Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1864-05-10
THE BATTLE BETWEEN LEE AND
GRANT.

THE BATTLE BETWEEN LEE AND
GRANT.
The expected conflict between
the armies of Lee and Grant, upon the
result of which so much depends, was
commenced on Thursday last. On
Monday the enemy struck tents in Gull
peper and began TO move towards Ely's
and Germanna Fords on the lower Rap
idan imm ediately above i junction
with the Rappahannock. Ely's Ford is
about % miles below Orange G. H.,
and Is miles above Fredericksburg
Germanna Ford is about equi.distant
from these towns.
On Tuesday night, the enemy passed
across a force of cavalry and artillery,
which, on Wednesday, were advanced
towards Charlottesville and on TO-
wards Fredericksburg. The distance
from Charlottesville to Fredericksburg
is 10 miles. On Wednesday, the enc
my threw pontoon bridges across the
Rapidan at both Ely's and Germanna
Fords, and during the day were passing
infantry and artillery. During Wednes-
day our cavalry annoyed and harrasred
them a good deal, but beyond this moth
inc occurred Of special interest. In
the meaHtilne our forces were being
moved to countcract the purposes Of
the enemy.
There are two roads not far apart rEn-
ming between Orange G. H., and Fred
ericksbutg-a distance of Al miles
one the old turnpike and the other
the plank road.
Grant moved his forces on the road
leading 10 Bowling Green, in Caroline
county, with the view of turning Lees
right and getting between him and
Richmond. Genl. Lee sent two corps
to oppose him-Ewell by the old Turn
pike and Hill by the plank road
Grant first attacked the corps command
ed by Ewell and, after hard fighting,
was repulsed with heavy loss. Ewell
captured 1000 prisoners and four pieces
of artillery.
After being repulsed by Ewell' Is corps,
Grant concentrated his forces upon
Hills corps, which resisted successful
w his repeated and desperate assaults.
On the same day, Gen. Rosser's bril-
gade Of cavalry on our right met and
drove back division of the enemy's
cavalry. Rosser lost but few men kill
ed, but considerable number were
wounded, though most of them but
slightly. There was but one OF his COM
mahd captured Capt. Lewis Hartman,
son ofCol. M. g. Harman Of this place.
It's supposed that he was unable to
hold his spirited horse and that he car
ried him into the lines of the enemy,
wheie, as matter of course, he was
captured.
The following is Gen. Lees official
despatch in reference to the battle of
tbs first day, Thursday, May the 9Th !;
HEADo's Army Northern Va,
May 5, 1864.
Hon. Secretary Of Var
The enemy crossed the Rapilan at
: Ely's and Germanna fords. Two corps of
this army moved to oppose hin-Ewell
by the Old turnpike, and Hill by the
plankroad.
They arrived this morning in close
PROFANITY to the enemy's ln-e Of march,
A strong attack was made upon Ew-
eli, WHO repulsed il, capturing many
prisoners eas0 ffoatr pieces Of artillery.
The epemy subsequently, concentra-
ted upon Gen. Hill, wko, with Heth's
and Wilcox's divisions, SUCCESSFULLY re-
isted repeated and desperate assaults.
a large force Of cavalry and artillery
lur ripht was drsq,e7l back nv Ros.
IS brigade.
By tho blessing of Con we main
tanned or position against eUery effort
until night, when fine contest closed.
We have TO mourn the loss of many
brave officers and men. The gallant |
Brig. Gen. J. NJ. Jones was killed, and |
Brig. Gea. Stafford, I fear, mortally
wounded, while leading his men with
conspicuous valor.
SIGNED] r. E. LEE.
On the I'd day of the contest FFriday1l
the enemy renewed the attack early in |
the morning. Their object was still to
turn our right. They made several
charges, brlt were repulsed at all points
The contest coatinued during the day,
and the enemy fought with a great deal
of s:ubbornness, contesting every foot
of ground. Tie ground not being suit
able for artillery, the fight was almos:
entirely with musketry. AS our officers
exposed themselves a great deal, our
loss in officers was proportionately great
err than in privates; though the men,
as well as the officers, behaved with un-
surpassed gallantry.
Up to this time, Monday morning,
there has been no official despatch from
General Lee received III reference to the
fight of Friday, as no papers have been
5 received since Saturday. The nnofi-
!. cial dispatches, however, represent that
! ne were successful in repelling the en-
envy, with great loss, at all points.
Y We have been unable to learn any
ing satisfactory in reference to the op
Faticne on Saturday and Sunday. The
stckes received here would indicate
King on both of these days and
ere successful. A despatchl
assterday evening, states thaAl