, 1864-05-23

inc oI defense occupied by him since leaving
his carthworks on the Rapidan.
Thus matters stood until far into the after
noon, the fire being quite sharp at intervals, at
different points but without anything definite.
Five O'Clock was fixed for a grand assault.
General orders announcing the success oi
Shernan in the west, aud Butler on james
river was made to the troops which produced
the widest excitement; as the hour approached
Tor the attack, the enthusiasm Of the troops
became almost ungoverRable. Grant accom-
panied by his staff, Meade, Hancock and War
reh, all started for the eminence, within sight
OF each other, while vast columns Of our army
slowly gathered together for the great struggle.
Just as the attack was about to be made the
enemy advanced on our right. threatening to
lress back that portion Of the line, Sconccrt-
ing for the timc the plan Of assault. Troops
were hurried to the right and succeeded in
checking the rebels. half past six was then
hxed upon for the assault. Watches were
compared by the corps commanders. They
finally separated with orders that at an ap.
pointed hour, Simultaneously; with the fire Of
II guns, the whole line should advance with
cheers. Tho movement was indeScribedly
grand. A portion of the army moved in a
solid column, while others advanced in the
usual order Of battle; The whole army moving
together, and yet each command fighting its
own battles, when the rebel line opened a most
Calling and murderous fire against which our
lines marched on, and driving the enemy stead
ily back from the position, capturing nearly
5000 prisoners and 10 pieces of artillery; the
latter were, however, recaptured by the rebels
Night closed with our forces occupying the
hold. Our loss is heayy, hut judging from the
number Of killeda ard wounded left on our hands
1t is much less than that Of the enemy, who
Iaught to the last with desperation, our troops
bayoneting tac'r men in the ritle.piis and fore
ing them by a hand to hand conflict to retreat
Washington, May l2.--Dispatchcs from the
Army Of the Potomac, dated May II, charac.
Ierlze the lighting on the 10th as the most des
perate OF the past seven days. Gen. GIANT
believing the eneihy To have sen: the greater
part Of his iorce to Richmond, an advance
along the entire line was ordered. The 81
corps, rnIlug the right Of tie line, had crossed
the PO the evening previOuS, meeting with but
sight Resistance. In the morning tho position
of the enemy was found to be IN the shape Of
a horseshoe. As IIancoek's troops were ad
vaneing 10 attack the enemy, they were CON.
lelled TO fail back. An attempt to break their
centre was then ordvrcd aud part Of Hancock's
men were sent to support Warren in this move.
ment Our rghtwas also advanced. lis smove
ments began Ia the evening, the enemy being
driven into his intrenchmenis. A brigade Of
the 9th corps getting into the cncmy'S rifle
pits, captured IL guns aud 1000 prisoners,
but hot being supported, they were unable tp
gam tie rebel works. aud wero iorced to re-
treat from their advanced position, leaving the
captured guns after spikins them, and brlng-
ing oil tho prisoners. The enemy suffered
heavily from our smells falling into their works.
Our Infantry Delivered their fire with remarka-
Ole precision. Our losses were heavy--Gib-
bons division lost over thousand men /; Ro.
biasons division, after losing both its Genera!
officers $500 men, aud having 10 General
10 command II, has been broken up aud dis
tributed among other division s.
About noon, Ere ragged at a poiht in the
line where large Hunbrrof wounded Of bolh
armies were lying, and our men, wthe attempt,
ing IL get lhpir comrades out Oi danger, " re
tirsd upon by the enemy and driven Oh, and
the ponI suffering wouuded had to be lett to
perish In the iaH,es.
The Star says. Burnsidu's colorod treaPs
were held in reserve on Tuesday ioP so,nc time,
out were finally brought into action.
II is believed in the army tliat Sigel, having
made forced marches, had destroyed Lees
railroad communications with Lynchburg, and
that Sheridan hna Gone tue sane and cut his
contradictions with Richmond.
Orders were given 10 advance at o'clock
ycstcriay Qlth.) When our informant left,
the array was heavily engaged. Prominent
oGiteIs Say VIC s5a!! soon see The end.
Washington, May l3.--A dispatch frem
Grant, just received, dated near Spottsylvania
D.t, sa g.
Eight days battle closes, .taymg between 5000
aud 4,O00 prisoners, including two Generals
aud 80 pieces of cannon, in our hands for The
days work The enemy is obstinate and seems
to have found the last DITCH. We have lost no
organization, not even company, while We
have captured aud destroyed one division Of
Johnson's, one brigade Of DobL's and one rcgi
munt Of tue enemy ca.,.s. ~ ta
Washington, May l3. Dispatches from
Grant to the President, which were received
last night, announce, in terms Of characteristic
,no1esiy, that he moved On the enemy's works
at Spoiisylvania c. H., on Thursday morning.
Burnside and Hancock, making a grand and
nnpetaous charge with bayoaet, By corps, sur
priSea the enemy, producing CONSERVATION IN
his ranks, crushing his right aud ceaicr and
forcing the eulre line back several mites, with
awful slaughter, Grant tenaiuing master cl
the te!i with all the rebel dead aud wounded
in our hands. Rout Of the enemy complete.
Dispatches from Stanton place the number
Of prisoners captured by Hancock at 1000,
including Major General and several BriGa'
dicrs aud 80 or 40 cannon. Hs-
A dispatch from Grant, dated o'clock, lth,
says we have ended eight days with heavy light
ing. The result up TO this time is much in our
favor. Our loss,s are heavy, but think the
enemy's much greater. We have taken !, 700
prisoners, while the enemy has taken but lew
except slrargers. propose TO tight 1t OUT
TINS time, il II lakes all the summer.
Secretary Stanton sent dispatch 10 Gen.
Dix, confirming Ilancock's success on the l2ih,
and that Buler is brsicgng Fort Darling.
Gen. Kurtz has been sent to cut the Dan
yille railroad
Bermuda Hundred, May l0-Dspatrhcs
from Butler say that Beaurcgard, with $4,000
men, are in Petersburg. We have all the rail.
roads leading into that city cut, and tie torce
to keep him there.
Four monitors and gnnboats arc within lou
miles Of Fort Darling, ready To cooperate with
the land forces Oar forces occupy strong po-
sitions.
May l3.--No fighting yesterday, nor to-day
Our forces are throwing ny intrenchm@ats from
Appoaattox 10 GaintsSllle, distance OF SIX
miles.
II is stated that Beaurcgard was reinforced
on Tuesday night by UrigAdes from Lee.
-. n Ia