We were able last week to announce the fall of
Richmond, the greatest event of this year, in a second edition. The proximate causes of the event may be easily explained. Lee was reduced to great straits, and nearly isolated from the rest of the Con- federacy. Grant, well-informed of his opponent's case, moved his army to the left, and fastened on the throat of the Confederate lines. Skirmishing with his centre and right, and using his left to strike, Grant, Sheridan carrying out his plans, rolled up the Confederate right wing. Then the whole army fell on, and by nightfall on the 6th Lee was routed and forced to hurry out of Richmond. Grant instantly moved his troops towards Amelia Court- house and Burkesville Junction, and used such diligence that his troops were first across the roads by which Lee sought to join Johnston. Lee, coming from the Appomattox, essayed a flank march, but he was caught in the fact and crushed, six generals and several thousand men being taken prisoners. Cut off from North Carolina, Lee was last heard from leading a shattered army towards Lynchburg, a town upon which not only Grant, but Hancock from Winchester and Thomas from Knox- ville, were marching. In short, by able movements, stern fighting, and a vigorous pursuit, Grant had virtually destroyed the Con- federate army.
