The Burlington weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1860-1876, 1864-05-21

Anu DfOke0 10vO tears 10 eArtn she lell.
And cried. 20 God, rs wen' Thou aoe.t All
things we'll lIsdcpe'sdts. "
THE GREAT CONFLICT.
Graphic Account Or Tuesdays
Battle ~ s' Corleton.''
!, WASHINGTON, May II, p. None Of the
greatest battles of the war was fought yes
terday near Spotsylvania Court House.
left the field at $3.50 this morning, and am
able to give statement of what took place.
One week ago to-day the army moved from
Cu!pepper. It has had six days Of contin-
ued fighting, in which there have been
three great battles.
On Saturday morning Lee retired from
the Wilderness, leaving but small force
to keep up appearances. Grant immedi-
ately ordered an advance to Spotsylvania.
The 5th Corps taking the lead, confronted
Longstreet three miles northwest of the
town early on Sunday morning, skirmish-
ing all day, ending in hard fought battle.
Sunday night the rebels were pushed back
a short distance. The Sixth Corps arrived
near the close of the battle and participa-
ted. The Second Corps arrived in The
evening. The Ninth Corps, marching by
a longer road, did not arrive till Monday
morning.
The battle-fi field is series Of ridges most
~ covered with woods and f1ne thicke:s, in
which the rebels lay concealed with batter
les masked. Standing In the centre Of our
line, between the 5th and 9th Corps, on
Court House, you see gentle slope with q
series of undulations, marked with rifle
pits and batteries, which defend all ap-
proaches. To gain them there must be
hard fighting at every step. The thickets
are not quite so dense as in the Wilderness,
but moet Of the ground is covered by for
est. Gen. Robinson, commanding the Sec
ond division Of the 9th Corps, was wounded
in this engagement. Ns
SkirNishing commenced again ON Mon
day morning, and by reports OF prisoners
IL was Ascertained that Ewell was 6lsos in
fun., Lee had pushed bis troops rapidly
intoa strong position on the south bank Of
the Potomac. The Court House is on ele
waited land, and the village is a collection Of
-one northwest to Todd's Tavern, one due
north to Piney Grove Church, and one
northeast to Frederick sburg. The ID and
5th CORDS covered the way to Todd s, the
5th the road to Piney Branch, and the oh
the road 70 fredericksburg. The Gathar-
gen road leading westward was used by
Lee TO reach the position. s..55-.
Monday night and took bis position on the
rebel right, confronting Burnside. Ewell
has the centre against Sedgwick, Long
street stood against Hancock. The lines
were in form OF q horseshoe. It was Get
tysburg reversed-Lee having the inner
half-circle.
Skirmishing commenced on Monday
morning and continued through the fore
noon. Sedgwick while planting battery,
was picked off by rebel sharpshooter at
half a mile distance. His death cast a
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 brapch OF the Po river, turned the
flank of Longstreet, and pushed him to-
ward the town, and held his ground Long.
street's.) ,.a,
Yesterday Tuesday, skirmishing COM
menced at sunrise and continued through
the forenoon along the whole line with in
creased intensity. The pickets on both
sides sides gradually approached -. nearer short
Gen. Grant spent all the forenoon exam
lining the positions and was frequently on
the line with the pickets. He issued orders
for general attack at O'Clock, but the
rebels grew uneasy-tOOk the matter into
their own hands, and moved in heavy COL
umns against HancCck's left and Warren's
right. The LIST division, I'd corps, bar
low's) was fought back 10 the north side Of
the Creek to strong position. The rebels
were elated and attempted to cross the
creek but were repulsed.
Upto this hour there had been little ar
tillery used on either party, but battery af-
ter battery was brought into position, and
the wild, general uproar 1t last began. At
o'clock the rebel infantry surged against
Hancock, and then against Warren. but
were Immediately rolled back. 0ibbon,
commanding the I'd division of the I'd corps
was withdrawn from Todd's Tavern road
and sent to Warren's aid.
At $3.50 the rebels made q terrific charge
against our right centre. Their hurrah
was the war wh0op of the Indians but 1t
did not intimidate the brave men Of the I'd
and 5th corps.
l never heard . heavier fire than that
which burst from Barney's, Cutters, Glib
bons's and Barlow's divisions. The rebel
columns pelted away, and after one of the
most desperate fights Of all time, were for
ced back under the tremendous fireand un-
flinching bravery Of the divisions already
named. Parts Of other divisions were
engaged, but not TO such an extent ~ these.
1t was Hancock's turn. His troops I'd.
vanced with cheers. Barlow's division fell
upon Heath's division of fLongstreet's corps
like tnunderbolt, cutting it all to pieces.
Rebel prisoners say It was the greatest
charge of the war. The rebels were liter.
ally piled in heaps. The advance Of other
parts of the line not having been made at
the appointed moment, the advantages
gained were lost, and the End returned to
attemp on the part of the rebels to push
Just before sunset Wright ana Burnside
attacked the enemy with great fury
Wright carried their rife pits. The End
Vermont held one against all the efforts Of
the enemy to retake it. They said they
would hold it for six months, only give
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