Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1864-05-20
FRoM rHE PoronIAc NRMY.

brigade. Burnside chased Ewell over three
miles
The Worlds special saysrrhat Grant rnassed
nearly 400 pieces of artillery against Lees po-
sition at Spottsylvania Courthouse on Tuesday,
and fired for two hours, when the assaultswas
finally ordered, and the advancing columns met
with but feeble resistance, and Lees line did
not wayer until Just before the close of the bat
tie, and then it fell back, and we gained consid-
cradle ground.
Washington, May l2.-The Star says that
Gen. BurnsIdes colOred troops were held Ia re-
serve, but We're subsequently brought into ac-
tion, and fought with desperation. Their Off
GERS expected to have considerable difficulty in
restraining them, as they appeared to be desir-
Gus not to take any prisoners, being exasperated
by the remembrance Of Fort Pillow, and the
atrocities committed there.
HEADQUARTERS ARMY or THE PoroNAC.
Battle Field near SpOttsylvania, May II.
Our army this morning was entirely engaged
in the fiercest of its battles and pushing on to
victory After the sanguinary and generally
successful battle ON Tuesday, the Army during
Yesterday was comparatively quiet. A feeble
demonstration against right wing was
pulsed this a. m. reconnaissance was made
on our right to face the enemys left. 1t was
intended to assault the enemys right in force.
column consisting of portion of the 9th
corps and Birney's division of HancOck's corps
first intended to undertake this move, which
was afterwards abandoned.
In the forenoon two companies on the left of
the 9th corps commenced driving some sharp
shooters from their position in a house COM
handing partial view of our lines, killing and
capturing several of their number. In the D.
mr., rain fell to some extent and continuing uD-
til after dark, laying the dust, cooling the at
mosPhere and raising the spirits of the troops.
Fires were built and supplies cooked. The
bands began to play in the forest along the line
undisturbed for once by the enemy's shells
Our soldiers ate heartily and rested sweetly.-
The enemy had no ammunition to waste.
Meanwhile, news arrived towards evening
that Sheridan had penetrated to the vicinity Of
Beaver-Dam, on the Orange @. II. railroad and
torn up about ten miles of the track capturing
a rebel supply train and recaptured 300 of our
men taken prisoners in the Old Wilderness bat
ties.
This news was so inspiring to our men that
general jubilee of cheers succeeded the an
noucement, and during the night arrangements
were pushed for an attack on our side this morn
ing The enemy had been seen pushing to-
ward our right and ostensibly erecting abattis
in front Of Hancock S troops. 1t was shrewdly
and rightly suspected that this was only
blind TO the real intentionofthe enemy. Itwas
therefore anticipated. After midnight the Sec
ond corps (Hancoek's) pushed to the left of the
sixth corps (Wright's,) between that and the
one Burnside commanded, and on the left Of
the Spottsylvania road
At4.3O this morning Hancock attacked the
enemy fronting him, opening withering can
nOnade and making resistless charges against
the very heart of his position. The eannOnade
was replied to with yigor. The charges of our
men were vigorously resisted, but the determ-
ination of the onset overwhelmed everything
The troops rushed in on the rifle pits Of the en-
envy, bayoneting them in their works, cutting
their lines and capturing Ion the first charge
over 5000 men and several guns, including the
greater portion of the Stonewall Brigade, be-
longing TO the division commanded by Gen
Ned Johnson and forming part of Ewell's corps
Gen. johnson himself was taken prisoner The
assault continued till nearly the whole division
was captured and other troops amounting to
1000 men.
LATER.-II A. M.-The battle is still pro-
crossing. The 9th corps ON the left ofthe ID,
has moved into battle and are pushing the enc
my. Warren's 5th corps moved up to its sup
port on the right. The battle is becoming gem
eral nearly all our artillery is engaged, and
the clangor of guns, whistle of grape and solid
shot, roar of musketry and explosion of the enc
my's shells fills the. forest with awful tumult
The shells burst around me while / write.
1t is now noon, and it is Just now reported
that Hancock has turned the enemy right flank
below Spottsylvania G. II. and is pressing on
The battle everywhere is overwhelmingly in our
favor. A terrific firing has Just commenced on
our left, near Grants headquarters. The battle
is going on with terrible energy. Our success
is said to be certain. Prisoners are continually
coming in.
The following is a dispatch sent by Hancock
this morning:
NEAR SPoTTsYLvANIA G. H., May PA. NJ.
Il have captured 30 to 40 guns, l have finish
ed up johnson and am now going into Early.
W. S. HANCOCK"
The guns captured have arrived at headquar-
teTs.
Brig. Gen. Stewart, commanding Brigade in
JohnsOn's division, was captured.
WASHINGTON, May 13.-The following has lust
been received by Senator Nesmith from Cen
Rufus Ingalls,, Chief Quartermaster of the army
of the Potomac. 1t brings positive information
from the front as late as noon Yesterday. We
have made ten-strike to-day Hancock went
in at daylight, and he has taken over 1000 pFis-
oners and 25 guns, and is still fighting. Every
body is fighting, and have been for eight days
We shall have them this pop, though it may
take day or two more. Our losses are heavy
but cannot say how many.
If Augur's forces were here now, we could
finish them to-day.
Hancock captured Gen. Ned johnson and two
other Generals, besides lots of lower grades
The old Republic is firm, bet your pile on IL
Grant is a giant and hero i'm war. but all Onr
Generals are gallant; and as to our men, the
world never had better. Yours in haste,
(Sigued,) INGALS.
Dated SpOttsylyania c. H, May II, noon.
The Republican Extra has the following
Gen. Grant sent dispatch to the President, re-
Il.
acteristic mOdesty that he moved on the enemy
works again at SPottsylvania C.H. on Thursday
morning the 18th, at daylight.
Gems. Burnside and Hancock were making
grand and impetuous charges with the bayOnet
by corps, surprising the enemy and producing
the widest CONSERVATION in his ranks, crushing
Lees right and center, and hurliDg his entire
line back with awful slaughtera distance of sew
eral miles. Gen. Grant remained master of the
field with all the rebel dead and wounded. The
rout of the enemy was complete
Washington, May Is, 2:3O Pm.
To Gen. Dir:-A dispatch from Gen. Grant
has Just been received, dated near SpOttsylvania
Courthouse, May IL, 6:30P.M. 1t is as follows:
The eighth day of the battle closes leaving be-
tween 1900 and 1000 prisoners in our hands for
the days work including two general officers
and over thirty pieces of artillery. The enemy
are obstinate and appear to have found the last
ditch. We have lost no organization, not even
a company, whilst we have destroyed and cap
tured one division, Johnson's, one brigade,
Debbs', and one regiment entire of the enemy.
(Signed) E. NJ STANTON.
Washington, May Is, $50 P. Mo GeRerul
Dis.-The following dispatch from Mr. Dana,
has Just reached the War Department:
Spottsylvania, May I3, AN.
To E. H lStdntOR:-Lee abandoned his posi-
tion during the night. Whether to occupy a
new one in the vicinity or to make a thorough
retreat is not determined One division of
Wright's and one of Haneock's are engaged in
settling this question, and at A. NJ had come
upon his rear guard. Though our army is
greatly fatigued from the enormous efforts of
yesterday, the news of Lees departure inspires
the men with fresh energy. The whole force
will soon be in motion, but the heavy rain of the
last 80 hours renders the roads very difficult