Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1864-05-13

Letter fran Gen. Butlcr's Department.
HIS drmy in Line Of Ba'ttc--HoSt
Terrible Fighting.
The Hcrold's correspondent, dated
Monday, May 9th, says
We have now been out six days and
have been fighting continuously. We
have succeeded i'll penetrating some fiji
teen miles into the rebel territory and have
fifty miles further to get to Rich
mond. We have eaten and used up a
very large portion of the supplies which
we took with lis.
Our losses have been terrible. | hard
ly dare to give my own opinion as to the
number but think am within bounds
when give the estimate of those who are
supposed to know. Killed 1900 wound
cd. $4,000; missing, 5000.
Headquarters Army Potomac,
Tuesday, MAY 10Th, 1864.
There was but very little fighting cy-
cept skirmishing until very late, and !
have not learned the result. The body of
Lieut.. Col. A. b. Chapman of the 18th
y. Y. Vols, who was killed on Thursday,
has been sent home. Six days OF con-
tinuous fighting has found lis exhausted
almost to the last extremity, but we are i'll
as good spirits as tired, sleepy men well
can be. Our ranks are thin. but what are
left are as ready to resume our dangers and
trials us We were anxious to commence
them, and Notwithstanding the hardships
we have endured, and the grief we are
epericncihe for the loss of our brave COM
rades i'll arms, We are willing to suffer still
more for the country of our birth and
adoption.
Yesterday we had a respite from the or
deal of conflict. Early i'll the day we had
orders to hold the positions we had taken,
but not to fight unless we were attacked.
Occasionally. however, Il report from a
musliet would be heard, and then the
whistle of Minnie ball above our heads !;
but there was none of that continuous rat
tie of small arms or booming of artillery.
Our weary troops rested upon the ground
which they had fought so hard to gain.
We have gradually pushed the enemy
toward Richmond, and have penetrated to
New \ ork creek, two miles to the north OF
Spottsylvania Court House. The enemy
are i'll force upon our front. Ewell holding
the town and heights this side of the Court
House.
1t has been a contest of generalship
thus far between Generals Grant and Lee.
and time and combinations can only de-
ternline which is the greatest.
FREpFRICKsBu RG. l0th-Noon.
The cannonading has been mccsSant all
the forenoon. Not a moment OF lull has
| existed since sunrise. should not he
surprised if Lee was working toward the
line of the Richmond and Fredericksburg
Railroad as the reports of artillery seem
to be further hourly 10 the eastward.
NEW York, 1l,h.
The Tribune'S despatch, dated General
Buffers headquarters. Monday 9th. ia
Fort Monroe Tuesday 10th, SAYS Buffers
force advanced to-day upon the enemy,
crossing. the Petersburg and Richmond
Railroad. and advanced to Swift Creek,
within two miles Of Petersburg. Gen.
Ilichman's brigade made splendid
charge, driving the enemy from the pits
but were checked in their atlaauce hy Il
square earth~ork this side et swift Creek.
cur right. under General Fancy, advanced
up the Richmond road driving a small
force of the enemy in that direction, thus
separating iicaurcgarl's forces.
Gen. Gilmore with part of the 10th
corps tore up the railroad efieetually.
Our eolored cavalry went within one and
alalf miles Of Fort Darling, AMI found
some infantry and artillery, but not i'll
strong force.
Gen. Butler was on the field in person
and had his headquarters at Black Water
Creek.