On the 25th March General Lee made a great attack
on the right of the Federal lines before Petersburg, hoping to master the railroad which connects the Federal supplies at City Point with the army on the Appomattox. General Gordon assaulted Fort Steadman before daybreak, and carried it by a very curious ruse, whose success does not speak very well for the recent discipline of the Confederates. "Our men," says The Richmond Dispatch, "for once made capital of that disgraceful trick which has of late been but too common in our army—deserting. Orders were given to the sharpshooters to advance with their guns at the trail, and as much concealed as possible. When in view of the picket line, they called out, Don't shoot, don't shoot !" You needn't be afraid, we won't shoot ; come on Johnny, we are glad to see you,' the Yankees replied,"—and so under the semblance of deserting they gained command of Fort Steadman, and retained it for an hour or two. The attack on Fort Haskill, however, failed, and the rest of the ninth division of the Yankee army, under General Hartranft, though this was its first action, rallied so gallantly that the enemy were driven headlong out of Fort Steadman, and 2,300 prisoners captured. On the same day General Grant advanced his left, and toele the advanced line of the Confederate works, so that the assault begun so successfully, wholly failed. The loss on both sides was heavy.
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