Dayton daily empire. [volume] (Dayton [Ohio]) 1850-1865, 1864-05-12
By Telegraph.
aEPoRrED FoR THE pAILY EMPIRE
LATEST NE Ws.
AFTERNOON DISPATCHES.



bank Of the Pc. The division OF the latter
was closely followed by The enemy, who were
checked by our artillery, which was posted
along the river Early in the day the whole
army began TO straighten out in li1e Of battle
for the renewal Of the engagement Skir-
mishing was kept up during this time between
the advanced lines Of the TWO armies, the en-
emy btstirring himself as though he intended
offensive operations Our line was formed
with the Second Corps on the right, the Fifth
in the center and the Sixth on the left with
Burnside's corps in the reag Of our left for
the protection Of our immense trains and a0
as reserve in any emergency The country
here is quite rolling and studded with groves
Of pine and hard wood, aud sfording much
better facilities for the handling Of troops aud
the use OF artillery than about the wilderness
The enemy during the night strenthened Q
| formidable position with r,hepits, breastworks
barricades, &c, rendering It stronger than any
line Of deienses occupied by him since leav-
ing the earthworks on the Rapidan. Thus
matters stood until far in the afternoon, when
| fighting became quite sharp at intervals at
different points but without anything definite
Five o clock was fixed for the grand assault
General orders announcing the success Of
Sherman Ia the west and Butler on the james
River we're read to the troops, producing the
widest excitement, and as the hour approach.
ed for the attack the enthusiasm Of the troops
became almost ungoveruebe.
Grant surrounded by STAFF Meade, Hancock
and Warren we're all stationed on an eminenCe
within sig ht OF each othsr--whle vast columns
Of our army slowly gathered themselves to-
gelber for the great struggle. Just as the al
| tack was about 10 be made the enemy advanced
on our right, threatening to press back that
portion OF our line, disconcerting for the time
the plan Of assault Troops were hurried to
the support Of our right, but Barlow succeeded
in checking the rebels and sent back rein.
foreements with the word that he had men
enough and 10 spare
Half past six was then fxed upon for t .
assault Watches composed by corporals
commanding, and finally all separated with
orders to attack ut the appointed tim. At
the appointed hour simultaneously with the
roar OF the twelve signal guns the whole front
advanced with cheers from the whole line -
Movement indescribably grand A portion Of
the forces moved in solid columns, while 9TH
erhs advanced in the usual order Of battle
the whole army moving logelher--and yet
each commenced fighting its own battle.
The whole rebel line opened most mur
derous FIRE against which our lines irresisli
bly, swept, driving the enemy slowly back
from his position, capturing ueurly 1000
prisoners aud three pieces of artillery the
lstter, however, retaken by the rebels before
the close Of the engagement. Night closed
the battle with our forces occupying the field
Loss heavy, but judging from the killed and
wounded left on our hands, our loss is much
less than the enemy 8 who fought to the last
our men bayoueting Fheir men in the rife
pits, and forcing them by hand to hand con.
fiicts to yield.
Gen Rice was mortally wounded and died
under the amputauon Of aleg Our loss OF
prominent officers is great, but the lateness OF
hour, and my own wound, prevents collection
Of names Engagement renewed vigorously
nd at the time Of my departure was progres-
sing iavorably.
, HEAD QUARTERS SRA ARMY CoRPs IN FIELD,
MAR ll.-My dispatch yesterday, P. M, left
the army in the midst of terrible battle
as terrible for the time it lasted any in the
recent series Of fights heretofore contested
having been invariably musketry. In this battle
the roar Of artillery was neessant and almost
as deaGning as at Gettysburg The BATTLE
continued till night, when darkness closed the
} the sanguinary struggle, adding another to
is list OF ba ties and victories In the NOR
ming q change was made in the disposition
of our lines Iu the meantime our men were
greatly strengthened By earthworks thrown
up, and additional hbbitras, and everything
evinced determination to make the day one
Of decisive results. A very close skirmish
ing was kept up all the fore part Of the morn
log, terminating at length in a general en-
gagement AS the hours wore on it waxed
hotter and hotter, and 6ereer and sharper
were the rattle OF mnsketry, ind louder the
roar oil artillery
WASHINGTON May 1.-THE Herald dis
patch this morning reports the determined and
persistent effort which has been made ever
since the commencement Of the 6ght in this
locality 10 turn onr right. Charge afer charge
was made by the enemy on our right, and out
I columns repulsed each charge Rallsntly, al
length the 9th corps drove the enemy compel
ling him 10 fall buck TO his third line of in
trenchmenis. The effects of this pulse were
! apparent. The rebels at some points lay in
J heaps In one Of these gallant charges, fell
the brave General Rice, at the head of his
column, as be has been in every Sight Busy
in the midst Of this terrible fght, was Gen
, Warren, hs rode up and down his lines, d.
reeting movements, regardless Of the shower
Of shot and she'll Another horse was shot
under him, which made the third within the
last four days, We made q general assault
at 7 oelock Il was the most magnificent and
terrible one OF the war. Batteries through the
cutting dowu of some trees we're placed in
very advantageous positions back, as likewise
batteries Of olher corps. simultaneously these
. cannon hurled murderous showers into the
4 ranks Of the enemy, accompanied by general
J Volleys of musketry; and from this hour the
d l.