New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1864-05-10

Aeaiust these two brigades the enemy directed sew
cra very severe attacks during the afternoon and al u
o'clock or suffering had been 50 great that Gen. sedg
wick sent staff officer to Gen burnside win the re-
quest that Gen. Wicoxs division, which was formed
uuon their right with an interval OF mile between
might he moved toward the left 10 support them when
the attack should be renewed The General promised
10 comply with the request but meanwhile orders we're
received from Cen Grant which prevented the assist
ance from being furnished and the 9th Corps remained
"a the front line the whole afternoon and until the even
ing Of the day following. Fresh supplies Of AMMUNITION
were brought up and owing to the persistence OF our
troops the enemy iailed to turn our flank
On Thursday night We had gained abont mile OF the
woods which, however, not OF great importance
as the enemy had not yet taken his position Tie fight
iug was all of il in tangled th.cet, which gave to The
enemy al The advantage in attacks The darkness
did not close The hgbting but the enemy continued at
intervals to fire yocys Of musketry during the entire
night
On Friday morning as soon II light the fight
ing ives renewed Gen. Seymour, recently returned
IRON South Carolina commanded provisional division
ON the extreme right.
Gen Wright's division took position next TO him on
the right and left of the road and Gen. ricketts, upon
the extreme let 81 The right wing was Joined on to tie
Fifth Corps, which formed the center The position
was one Of extreme difficulty. Beside tie surrounding
ravncs and thick underbrush Of the woods there was
between our own line ard that of the enemy swamp
Of thirty rods in width, which the Rebels commanded
not only in the front but with q raking dIo.
Several Intellectual efforts to Dive the enemy from
this position were made during the day. The first at
daylight, has been already mentioned Another attack
was made along the entire line at 81 o'clock in which
our losses were very severe The fighting was despcr
ate and the only advantage gained that the e1-
,reIne right of our line swung few hundred yards
in advance of its previous position Gen. seynours
conduct was sufficient to remove any tarnsh which
may upon his reputation Ills conduct is spoken Of
In warmest terms on all hands.
At o'clock The fighting broke out with increased
severity and our losses still great without secur-
ing US any important advantage, or changing tie posi-
lion Of the line.
At 100 o'clock the firing again renewed upou the
hight wing in Gen. scymours division, but insy sab
sided into picket shooting No renewal Of the attack
made by troops during tbs day.
Tic negro troops OF Gen. Burnside, commanded by
Gen. Fererro had been placed the disposal Of Gen.
sedgvick. With the request that, unless absolutely
necessary, they sbould not be PIT into the fight
The negroes remained within milo and half Of the
front during the entire day until dusk and were not
brought into action.
At noon orders sent along tho line 10 sathe M
the troops well into line In expectation Of charge
Earthworks also commenced as precaution
against disaster.
All was quiet during the afternoon. and hardly
picket shot disturbed the silence Of the tine which
like evening in June At Abou, ocook occasional
shot fIOm sharpshooter stationed in the top Of neigh
boring tree sent bis singing missile through the branches
Of the woods In which Gen Sedgwick seated
with bis staff. 1t thirty hours since the Cen
eral had sent his message; 1.-THE enemy trying 10
turn flank. Send support. they be spared"
For many long hours the men, weary with fighting
and fasting had been patiently waiting to be relieved
from the position which they had held until full half Of
many regiments had been sent 10 the rear An officer
Of Sedgwiek's staff remarked: I'VE are in great dan
ger OF our position being turned"
just as We leaving to ride along the length Of
Scdgwicks line We heard the Rebels cheering in
front, which suggested that order being read,
or that Gen Lee might be riding along the lines Fiji
teen minutes later firing OF muskery broke forth in
heavy and repeated voleys mingled with the sound of
Which came that familiar yell which indicates Rebel
charge and as the sounds grew rapidly nearer it was
too evident that Sedgwiok had experienced the misfor
tune which had been anticipated the entire day.
Soon the Sixth Corps rushing In disordery masses
out of the woods some weaponess. some hatess, all
heartless panic stricken and pale some with extended
neck and arms. with dropping heads and hands. ap"
some Indignantly and angrily shouting to thelr com
panions charging them with cowardice oDd dirhohor'
The crowd rushed through the valley "Hu up Tue opos.
ing HILL "A part only gathering fosoiuoh enough u
make a stand upon the s-'nrnit' a slender me was
gathered on the bib "heh. a. the enemy showed no
dsposton TO ADVANCE beyond the woods, was sufficient
20 Lo,a tho ane Stragglers were streaming toward
the rear IN the greatest confusion.
brief description Of the position will explain the
nature Of the movement which lost the 9th Corps It's po
sition maintained so nobly for day and hak Our
line on the right wing formed semicircle running
about the base Of ridge and in front Of line
tended swamp 30 rods in width Across the right OF
our line thus extended the enemy charged and Mt the
first onset the brigade which held the position Of
honor, rushed from their ntrenchmonts without dis
charging musket and threw into panic those nearest
them which spread until the entire corps infected
Gen Sedgwick. whose headquarters close by
the front the top Of the ridge, at the first indication
OF panic estimating the issues involved in the loss Of
the position threw himself boldly into the breach. and
on the yey front Of the line, swinging his hat in his
hand attempted TO rally the men, but It was Of no vail
and might cane down upon the 9th Corps scattered
and hfokenwith large losses Of killed, wounded and
captured. Gc. Seymour-recently returned from the
South-was upturod, while bruvely encouraging the
division whi,h he had commanded so brayely during
the engagement
The result of this movement upon lines was to
lose US an Important position TO open 10 the enemy the
roads leadirg TO Germania Ford and TO leave our
whole right nnk without any support whatever. Had
the enemy )een In condition TO appreciate and