Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1864-05-31
FROaI LES ARMNr

forcesan NHle1 reconnaissance toward
he ehenly's right flank. About 5 O'CLOCK
saiiT.skirud5heis engaged those of the
eAemy>a little west and north of the road
1esding from Spotsylvania G. Ii. to Fred
ecricksisare. 'Ihe enemy soon brought
fsI 4 heavy force consisting of Han
C rtss 24.d, large part of Pnnside's
9th corps, and heavy artillery troops
tirawn from the. detences at Washing
son and armed as infantry, when con.
siderable fight eGsued, aud at one tine
orr Zinc OF skirlnishers had possession
/. If the eLemy 5 wagon train but were
compelled TO le;inq'lish it, lot, howeY-
or, until we had brought off some OF
her mules. The fight lasted until 0
6c.ock at night, when Ewen fell back
: to- his original position, having lost in
the enga cement about 150 wounded, a.
sBoat30 killed and few missing. The
prisoners report the enemy's loss much
heatier. We captured about 100 pris.
oners.
Ont next day, Friday, the goth,
GkanS. commenced swinging his col
prfssfs around on Lees right On the
snext day, Saturday, Grants forces oc-
cupied MILFORD Station and Bowling
Green.
About dark, Gen. Wilcox, in front
Of Spottsylvania c.. H., threw forward q
portion OF his iorces, entered the enc.
5 lnF's breastwoi ks, and found them held
by aline OF skifmi5hes, Grants whole
anay being rapidly in motion .ons oul
right flank. This necessitated counter
movements on our side and the abfn-
donlnent Of the battle ground in front
OF .Spottsvlyania G. II.
Sen. lie moved his army to Hano
Tcf Junction. Grant crossed the North
I Anna and was confronting Lee, anc
it was supposed that a general engage
meat was imminent.
On Monday evening, the 23rd, Gen
lStz Lees cavalry being pressed by the
eilelny's Infantry near Andersonville
Cross Roads, McGowan's brigade was
sent to support the cavalry, when a con
siderable fight ensued. Tie enemy
ere hold il checlz.
On Tuesday evening, the Gath, aboar
o7elock Thomas, McGogn's anu
Lanes brigades, of Wilcoy's division
Nsifh Scales of the same division II
support and reserve, were sent forward
10 meet the enemy. who had crossed
the North Anna river at Jeric!so Ford
a point about SIX miles above Hanover
Jnnctio:.. Oar forces came up with
those OF the enemy nesr Koels turnout
Thomas, MCGOWAN and Lane engaged
s them IN front, while Scales was sent to
take them in the rear. A sharp right
scrsned, and the troops were rapidly
pressing them back, when just as Scales
was opening on their flank and rear,
Thomas brigade, for some unexplain
cd reason, gave way, and thus the
frnits OF victory were lost. We -howcv-
erscaptured soa4e sixty prisoners, who
say that when our men commenced
oiyipg back the enemy were already on
tie run, and our boys were within
yery few yards of their batter es.-
Our loss is put at abont three hundred
and fifty IN this engagement,
Dnring this same evening Gen An
Gcrson sent "a force across the river al
the tclegl aph Road bridge, but this
force meeting a superior force of the en-
s envy was compelled TO return to this side
s DIr loss, however, was slight.
On Nednes lay, there was no ell
gagelnent, and very little diminishing
. On Thursday, the two armies were con
f,onting e3ssh ether il line of battle,
5 thougll H5sc ageinent occurred
--latest iItellsgenes states that Grant
has re-cressed the North Anna, and is
il I3viilg down on his left tour right tc-
waldsssiIe. Write House. This move
faent of Grant will necessitate cor
responding movement on the part Of