“About two o'clock one brigade of Ward's Corps, supported by Sleman's division, assaulted Overton's Hill, which was the enemy's center. One of Sleman's brigades was composed of colored troops. The ground over which they had to assault was open. The enemy re-enforced his center. The assault was made, but received by the enemy with a terrible shower of grape, canister and musketry. Our forces moved steadily on, not wavering in the least, until they had nearly reached the crest of the hill, when the reserves of the enemy arose from behind their works and opened one of the most destructive fires ever witnessed, causing our troops to first halt and then fall back, leaving many dead and wounded, both black and white indiscriminately, in the abatis and on the field. “Gen. Ward immediately re-formed his command, and all the forces of the army moved simultaneously against the enemy's works, carrying every position, breaking the lines in many places, and driving him in utter rout from his position, capturing all his artillery and thousands of prisoners, among whom were many officers, including four Generals. Ward and Wellston pursued the fleeing enemy until by capture and other means Head's army was entirely destroyed and wiped out of existence as an organization. It appeared no more in the history of the great rebellion. Thus were destroyed all the formidable forces of the enemy in the West. The army of Papson now went into Winter quarters at different points which were thought necessary to be garrisoned. “Peter, by this time, was growing very weak, having had a relapse, resulting in a very serious hemorrhage. At his request I had telegraphed Gen. Papson, stating his great desire to see Gen. Anderson. Upon the receipt of which, leave was immediately granted the General and he came home, bringing Lieut. Whitcomb with him. On the way home people greeted him everywhere with shouts of joy. They could now see that the end was near, and they were overflowing with gratitude and good feeling. “On their arrival you can imagine the joy of our household. The meeting between him and Peter was most touching. Both wept like children. All were much affected; even the two little children wept and sobbed aloud at the bedside of their Uncle Peter. My wife was quite feeble. She greeted the General as one of her own sons, and said: “'Our dear Peter is not going to live. I see it all, and I pray God that he may take me also.' “The General encouraged Peter all he could. Ham and Aunt Martha were as delighted to see the General as were any of his family. We all tried to be cheerful and in good spirits, but it was very hard to do this under the circumstances. “The next day after the General reached home he inquired of Ham why he did not return to the army. Ham said: