Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1864-05-14
THE GREAT CONTEST.

I
FFOnt-Ths Contest for SPOttsylVaniG
Court Houss-Death of General Se9g-
giek-Te Result of the Five days Fight
iag Most FdVorabIs.
HEADQUARTERS ARMY POTOMAc,
Near spottsylvsnis Court House, Va,
Monday, May 9th-6 P. NJ. }
We hasten to forward sketch of series
Of battle which have succeeded that Of the
wilderness, which occurred on Saturday,
May 7th.
The enemy had then turned our right
flank, and the unprscticsbility Of iur-
ther engagement against the enemy in |
that position WAS easily perceived Our |
right was turned, and Germsnis Ford was |
potentiallY in the hands Of the enemy.
Our line was now bent into an angle, and
facing both south and wes'. Earthworks
skirted our entire front. Our losses in
killed, wounded, and missing, could not
thus far have been less than fifteen thou
sand, and we had only gained slight sd-
vantage on the enemy's right. But the
enemy. though successful against our
right flank, was unable to profit by the
advantage gained.
Saturday morning came and went and
the enemy showed no signs Of ability to
I improve the advantages gained. Soon
from along our lines there came reports
that the enemy we're retresting, and it was
: soon quite evident that onty o small force
. was before us and that the rebels we're
l making the most diligent improvement Of
/ their time in getting safely back to such
s a position ss would give them the start in
: a race toward Richmond. Indeed, it was
to be feared that the enemy had already
: moved 80 far on the route as to pat US se-
t cond in chase.
n But Saturday was, however, not unim
n proved on our side in preparation for an
q ticipating the enemy in such movement,
|. and the cavalry corps under the command
l. Of General Sheridan had been sent out on
d the road which leads through SpottsylVan-
Ie ia Court House to Granger's Station and
Hanover Court House.
lie We had now possession Of the road tC
g within q miles Of SpOttsylvsnis Cour
l. House. Preparations were accordingly
it made for moving the whole army on the
ut enemy's flank toward Richmond, hoping
g. that by prolonged and forced marches, sn'
II by pushing our troops vigorously into &C
Be tion, we might be able, having the sdvan
le tsge Of interior tines, either to reach Rich
IN mond before the enemy, or, if We shoul
k be unable to turn his flank, and the en-
euy should succeed in presenting himsel
r force upon our front, that we Nigh
i'd gain so complete victory over him as
It, render The capture of Richmond q cOmpsl
n stiVely easy task.
lis At sunset of Saturday, the infanlry con
ns men sed to move on the road to Richmo on
is to anticipate the enemy at spotisylvani
Court House, thus turning his right-beiu
" the proximste object Of the march.
en- The 9th Army Corps was the first upO
to the route, but soon halted TO allow GenerI
ed Warren with the 5th Corps to pass.
CT The 9th Corps left their intrenohmen
all quietly at 10 o'clock, and the I'd Corr
IN followed, keeping up the rear, and csvsll
ept protected their flank. Thus before mi
vas night the entire line of our esrthworl
. was vacant, and the army was again upC
ut its march.
his General Grant, with his staff and esool
d moved his headquarters at O'clock. A
TIL alarm occurred on the road as the Gen
an raj passed the lines of the corps viii
-ith we're near to those of the enemy. A sho
red rattle Of musketry was heard and the &c
on eral halted at General Hsncock's hea
ust quarters on the road, and officers we
,st- sent along the picket lines, who ascertsi
age ed that the enemy had raised shout
reply to the shouts of cur troops, viii
be provoked the pickets to discharge thu
un. pieces and rush back to iheir supports.
ght The General and his escort went on dsE
the ing through the woods upon by-rnsds
rue avoid the troops and wagon tTsins-his
l in cort trailing behind him. They gslloT
4 in along through the darkness oecasions
.rge overtsking body of troops who, as th
ads, sscertained that Gen. Grant was ASST
ing raised such shouts and cheers IS to pla
de- any similar demonstration which this ar
tion has manifested in utter insigni6csnce.
1t is safe to say that no Commander
and the Army of the Potomac ever had more
ONE the confidence Of the men. The Gene
Jun rides along the front like warrior y
so serious business on hand. We see
men graceful smiling and bowling toward
Ids. troops.
ism, The party reached Todd's Tavern 81
ana after midnight, where headquarters W
established.
cred We had now nearly advanced to VIII
sket two roads form junction within two M
for and half Of SpOttsylvsnis Court Hot
The crest at the junction of these 70
dis once attained, an important sdEant
and would have been achieved. This was
las quite accomplished. Another despeI
ied), effort must be- made before Spottsy Iva
been Court House would be in our possession
but That point once reached an open coun
have and fair battle fields lie before US, and
7eek, already begin to realize, to some ext
!, are the advantages Of ''getting out the Will
the ness
chly The greater part of the day was OF
pied in examining The positions, in 7
K in ing the men, and in making prepsrsti
{ the for renewal Of the attack at night. N
with ing trsnspired during the day with
,rhu- exception of an artillery duel. Al
hem noon the batteries we're posted, ours in
efore edge Of piece Of woods, theirs on an
posing hill.
iIled, The discharge Of shell for some time
near quite brisk and severe.
AS evening approached, Gen. Gi
much started to the front to take another gl'
t the at the position, and to inspire our tr
2, ,OCO for the grand onset which was soon I
ve at made. Before the General arrived at
couts leftfank, the rattle Of musketry from
h his advance skirmishers, and the strsgg
,stion back Of wounded men, indicated thai
letter. moment had almost arrived.
Troops from the 9th and 9th Corp
sburg several heavy lines were concentrate
onad- front Of the position to which the II
? was had fallen back after the engsgemel
nemy the early part of the day. Gen Wrii
division, already distinguished by
'sday, gallant conduct took the lead.
sesin At s. o'clock shout was raised an
kened attack commenced as our troops movet
CO on Of the woods through marrow open 6
and up tangled thicket which was
since and fortified by the enemy.
nor a Mills brigade and the jersey Il