Cedar Falls gazette. [volume] (Cedar Falls, Iowa) 1860-1895, 1864-05-13
News from Grant /!
By Telegraph to the Gazette
RECEIVED LAST EvENuN6,


wAsn,Sorcs, May 18th.
It is reported that last night our hesdauar.
tiers were two miles in advance Of Spottsyl.
vania Court House. 4 general advance was
ordered at s o'clock Tuesday evening, and
the firing from that hour to shutdown Is said
to have been very heavy. 1t is stated that
Gen. Grant has captured lsfge amount OF
conmissary stores.
The following highly important news is
furnished by Carleton" the well known
correspondent Of the Boston Journal:
NsAR Sro1rsrLsANrA Corgr HORSE,
Tuesday, May 10th.
We have had five days of continuous and
heavy fighting in this region, and there is
every prospect Of more Lee is determined
to Hight very hard yet. and will no doubt
dispute every inch Of the way to Richmond,
or until the destruction of his army renders
further resistance impossible. On yesterday
Gen. Longstrect's command was moved down
from beyond the Wilderness 10 secure what
the rebels deemed more favorable ground
about Spot.syivania Here the ground il
very much broken, and generally covered
with dense patches Of bushes, through which
our troops have to move. Artillery has not
been used extensively on either side, and the
losses have not been very heavy during the
past few days.
Gen. Lees entire army is now known to
be in our front, and will deliver battle con.
tinually until entirely defeated.
WASHINGTON, May IL.
Tuesday was mainly devoted to artillery
duelng, with considerable skirmishing by
Infantry. Yesterday morning part Of Lees
army retreated across the Papopo River,
leaving US in possession of Spottsylvania
and the battle field to the right of that vii.
lagc. 1t is doubtful IL there is much more
severe Sighting for two or three days. Our
army is now within 48 miles of Richmond.
The enemy during Tuesday night strength
ened their position with rifle.pits, breast
works, barbados, &C., rendering it stronger
than any line Of defence occupied by him
since leaving the earthworks on the Rapidan.
Thus matters stood until far in the forenoon
the fighting became quite sharp at intervals
at different points, but without anything def.
mite.
Five oclockwas fixed for the grant assault.
General orders were issued announcing the
successes Of Sherman in the west, and Butler
on the James River. They were read to the
troops, producing the widest Excitement
and as the hour approached for an attack
the enthusiasm Of our troops became almost
ungoveInable. The whole vast columns of
our army slowly gathered themselves togetE.
er for the great struggle. Just as our attack
was about to be made, the enemy advanced
on our right. Troops were hurried to the
support Of the right, but Barlow succeeded
in checking the rebels and sent back the re.
Inducements, saying:
lie had men enough and to spare"
Half.past six was then fixed upon for an as.
saul,. At the first signal gun the whole
front advanced with cheers from the whole
limo. The movement was indescribable-
One portion Of the forces moved in solid col.
umn, while others advanced in the usual
order for battls-the whole army moving to.
sether, and yet each command fighting its
own battle. The whole rebel line opened q
most murderous FIRE, against which our line
irrcsstibly swept, driving the enemy slowly
back from his position and capturing nearly
1000 prisoners and four pieces Of artillery.
The latter were rs-taken by the rebels before
the close Of the engagement. Night closed
the battle with our forces occupying the
field.
The battle was terrible for the time it last.
eu as any IN tne recent series OF nkntS.--
Heretofore the battles have been Invariably
with musketry, in this battle the roll of ar
tilery was fierce and incessant, and almost
as deafening As at Gettysburg. The battle
continued till night and darkness closed the
sanguinary struggle. Our army has added
another to its list of battles and victories.
Everything looks like success now, and
everybody is delighted with the progress
thus made.
Gen. Rice was MORALLY wounded, and
since died.
Our loss in prominent officers is great, but
the lateness Ct the hour prevents collection
Of the names.
During the last twenty four hours about
5000 men from the army Of the Patomac.
wounded in the battles Of Thursday and
Friday, arrived here.