The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1864-05-14
The Great Battles!
Victory for the Union

AS we anticipated in last weeks Wing we
have war news the present week, in measure
heaped full pressed down, and running
over. Our fimited space will admit of
only brief sketch of the movements
which have been developed on the mil.
itary chess board the past week. which
for magnitude and desperate battles were
never equalled in the history of the
world. The vast armies of the Union seem
moved as if touched by one omnipresent
hand, and everywhere has the banner of the
Union been borne forward, carrying dsmay
and death into the heart of the rebellion.
Save on the far-off shores of Red river.
we have the most cheering tidings of vic
tory.
Grant, with the Army of tie Potomac,
Sherman in northern Georgia, and Butter
on the Peninsula, all have moved with ire
slstible force toward common centre, which
threatens the speedy dissolution of this gi-
gantic and demoniac rebellion.
After crossing the Rapidan on Tuesday
night, the Sd inst, without serious opposi.
ton from the enemy, the army of Grant
moved forward in search of Lee who was
couchcd like tiger in that jungle called the
Wilderness, which lies South and West of
Charlottesville. On Wednesday, Lee pur-
suing his old tactics in making the attack
before his opponent was ready to meet him,
marched out of his Businesses and attacked
the advanced Corps; of Mead's army. Moth
ing very serious, however, TRANSFERRED on
We'd nesday, and at night General Warrcn's
headquarters were at the Wilderness, Gen.
Sedgwick on his right, and the General
Headquarters at Gernania Ford. On Thurs
day morning the Rebels pressed on our pick.
cts and appeared in strong force on our
right. The 9Th New York Cavalry, whilst
diminishing on the Orange Court House
road, near Perkins Tavern. were driven in
with severe loss, leaving many wounded on
the field.
General Grinitb's Division marched for.
ward on our right about eleven o'clock to
feel the encmy's position, and was met by
the Rebel General A. p. Hill, supported by
General Ewcll. severe action took place,
in which we captured three hundred prison
ers. Meantime General Hancock marched
his Corps to the right to connect with War
rem, and had hardly got into position with
his LETT resting on or near charlottesville,
when he was attacked by Lonystrcet with
his full Corps and part of EwellFs Corps
General Hancock, with the assistance of
Getty's Division, of the Sixth Corps, keld
his position under musketry fire of two.
and-a-half- hours duration, in which his
command suffered severely, but inhicting
much injury upon tho Rebels
Early Thursday morning the march was
resumed in the direction of Todds Tavern,
which point was reached before noon and tho
troops placed in line of battle. At II
o'clock NJ. General Wilson, commanding
kilpatricks former Cavalry Division, made
his whereabout known by brisk cannonad-
| ing several miles southwest of the Tavern
and in the vicinity of Shady Grove Church
where, for teree- quarters of an hour he was
| sharply engaged with large body of Rebel
cavalry and a considerable force of infantry,
by whom he was gradually forced back upon
the Second Corps.
The movements of Lee soon revealed his
real designs, and General Warren was di-
rected to attack him at once, which he did
about | o'clock, A. NJ. A determined mus
| kerry fight of an hour-and- a. half ensued, in
which General Warren handsomely drove
him from his position with the infection of
great loss. Griffin's Division, of the Fifth
Corps, led the attack and suffered severely
nearly one thousand killed, wounded and
missing. Finding his efforts to break our
| center futile, the enemy next attempted to
! Warren and Hancock the latter of whom,
in accordance with orders, was marching his
Corps rapidly to form junction with the
former. Fortunately this advance, consist
ing of General Brney's Division came up
Just in time to crcumvent the Rebel Gen
| cral, who, at "a =. NJ, commenced terrific
onslaught on the Divisions of Birney, Glib
bons and Getty. Tho fight ragged hoi until
some time after dark, and resulted in the
complete repulse of the enemy at all points.
Scarcely any artillery was brought into re.
| QUESTION, the character of the ground rem
hering it u2eless.
The battle field is covered with a thick
growth Of underwood aud medium sized oak