RAILROAD, BURKESVILLE, VA., April 5 — 10 o’clock P.M.
Hon. Edwin M. Stanton, Secretary of War:
Lieut. Gen. GRANT received the following dispatch at 6:30 P.M., while on his way to this point, and at once proceeded to Gen. SHERIDAN’s headquarters. Gen. GRANT desired me to transmit the dispatch to you, on the opening of the telegraph at this place, and to say that the Sixth Corps, without doubt, reached Gen. SHERIDAN’s position within an hour or two after the dispatch was written. Two divisions of the Twenty-fourth Corps will encamp here to-night, and one division of the Twenty-fifth Army Corps at Black’s and White’s Station, Southside Railroad.
S. WILLIAMS, Brig.-Gen.
DISPATCH FROM GEN. SHERIDAN,
HEADQUARTERS CAVALRY, JETTERSVILLE, April 5-3 P.M.
To Lieut. U.S. Grant:
GENERAL: I send you the enclosed letter, which will give you an idea of the condition of the enemy and their whereabouts. I sent Gen. DAVIES’ brigade this morning around on my left flank. He captured, at Fame’s Cross Roads, five pieces artillery, about two hundred wagons and eight or nine battle-flags, and a number of prisoners. The Second Army Corps is now coming up. I wish you were here yourself. I feel confident of capturing the army of Northern Vir-Virginia if we exert ourselves. I see no escape for LEE. I will put all my cavalry out on our left flank, except MCKENZIE, who is now on the right.
(Signed,) P.H. SHERIDAN, Major-General.
THE LETTER.
AMELIA COURT-HOUSE, April 5, 1865.
DEAR MAMMA: Our army is ruined, I fear. We are all safe as yet. SHYRON left us sick; JOHN TAYLOR is well; saw him yesterday. We are in line of battle this evening. Gen. ROBERT LEE is in the field, near us. My trust is still in the justice of our cause and in God. Gen. HILL is killed. I saw MURRAY a few moments since. BERNARD TERRY, it is said, was taken prisoner, but managed to get out. I send this by a negro, I see passing up the railroad to Michlenburgh. Love to all.
Your devoted son,
W.B. TAYLOR, Colonel.
