The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1864-05-20
CORRESPONDENCE.
(From our Regular correspondentJ
WASHINGTON CRY, May lG, 1864.

(From our Regular Correspondent
WASHINGTON CRY, May l6, 1864.
TIE GREAT RATTLE.
The gigantic struggle Lctween tho army Of
Gen. Grant and the armed hosts Of tho Re-
bellion has now been progressing with unin.
terrupted fury for twelve days; and for
twelve days tho nation has watched with ca.
ger. breathless interest, the lightning flashes
from the battlefield, which conveyed intelli-
gence of "unsuccessful or successful war. +"
While reports Of the desperate conflict are
daily, hourly telegraphed throughout the
country. penetrating tho hnmblest home in
the rcmotest village Of the North, the terri
bic realities Of the great field Of carnage. con-
tested foot by foot from the Notifications OF
the Rapidan almost to the gates Of Richmond,
with u desperation unparalleled in the his
tory of this desperate war, are but vaguely
portrayed to the greedy readers of the daily
papers. In this city, to-day great hospital
of twenty thousand wounded heroes, with
trains Of almost countless ambulances freight
ed with living realities Of war, slowly wend-
ing their way from the steamboat landing to
tho various hospitals, one is made to feel
what the North has mover felt-that We are
in the midst of war. As write. can see
from my window an immense train Of ambu-
lances, and heavy, rumbling army wagons,
reaching beyond the range of vision; and all
loaded with wounded soldiers-some terribly
wounded and carried upon "stretchers, 9th
ers only slightly wounded and carrying their
arms in sling-all patient, and none COM
planning. As they pass along, they are gaz.
ing with apparent interest upon oil objects
which meet their eyes, and nothing In their
manners or the expression OF their faces
would indicate that but few hours have
passed since they were engaged in the dead
hest strife recorded in modern history-in
comparison with which the havoc Of Water
loo and the immortal deeds Of the Old Guard
sink into the insigniicance OF mere skir-
mish.
These are the men Of whom certain York
County Democrat, who places the secesh pa
per published in your county, beside the BIZ
bic, spoke when ho expressed the wish that
no soldier who went to fight the South might
live to return. He is one of the "Peace on
any terms" Democrats, bitterly opposed to
the war, secretly, publicly re-
ioicing over defeat of the Union army, Fort
Pillow massacre, &C.. but who will seek to
avail themselves of the fruits Of victory by
nominating Gen. Grant for the Presidency in
case he takes Richmond. The Presidency is
tempting bait to any man; but should Gen.
Grant take Richmond, Us no undoubtedly
will, for his artillery is now laundering at
its gates, no would prize the idolatry of tho
American people too highly to sacrifice it oil
by accepting copperhead nomination Tor
the Presidency.
Making due allowance for the uncertain
ties of the. battlefield, there is ut this time
little doubt that the present campaign will
soon close with the utter humiliation OF Leo's
army. Each succeeding hour brings intelli-
Ccnce from the front to show that his army
has been more thoroughly routed, and his
plans moro completely frustrated. Richmond
being the common centre to which our oper-
ations are directed, is hourly becoming moro
eiIectually invested. q settled gloom pervades
the city, and unconditional surrender" seems
to be its inevitable doom. With Butler and
Sheridan at Fort Darling, within sight Of tho
spires of Richmond; with Sigel advancing
from the Shenandoah Valley; with Hancock
and Warren closely pressing the retreating
hordes of Lee; with q column of Yankees
from all directions moving upon the city, the
coils of tho "grcat anaconda arc this time
surely fastening upon the throat of the rebel
capital. With Lees communications cut of
from all his sources of supplies, he has been
compelled to abandon Richmond to the mer-
CIV OF the merccnary Yankees under the lead
ership of that terrible "Beast Butler" tho
bare mention of whose name strikes terror to
rebel hearts, and is now in retreat towards
Lynchburg, from which place he can get no
supplies owing to the unfortunate circum.
stance that our army, under Generals Averill
and Crooks. have destroyed the railroad track
for miles in that direction. Deserters arc
coming in in large bodies. and report the reb.
el army is in starving condition, rations oil
exhausted, and that it will be impossible to
feed them. Rebel stocks and copperhead
hopes 60 down, and greenbacks coup, and
could JEFF. Davis hear the solid tramp OF the
inexhaustible legions Of the North, as they
march day and night through the streets OF
Washington, to "Fill the vacant ranks of
our brothers gone BEFORE" he would be i'm
pressed with the conviction that his invest
ment in the Southern Confederacy was bad
speculation.
PRISONERS, ETC.
Our losses thus tar are estimated ut As 900
in killed wounded and missing; q very large
proportion of this number consists in those
only slightly wounded and very many OF
them still able to be in the ranks, but avail
ing themselves Of u slight scratch to come
here, out of the range Of rebel bullets. Sew
cral of this kind have been found in the
hospitals, covered ,cih bdndages and unable
to move, who being examined are found to
DO without the slightest scratch. Wounded
men of this class are sent down to the front
upon the "double quick "
We have captured about Il, 900 prisoners.
including about 400 officers, many of them
of high rank. We have also captured so
pieces of artillery. 1000 prisoners. and over
800 rebel officers came through yesterday.
The destination of the latter is Fort Della
ware. Taking Lees losses into consldera-
ton his army must havo dwindled down to
ono half its original size. and with no hope
of reinforccments, while our losses which
nv, boavv ore made vOod nv the constant