The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1864-05-20

Corps under HILL we held the rebel right,
resting abont two miles northeast of Spotsyl-
vania and Grant posted Burnsides, 9th corps,
against II"
HEADQ'Rs 9TH ARMY CORPs,(
In the Field, May IL.
My dispatch yesterday afternoon left the
army in the midst of a terrible battle-terrible,
for the time it lasted as any in the recent
| series of fights. Heretofore the contests have
been invariably musketry in this battle the roll
of artillery fire was incessant and almost deaf
ening as at Gettysburg.
| The battle continued till night, and darkness
closed the sanguinary struggle.
Our army added another to its list of battles
| and victories.
In the morning change was made in the
disposition of our line. In the meantime our
men greatly strengthened their earthworks,
threw up additional abattis, and everything
| evidenced that determination was made that
this day should be one of decisive results.
Very active diminishing all through the fore
part OF the day was merged into great en-
gagement. As the hours wore on the battle
waXed faster and hotter, and fiercer and sharper
was the rattle of musketry and louder the roar
of the artillery.
WASHINGTON. May 12.-Gentlemen promi.
nently connected with the government are in
to-day, and are in good spirits in view of re-
| cent movements.
Other movements are in progress which will
soon be publicly developed, forming part of
| the general plan looking to success.
Gen. Burnside sent word to his friends III
Washington that everything looked very ia
vorable and hopeful.
Special dispatch 10 the Tribune of the 18th
says Burnside advanced to Spotsylvania Court
house that morning, driving Hills corps before
him and now holds the place.
| Dale's rebel brigade, 2,4OO strong was cap
tured bp charge of Vermont brigade Tues
| day night, but nearly half escaped.
| BUFFALO, May 12.-NO confirmation received
here of the rumor that Sigel had formed o
junction with Grant
WASHINGTON, May 12.-Dispatches from the
Army of the Potomac dated Wilderness battle
field 18th, says probably the most desperate
fighting of the past seven terrible days took
place Tuesday. 4 lf
Believing the enemy to have sent the great
er part of his troops to Richmond, an advance
along the entire line was determined on. At
an early hour the I'd corps having the right of
! the line had crossed the evening previous and
met with but slight opposition.
In the morning the position of the enemy
was found to be in the shape of horse shoe,
| and on HancOcks troops advancing to attack
them they were compelled to fall back.
An attempt to break their centre was then
ordered, and part of HancOck's men were
sent to support Warren in the movement.
| Our right was also advanced and the move be.
| gun in the afternoon. . ..:. --
| The enemy were driven into their entrench-
| ments in gallant style, and UptOn's brigade of
| Wright's fifth corps, got into the enemy's rear
| capturing II guns and about !, 200 prisoners.
Not being supported by other portions OF the
line, who were unable to gain the line of
works in their front, this brigade was forced to
abandon its advanced position, leaving its cap
| tured guns, after spiking them, but bringing
| OFF all the prisoners. -.#- .-..-
The enemy suffered heavy losses during the
| fight, our shells falling into their works and
our infantry delivering their fire with remark
able precision.
| Gen. Stevenson is reported killed. He COM
manded brigade in BHrn>ide's corps.
Our losses were very heavy. Gen. Gibbons
division has lost altogether over thousand
! men. ... ....
Gen. Robinson's division, after losing botls
its general officers and about $500 men, had
| no one to command it, and has been broken
| up and distributed among other division of 9Th
corps. No division of the army fought better
| than this one.
About o'clock P. NJ. report was brought
| to Meade that flank movement was. being
made on our right and the headquarters being
in that direction, they packed and moved to-
wards the centre in rather a hasty manner.
| The report turned out to be false.
| At one o'clock Tuesday q fire ragged between
the two armies at one point in the line and
| large, number of wounded of both parties were
1
get their comrades off the field were fired on
| by rebel skirmishers ami driven of, and the
| poor sufferers had to be left to perish in the
| flames.
New YORK, May 12.-The Posts Washington
special says dispatches just received from the
army dated late Yesterday state that Grant has
| won another victory. Lees whole left is
is crushed, and we have captured a whole reb-
ell brigade. Burnside chased Ewell over three
| miles. ..
The World has a rumor from Washington
that the 10th and 18th army corps on the north
bank of James River are to be sent around to
reinforce the Army of the Potomac from the
north; that they comprise too small an army
to capture Richmond, and are too numerous
to permit their being kept out of the fed.
The Worlds special says Grant maSsed nearly
400 pieces of artillery against Lees position at
Spotsylvania Court House on Tuesday and fired
for two hours. When the assault was finally
feeble resistance. Lees line did not waver
until just before the close of the battle; then it
fell back and we gained considerable ground
The correspondence from General Buffers
army contains nothing later of that Generals
operations than was announced in his dispatch.
WAsHINGroN, May 12.-The Star says Gen.
Burnsides colored troops were held in reserve
tut were subsequently, brought into action and
fought with desperation. Their officers ex-
pected to have considerable difficulty in re-
st-aining them as they appeared to be DESTROYS
not to take any prisoners, being exasperated
by the remembrance of Fort Pillow and the
atrocities committed there Z 60 .A1Io TT
It was believed in the army that Sigel. hay-
!, ing made forced marches, had destroyed Lees
II railroad communications with Lynchburg
i and that Sheridan had done the same to his
4 communications with Richmond. io3 s4lE
= An order was given fer another advance yes
: and FIGHT were heavily engaged with The reb-
! els The 9th Corps was then on the march.
Cur Losses are represented to have been very
a heavy, but everything looks hopeful Prom
nent officers say that we shall y soon see the
end. -. 1880,
Ill. tSa may snsca disnateh '
+ WASHINGTON, April 12.-It is confirmed that
= inan order issued Monday, found on some
prisoners, that General Lee notified his army
that his communication with Richmond was