The Portland daily press., 1864-05-13

the great battle of Tuesday last, yet publish
ed. We can perform no better service for our
readers than to copy it entire:
WASHINGTON, May IL, p. NJ.
One of the greatest battles of the war was
fought yesterday near Spottsylvania Court
House l left the field at 930 this morning
and am able to give statement of what took
place. One week ago to- day the army moved
from Culpepper. 1t has had six days of con-
tnued hghtiDg, in which there have been
three great battles.
On Saturday morning Lee retired from the
Wilderness, leaving but a small force to keep
up appearances. Grant Immediately ordered
an advance TO Spottsylvania. The 9Th Corps
taking the lead, confronted Longstreet three
miles northwest OF the town early on Sunday
morning, skirmshing all day, ending in hard
fought engagement. Sunday night the rebels
were pushed back a short distance The
Sixth Corps arrived near the close of the bat
tie and participated. The Second Corps ar
rived in the evening. The Ninth Corps,
marching by longer road, did not arrive till
Monday morning.
The battlefield is a series of ridges mostly
covered with woods and fine thickeis, in
which the rebels lay concealed with batteries
masked. Standing in the center of our line,
between the 9TH and 9th corps, on Piney
Grove road, looking toward the Court House
you see gentle slope with series of undula-
tions, marked with rifle pits and batteries,
which defend all approaches To gain them
there must be hard fighting at every step
The thickets are not quite so dense as in the
Wilderness, but most o. the ground is cover
ed by forest. Gen. Robinson, commanding
the second division of the 9th corps, was
wounded in this engagement.
Skirmishing commenced again Monday
morning, and by reports of prisoners it was
rtai,, hat Il, =.
had pushed his troops rapidly into Il strong
position on the south bank of the Potomac
The Court House is on elevated land, aud the
village is a collection of half dozen houses
Three roads radiate-one northwest to Todd's
Tavern, one due north TO Piney Grove Church
and one northeast to Fredericksburg The
I'd and 9TH corps covered the way 10 Todd's,
the 9th the road to Piney branch, and the 9th
the road to Fredericksburg. The Gatbargen
road leading westward was used by Lee to
reach the position.
A. p. Hill reached the battle field on Mon
day night and took his position on the rebel
right, confronting Burnside. Ewell had the
center against Sedgwick. Longstreet stood
against Hancock. The lines were in form of
horseshoe. 1t was Gettysburg reversed
Lee having the inner half circle.
Skirmlshing commenced on Monday morn
ing and continued through the forenoon
Sedgwick, while planting battery, was pick
ed off by rebel sharp shooter at half mile
distance. His death cast gloom over the
whole army, but did not diminish the ardor of
our men. They burned for revenge. Gen.
Wright was placed in command.
In the afternoon Hancock crossed to Creek
Branch OF the Pc river, turned the flank of
Longstreet, and pushed him toward the town,
and held his ground (Longstreets).
Yesterday TUESDAY skirmishing commenc-
ed at sUnriSp and continued oh ,I.a II
noon along the whole line with increasing in
tensity. The pickets on both sides gradually
approached nearer, shortening the distance
between the two armies.
Gen. Grant spent all the forenoon examin-
|, ing the positions and was frequently on the
line with the pickets. He issued orders for
a general attack at five o'clock, but the rebels
grew uneasy-took the matter into their own
hands, aud moved in heavy columns against
Hancoch's left and Warren's right The LIST
Division, Cd corps, lBarlow's) was fought
back to the North side OF the Creek TO
strong position. The rebels were elated aud
attempted TO cross the Creek but were re-
pulsed.
Up to this hour there had been little ar
tillery used 10y either party, but battery after
battery was brought into positions and the
wild general uproar al last began. At one
o'clock the rebel infantry surged against Han
cock, and then against Warren, but were inn
mediately rolled back. Gibbon, commanding
the I'd division of the "a corps, was with
drawn from Todds Tavern road and sent TO
Warren's aid.
At $50 the rebels made terrific charge
against our right center. Their hurrah was
the war-whoop Of the Indians, but it did not
intimidate the brave men Of the I'd and 9Th
corps.
never have heard heavier fire than that
which burst from Barney's, Cutters, Gibbons
and Barlow's divisions. The rebel columns
pelted away, and, after one OF the most des-
perate fights of all time, were forced back I'M
der the tremendous fire and unfinching BRAY
cry of the divisions already named. Parts of
other divisions were engaged, but not to such
an extent as these.
1t was Hancock's turn. His troops advanc-
ed with cheers. Barlow's division fell upon
Heaths division OF Longstreets corps like
thunderbolt, cutting it all 10 pieces. Rebel
prisoners say IL was the greatest charge OF the
war. The rebels were literally piled in heaps.
The advance of other parts of the line not hav-
ing been made at the appointed moment, the
advantages gained were lost, and the second
returned TO its former position. There was
no further attempt on the part of the rebels to
push the I'd corps.
just before sunset Wright and Burnside at
tackled the enemy with great fury. Wrigh:
carried their rifle pits The I'd Vermont held
one against all the efforts of the rebels TO re-
take it. They said they would hold it for six
months-only give them plenty of ammunition
and rations.
Gen. Wright, at O'Clock, went to headquar-
tiers and reported their gaIlantry, asking for
instructions whether they should hold it,
g Pile in the men and hold 1t at all hazards
was Grants reply.
Gen. Wright went back TO execute the or
der, but found that some subordinate officer
had ordered them back for fear they would be
cut of. Glorious sons of a glorious State -
Their honor Is untarnished. Their laurels
can never fade
Burnside pushed the enemy back almost to
the Court House. and held his ground when
left the field this morning.
The colored troops We're not in the charge.
Upton's brigade of the 9th corps captured
Dae's brigade of Ewels corps, but in the me-
lee were able to bring off only twelve hundred
Three guns were taken and lost again
Thlrty-seven officers and large number of
battle flags were taken.
McCartney's LIST Massachusetts, battery is
highly praised for its great execution on the
ef1emy.
d. Gen. Rice was wounded and his leg ampu-
tated, but he died in the afternoon. Just be-
fore he died he desired to be turned over
Which way?" the Chaplain asked. Turn
my face toward the enemy" we're lbs last
words.
Up to ten O'Clock to-day there was constant
skirnnishing, indicating that the enemy was
going to attack. Gen. Grsnt.was ready
The troops are In excellent spirits They
have fought six days and gained all the time.
Lee will fight long and with desperation
There will be other great battles, but officers
and men alike feel sure that this is the last