The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1864-05-19

lCN VIC CHStS6llltIlI, anu although LnGY
lad been wearied by the previous struggles
hey rallied to their work like giant re-
reshed with new wine The lines slzirm-
shed with those of the rebels, demonstrations
we're made by the latter as if they intended
to begin the attack. Our line was soon
formed. General Hancock led the right
General Warren the center aud General
Wright the left General Burnsides Ninth
corps was held in reserve in the rear of the
Sixth corps, for the double purpose of pro-
Lecting the trains and to be on call if its ser
vices were required.
OF course the rebels had made a good use
Of the darkness to strengthen their works as
much as possible, and as far as rifle pits,
abattis and barricades were con
cerned, there has been nothing along our
line Of march since the opening of the cam.
paign that could compare with them. The
country around was of "a rolling character,
and far more suitable for the manmuvering
of troops than any to be found in the region
of the Wilderness.
. Preparations were speedily made for the
grand assault. As is usual with great com.
manders, it was fixed for late in the afternoon
so that if it should prove unsuccessful, the
enemy should have no time to rush out o.
their works upon the repulsed troops. Five
o'clock was the time agreed upon, and eacI
of the corps commanders set his chronom
eter by that Of Gen. Grant, so that no mis-
take should take place, and that all should
be in readiness at the precise moment
Minutes are Of value when combined ope
ration is to be made, and this precautior
was a .judicious as well as a necessary one.
As soon as the troops were in readiness
general orders were read to them, detailing
the brilliant operations of General Sherman
in the West, and General Butler South o
Richmond. This news fired the ardor o
the troopss and each man seemed determon
ed not to be out done by those belonging i
the other commands. A wild enthusiasm
was apparent i'll their eyes, and for a mo
ment the men appeared to be ungovernable
But the word of command restored orde
and silence Gen. Grant surrounded by hi
staff, took up a prominent and elevated posi-
ton and the corps commanders also occupi
ed eminences within view of the General-in
Chief and of each other. They were thu
enabled to watch the movements of the vas
columns Of the mighty army as they ad
vanced to their relative positions whenc,
they were to make the attack.
The hour came, and just as the sigma
was about to be given, the enemy were dis
covered upon our right flank. This had tn
effect of delaying the attack, as preparation
had to be made to resist this onslaught
But Gen. Grant was equal to the emergency
Troops were speedily hurried to the right
lint ri no 81 Ill IL
rebel advance, and, sending the reinforce
ments back to their former position, he sta
ted that he had enough men for the worl
before him, and some to spare.
THE REBELS REFUSED.
The hour for the assault was then fixed a
half-past six, and once more the timepiece
were compared. The generals separated, t,
take up their assigned positions and to di
rect their troops to victory. The sigma
guns doomed aloud, and twelve reports de
cIared that the moment had arrived for tn,
attack. a wild cheer rang along the whole
line, and the mass advanced with a steady
front-column after column, line after line
whole moving together In the face of {
murderous fire our troops pushed on determ
inedIy, each corps fighting its own battle
until the army was master of the field
IJco M0uSG11d prisoners were taken, ant
when night closed the contest the Unior
forces were the conquerors.
THE GREAT BATTLE OF THURsDAY-HoW II
WAS WON
From the Cincinnati Gazette, May IA.
WASHINGTON, May II.
The general summing up Of yesterdays
the dispatches from Ingalls,, Grant.
Hancock, and others, announcing it; the
of the prisoners, the guns and
colors we have captured, and the inspiring
news fran Butler and Sigel, that completed
the circle of our triumphs and made this
the happiest day Washington has known
for many amonth-aII this may be left tc
the associated press to tell. Meanwhile the
following details just received at this bureau
ION correspondents on the battlefelds, Dos
sesses a special interest.
The battle Of thursday was the most de-
cided success which the army of the Potomac
has yet attained, as well as the most des-
perate struggle of the eight days fighting.
Early in the morning Hancock made a
most brilliant charge on the enemy's right,
sweeping their two lines of breastworks,
40 pieces Of artillery and 5000
prisoners. Following this a general attack
began and continued fuIiously for some four
hours, when there was lull up to late
hour of the night. Wednesday ~ ght pass
ed in quiet.
The battles of the two preceding days had
served to show the enemy's line in front Of
Spotsylvanyia Court House was so fortified
hat to attempt to carry it by assault would
nave been madness, but one point had been
ound where the works did not seem to DEFY
)ur attempt at charging upon them, and by
| singular coincidence that was point line
where there was almost a gap in our own
ines, between Wright's Gate Sedgwicks)
;orps and that of Burnside. Hitherto the
,nemys policy had been to mass his forces
md attack us III overwhelming numbers. II
vas resolved in part at least, to give him a
aste Of his own tactics. Shortly before
midnight, Wednesday night, Hancock be-
San moving. During the day he held the
Xtreme right. BY hard marching he pass
n the utmost silence along almost the en-
ire length of our lines, and reached the
oint between Wright and Burnside, where
ur lines were so thin. Meanwhile the enc
ny remembered that on Wednesday they
ad suffered none from any fire at this point
nd were giving it no attention, and had no
xpectation Of any attack at this quarter
heir latest reconnaissance had found Han
ock on our right, and from Burnside thew
expected to meet the brunt of the mornings
ssault. The morning broke slow and dim;
heavy mist oyerhung the field and CON
called our movements. The enemy were
ill waiting for the attack on our right,
hen, to their utter and complete surprise,
helI-hre burst out from this unexpected
ONT, where yesterday they had found no
ppostion, and in an instant Hancocks
hole corps was charged with triumphant
leers and in magnificent style over their
utter row of breastworks. Though stunned
y the sudden and unexpected onset, they
ere still true to their oft proved bravery. |
allying on the instant, they made the best
efense they could, and desperately contest
our further advance. 1t was splendid |
ut it was in vain Their lines melted |
way before our resistless charge; broke |