The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1864-05-20
MORNING REPORT.
Great Battle on Thursday...A Clio.
riOus VlctOry...HancOcks sSplen.
did ,, as Usual...His Dispatch..Yhc
FirSf AccOnnfa.

rtOuS V1ctOry...HancOcks 6 SUlen.
did - as Usual...His Dispatch..Yhc
First Accounts.
Worlds Special l-HEADoUARTERs ARMY or
THE POroMAc, Battle Field near Spotsylvania.
May II, A. M.-The army this morning was
entirely engaged in the fiercest 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 enemys left 1t
was intended to assault the enemy's right in
force
column consisting of portion of Birneys
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 q 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 undisturbed by the
enemys 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
rebel supply train, ard recaptured above 800
OF our men taken prisoners in the old wilder
ness battles. This news SO inspirited the men
wherever 1t was known that general Jubilee
of cheers succeeded the announcement and
during the night arrangements were pushed
for an attack on our side.
This morning the enemy has been seen push
arIc rfrl,t
ly occupying the abattis in front of Hancocks
troops. 1t was shrewdly and rightly suspected
that this was only blind to the real intention
of the enemy. 1t was therefore Anticipated.
After midnight the second corps, Hancocks,
was pushed to the left of the 9th corps Gen.
Wrlghts between that and Burnside's com.
mand and on the left of the Spotsylyania road.
At 4:30 this morning Hancock attacked the
enemy fronting him, and a force opened a
whitening cannOnadng, and making resistless
charges against the very heart of his position.
The cannonadlng was replied to with vigor,
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, bayOneting 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
Ewell's 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
10, 600 men.
LATER.
II 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. Warren's 5th 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 enemy's
shells filled the forest with awful tumult.-
Shells burst around me while l write
LATER-12 O'CLOCK.
1t is Just now reported that Hancock has Turned
the right flank of the enemy below SpOtsvlyania
Court House. and that Grant is pressing battle eve
rywhere. The tide so far is overwhelmingly in nnr
favor.
Terrific firing has been announced on the leftnear
Grants headquarters. he battle is going on with
terrible energy and our success is said to be certain
Prisoners are constantly coming in.
The following is dispatch tent by Gen. Hancock
this morning:
NEAR SPo1sYLvANiA c. H., May 12-sA.u
have captured from thirty to forty guns. have
finished up johnson, and am now going INTO Ewell
(eignedl W. S. HANCoCK E.''
The guns captured have arrived at Headquarters
Erigadier Gen. Stuart commanding a brigade in
JonnsOn's Division was captured. Burns de's COL
umn is reported to have moved down on the rail-
road towards Fredericksburg is going in Ewclls
rear Warren on right senoing heavy lines of skjr
mishers to feel the enemy's works in bis front
which are supposed to be abandoned. We are pres.
sog ,se h19 s Gen Wright slightly
1t is impossible to ascertain all the particulars at
TINS writing but our victory considered going on to
decisive result.
CRY POINT, May H. Heralds special. l.
From latest re from, bo
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 5TH 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 Maj Gen. Ned.
Johnston, Brig. Gen. George Stuart and Brig.
Gen. Robert Johnston, were captured BE.
tween 900 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-
vailng, bounced on them this morning like a
wolf on his fold. He took them by surprise
and having sent his prisoners to rear, he
turned their own guns on them.
The Army of the Potomac opened its seventh
day of battle this morning with brilliant sue
cesses.
Advces tonight directly from the front state that
HancOcks corps on the centre, just east of Spotsy
vania Court House, moved at an early hour on A. r.
Hills corps.
After severe skrmish, drove Heaths di-
vision and part of Wilcox's, capturing 1000
prisoners one major general, two brigadiers,
and 30 field and line officers. At 8 A. NJ. no
other fighting had occurred.
EVENING REPORT.
Confirmation of the Victory.--Dis-