The daily Evansville journal. (Evansville, Ind.) 1862-1863, 1863-05-08
MAY s, 1868.

times more deafening than that of the
Inusketry had been. The work was soon
done. The contest lasted three-quarters
of an hour, and the enemy ANONYMOUSLY
retired
Although this attack was so hand
somely repulsed, it proved to be only
preliminary to still greater operations.
At 4:30 p. NJ. Col Diven, who had cav
airy skirmishers on the plank road, re-
ported the enemy advancing in force
and driving in his pickets. He was soon
discovered deploying to the right, and
Gen. Slocum promptly met the move by
sending in Geary's division and Hamp-
tons battery.
The attack proved to be only feeler,
however, and the next thing was de-
velopment still further on our right,
which was again checkmated by General
Williams, who, with three batteries of
artillery and his own division, replied
very effectively to the enemy's fire, which
VAS sometimes brisk, but never heavy.
Beyond this he did not 60, except to oc-
casionally she'll our extreme right under
Gen. Howard, but his troops were very
placid, and the shells did no damage.
For while there was cessation of
the desultory and spasmodc firing which
had been going on for two hours. But
at 81 o'clock desperate charge was
made for our batteries commanding the
plank road. The rebels advanced
through the woods at rapid pace, and
got within point-blank canister range of
our guns. A column, also came up the
road wildly. Geary met them with great
promptness, and wheeling regiment
into the road, a deadly volley was poured
into their advance. At the same time
Knapp and Hampton double-shotted their
guns with canister, and for fifteen min
utes there was another fiery episode. OF
course the enemy were severely repulsed,
and with heavy loss. Their killed and
wounded fell in the timber in front of our
batteries, and the leaves and brush hav-
ing been set on fire by shells, the poor
wretches are suffering double death.
After this hour there were no more
vigorous attempts on the part of the enc
my. For an hour or more sharp she'll
ing was kept up against our extreme left,
occupied by Gen. Meade Gen. Couch's
forces were delploped early in the after
noon, and rendered effective assistance
in supporting the center. Gen. Sickles'
column acted as a reserve.
The entire operations of the day indi-
cate that the enemy was engaged maiH-
ly in feeling our lines, endeavoring TO
find a weak point, and to ascertain the
strength of our position and forces, but
he was repulsed at every point, particu-
larly in his attempts to retake Chancel-
lorsville, and in the insane charge upon
our batteries.
Everything goes to show that Lee viii
open the attack early this morning. It
is now o'clock a. M, May ,. Our
troops have been at work all night, and
the woods resound with the ring of axes.
Both parties are busy building earthw orks
and abattis. Certain changes are being
made in our lines, and we shall be fully
ready for any emergency. The greatest
day in the history of the rebellion is
about dawning. Gen. Hooker got some
rest during the night, which was much
needed, but at this hour he is in consul
tation with his corps commanders. His
staff are prodigies of energy, and their
labOrs are unceasing
The troops acted magnifcently Not
a case of misbehavior has come to nv
knowledge They 60 into battle with en-
thusiasm, and one idea seems to animate
every one-the idea of victory.