New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1864-05-13
From Our Special Correspondent.

From Our Special Correspondent.
HEADQUARTERS Army OF THE PoToMAc, J
Wednesday Morning. May ii, 1861.
The most desperate battle fought since the
advance Of the Army Of the Potomac occurred yes'er'
day The 9Th and I'd Corps did the principal fighting
which was mainly on our right, the enemys object
being the possession Of the rosd leading nearly cast
from spotisylvania Court House to Fredericksburg.
At about noon. Hnncocks corps, which had occupied
position on the right Of our line. moved down 20 W ar
rens support, where troops consisting Of portions OF
both corps were massed for attack upon the enenys
position in deep wood between the road leading from
spotsyvana TO Charlottesville and the one from the
former point TO Fredericksburg.
As the possession Of the Fredericksburg Plank Road
from the C. H. is Of great Importance it was deemed
necessary to erpc the enemy from that position.
Heavy musketry firing With considerable cannonsding
opened at about p m neither party gaining any de-
cded advantage Of position.
The movement Of Hancock from the right lad left
Gems. Grant and Mesdes headquarters considerably
10 the right ofour line Of battle and at about p.
they removed to the center Of line owing the APP
pearance on our right flank Of brigade Of Rebel
cavalry and an unknown force Of infantry.
From the best information now obiainablo Il appears
that this movement Of the enemy only diversion
for the purpose Of attracting attention TO the right
as shortly after that time repeated charges made
upon Warren and Hancock by the enemy. No special
advantages were gained. however. our line this
morning occupies lis position OF yesterday.
The woods between tho contonding armies al
on fire from shells and the wind blowing strong 70 the
northward gave the enemy a decided advantage over
troops, who were stled and blinded by tho heat
and smoke Numbers Of the wounded II both sdes must
have been consumed by the devourin9 element
AT dusk the scene was ono Of awful sublimiiy. A
battery Of s2pounders posted on The right Of the
SpotsJyanis road kept up incessant rc until half
past 2. when quiet restored.
Lee issued on order on Monday directing his mcdica
officers TO institute rigid examination Of all cases Of
wounded and TO return TO their regiments all Of the
slightly disabled. 1t is now believed that his whole
force is In our front.
Among the killed are Brig. Gems. Stevenson and
Rice. The latter lived about two hours after being
taken TO the hospital Just previously to his death he
requested 10 De turned and being asked which way
replied, "Turn my face toward the enemy" Those
were his last words. Before he died he suffered the
aInputstion ola leg The thigh. Brig. Gen. j. Ii.
Hobart Ward IL among the slightly wounded.
Twelve pieces Of artillery and 1900 prisoners were
captured by Wrights former division Of the 9th Corps
Col Emory Upton. commanding brigade Of the 9th
Corps. IL accredited with the capture Of most Of the
guns and prisoners.
Brig.Gen Robinsons old division has been tempo
rarily consolidated the LIST Brigade being assigned 10
Gen. Cutters division. and the Cd 10 Gen. Crawford.
Capt Stevenson and Lieuts Meade and Ricketts, have
been assigned 10 duty on Gen. Warrcn's STAFF.
The fearfal rapidty with which regiments were de-
peted Yesterday will be understood when the oircun
stance is given that the 9th " y s. NJ. or ed Vols
on the last charge numbered bnt fifteen enlisted
and three officers Many other regimenistoccupying
exposed positions were similarly diminished. -.
This morning everything quiet with the exception
Of picket skrmshng. The weather is very warn, and
rain is particularly desirable.
Many cases Of coup dc sool occurred yesterday, ana
hundreds disabled by the ldast and heat were obged
to fall from tho ranks.
Our wounded the number Of which is very large, are
being brought from the field 10 the hospitals and are
receiving the best Of care and attendance from Sur
geons and the members Of the Sanitary Commission.
Our men wounded In the Battle Of the Wilderness
are comfortably quaTtered in Fredericksburg Iii re-
ported that about 400 of the slightly wounded who were
sent on foot ahead Of the ambulance train taken
by the citizens and sent toward Richmond and subse
quontly rctuken by our cavalry.
Our wings and rear well protected and no sue
cessiul flank movement by the enemy is apprchendcd.
Lc.G-
.nnnotaYrn norcc sun oTuco ArrouATc