The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1864-06-07
TWELFTH vOLUME---NUMBER ga.
FROM GEN. LEES ARMY.
Correspondence of the Richmond Enquirer

Army Northern Virginia, May Goth, 1861
Having been on the march for night and two
days, opportunities TO write have been limited. IL
is no secret that Grant has made his third change
of base which has necessitated a corresponding
movement on our own part; and both armies again
confront each other in the vicinity Of the memo
rable scenes of 1862.
IL became apparent, Thursday night, that the
Yankees did NOT intend give battle on the line
of the North Anna, and that they were moving 70
our left and down that river. This impression
was confirmed by the sharp skirmishing ia front
Of our centre the same night with the evident de-
sign TO feel our lines, which was repeated early
Friday morning, while their army was already on
the move. The order was given aud our army was
put in motion, preceded hy the wagon trains, aud,
having the "inside track" pursued its way lei
surely until il arrived at its present position-An-
derson's division bringing up the rear. The
march was und;sturbed by any unusual incident,
and the troops, whose heroic forttude is as i'm
pressively exhibited in their endurance Of hard
ship as III the fearicssncss with which they brave
death on the battlefield, bore it uncomplaiuingly
and cheerfuy, Everything gives dreadful note
of preparation" for another bloody conflict, and
the proximity the two hostile armies warns Us
that collision may now occur at any day, unless
Grant, not liking the situation, should decide to
make still another change of base.
About IL o'clock yesterday q severe cavalry
fight occurred near Hawes shop, between detach-
ments of several brigades of Fitzhugh Lees and
Hamptons divisions and corps Of Yankee caval-
ry. supported by large body of infantry, estima-
ted at TWO corps The enemy were guarding the
road leading from that point TO the Peninsula.
Their cavalry were dismounted during the fight,
and commenced firing on us at distance. Both
parties advanced, and the enemy repeatedly tharg-
ed our line and were handsomely repulsed in every
effort Their centre was driven in, or fell back,
and being in imminent danger Of being surroun-
ded on both fanks by the largely superior and
combined forces Of both cavalry aud infantry, wo
were compelled to retire short distance to avoid
1.-THE enemy's artillery playing on our ranks
continuously The musketry very heavy, and
as incessant for time as the volleys between in
fIntry in regular line Of battle. The loss on both
sides was heavy and few prisoners taken. Among
the casualties were Colonel Millen, OF Georgia,
killed, aud Colonel Duunavant, Of South Carolina,
wounded by pistol shot through tho left hand
Most of our loss is attributed 20 the fact thar
ly all the force engaged on part new
men, whose only idea was to go in and fight, which
they did most CALAMITY and credtably. The fight
continued at intervals until nearly five o'clock i.
NJ, without decisive result, save the ascertaining
Of the enemy's position and strength on that part
Of his lines.
The youthful and dashing General Young, Of
Georgia, has been temporarily assigned to the
Of the brigade Of North Carolina caval-
ry of General Gordou wounded in the late fight
below Richmond
The first ration of tobacco, under the act Of Con-
gress was issued to the army on Friday. Double
rations Of bacon have been issued for several days.
with the addition Of Irish potatoes, which is re-
ceived by the troops as an evidence of the ability
of the government to feed them, well as another
indication of the interest manifested for their
health and comfort.