Delaware State journal and statesman., 1864-05-13

We oehh huu tub Nliihkt VI opotbJNhhtes
AT 2 our artillery gained good range, and
poured shot aud she'll, grape and canlste into
their rauks, R- they, with frantic recklessness
VI life, charged torAard upon our iofantry lines
The enemy used but little artillery iu reply
Prisoners state that they we're deficient in am
muntion, aud could NOT.
Tue impression prevailed at headquarters du-
ring the fore part Of the day that Ewelrs corps
had left for Richmond on Monday. All prison
ers taken we're from Longstreefs aud Hilrs
corps, but be fore yesterdays battle closed, Ew-
ell returned If he had lett, as is probable, and
Lees entire. army aud our whole force were
pitted for three hours at hand TO hand strug
gle without parallel in history.
Gen Grant and Gen. Meade were in the saddle
constantly personally directing movements. 1t
was ranged that the entire 9th Corps should
chArg the ensmy's right aank, but pending the
severest onslaught made by Lee just before dark,
it was discovered that he had advanced around
Gus right flank and was moving down In dense
columns for a last and after-dark struggle TO
break through our lines aud dash upon our sup
ply trains, then known to be packed on the
plank road to Fredericksburg.
This changed Gen Burn-ide's purpose, aud he
securely held his ground aud thiehtened the
enemy's extreme right, while the 9th Corps
charged his right center, and tat o'elock)
drove him from his first line Of rifle pits, cap
tntiug five guns aud between two aud three
thousand prisoners
The quick eyes Of chieftains, however, saw
the rebsi hanover Our men we're faced about.
our trains all moved TO the rear, new positions
instantly secured for our artillery, and the enc
my's expected coming patiently awaited during
all this long hours OF the ught No demonstra-
lions were made, however, aud except the occa-
sional shouts Of piokets, oil was quiet up iO =
o'clock TO day, when left.
It was believed that the enemy had suffered
so severely that he could not in lis crippled con-
iidOn avail biinself of the decided advantage he
had gained. By others il was supposed he had
attempted another hght, but as his commuuica-
tions with Richmond is believed to have been
severed by Sheridan, and his hanks and rear
constantly harrassed by our foroes he must sur
render or kill his " last man" in battle as he
seems determined in freutic rage to do.
lu so horrible u strife it muat not be supposed
that We escape the severest punishment. Our
losses in yesterdays tight were much greater
than in any Of the battles Of the previous week
II is true there is a smaller percentage of killed
in proportion to the number wounded than in
any previous battle, and q very large number
are but slightly wounded. Roads, fields aud
woods are literally swarming with those suffer
Ing heroes, who have dcfed wounds aud death
that the nation might survive.
So incessant have been the marching aud
| fighting that many are being overcome with fa-
tigue, aud several have been sun-struck yei
never was eeen 30 cheerful, 30 resolute, and even
exultant body of men on any Of the worlds
great battle fields, All honor to this sublimt
heroism, which so nobly welcomes death ant
wounds.
| Rebel prisoners assert that Lee ordered all biz
wounded men able to hold musket to take theil
places in the ranks again fer yesterdays battle
Our wounded are being conveyed with all pos
sible dispatch to fredericksburg, and thence
via Belle Plain, to Washington
But for tender regard for these disabled he
roes, abandoned to their fate and burning up il
the woods left on fire las the Rebels also leave
their dead unburied), our army would ere this
have been laundering before the Rebel Capitol
but We can afford to wait. Men who have face,
musketry and cannon for week, and fought bet
ter each succeeding day are inyincible and they
will soon win the complete triumph their yalo
80 richly merits.
Time after time did they hurl back In disorder
the solid massod columns Of the foe, and if per-
chance they staggered with the shock, it wa
only for more superhuman energy to charge
back upon him. The old guard at Waterloo
| paes before these men.
Our entire losses thus far, in killed, wounded
missing &C., must reach near 400
ours; his wounded about the same. He is sup
posed to hold some 1000 of our prisoners. aud
we must have at least 5000 of his men, while
our scouts report the roads literally alive with
his stragglers. 1t is a mathematical question re
quiring only a few more days to determine thi
limit Of his endurance.
As yeur reporter neared Fredericksburg abou
10 O'Clock this morning cannonsding had beer
resumed, and our army was unquestionably en-
gaging the enemy again.
We crossed the river Po on Tuesday, but with
drew. We charged across il again last night
after the enemy had weakened his right in ordel
to mass ali his force on our right.
1t was the Vermont brigade which charged tht
enemy at the rifle pits, and the I'd Vermont heit
them till midnight, when Gen. Meade recalled
them.
Thus far we have not lost a gun since tn,
second day at the Wilderness, nor a single WagoI
since the campaign opened.
All prisoners unite in asserting that Lee il
dumbfounded at the present conduct of ou
army. Immediately upon his getting order
from JEFF. Davis to return to Richmond ant
withdraw from our front at the Wilderness, b,
despatched brigade across the Rapidan, auC
planted artillery 80 as to command Germani
ford, supposing Of course that we were to pursu
our usual course OF fighting and then fall back
The brigade remained there one day and twt
nights without 0ny chance Of attacking ou
reireatng columns, and only had the effect o
turning back our wounded. The pertinacit,
with which Grant hangs TO him is 80 unusual ami
so unexpected that Lee is perfectly bewildored
Gen. Talbot was captured last night, and hi
horses taken from him between Aqua Greek anl
Fredericksburg on his way to the army
General Crittenden went to the front thi
morning,
Up to Monday night the reserve artillery ha,
not been brought into lire. 1t was supposed Il
have been holly at work yesterday beyOn
Spottavivania Cnurf Houaa