Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1864-05-19
THE BATTLE OF TUESDAY.

On Tuesday diminishing commenced at sunrise and con-
tnued through the forenoon along the whole line with in
crsasinp intensity supposed that there was
only small force in front, but it became plain
that Lee was making most desperate effort with his
whole army beat forces back The despatch to the
Boston Journal, above cited, says:
Our position about mile north Of Spottsyyania
Court House. The rebels held strong position on the
south bank Of the Pc river.
The Second Corps had its right the road leading 10
Todds Tavern The Fifth and Sixth had the centre aud
the Ninth held the lett the Spottsyvsnis and Freder
icksburg road The line of battle six miles long
Gen Grant spent all the forenoon examining the posi-
lions and frequently the line with the pckets He
issued orders for general attack at FIVE O'Clock but the
rebels grew uneasytook the matter their own hands
and moved in heavy columns against Hsncocks left and
Warren's right The frat division Of the Second Corps
(Barlow fought back the north side of the creek
10 strong position. The rebels eaed and attempted
to the creek but were repulsed. Up this hour
the had been little artillery used by either party but
terry alter battery brought into position and the wild
general uprosr at last began.
At one O'Clock the rebel infantry surged against Han
cock aud then against Warren, but were Immediately
rolled back Gibbon, commanding the second division Of
the Second Corps. was withdrawn from Todds Tavern
road aud sent TO Warren's aid.
At 800 the rebels made terrific charge against our
right centre. Their hurrah the var whoop of the
Indians but it did not intmdae the brave men Of the
Second and Filth Corps. have heard heavier
bon's, and Barow's divisions The rebel columns Melted
away and after Of the most desperate 6ghts NJ ali
time we're forced back under the tremendous ere and
fnchng bravery OF the divisions already named Ports
Of other divisions engaged but not to
these.
1t HSncock's turn. His troops advanced with
cheers Barlows division fell upon Hethis division of
Longstreets corps like thundcrbolt cutting it all 10
pieces Rebel prisoners ii the greatest charge Of
1hewar. The rebels were literally piled in heaps
The advance Of other parts Of line not having
made at the appointed moment the Advantages GAINED
lost and the Second returned to ts former nosion
There no further attempt the part of the rebel,
push the Second Corps
just before sunset Wright and Burnside attacked The
enemy with great fury Wright carried their n de pits
The Second Vermont held against all the eorts 81 tha
rebels to retske They said they would hold il for
months only give them plenty Of ammunition and ratons
Gen Wright, at nine o'clock, went ana
reported their gaantry asking for instructions
they should hold it, "Pile in the and hold il At Ali
hazards was Grants reply Gen. Wright went back 10
execute the order, but found that subordinate eff
had ordered them back for fear they would be off
Glorious Of glorious State Their honor s unfair.
nished Their laurels fade
Burnside pushed the enemy back almost TO the Court
House and held his ground when left the field this
ing. The colored troops were not 10 the charge.
Uptons brigade, Of the Sixth Corps, captured Dae's
brigade of Ewels Corps, but in the melee were able to
bring of only twelve hundred Three guns were taken
and lost again Thirtys officers and large number
of battle-hags we're taken.
We have lost twelve Generals Sedgwick, wadsworth
Stevenson Hays, and Rice killed Bartlett Getty Ro
bnson Norris and Baxter wounded Seymour and Shaler
missing. Our losses Of men very heavy. We have
about four thousand prisoners.
Rebel prisoners report that they have been half
tons and tharebel officers told them their next rations
pust from Grants stores. None had been issued