Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1864-05-16
BATTLE FIELD, NEAR sPOTsYLvAsIA G. II.
VIA. GUINFAs STATION, Nay IL.


BATTLE FIELD, NEAR SPofsYLvAsIA G. II.
VIA GUKEA's STATION, Nay IL.
Very little Of interest tranipred here yesterday
Heavy diminishing occurred at intervals during the
whole of last night. This morning at daylight
the enemy having massod heavy forces in front
of Johnston's Division, made most vigorous
assault upon Jones' brigade. For while our liue Of
battle was broken, aud the enemy pressed over our
breastwOrks, gaining possession Of several pieces of
our artillery and capturing q number Of prisoners.
Forces, however, were quickly sent to the relief Of
those thus engaged and the enemy was driven back
About 10 O'Clock this morning. the enemy made mort
vigorous and repeated assaults upon Fields Division,
bat were driven back with great slaughter.
AT o'clock P. N 4, the enemy are making a most
desperate fight in EwtPs 'front.' but all accounts con-
cur that we are driving them back and furnishing them
with great slaughter.
The musketry firing to-day was the heaviest of the
war The battle has extended along the whole line to-
day, and has been fought by the Yankees with more
vim and bravery than any other fought on Virginia
soil.
Among our casualties Brig. Gen. Perrin, killed;
Brig. Gen. Walker of the Stonewall brigade wounded
in the m; Col. Garnett Of the 9th o. killed; Brig
Gen. McGowan reported wounded.
We captured 2 600 Of the enemy's wounded, left by
them at the Wilderness.
Yankee papers of the TIL contain letters written from
Grants headquarters, acknowledging loss OF 10000
men in the Wilderness fight.
Yankee prisoners say that General Grant ia putting
fresh troops in the fight To-day.
At2 o'clock severe and continuous fighting had oc-
CURED all along our lines, but the enemy had been
everywhere repulsed and cases we have driven
the enemy before US.
A heavy rain Las been falling all day and great
part last night to add to the discomfort of troops
bui our men buoyant aud resolu!o.
So far we have achieved grand results bu; the enc
my are still pressing the battle with desperation.
Our loss to-day is not very heavy, as We have been
fighting mostly behind brsastwOrks. The enemy are
fighting in the open field and their loss must be terrible
Hills whole corps has been extensively engaged all day.
recovering in some instances the ground lost by other
troops, aud Mahone's and Lanes brigades, about
o'clock, made mOst gallant charge, capturing about
800 prisoners and number Of stands Of colors.
Gen. Z /. johnson ind G. q Stuart are missing and
are supposed to have been captured.
About 3 P. N. the firing ceased in front, and in
great measure all along the lines and it is supposed tie
enemy are gradually moving back.
SECOND DIsPATcH.l
BATTLE FIELD SPoIsYLvAKIA @. H., Nay 18Th.
Via Guinea's Station, May IA.
The battle yesterday lasted all day and late into last
nghh
Our men, after a temporary repose in front Of John.
sons Division succss,uy resisted every onset Of the
enemy who repeatedly assaulted our lines with troops
nassed 10, as say, many ten columns deep.
Our boys stood nobly to their work, png the enemys
dead thicky before our breast-works.
The lowest estimate of the enemys loss in the battle
yesterday, is 10000 These 6gnrss are oorroborated
by a Yankee Colonel wounded and in our hands
The Yankee General Stevenson was killed on
the 10th.
Our losses yesterday in killed aud wounded are esti-
mated a. 1000. Among the casualties on side yes
day, were the fOlloWing'
Gen. Gordon, slightly woundsd Col. Baker, Of the
lS.h Miss, killed L.. Col Felter of the same regi
ment, killed; Col Hpding, of the 10th Mss, killed
Lit Col. Nsimer, of the = Va, killed.
There was continuous fighting for ten hours yester
day. on one point and so severe the musketry fire.
that trees were cut down by it.
Prisoners say that Gen. Grant expressed determi-
nation not to over the river while he has man
left.
Reports from Fredericksburg say that the enemy are
arresng all the male citizens hostages for prisoners
alleged to have been captured by citizens on Sunday
last.
It is also stated that the enemy had force of one
thousand men, Monday, busy putting the railroad
between Fredericksburg and Aqua Greek in running
order.
The Yankee prisoners say that Gen. Grant is Issuing
whiskey rstons to bis troops.
Our troops, yesterday fought with more than usual
bravery and galantry, and the enemy fought mo
stubbornly than ever.
Thus far to-day, there has been general engage
ment-Ony eight diminishing and occasionally dis
charges of artillery.
A heavy rain has been falling since o'clock A. ~,
and the roads are deep with mud
Is is supposed that this battle will be called the Battle
Of SpOtsylvania Court House.
Our men are as resolute ever whilst accounts from
the Yankee side show that their troops are growing
dispirited
The enemy, yesterday certainly bayonetted some of
our men in the breastworks.
The enemy, to day, still in our 'front.' strongly
fortified and show no signs Of falling back.
THIRD DkSPAfoHI
BATTLE FnLD, SPorsYLvANIA U. Il /, Nay IA,
Via GUEEA's STATION, May Is
There was only slight iqfantry skirmshng to-day,
with occasional discharges Of artillery.
Grant shows signs of falling back. Scouts report
him to be receiving no rsnfOrcemsnts, though prison
ers say he ia expecting Schen,k with troops from Bal
timOre aud other points.
Il b,lieSed thAi Grant had H,1tz lma1 with troops
from the Notifications Washington, in tie fight of
Thursday.
JohnsOn's Division, in the 6gh. Of Thursday, lost
about 900 prisoners aud ls pieces Ct artillery, ptoc
paly from Pages and Orenshaw's Bst.eries
Grants dead in ous froas Ill IN lurif j.
The enemy have bsen busy all day shifting troop
from point to point and manG lvring generally.
Brig. Gen. Daniel, wounded in the fight Of Thursday,