The weekly union record., 1864-05-21
The Battle Of Spottsylvania.

The New York Worlds special dispatch. dated
headquarters Army Of the Potomac. near SPOTS
ylvania. May 18th. s:A N, SAYS: "our army is
this morning entirely engaged in the ferces, battle
and Is pressing on to victory. After sanSuinary
but generally unsuccessful battle on Tuesday, the
10th, the army yesterday vas comparatively quiet,
II was intended to assault the enemy's rish, in
force, and column consisting Of portion of the
SIX Corps and Birny's division Of Hsnoock's Corps
Was first intended TO undertake this. But this was
afterwards abandoned. In the forenoon two COM
panies of the Six Corps commenced driving the
sharpshooters from their positions in house com
manding partial view Of our lines. killing and
capturing several Of their number. In the after
noon rain fell. continuing until after dark, lsvicc
the dust, cooling the atmosphere and raising the
spirits of troops Fires were built and supplies
cooked. Bands began playing. The forest along
the lines was undisturbed, for once by rebel shells
Meanwhile news arrived toward evening that the
troops under General Sheridan had penetrated 70
the vicinity Of Beaver Dam, on the Virginia Cen
tral Railroad, had torn up about twelve miles OF
the track captured a rebel supply train. and re-
captured three hundred of our men taken prison
ers il the Old Wilderness battles. Cheers sue
eeeded the announcement OF this news wherever
made Known. During the night arrangements
were made for an attack on our side. This morn
ing the enemy were seen pushing toward cur right;
and ostensibly erecting abatis in front OF Han
cocks troops. II was suspected that this WAS only
blind 10 the real intention of the enemy, and it
was anticipated. After midnight the second corps
(Wright's,) between that and Burnsides com
mand, and on the left Of the Spottsylvania road
At half-past four this morning Hancock attacked
the enemy in front of him. our forces opening a
withering cannonade and making resistless charges
against every part of the enemy's position. The
cannonade was replied to with vigor and our char
ges vigorously resisted but the determination OF
the outset overwhelmed everything. The troops
rushed into the rifle pits of the enemy, bayoueting
them in their works, cutting their lines and cap
turing in the first charge, over 5000 men and seve
raj guns. including the greater portion of the
Stonewall Bridge. belonging to the division COM
manded by Gen. Ed. Johnson himself was taken
prisoner. The assault continued till nearly a
whole division of the corps captured and other
troops amounting to 1000 men, dispatch from
Grant, dated NEAR Spottsylvania Court House
May II, $50, P. M is as follows THE eighth
days battle closes leaving between 900 and 900
prisoners, including two Generals and thirty pieces
Of cannon, in our hands. The enemy was obsti.
nate and seemed TO have found the last ditch. We
have lost no organization, not even a company
whilst we have destroyed and captured one diyis.
ion of JOhnston's one brigade of Dobbs' and one
regiment entire of the enemy
Grant also sent dispatch TO the President, an
nouncing that he had moved on the enemy's works
again at Spottsylvania Court House, on Thursday
morning, Burnside and Hancock making grand and
impetuous charges with bayonot by the corps, sur
prising the enemy and producing the widest con
sternation in their ranks crushing Lees right and
center halting his entire line and driving it bach
several miles with awful slaughter. Grant remain
ed master of the field with all the dead and woun
ded in our hands. The rout of the enemy is com
plete.
A dispatch from Secretary Stanton places the
number of prisoners captured by Hancock at 4, 900
including Major-General, several Brigadiers, and
between thirty and forty guns. dispatch receiv
ed at Washington on the 4th from the Commits
sary of prisoners at Belle Plains announces the
arrival there of over 900 prisoners including 4OC
officers.