Western sentinel. [volume] (Winston [i.e. Winston-Salem], N.C.) 1856-1886, 1864-06-02

y 8 s.
Correspondence of the Daily COME derate.
Battle Field near Spottsylvansa &. H., |
a4 sv May 16, 1864. {
Editors Confederate Il have delayed
day by day to write, n hope that the de-
cisive day would arrive, after which l
could give you detailed account OF our
operations. But this is now the tenth day
of continuous fighting, and the end is not
vet, and as [ have obliterated my pencil
ed notes by the torrents of rain WHICH fell
during the battle IF the 18th, and fearing
that / may forget all that | recollect con-
corning the battles that have been daily
fought, have concluded to write.
The enemy, about 125, 900 strong, cross
ed the lower tords of the Rapidan on the
afternoon and night OF the 4th, and made
their way towards Chancellorsvllle. AS
soon as this fact was ascertained, our ar
my was moved towards them, from their
camps on the Rapidan. Ewell taking the
old turnpike road and A. T. HilPs corps
the plank road They each came on the
enemy on those roads, to the west and
north of Charlottesville, and about seven
miles therefrotn. We made an immedi-
ate attack, and drove their advancing col
@umns in confusion about two and halt
miles, when having reformed on other
lites, the attack ON our part ceased, and
the defensive decided on. The enemy
was found posted IL seni-circle, In the
dense taickets of that region, and in front
of them our forces formed, and threw up
hasty breastworks of logs, and soon heavy
masses were thrown on portions of the
line, but were in every instance repulsed.
On Ewells line particularly the enemy
made their most strenuous efforts to break
through, and the slaughter they experience
ed in front of Johnston's, Earlys and
Rode's positions is said to have been very
great. This was on the 5th. On the 9th
they again attempted to break through
our lines at various points, but with the
same i'll success, and the rattle of mnsketry
could be heard alternately from Long
streets position on the extreme right to
Ewell on the left. They were everywhere
discemited,f aud their losses during these
two days was estimated at 10000 killed,
q wounded and prisoners.
During the evening of the 9th, it was
ascertained that the enemy were moving
to our right, with the hope OF turning it,
and Longstreets divisions were instantly
made to make q corresponding movement,
and reached this place at an early hour on
thes1tll, Wnlle we OF the ieitg WeI0 sol Ill
!. motion at daylight ON the 7th. The day
!. was hot and sultry, and the march rapid,
= and 10 little suffering was experienced by
I our division Atfmeridian we heard the
booming of guns at this point, and fears
were entertained that we would arrive too
) late to lend assistance to Longstreet' com
mand !; but before we had reached here
! We were met by the glorious news that
they had attacked him, bnt were repulsed
with d, loss of about 5 900 killed and wound
: ed. We were told to- hasten on, as re
. inforcements were hurrying forward to
the discomftted foe, Our division (Rodes)
arrived at Longstreet's right just at night
i tall, ]. .andsbefors we could getY ino position
agthe eneuuv again attacked him, and woald
i have thanked him but fur our timely pres:
'oepce. We instantly fofn1ed line OF battle
and at the fret attack the enemy fled, but
staa pursuit could not b be made from
. tho darkness and, e fhe thickness of the
aawoodsas Many strange fecounte ers and
hand TO hand fghts Are tod Of by our
! ] mem nasi who had become sscatsered' by this
pnderg roWth, |, aud met retrsating squads Of
the Yankee soldiery. captured about
500 prisoners, and eufersi little loss our
sAYeA On ths 9Th our Whole army a..