Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1864-05-17
THE BATTLE BETWEEN LEE AND
GRANT.

We noticed last week the battles of
Thursday and Friday, the first two days
of conflict between the armies of LEE
and GRANT. On Saturday following
there was no battle, only some skirlnisll-
ing. On the next day, Sunday, there
was very hard fighting, and we were
successful i'll repelling the assaults of
the enemy. On Monday there was al
so some lighting. On Tuesday the bat
tie was of a seyerer character than any
which ha preceded it. We repulsed
the enemy with very great loss. Our
loss was not small, but that of the enc
my greatly more. On Wednesday
there was no regala. battle, but some
active skirmishing, which was kept up
even throughout Wednesday night
On Thursday, the 18th, the battle was
terrific, and ragged with fierceness from
daylight throughout The day-the death
struggle lasting ten hours.
On Thursday morning at day light,
the enemy, having massed forces in
front of Johnston's Division, made a
most vigorous assault upon Jones Brig
ade, and for while our limo was brok-
en-. They pressed our breastworks,
gaining possession ofseveral pieces OF
artillery, and capturing number OF
prisoners.
Forces, however, were quickly sent
to the relief of those thus engaged, and
the enemy was driven back.
About 10 O'Clock the enemy made
most vigorous & repeated assaults upon
Fields Division, but we've dliFea back
with q eat Slaughter.
At 3 p. M. the enemy made a most
desperate fight in Ewell's front, but all
accounts concur that we drove them
back and punished them with great
slaughter.
The musketry was the heaviest Of the
war.
The battle extended along our whole
lines and was fought by the Yankees
with more vim and bravery than in
any other fight in Virginia.
Our men, after temporary repose,
in front of Johnston's division, success
fully resisted every onset of the enemy,
who repeatedly assaulted our lines
with troops massed in as many as ten
columns.
Our boys stood to their work man
fully, piling the enemy's dead thickly
before our breastworks.
The lowest estimate of tho enemy IS
loss in the battle Thursday is 10000
These figures are corrobrated by a
Yankee Colonel who was wounded and
taken prisoner.
Our loss on Thursday in killed and
wounded is estimated at 1000.
Since the battle of Thursday there
has been no fighting, except artillery
firing, that we have heard of to this
time MONDAY. Wesuppose that Grant
made his most vigorous effort on Thurs
day last, and, failing to dislodge Lee,
will now find it necessary to postpone
his trip to Richmond, and will be com
PEELED to search better route, if such
can be found We suppose he will
find the back track towards Washing
ton the only safe route for him and his
army. Though the enemy had q superb
ority of numbers, VIC repulsed them IN
every conflict. There has been fight
ing for several days on the South side
of Richmond. There was a general en-
gaeement near Diewry's Bluff on Sun
dav. The loss heavy on both sides, but
much heavier on the part of the enemy
than on our side. The enemy were re-
pulsed. Ii we drive off this column, we
are safe. All the others have failed.
In the Stonewall Brigade there are
926 missing. But 349 men lett in this
Brigade. There are 30 officers in the
Brigade, killed, wounded and missing
James II. Skinner, Colonel of the
52nd Va. Regiment, who lost an eye
in the battle of Thursday, and 1t. Ste
phen Kinney, Of this place, who was
shot IN tho face, arrived here on Sun
day evening last. Capt. .Jno. Byors OF
the Sind Regiment was wounded in the
battle Thursday, though not seriously
He arrived here yesterday eye..lng. lie
was short in the fost. Stribling Trout,
of this place, was slightly wounded.
SUPPLIES FOR THE WOUNDED.
X-oo-,1o h2-xo r..