Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1864-05-13

serious skirmi.h ensued, lasting more or less
till dark and was on the whole a triumph for
Grant. From one to two hundred prisoners
were captured.
The report that a battle was fought on
Wednesday is a mistake. On Wednesday
night, the two armies rested.
By 5 O'Clock on the morning OF Thursday,
Gen. Grant issued orders for an advance on
Lees lines.
The troops were full Of enthusiasm. War
rem on the left became at first engaged the
most warmly, and then Hancock in the centre
where the fighting soon grew very severe,
Hills rebel division fighting terribly.
The battle lasted for three hours without
much apparent change of position on either
side, the enemy rapidly hurting large masses
OF men against flancock's corps.
Owing to the nature of the country the
artillery could not be used to much advan-
tage on either side.
Thursdays fight continued till dark, tho
not all Of our army was engaged. At times
we drove the enemy a mile or two, then lost
and regained the same ground. the rebels
fighting all the time with great Stubborn
ness.
The enemy however did not gain any new
positions, neither did Hancock that were
Of much importance.
The number OF killed and wounded on our
side is estimated at from three TO FIVE thou
sand. At one point Grifith's battery made
terrible havoc.
Our forces remained under arms Thurs
day night. Friday morning the battle was
commenced afresh.
The messenger who reached Rappahan-
mock Station this morning states that yester-
day the great battle was fought. and that
Grant drove Lees centre more than two
miles, his dead and wounded being left in
our hands.
All our army was engaged on Friday, even
the mOstOi Burnside's corps being put into
the fight.
OF the result of Fridays battle neither
the Government nor any one here has any
details.
WASHINGTON, May 50 A. NJ.
| learn from a reliable source that infor-
nation has been received here tonight that
the BATH one Friday resulted in an entire VIC
tory for Grant
It is now believed that no battle was
fought Saturday and that Lee has retreated.
The following official dispatches are pub
lished. 10 Maj. Gen. j. A. Dix, n. Y.
WASHINGTON, MayS-9 A. NJ.
We have no official reports from the front
but the medical director has notified our
Surgeon General that our wounded were
being sent TO Washington, and will number
from SIX to eight thousand.
The chief quartermaster of the Army Of
the Potomac has made requisition for several
days grain and for railroad construction
trains, and states that the enemy Is reported
to be retiring. This indicates Gen. Grants
advance and affords an inference OF material
success on our part. The enemy's strength
has always been most felt in his first blows,
and these having failed and our forces not
only having maintained their ground. but
preparing to advance, lead to the hope Of
full and complete success, for when either
party fails, disorganlzation by struggling
and deserving commences.
The enemy's loss in killed and wounded
must weaken him more than we are weak
ensd.
Nothing later than my last nights dis
patch has been received from Gen. Butler.
Nothing later from Gen. Banks.
You may give such publicity to the in
formation transmitted 10 YOU as You think
prOper