New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1863-05-08

The GREAT STRUGGLE In VIRGINIA.
DETAILED ACcouNT0F THE ENGAGEMENTS
DESPERATE ONsETS BY qHE REBELS.
Heroic Resistance by Our Forces.
Terrible Repulses Of the Enemy.
Drnrdsrous Strengthening by Our
Artillery.
Terrible RepuIses Of the Enemy.
GEN. HOO KERS DETERMINATION TO RETURN.
SUCCESS SFUL RECROSSING OF THE RIVER,
hOm Q M Special Correspondent.

On Monday morning at daylight the enemy placed
guns on the bights below SCOTS Dam which COM
ma, ,ded the grounds north Of United States Ford'
an began shelling the wsgOn trains and hospitals
ca ssing stampede among the trains. The guns
rre soon slenced by the 10Th Corps which had
I sken up position on the extreme left the night
PREVIOUS, relieving the 18th Corps, which moved to
kle right.
There was no battle on Monday. The enemy con.
ainued TO feel our lines from extreme left to right,
making vigorous feints driving in pckes, picking of
artillery torses and officers horseback. In one of
these forays Gen. Whippe was mortally wounded
in the spine while standing against tree In his own
camp, supposng himself to be in perfect security.
During the entire day Gen. Hooker continued to
strengthen bis position with a second line of rifle
pits, and contrary 10 his expectation was not at
tackled by the enemy. 1t wss the general expecta-
ton Of the army that If the enemy refused TO attack
our strong position Gen. Hooker would order an at
tack THIS doubtless for reasons which seemed suf-
6eie3t to him, was not done.
Toward Fredericksburg a large force was thrown
agaius Sedgwick from the Rebel army on our front,
And his gallant Corps was defeated and driven
the river below Bankss Ford with considerable loss.
The defeat Of Sedgwick uncovered the line of the
Acquia Creek Railroad, and Gen. Hooker was in
danger of having bis communications and hissuppEes
out off.
Gen. Stoneman, who had succeeded in cutting the
railroad between fredericksburg and Richmond, had
returned with his command to the extreme right of
our position, and was securing the country in that
direction
bo bod haan dat cha cd
mans command to destroy the Rspidan Bridge and
to keep the country on right clear Of the enemy,
succeeded in the first object Of bis expedition, but
found tue resistance at Rappabannock Bridge 30
great that more time was required than
peced and he thus faledto scout the country toward
Spotsylvaoia G. III. and bring in reports Of the sua
ton of the enemy.
BY order of Gen. Hooker, be was relieved o. his
command aud sent 10 WashiDg,os, and Gen. Pleasan-
ton was assigned TO his command
During Monday night the enemy continued slight
diminishing along the lines, and frequently voleys
Of musketry were heard from some portion or other
OF the rife-pts. Vdettes and scouts brought in fire.
uuent reports Of movements Of the enemy along the
roads in 'front.' but L0Dug definite of his situation or
force was learned, nor were bis movements such as
TO indicate his intentions. He had fortified bis posi-
ton in front Of our lines and seemed more likely TO
sit down to regular siege Of Gen. l. oJkers posi-
ton than TO attempt to storm it, In all advantageous
positions batteries were out and vigorously
used i'll shelling our camp. As soon as guns were
brought to bear against these flying batteries they
would disappear and show themselves again in some
new position.
Our troops were thus kept constantly on the watch
day and night, and by Tuesday morning were very
much exhausted, and began to be discouraged.
When the army changed front, and took up third
position Sunday st ii o'clock, having fought
themselves into intrencbed camp, which the en-
envy refused TO attack, Withdrawing beyond Smelling
distance Gen. Hooker and staff rode along the lines
Just inside the rife-pits, and was everywhere re-
ceived with the most enthusiastic cheers, the men
rushing to the side of the road throwing up their
cape, aud shouting Justify for their Commarder-in-
Chief Ii was at that time evident that they had
full confidence in his ability to lead them 10 Rich
mond.
Itwas generally believed Though the army that
after resting on Sunday afternoon aud Sunday night
forward movement would be made on MONDAY
morning.
The llth Corps, which unfortunately broke and
ran f:om the 6eld on Saturday night, burned for
opportunity TO wipe away the imputatiOn Of cow
srdiee, under which they rested They alleged that
they had been led TO beieye by information brought
from she headquarters of the army, that the enemy
was making in q souiherly direction, and that he
was therefore rather endeavoriDg TO escape than TO
fight They ssid that their cavalry having been
taken away from them, they were unable 10 learn
the true position OF the enemy in their 'front.' that he
came upon them suddenly from all unexpected
direction, their first knowledge Of his approach
being the driving III Of their administers, and the
capture of their pickets. But ten minutes had
ELAPSED from the first alarm, before Won Gilsa's
brigade, which was in position the road along
which the enemy advanced, retired in great confu-
zion, his artillery running leDgthwise through Gen.
Scburz's entire division, breaking his lines and
throwing his command ipto such disorder that il
also Ned in confusion On the left of the llth Corps
Gen. Desens tied after making but slight resistance.
The reserve artillery under commsnd Of Lieut.
COL Schirmer aud Col. Buscbbeck's brigade of
SteiDwehrs division held the enemy in check until
ali the trains and baggage Of The 18th Corps moved
70 the rear, aud until all the batteries with the ex
ceptiOD OF eight pieces taken of the field
Gen. Howard and staff, and Lieut.. Col. Dickinson
of Gen. Ho0kers staff did all that was in their power
10 induce their men 10 make a stand but all fled
psuic.strcken to the rear.
At this time the divisions Of Gems. Birney and
hhipple Of Sickness Corps, and Bariow's brigade
of the 18th Corps we're five miles south Of the Plank
Road holding the roads 10 SpotsylvaDia c. H., over
which The sLemys trains had previously been
moving
Gen. Hooker ordered Gen. Berry, Of Sicklsss