Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1864-05-14

Sedwicks corps maintained itself against
vigorous assault superior in numbers. at diff
erent times during tn day, and had no serio' 8
reverse until late in the evening. when des-
perate charge was made on its extreme right
| for the purpose of turning it, as was done to
Hancock s in the morning.
Milroy's old division was driven back with
| great confusion at length, and the enemy sue
coded in effectually turning our right flank.
This necessitated the transfer of our wound
ed and all supply trains from the Germania
Ford road to our landing at Charlottesville.
| The latter were motion all night, and at
| daylight Lee had occupied Germania and cut
off the retreat of the army by that route,
which would have given him the advantage
but night worked him incalculable mischief
causing an undue extension of his line, and
| a corresponding weakening of the line.
The contest of Friday was unsatisfactory.
Many officers were Responding and feared
| that Lee would in some manner defeat Grant,
and superficial observer might construe the
| repulses that day into defeat, but no such fore
bodings found resting place in the minds of
those who knew the teaacity of purpose and
fertility OF resource characteristic of Grant.
The advantages of nsxt day verified their
hopes. The battle recommended at daylight
| on Saturday. but the firing was desultory and
either side both Generals being intent on
strategy, and neither anxious to bring on a
general engagement.
Burnside was well under way to Spottsyl-
vania. Lee had thrown infantry on TO our
right, and drove in our cavalry pickets on the
Gsrmania road.
The result could only be to precipitate the
retreat on the part of Lee to prevent our ar
nv from being thrown between himself and
Richmond, or force him into am open field,
which would result in his determination.
Lee seemed intent on cutting our commu-
nicatiOns via Germania Ford. Grant appear
ed utterly Indifferent to this and seemed ath-
or to court it by Withdrawing Sedgwick from
his position and throwing it back by Germa-
mia Ford. near his own headquarters. and
pushing Burnside out of Spottsylvania Court
House. tapping Lees line of communication.
The new line was formed by placing i'm posi-
ton corps extending nearly north and south.
and gave Lee a choice of being cut off from
his capital or risking everything on the verge
of battle.
He soon discovered the error, and to all ap-
pearance had started in hot haste for another
line of defence. Some think Lee found North
Anna river. while others are fully certain
there was no tenable position for him TO fall
back to between this and Richmond.
WAAHISGToy, May Z.
The Washington Republican has an extra
that official dispatches announce our complete
victory over Lee. and that the rebel army is
retreating in the direction of Spottsylvania,
Grant pursuing.
GENERAL sUTAER's OPERATIONS.
WASHINGTON. May 10.
To Maj. Genera! Dir, ~ r.:
The following dispatch was received from
Gen. Butler. 1t tells the story.
(Signed,) E. NJ. STANTON.
HESDoUARrERr, NEAR BERMUDA Lane, !
May 9th, 1864.
Orr operations may be summed up in few
words. With 200 cavalry we have advance
ed up the Peninsula. forded the Ghickahomi-
ny. and safely brought them to our present
position. These were colorcd cavalry, and
are now holding position AZ our advance to-
ward Richmond.
Gen. Koutz, with 1000 cavalry from Suf-
folk on the same day with our movements up
James River, forded the Blackwater and burn
ed the railroad bridge at Stony Creek, below
ces at that point.
We have landed here, entrenched ourselves,
destroyed many miles of railroad, and got a
position which, with proper supplies, We can
hold against the whole OF Lees army.
have ordered up the supplies.
Beauregard, with a large pertiod of his
command, was left south of the cutting of the
railroad by Gen. Kautz.
That portion which reached Petersburg un-
der Hill have whipped to-day, killing and
wounding many and taking many prisoners,
after a snvere and well contested fight.
Lieut.. Gen. Grant will not be troubled with
any further reinforcements from Beauregard's
forces to Lee.
(Signed,) BENZ. J. BUTLER.
Major General Commanding.
WASHINGTON, May IL.
Dispatches were received from the army Of
the Potomac to yesterday.
Both armies held their positions at Spots
ylyania without material change. The enemy
have been driven to their breastworks.
The corps under Gen Wright had carried
the first line of the enemy's rife pits. Heavy
skirmishing during the day. Nothing heard
from Sherman or Butler since noon yesterday
Gen. Sedgwick is killed.
E. M. STANTON.