The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1864-05-20
MORNING REPORT.
Great Battle on Thursday-.-A Glo-
riOus VictOry---HancOck "Splcn.
did - as Usual.--His Dispatch..Yhc
First Accounts.

Worlds Special J-HEADQuARTERs Army or
THE POrOMAC, Battle Field near Spotsyivania,
May II, ga. M.-The army this morning was
entirely engaged in the tiercest of its battles
and pressing on to victory. The army during
yesterday was comparatively quiet. A feeble
demonstration against our right wing was re-
pulsed. This morning reconnaissance was
made on our right to feel the enemy's left 1t
was intended to assault the enemy's right in
force.
A column consisting of portion of Birney's
division OF HancOck's corps first intended to
undertake this work, which was afterwards
abandoned.
In the forenoon two companies on the left of
the 9th corps, commenced driving some sharp
shooters from their position in a house com
handing partial view of our lines, killing and
capturing several of their number.
In the afternoon rain fell to some extent
continuing until after dark, LAYING the dust,
cooling the atmosphere and raising the spirits
OF our troops. Fresh bread and other food
was supplied, the bands began playing in the
forest along the lines, and undistur5ed by the
enemy's shells, our soldiers ate heartily and
rested well
The enemy had no ammunition to waste
Meanwhile the news arrived towards evening
that Sheridan had penetrated to the vicinity OF
Beaver Dam on Orange Court House. tore up
about ten miles OF railroad track, captured a
OF our men taken prisoners in the old wilder
| ness battles. This news SO inspirited the men
wherever it was known that a general Jubilee
| of cheers succeeded the announcements and
during the night arrangements were pushed
for an attack on our side
This morning the enemy has been seen push
ing troops towards our right and ostentatious-
ly occupying the abattis in front of Hancock
troops. 1t was shrewdly and rightly suspected
Una! TINS was only blind to the real intention
| of the enemy. 1t was therefore anticipated
Alter midnight the second corps Hancocks.
| was pushed to the left of the 9th corps. Gen.
WrlghtS between that and Burnsidcs COM
| mand and on the left of the SpOtsylvana road.
At 400 this morning Hancock attacked the
enemy fronting him, and force opened a
whitening cannonadng, and making resstIess
| charges against the very heart of his position.
The cannOnadlng was replied to with vgor
and the charges of our men were as vigorously
resisted, but the determination of the onset
| overwhelmed everything.
The troops rushed in on the rifle pits of the
| enemy, bayOncting them in their works. cut
| ting their lines and capturing ON the first
charge over 5000 prisoners and several guns.
| including the greater portion of the stone
wall brigade Including the division commanded
| by Gen. Ned Johnston and forming part of
| EwelFs corps. Gen Johnston himself was
taken prisoner. The assault continued Till
nearly the whole division of the corps was
captured, and other troops, amounting to
10000 men.
| LATER
IL o'clock.-Despatch arrived this moment
announcing the capture Of 1000 prisoners and
80 guns. Battle still progressing-6th corps in
| left of second mas moved into battle and are
pushing the enemy. Warrens 9Th corps moved
| up to its support on right Battle becoming
general, nearly all our artillery engaged, and
| changer OF guns whistle of grape and solid
| shot-Our musketry and explosion of enemv's
| shells filled the forest with awful tumut.-
Shells burst around me while l write
LATER-12 O'CLOCK
1t Is lust now reported that Hancock has tnrned
the rlght Hank OF the enemy below Spoisyvania
Court House, and that Grant is pressing battle eve
rywhere. The tide so far is overw heimingy in our
| favor.
Terrific firing has been announced on the left near
Grants headquarters. he battle is going on with
terrible energy and our success is said to be certain
Prisoners are constantly coming in.
Inc following Is dispatch rent by Gen Hancock
| this morning:
NEAR SroTsYLvANiA c. H., May r. sam
have captured from thirty to forty guns have
finished up johnson. and am now going INTO Ewcll.
lelsned] W. S. HANCOCK.
The guns captured have arrived at HEADQUARTERS
Erlgadler Cen Stuart commanding a brigade in
J0hnsOns Division captured. Burns de's col
umn Is reported to have moved down on the rail
road towards Fredericksburg; is going in Ewclrs
rear. Warren on right senong heavy lines of Skin.
mlshers to feel the enemys works in his front.
which are supposed to be abandoned We are nres
sing the enemy everywhere Gen. Wright slightly
wounded but still in command of 9Th corps
1t is impossible to ascertain all the particulars at
tins writing but our victory considered going on to
a decisive result.
CITY POINT, May H. Heralds special. l.
From the latest accounts from the front last
night it is known that Buffers forces are with
in three miles of Petersburgh and had passed
the outer lines of the rebel defenses It is i'm
pOrtant, as it more closely pens up Beaure.
CARDS command within the city.
HEADQUARTERS 9TH CORPS, IN THE FIELD.
May 12th-7 a. M.-Hancock made brilliant
capture. At four o'clock this morning, an en-
tire rebel division, including Mai Gen. Ned.
Johnston, Brig. Gen. George Stuart and Brio.
Gen. Robert Johnston, were captured. Be.
tween $500 and 5000 prisoners and two bat
teries of six pieces each fell into our hands.
Taking advantage of the storm and darkness
last evening, Hancock managed to change the
position of his troops, unobserved by the en-
| envy, and while darkness and fog was still pre-
vailing, bounced on them this morning like
| wolf on his fold. He took them by surprise
and having sent his prisoners to rear, he
turned their own guns on them.
WAsIIINGToN, MAY 12.-[Special to World
day of battle this morning with brilliant sue
cesSes
Advices tonight directly from the front state that
HancOcks corps on the centre just of Spotsyl-
vania Court House, moved at an early hour on A. r.
Hills corps.
After severe s1irmish, drove Heath's di-
vision and part of Wilcox's, capturing 1000
and so field and line officers. At Q A. NJ. no
other fighting had occurred.
EVENING REPnRT