Evening star., 1864-05-14
ARMY OF THE POTOMAC.
Lee in Retreat-Uuion r Forces in Pursuit.
Official, Dispatches from Assistant Sec
fetary Of War Dana.

Official, Dispatches from Assistant Sec.
retary Of War Dana.
SPorTsYLvANIA, May l3- a. m.
Hon. E. n. Stanton, Secretdryef War.
Lee abandoned his position during the night
whether to occupy a new one in the vicinity,
or to make thorough retreat is not determined.
One division OF Wright's, and one division Of
Hancocks, are engaged in settling this aues.
ton. and at : 80 8. m. had come upon their rear
guard. Though our army is greatly faugued
from the enormous efforts OF yesterday, tn
news OF Lees departure inspires the men with
fresh energy. The whole force will soon oe In
motion, but the heavy rain Of the las: thirty.
six hours renders the road very difficult for
wagons and artillery. The proportion of
severely wounded is greater Than in either OF
the pre- vious days fighting This was owing
to the great use made Of artillery.
q. A. DANA.
The following dispatch was read yesterday
in the House of Representatives, by Hon. Elihu
B. Washburne, OF Illinois.
Mr.. Washburne, in presenting the dispatch,
said
off unanimous consent be given by the gen
tleman from Ohio, (Mr. Ashley,) 1 will state
to the House the importance of the official d,s-
patch from Mr.. Dana, Assistant Secretary OF
War Itis dated at Gen. Grants headquar-
ters, Yesterday morning, at 9 O'Clock. He says
morning. Hancock, during the mig ht took up
position between Wright and Burnside, and
at daylight attacked with his usual impetu-
osity, forcing the front and second line OF the
enemy, taking the whole OF the rebel Brig Gen.
Johnson's division and part Of Gen. Early's,
and capturing the rebel Brig. Gen. johnson
and Gen. Stewart, together with ~ guns. Burn
side on the left opened at the same time, and
advanced with but little opposition, and forced
junction with Hancock.
Wright attacked at 715, and was at work
while Warren was demonstrating in front to
hold the enemy, who was strong in his front
The precIse number of prisoners was not
known, but they can be counted by thousands
Correspondence Associated Pressl
HEADQUARTERS IN THE FIELD, May 13-7 a.
m.-Yesterday, as Informed yeu by message,
yet had-the most severe being in the forenoon.
The night previous General Hancock moved
part OF bis corps to the left OF the 9th corps,
where the enemy had strong position. and the
and which it was determined to take If possible.
At daylight the charge was made, and although
our men were met with the most destructive
fire, yet they gained the first line of works
before the rebels could get out and run. The
consequence was that over 8, ,00G prisoners were
taken, g. 1s0 men, and 241 officers, among them
Major General e. johnson, General G. H.
Stuart, brother OF President Stuart, of the San.
itary Commission, besides, IS is reported, ferty-
two guns, (only sixteen Of which saw, how.
ever,) with alsSons, etc, some OF wi aich were
manufactured in New York. The rebels made
the most strenuous exertions nearly all day I,
regain the position, but failed, each time they
came charging toward it bsing received with
such vollles as sent them back in disorder.
Bnrnsides men were not so fortunate in
their attempt to gain the line OF works in their
front, the I'd and Sd divisions being badly cut
up while making the effort.
The loss yesterday was very heavy, the
rebels being more than ours The tota num-
ber OF prisoners IN our hands now numbers
over $3.50 since the opening OF the campaign.
This morning the enemy seem to have fallen
back, and some believe they are in full retreat.
Our troops are being pushed forward, and We
shall soon learn the facts.
A dispatch was received yesterday from
Gen. Sheridan, announcing the destruction of
ten miles Of road, besides bridges at Beaver
Dam, the capture OF three trains and two To-
comotves, and the recapture OF 500 of our own
men. He said he had half a days forage left,
but was going to get more near Richmond.
This news being spread through the army
created great rejoicing.
Among the wounded yesterday were Lieut.
Col. Rogers, llth Pennsylvania; Gen. Brney,
slight Gen. Webb, slight: Capt Keyser, l4th
regulars: Capt. Kelly, 69th New York
Gen. Schriver has been appointed Governor
of Fredericksburg, and has gone thither to