Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1864-05-11

of the army, Getty's Division of Sedg-
wick Corps was ordered at once to stay this
dangerous demonstration. Haneock's ad-
vance arrived Just in time 10 form with Get
ty' to the left and right of the Plank Road,
leading directly from Charlottesville to Or
ange Court House General Grant ordered
them to attack the advancing enemy in or
der to give the remaining Division of Ham
cock S Corps time TO come up and form.
They did So and became at once hotly enga-
ged IN woods so thick that it was almost i'm
possible to advance in line Birney Diyis-
ion of the Second Corps soon came up, and
quickly formed sn the right of Getty. Bar
low and Gibson Divisions formed a sec
ond line. As they came up, the enemy III
vast force pressed energetically and repeat
edly on the front, and most furious mus
ket fight continued for nearly two hours.
The heavy timber and dense underground
rendered the use of artillery impossible, and
only a tew-rounds from heavy pieces were
fired on either side But as to violence, the
musketry surpassed everything In the his
tory of the Army Of the Potomac Our line
steadily held its ground until the whole
Corps was formed, when nightfall prevented
an advance on our part, and put an end TO
the fight. Wadsworth's Division and
brigade Of Robinson Division, under com
mand of Gen. Robinson, were ordered to
take the enemy in front of Hancock by the
right flank, but darkness also prevented the
full execution of this fight. The loss on
our left will probably reach one thousand,
including General Alexander Hays killed,
wounded. Hancock men behaved most
admirably. The Fifth New York Cavalry,
in advancing on the road to Parkers store
was attacked by superior force in the
morning, and driven back with considerable
loss. General Sheridan sent a message to
General Meade In the evening to the effect
that he had met part of Suart's cavalry, and
was driving them in every direction The
events OF to-day may be summed up as fol-
lows General Lee made two attempts to
cut our army in two. both on the right and
left by getting between the river and War
ner S and Sedgwick 5 corps, with only part
OF Burnside S across on the one side and be-
tween General Hancock s Corps and the re-
maInder Of the army on the other that he
was foiied IN both purposes and that the
other army has been CONCENTRATED, nGtwith-
standing his two well conceived attacks,
constitutes a most substantial suseess for
General Grant. Not quite oue-hdlf Of the
corpsis in proper position, Burnside being
fully up and ample force, with which he
viii make general attack upon the enemy
at daylight There was heavy firing on
Sedgwick' part of the line after dark, but
it was Of short duration. It is understood
that il was brought about by an advance on
our side to Clear our fronts.
FRIDAY, MAY 6:-The Most terrific bat
tie yet fought by the Army of the Potomac
closed to-day. Lee 5 entire army has made
repeated and furious assaults on our right
and left wings, commanded by Hancock and
Sedgwlck, with temporary success, but has
been driven back with great slaughter An
attack was male about o. N. simultane-
eusly on our whole line, which was gallant
II repulsed. Towards dark the enemy con-
centrJted upon our extreme right, and fell
suddenly upon Sedgwick crushing a portion
of his line. General Sedgwick succeeded
in reforming his line. securing it against
further disaster. The enemy Withdrew from
Sedgwick s front, under cover of darkness. |
Our losses have been heavy. Our army to-
day has certainly achieved decided success
Il has batiied all the offensive efforts Of the
enemy The almost impenetrable woods
with which the battle ground is covered
saved them from crashing defeat, as it en-
abled them TO conceai their movements al
most perfectly UP to the very moment of
their execution. The number Of our wound |
ed is estimated at from six to eight thous-
and
The latest news from the front indicates
that Lee is in full retreat upon Richmond
by way of Spottsylvania Court House Grant
hurled his, whole force. against the rebel col
umns on Friday and drove Lee about three
miles. The rebel loss is between 5000 and
4, 900 killed and 10000 wounded in our pos
session. Our loss is estimated at 2, 500 kill
ed and from 5000 TO 5000 wounded Our
victory is said to be complete over the reb-
els. Gen. Wadsworth is reported killed