Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1864-06-04
OFFICIAL DISPATCHES.

90 The ortion of the squadron above the falls a
Alexandria have been relieved from their unpfeas
ant position, owing to the indefatigable exertion
of It, Col Bailey, acting engineer of the 10th arm,
corps, who proposed and built tree dam Of 60'
feet across the river at the lower falls, which
enabled all the vessels to pass in safety, the bael
water of the Mississippi reaching Alexandria and
allowed them to pass over the shoals and the OBJ
structions planted by the enemy to point o
safety {" ~ y. t.-... Is.
Lieut. Col. Bailey will be Immediately Nominated
for promotion, for distingu ished and meritoriou
service. .-'"a "a 4
An official report from Cairo, dated May 22d
states that the army of gunboat were all safe a
the mouth of Red river and Semmesport. 81. .H
Maj. Gen. Sherman, by dispatch dated $3.50 p
NJ last night, reports that he would be ready b.
this morning to resume his operations. Returned
veterans and regiments, he says, have more thar
replaced all losses and detachments. ~ 80
Official reports of this Department show that
within eight days after the great battle ofspottsy
vania O. H. many Thousand veteran troops hav,
been forwarded to Gen. Grant the whole army has
been amply supplied with full rations of subsis
tence upwards of 10000 sick and wounded have
been transferred from the field to Washington hos
pitfalls and placed under surgical care: over 5000
prisoners have been transported from the field tC
prison depots, and large amounts of artillery ant
other implements of an active campaign brought
been forwarded TO the army and the grand Army
of the Potomac is now fully as strong in mum
bers and better equipped, supplied and furnished
than when the campaign opened. -
Several thousand reipsorcements have also been
forv dod 10 fhara in he fall md nj
supplies for ALL During the same time over SO, 900
volunteers for hundred days have been mustered
into the service, clothed, armed, equipped and
transported to their respective positions. Gfs.
This statement is due to the chiefs of the army
staff aud bureaus and their respective corps OF as
sistants, to whom the credit is due.
Il. NJ. STANTON.
WASHINGTON, May 24-1O p. NJ.
To Gov. j. r. Lelois:
The Department has received dispatches from
Gen. Grant to O'Clock this morning.
The movement commenced by him on Friday
night forced the rebels to abandon their strongly
fortified position at spottsylvania Court House
and fall back towards Richmond.
Yesterday Gen. Grant pushed his columns across
the North Anna, where very heavy engagement
great loss. Our loss is reported to be inconsdera
BILE. The enemy IL retreating our troops are fol
lowing up closely
Negroes reported that Lee is retiring to Rich
mond.
General Grant says everything looks exceedingly
favorable to us.
Nothing of Importance has transpired between
General Buffers forces and the enemy since satur
day night, when attack by the enemy was hand
somely repulsed.
Gen. Sherman moved south from Kingston yester
day, and no reports from him expected for some
days.
Our troops on the Red River have safely reached
simmsport, in better condition than was expected
and will soon be able to resume offensive opera
tions.
This is the brief summary of official reports re
ceived to the present date by this Department
You at liberty to make it public.
EDWIN NJ. STANTON,
Secretary of War.
WAR DEPARTMENT,
rss44-- WASHINGTON, May 24-1O P.
To Mag. lien. Dir:
A disI .tch from Grant, dated at IL o'clock las
night, states that the army moved fromits position
to the North Anna, following closely Lees army
The 5th and 9th corps marched by way Of Harri
store to Jericho ford, and the 5th corps succeeded
in effecting a crossing and getting position with
out much opposition. Shortly after, however
they were violently attacked, and handsomely re
pulsed the assault without much loss to us. w
captured some prisoners. Every thing looks ex
ceedingly favorable.
Another dispatch giving details of the movement
of our corps, and speaking of the rebel assault o.
Warren's position says: &c He was attacked wit
great vehemeney. 1 have never heard more rapi
firing, either of artillery musketry. The attac
resulted in a destructive repulse to the enemy"
At the position attacked by Hancock the rebel
were intrenched and in considerable force betwee
two creeks. Lee had crossed the river and made
pertinacious resistance to his onset, but befor
dark he had forced them from therworks and drov
them across the stream.
lie also said in these engagements their slaugh
ter was great Our losses were inconsiderable.-
The rebels charged against our artillery and suffer
ed especially from canister.
A dispatch from Grant, dated this morning ha
also been received. He states that the enemy ha
fallen back from the North Anna and we we're il
pursuit. Negroes who have come in say Lee !
falling back on Richmond.
that Warren, Burnside and Hancock were pushin
forward after the retreating enemy. Warren cap
tured good number of prisoners last'evening, blu
had not had time to count them ascertain hi
loss. Hancock, IN storming the rifle pits this sid
of the river last evening also took between 100
200 prisoners and drove many rebels into the river
where they were drowned.
Warren also captured some off ciaI papers, anon
which was an official order calling out boys Is year
of age to garrison Richmond. Ambulance me
and musicians are also ordered to the ranks.
Sheridan was this morning at Dunkirk, and will b
at Milford tonight. ~ <F
g.. Dispatches from Gen. Butler have been receive
to day. relating chiefly to the respective position
of the forces. Admiral Lee, in a telegram date
the 22d, to the Secretary of the Navy, states tina
last night and Saturday night the enemy attacke
the army, but were handsomely rep ulsed.
A dispatch from Gen. Candy, dated the 18th,
the mouth of Red river, states that Gen. Banks
troops arrived at simmesport yesterday, and wi
reach Morganza to-day. The army is in bette
condition than was expected, and is prepared t
resume offensive operations.
E. NJ. STANTON.
WASHINGTON, May rs, 9 p. NJ.
To MAJ. Gen. Dir; II IS t<iLti
| The latest date from Gen. Grants headquarters
received by this Department, is dated at Mour
Carmel Church, at P. NJ. yesterday. The di
| patch says:
"Eyerything is going well. Warren has 400 pri
oners, Hancock some 300, and Wright has pickle
| up some 200. The whole number resulting frol
yesterdays operations will not fall short of ,00
Warren,s loss Ia not over 800 killed and undeC