The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1864-05-20

tie. Gen. Grant has fresh troops, and if he has
found Lee in his new entrenched line, it is evil
dent that if he did not attack him last night.
he has done SO to-day.
WASHINGTON, May 15-MIDNIGHT.-The lat
est intelligence received from the trout is I'M
official up to Saturday evening.
Just before dark the rebels made an attack
on the position occupied by the 9Th corps,
principally with artillery, but were finally driv-
en- back with severe loss. The cannonading
was furious for several hours. We lost num-
Der of valuable officers and from 200 to 800
killed and wounded.
One division of the 9TH Corps made charge
upon the enemys position, and it is reported
they captured rebel battery and NUMBER of
prisoners Saturday night.
Lees forces are believed to be in line of bat
tie about three miles beyond Spotsylvania G.
H. in sOuthweSterly direction.
Several important changes have been made
in the position of our several corps, but it
would be improper to say what they are.
Grant will bring to bear in the next attack
superior forces on all sides, and fresh troops
are arriving.
| A general assault was to have been made on
the enemy's right wing Saturday morning, but
| owing to the condition of the roads, which have
| been rendered almost impossible by the storm
| portion of our army failed to get into
| position and the attack had been abandoned
in consequence. My informant says the i'm
| preston prevails at headquarters that there
would be hard fighting yet this side of the
| North Anna river. Lee has his forces massed
and will give lis battle again soon as we ad-
| vance.
| His army, according to statement of prisoners
out hope of receiving any from Richmond or Lynch
| bnrgh. since tine fight Thursday we have captured
| about e0oO more prisoners, making our total cap
| lures in the neighbOrhOOd of IL, 000
EpuT Moy oil f<, Uyprll No
battle fought Friday, and but slight skirmishing,
which continued during the day and considerable
| portion of the night.
The enemy has again gradually drawn away
portion his left to position nearer his base of
supplies but we are pressing him so closely that if
he were to weaken his front materially it would be
| at great risk.
The reconstruction of our line was deter
mined upon on Friday night, and before day.
| light yesterday morning our troops commenced
an advance. Rain fell in torrents and mud is
| literally knee deep.
| Notwithstanding all obstacles trying to work
night and day, our men accomplished their adj
vance with cheerful alacrity. Their resolution
entities them to the highest praise.
| 1t would not be prudent to state with pre-
| cision the line adopted. 1t must be sufficient
| to say that it is more near to the left.
At the close of the fight Thursday we not
| only held the ground we had taken at the COM
| mencement, but also stronger advanced po-
sition.
WASHINGTON, May 15.-Our losses in killed
and wounded are almost made good by rein
| forcements which have already reached the
| Army of the Potomac.
Troops have been pouring through this city
| from the West and elsewhere during the last
| few days of the past week. 1t is believed the
| number will not amount to less than q, 900
| fresh men.
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, Nav
q al ~ w.
continues to strengthen his works, it is fully
expected, however, vigorous turning move
| ment will compel the evacuation of the rebel
| lines without battle.
| Yesterday afternoon the rebels suddenly de-
veloped their line of battle on our left, coming
through the woods and gobbling up several of
| our pickets and driving back the reserve.
were out beyond the front at the time, and
had an extremely narrow escape from capture.
| Immediately afterwards Wright threw out a
| force under cover of artillery fire and retook
the position, which was an important one.
WASHINGTON, May 16.-Secessionists have a
| story afoat that Buckner and Breckenridge
have Joined Lee, and that q portion of John
ston's army has reinforced Beauregard at Pc
tersburg. Buckner's junction with Lee is in
| military circles considered possible but not
probable.
A gentleman recently from Georgia, whose
statement can be relied on, furnishes the fol-
lowing information relative to the strength of
the rebel armies. Lees army he says is greatly
underestimate. There are near 300, 600 in the
rebel service. The last CONSUMPTION added
IS, 900 troops. The force at Charleston is less
than 4, 900. Lee and Johnston together have
23O. 900, of which number Lee has about two
thirds.
WASHINGTON, May 17.-Dispatches from the
Army of the Potomac to the 18th says that the
oil
struggle. .
BUFFALO, May 1.-THE Worlds special says
it is reported that Beauregard with large
force marched from Weldon and Petersburg,
reaching Richmond on his way to Lee. On
the other hand, captured rebel Major say6
that Butler has Beauregard fastened in Peters
burg and that he cannot help Lee.
The general opinion is that under Gilmore
and Smith operations against Fort Darling will
be short and successful. Sappers were already
within 300 yards of the fort.
Bragg commands the defences of Richmond.
Beauregard is also said to be in Richmond, Or
ganizing reserve army for Lee.
New YORK, May 1.-THE Worlds cores
pondent near Chester, Virginia, says our in
breastwOrks of Fort Darling; the first and Sc
cond line of defences have already been car
ried by assault. .-.
WASHINGTON, May 16.
To General Die:
We have dispatches from Grant to o'clock
this morning. He states that offensive opera
lions have been necessarily suspended until the
roads become passable. tJ
The army is in the best of spirits and feels
the fullest confidence in success. --l
The two armies are now concentrated on the
maiN road from Fredericksburg to Richmond.
The operations of General Sherman, in yes
terday and to-day's hard fighting, forced Johns
49, - = IL