The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1864-05-10

On moving at daylight towards their assigned position
through close forest they found 1t occupied by rebels
prepared to dispute its possession. The fighting at this
point was over by nine o'clock Finding Il impossible to
dIslodge the rebels from their position carly the
ing Hancock driven back close his breastworks
superior force bu, subsequently rallied his and
ceeded in roganng most Of tho lost ground. Between
ten and eleven O'Clock, however, Longsreet succeeded in
turning the lett OF his advance and throwing
into great confusion. This extended along the entire
line, and came near involving the whole corps 10
nextricable confusion. Ho was once more forced
back to his brsastworks, and the rebels actu.
ally planted their coors aside Of these but could
sustain themselves, and were soon elected.
AT this juncture heavy reinforcemens thrown TO
his support from Burnsldes corps and his men were
rallied and taken we'll in hand and all danger OF further
disaster removed, The charge OF Longstrset com
pletely overwhelming and crashing. Solid masses Of
Infantry hurled upon Hancock, line afor line,
with impssuosity which nothing could Withstand.
II was exceedingly fortunate for the Sixth corps,
and for the whole army that be checked at the cr
cal PERIOD and driven back with much precipitation
as he The ground 10 front Of Hancock had been
fought a number Of times, and the wounded, dead
and dying on the held vast multitude. Many Of
them had lain there long, but majority had been carried
away by the party in temporary OF the ground
Al night Hancock occupied his breastworks and had
nothing but prisoners and rebel dead TO show Tor the
slaughter OF the two days fighting. he behaved with
conspicuous gallantry throughout, and was the field
In person when dangers were thickest.
General Warren was also hotly assaulted along his
entire line and the utmost surprise manifested at
the number Of troops that Lee able 10 bring into
action. This corps retained its first position, however,
TN darkness closed the contest OF tho day About mid
night charge was made, which gave way, and
unable TO regain the ground thus lost. This OF
course compelled tho abandonment OF great portion Of
the line Of breastworks the front OF this corps and
brought the skirmsh line within q haf mile OF Generals
Grant and keades headquarters.
General Ssdgwcks corps maintained itself against the
vigorous assaults Of superior numbers at different times
during the day, and had serious reverse
until late In the evening charge made
on its extreme right Tor the purpose Of turn.
ing il, as was done with Hancock's, 10 the
morning. Miroys old division driven back great
confusion at length and the enemy succeeded eectu
ally turning our right flank. Tho behavior Of this
division was severely criticised
Reports % Soldiers from the Battle Field.
WASHINGTON. May Q, 1854.
II anything were necessary than .hs Official re-
ports which have been elegraphed TO assure you Of the
glorious victory which General Grant has achieved
may be found in the fact that out Of three hundred
tonight to receive the kind Offices Of Surgeon
Bliss, not one express doubt Of tho entire
Of General Grants movement The statement OF
these men, who from different commands the right
wing Of army that the attack upon that portion OF
General Grants line most furious, and for time ap
parantly irresistible Lonsstreet rebel corps exhibited
the most sublime bravery and was only repeled BY 'h'
superhuman efforts Of troops, after they had oeen
drivan thvss a~~r+ers OF mile from their align
mt ThA ehela how n
II was purely musketry Tight on Thursday, and the
shri whistle and rattle Of small is said by many
Of those with whom your correspondents have con.
verssd, veterans a. they are. never to have been
exceeded In any contest In which tney have
been previously engaged. In the wilderness.
whore there 10 . great degree Of underground
and thicker growth Of sunted timber II was found i'm
possible for 10 artillery to advantage. Ths
same the case with the enemy. Consequently the
engagement was almost wholly with Infantry, at short
range
At one time The right Of sedgwiok's corps wavered,
only tina determines spirit army, encouraged
by the knowledge OF the usde,s oosps
supporting distance of them. enabled hem not only to
check The enemy's ADVANCE but 70 drive them in turn
Thus Thursday without writing word Of the doings
on the other portous Of Grants line, the right wing
went TO rest conhdont that they had perfoamed their
duty J.n
the wounded men whose narrative We have briefly 70
corded 1t taken down, by starlight, walked from
field n the Wilderness TO Ely's Ford two HERALD
correspondents accompanying them In their devious
route. Al Eiy's Ford pontoon bridge was discovered,
and rebel gueras also reported on the other
sde The then took in the pontoou bridge
and went Cnancelorsvle and from thence TO Frede
rcksbug learning that Fredericksburg occupied by
eur cavalry.
Our men, who were not badly wounded, had twelve
muskets. Tho entire force tried to cross the Kappa
hammock, when they were fired upon our returned
the are and killed one man and one horse. None Of
wounded soldiers were further injured. They succeeded
in crossing and reached the Potomac Al Aqua, where
they were picked up by the steamer Rebecca Barton