Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1864-05-21
In the brauch OF the Pc. As 1t was ne

In the braoeh OF the Pc. As 1t was ne
ssary TO hold this position until it was
certain tho enemy were gone, General Han
cock did not stay the progress of the men
engaged in forming breastw orks, but added
another line in tue open ground around
Todds Tavern, a regiment of artillery work.
ing all night to finish them. 1t was very
pretty sight the lanterns of the workmcn
hung to the blossoming cherry trees, and
picturesque groups of soldiers digging and
erecting the works, while batteries stood
harnrssrd up, their cannoniers lying n the
ground oroand the carriages, in wait for an
emergency
At sunrise scouts advanced and found the
enemy in small force; and about MONDAY
Gen. Hancock left Gen. Wards brigade to
hold the position, and advanced with his
corps. toward the river Po, which by night
he had, after considerable resistance, passed.
Gen. Burnside, pushing out on the extreme
left. advanced to place in front of Sedg-
wick's pow rights corps. A reconnaissance
hy two regiments was made. These ad-
vanced some distance without meeting much
resistance. At the same time the cannonade
along some portions of the front was quite
brisk between our aud the Rebel artill-
cry.
The road which our troops faced runs
from Orange Court House to Fredericks-
burg, and is torty-one miles long. 1t crosses
no river. Proceeding from Orange Court
House, we come at distance Of ten miles
to Verdiersville ten mics further brings us
to Parker's store, six miles further to Wilder
ness 1ye miles further to Chanceilorsvllc I;
ten miles more to fredericksburg.
TIE BATTLE OF THE 20.
Battle broke out at half past Il. M.
on Tuesday, the most stubborn the world
has known. A description was given in
our second edition of yesterday, and in our
later news we shall no doubt have further
details. Grant and Meade were in the sad
die. Ewell had left for Richmond, it was
thought, but on this day he returned, and
Lees entire force was engaged. Wrigh.s
corps moved ami captured line OF works.
Burnside moved on the encmy's right to
counteract threatened flank attack of the
enemy, drove him from his first rihe-pits,
and captured from two to three thousand
prisoners. General Grants despatch states
that we have over five thousand prisoners
from the enemy, and that his loss is greater
than ours-the advantage resting entirely
with us. Prisoners unite in saying that Lee
is dumbfounded oy the present conduct OF
our army.
REBEL ACCOUNTS.
The following is published in the Rich
Inond dispatch, of tho 7th instant, as the
despatch of its special correspondent "Sal.
lust" and gives an account of the second
day's-Friday' engagement:
"ORANGE CoCRT House, Friday, May 6,
The enemy renewed the attack this
morning with great violence, attempting to
turn our right and get between US and
Richmond. Every attack of the enemy was
repulsed. We have driven him some dis
tance on the left, but he is very stubborn on
the right, but is: now giving way.
Lieutenant General Longstreet had turn
cd the enemy left, and was steadily pushing
him back, when he wrs severely wounded.
lie was shot By MahOne's brigade through
nsistdke. Gen. Longstreet is doing well. He
anl his command saved the day ON the right.
The artillery took but little part on either
side, on account of the woods and the na-
ture of the ground Our loss is very severe,
including many valuable officers. General
Wadsworth, of the Yankee army, was killed.
The battle was fought in the wilderness,
and will probably be designated as the
battle of the. Wilderness The enemy has
been pushed back toward Charlottesville
and Fredericksburg. Everything looks well
for our success
trations of the battle of the Wilderness,
append copy of despatch from Gen.
John Pegram to Gen. Jeb. Stuart, which was
obtained by the capture of the courier car
rying it, and which shows the important
fact that Icngstreet after fighting our right
under Sedgwick in the morning, made a
rapid march, united with A. p. Hill, and as
sisted in the tremendous effort made to roll
up Hancock's left on the afternoon of the
same day, all the circumstances of which
have detailed in former letters
GENERAL: l learn from Gen. r. +. Lee
that the enemy attacked Ewell early this
morning, and were repulsed as usual. There
was some confusion in Hills corps, but as
soon as Longstreet came up he commenced
driving the enemy, and has been doing so
up to this tine, 7.20 p. NJ. Gen. Lee says
you can render him very essential service by
a vigorous attack on the enemy's left.
PEGRAM.
Oddly enough, the attack was made near
Todd's Tavern, but Stuart was badly whip
ped by our cara'ry, and the essential service
was not rendered