Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1864-05-12
and, and all danger Of further disaster re-

hand, and all danger Of further disaster re-
~ ~,
The charge Of Longstreet was completely
Solid masass,. of infantry
were hurled upon Hancock time after tms
with an impetuosity nothing could with.
stand. II was exceedingly fortunate for the
9th corps and the whole srmy he was check
cd at this critical period aud driven back
with a. much precipitation ~ he had come.
The ground in front of Hancock had been
fought over q number Of times, and the
wounded and dying on the field were vast.
At night Hancock occupied his breast
works. and had nothing but prisoners and
rebel dead to show for the slaughter Of two
days fighting. He behaved with conspic-
uous gallantry throughout, and was on the
fsld in person where dangers were thickest.
Gen. Warren was also very hotly ASSAULT
ed along the entire line, and the utmost sur
prise was manifested at the number Of troops
Lee was able to bring into action. This
corps retained it, first position, however,
till darkness. 't.a .. .'t..r. :.
About midnight charge was made before
which We gave way, and we were unable to
regain the ground thus lost. This of course
compelled the abandonment Of great por
ton OF our line Of breastworks in front Of
Warren's CORPS, and brought the skirmish
line within half mile Of Grants and
Meads's headquarters. a' i.s al' ia'r'I
Sedgwicks corps maintained itself against
vigorous assaults of suprior numbers ut DIFF
-ferent times during the day, and had no &c
rious reverse until late in the evening. when
a charge was made on its extreme right,
fnr a nm nf - l.
with Hancock in the morning.
Milroy's old division were driven back in
great confusion, at length the enemy sue
ceeded in effectually turning our right flank,
the,behavior ofthis division is severely critici-
zed by these supposed to know more concern.
ing the affair. This probably necessitated
the transfer of our sick and wounded, and
all supply trains from Germania Ford road.
to our landing at Charlottesville, the latter
were in motion the whole night and day.
light. Had Lee occupied Gei mania and
cut OH the retreat Of our army, that route
would have given him the advantage, but
might have worked in cacuable mischief, ,caus
ing undue extension of line and correspond
ing weakening Of it. ........... ...
The contest on Friday was unsatisfactory,
many, officers who despondingly feared Lee
would in some manner defeat Grant. Su-
psrfcial observers might construe our re.
pulses that day into defeat, but no such
forboding found resting place in the minds
OF those who knew the tenaoity of purpose
and fertility Of resources which character.
ICES Grant Advantages Of the next day
verified their hopes. The battle recon.
menced at daylight on Saturday, but the
firing was desultory and scattering. Nc
fierce attacks were made on either side. -
Both Generals seemed intent on strategy
neither being anxious to bring on genera
engagement. ...1 800 ra
Lee seemed intent on cutting our sommu
nication via Germania Ford. Grant appear
ed utterly indifferent to this, and seemed
rather to court il by Withdrawing Sedgwicl
from his position and throwing it back by
Germania Ford near his own hsado uarters,
and pushing Burnside out on Spot ttsylvanis
Court House road, threatening Lees line O
communication. .r u.,.t
The new line of battle formed by chang,
in position OF corps, extended nearly Nortl
and South, and gave Lee choice of beiny
cut off from his capital and risking every
thing upon wager Of battle. At 2P. n.
Burnside was we'll under way to Spottsyl
vania. Lee had thrown infantry on ou
right and drove in the cavalry picksts or
Gsrmania road. The result could only b,
a prscipitate retreat on the part Of Lee, I,
prevent our army being thrown betwes,
himself and Richmond, or deadly contes
in open battle that could only end iu his ex
termination. He soon discovered his error
and to all appearance had started in ho
haste for another line Of defense. Som
think it will be found at North Anna river
while others are equally certain that ther
is no tenable position for him to fall bacl
to between this and Richmopd.