New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1864-05-09

have ennsed n halt OF tho coumns-and now we are
listening for tho FIRST gun. II the enemy does
10 preclptate the battle here our army before night will
hold the position contemplated by the morning order
On the other hasA we can well afford 10 fight him now
II lie six miles back TO the Rapidan we are attacked
will be with the hope Of breaking through the moving
columns by vigorous assault upon the flank. Gems.
Grant and Meade and Warren and Sedgwick will see to
II that what the enemy supposes to be weak flank no
shall find 10 his cost Is nothing less else than for.
midable front.
have never seen the army move with moro exact
order with less number Of stragglers, and with 80
little apparent fatigue 20 the men. All had full ration
Of sleep last nght-wLch is better augury OF victory
than reinforcement Of thousands. The roads are in
excellent condition the weather delightful and 80 warm
that whole divisions abandoned their oyercoats and
extra blankets on the march. At one point noticed
some hundreds Of overcoats had been thrown into a
stream to improve the crossing. Ovacoats ard blankets
are decidedly better for the purpose than rails.
Understand that Burnside marched last night to
join this army and Will reach Germania to-day. 1t Is
understood that Gen. Butler is making simultaneous
Onward to Richmond" and viii first occupy City
Point, James River. That these two movements are
being madcis generally known in the army, and has
most inspiring effect
Rest your confidence not only In what may be pre-
dcted upon the records of its Generals as to how TINS
army will be handled but in this The rank and tte r'sI
k9Ai this 6sAt rih more than the GiGn cfhe French With
more than h pluck of the British. They feel 1t in their
bones that something allied " these but better than
either mr. both c. AP.
WILDERNESS BATTLE. FIELD. Thursday, May So p. N.
How perfect have been the combinations,
how completely on time they have been executed how
well in hand the army has been every hour and is now.
how nasterly and successful thus fay has been the
moycmcnta this is so clearly apparent that can but
notice it here, even while spirited battle Is being
fought only half a mile from whore write.
Let me here pay tribute to the first soldier killed In
this comnoign Let Charles Wilson Of Franklin Mass.
private in Co. l. lsth Mass. Col Jos. Hayes command.
ing be remembered as the first man to give his life in
this God wiling last grand campaign Of the war.
Immediately after writing up" this morning rode
out 10 (;rin's lines then reported TO be menaced by
the enemy. His division In line Of battle at RICH,
angle, with and ON either side of the Old Turnpike The
enemy had evidently dispatched force from his lair on
Mine Run to worry and delay our march by threatening
in flank Gen. Griffin had sent the 18th Massachusetts
and Esd Pennsylvania, under Col Hayes Of the former
to feel well out on the turnpike 1t was here that
Charles Wilson fell, the Rebel skrmish line opposing
yigilant front Finally. after some little firing. Gen
Warren who had como up in person. ordered an I'D
vance down the road in force. Ayres brigade moved
on upon the right OF the road and Baretts upon the
left with each flank well supported.
Field officers obliged to dismount dense was
the growth Of dwarf pines An advance OF less than
half milo and smart fusilado opened the action The
two brgades carried The first eminence and push
ing up second. when owing to failure Of the com
mands right and left to connect and form continuous
line the Rebels anked them both Sides Col Hayes,
18th Massachusetts,, finding himself in command Of sew
eral regiments and the enemy all around him. formed
line facing to the and fought in both directions
At length he gave the order to fall back and the move
mept was being executed when be was hit on the aeap