Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1864-05-20


To Major Gen. Dix:
Official dispatches arc just received by
this Department dated yesterday 8 A. NJ,
Oh the battle field, near Spottsylvania
Court House. They state that during the
night Hancock marched from his previous
position on our right and occupied the
ground between Burnside and Wright.
At daylight he attacked with his ac-
customed impetuosity, forcing the first and
then the second line of the cDelny's works,
capturing the whole Of Edward Johnson's
division and part of Early's, together with
Maj. Gen. johnson { Edward JOhnson,l
Brig. Gen. johnson, Gen. j. Stewart, and
from thirty to forty cannon.
The number of prisoners is not eiven,
but they are to be coanted by thousands.
Burnside, upon the extreme left, opened
at the same time with Hancock. and ad-
vanced with comparatively little opposi-
: N. His right has formed junction
with Hancock, and his left is not actively
engaged.
Wrghts troops attacked at 7:15 in tho
forenoon, and are now at work.
Warren is demonstrating to hold tho
enemy in front of his lines. The rebel
works at that point are exceedingly strong.
We have had no tclegraphic commu-
nication with Gen. Sherman since Wednes-
day.
(SigneD I. VI. STANTON.
Secretary of War.
New YORK, 18th.
1t is stated that for the last. two weeks
troops, munitions, mules and horses have
been collected to an unusual extent at
Charleston, West Virginia, preparatory to
an important movement cooperative
towards Richmond. We learn that on the
18th ult., force of $4,000, consisting of
infantry, mounted infantry and cavalry,
with artillery, left Charleston under Gen.
Cook. The destination is said to be Lew
isburg, from which place the distance to
Staunton is not great.
WAsHINGToN, 18th.
The following despatch has just been
received from General Ingalls,. 1t brings
positive information from the army az
late as noon yesterday
" lte hare made tca-strike to-day.--
Hancock went in at daylight. He has
taken over 4000 prisoners, and 25 guns,
and is still fighting. Everybody is fight
ing, and have been for eight DAYS. We
shall lave them this pop, though it may
take a day OF two more. They tthe reb-
els) fight like devils. Our losses are
heayy-can't say how many. If General
.kugur's force were here now, we could
finish them to-day.
Hancock captured Neal johnson and
two other Generals.
The Old republic is tirm-bet your pile
on II. Grant Is Il giant and hero in war,
but all other Generals are gallant, and as
to our men, the world never had better.
Yours, and in haste,
(signed) INGALLS,"
WASHlNGToN. l3th-6:i5 =. NJ.
To Major General Dix
The Acting Surgeon General reports
that of 100 patients from the recent battle
field admitted into the Uarwood Hospital.
not one of them will require any surgical
operation. end that i'll his opinion two
thirds will be fit for service i'll 30 days.
Reiniorcements are going forward to the
army of the Potomac.
(Signed) +. NJ. STANTON.
Secretary of War
U,s,uxcrov 1at,,.
The Var Department has received Off
cial news confirming General Hancock's
brilliant achievement.
BrRMvDA HUNDREDS, VA, MAY 18th.
via Fortress Monroe. 18th. . a. M:
A tcamstcr was shot dead this morning
hy eucrllas, three miles from Bermnda
Hundreds.
At daylight this morning the rear guard
advanced at 8 IL, IN. General Butler and
staff left the old bead-uuarters MT 10 n.
m. the whole force was in the direction bf
the Petersburg and Richmond railroad
at noon the enemy was discovered en-
trenchcd, and the 10th New Hampshire
charged and drove the enemy FROM his
entrenchmcn,s.
There was skirmlslilng all the afternoon
ON the right. There was no general en-
Sagcment. \ number ct rebels Wcrc
captured, including one colonel.
HERE has been no lighting ell the left.
The officers and men are III good spirits.
The Petersburg E1PreNS of the llth
saL,S General Lee Is III Richmond woun-
oea; It,, ,--, -, -. w.,
ne n 't'esi'pii l1nes between le'rrspurs
"nu ni'il'i!''o iiau peei cut ScNef"i oa!s'
"N wen "s '''c i"'iio""'
PHILADEEPHiA, l3th-6 p. m.
The Evening Telegraph has despatch
from Fortress Monroe just received, stat
ing that all the obstructions in the James
river have been removed, and that our
fleet Of iron-clads Is advancing on Rich
mond,
y despatch was read Yesterday from
sheridan, announcing the destruction Of