The daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1863-1864, 1864-05-13
strengthening His Position
The Grand Assault.

During the night the enemy strengthen
ed his formidable position with rifle pits,
breast works, barricades, &c, rendering il
stronger than any line OF defence occupied
by him since leaving tho catthw6rks on the
Rapidan,
Thus matters stood until lar into the even
ing when the fighting became quite sharp
at intervals.at different points, but without
anything definite Five O'Clock was fixed
for the grand assault. ~.
General orders announcing the successes
of Sherman in the West and Butler on The
James river were read to the troops, pro
ducing the widest excitement, and a the
hour approached for the attack, tue enthu
sasm oi the troops became almost ungov.
ernable. Grant. surrounded by his staff,
Meade, Hancock and Warren, were station
ed on emnences within sight Of eac2 other,
while the vast columns OF our army slowly
gathered themselves together Tor the great
struggle.
Just as the attack was about To be made
the enemy advanced on our right. threaten
ing to press back that portion OF the line,
disseminating for time the plan OF assault.
Troops were hurried to support the right,
but Barlow succeeded in checking the reb
els, sending back his reinforcements with
word that he had men enough and to spare
Half past six was then fixed upon for the
assault, and the watches were compared
By corps commanders, and finally all sepa-
rated with orders to attacS at the appoint
ed time. At the appointed time, simulla
neously with the roar Of the II signal guns
Ill 4
tie whole line.
Tue movement was indescribaDly grand
A portion of the forces moved in solid
column while others advanced in usual or
Ter Of battle, the whole army moving To-
gethcr, and yet each command tightin" lbs
own battle
The whole rebel line opened a most muir
derous fire, against which our troops ire
,lstahly swept, driving the enemy lowly
back from his position, capturing nearly
1000 prisoners, and pieces of artillery =
Inc latter however were rctaken by the
rebels before the close Of the engagement
\ Ight closed the battle with our forces &C
Gu plying the field.
o loss was heavy, but jud ging form the
killed and wounded left In our hand. was
much less than the enemy's, who fought to
the last, our troops bayonetng them in II
tie pits, and forcing them by hand 90 Land
conflicts To yield.
Gen. Rice was mortaliy wounded and
died while undertioing amputation of the
leg,
Our loss in prominent officers was great.
but the lateness Of the hour and my own
wound prevents the collection OF names.
The engagement was renewed vigorous
lv and at the time OF my departure was
progressin5 favorablv
| HEADQUARTERS 5TH ARMY CORPS IN THE
FIELD, May ll.-My despatch Yesterday
o. m. left the army IN the midst CT a terri
bic battle, as terrible for the time il lasted
as any in the recent series of fights here
tofore. The contests have been invariably
musketry IN this battle ana the roar ni
of artillery was inceSsaat and almost As
deafening as-ihe Getty sburg batrle 1t
continued till night and LaI kness closed the
sanguinayE struggle.
! Onr,a rGsv addedi another list .oi battles
and victories IN the InorAng
| The change vas made in the disposition
of our lines, and meantime our men greatly
strengthened their earthworks, thrown no
,s8eetI3 Ga slovr .a,s.,.i.s,As<
.S7g9 EaEoOo8 ~ A4s.r
~ 11.seaT = "a ztag "a 90