The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1864-05-12

came up, checked Hs advance and enabled troops
to get into line OF battle in front the loft Of the
rebels while Hancock, who had reached Todds tavern,
near Spotsyvana Court House. wheeled the right and
marching towards the Of guns came up on the
left OF the Firth corps, thereby forming perfect and
unbroken line, through which Hill and L0ngsreet despe
ratey but vainy attempted to break
rHR BAGGAGE ORDERED REAR-srRArEGY-rB REBELS
IN A TIGHT PLAcE
Our wagon trains then ordered back from Chan.
ceorsvile TO the of the Sixth corps portion
Of Burnsdes corps moved around with division
OF the Sixth 10 the left of the Fifth corps which rested
on the Orange Court House plank road. wadsworth's
division, with its right advanced, pushed through the
woods from Wilderness tavern TO the scens and, with
Gettys DIVISION formed hook the right of the Second
corps thereby almost surrounding the advance Of Hills
column, which, however, in the deDse forest, managed
TO escape after suffering severely.
wADswoRrH ruRsur-ms pEArH.
Waosworth moved after the retiring rebels, who
fought with terrible desperation until he had reached
point three miles in advance OF line, when
battery opened upon him, enhlading his column and
saughtering fearfuly AT this point the General
killed.
GENERAL wApswoRrH's SUCCESSOR.
General Cutler took command OF the division; but,
large force OF Ewes corps having moved the
support Ol HUI, our ADVANCE was driven DacR
This engagement lasted from aylight until about eleven
o'clock A. NJ the enemy advancing upon main body
only TO be driven back disorder while troops sent
in pursuit would follow the rebel to be repused
In turn.
BATTLE WAS FOUGHT.
Both armies had protected their main columns by fell
ing trees and forming almost impossible abats and the
fighting done principally by divisions sent from
these lines. The movements during tho entire battle
vtraIxta Al
scribed sessawthc rebels making frantic efforts TO
pierce liDes first point and then another to
be driven back by troops who charged impeuousy
up the rebel barcades II Is impossible to par
tcuarize the individual achievements Of divisions,
these frequently taken from corps TO support
another and at times one corps commander would have
his direction nearly one-half the army. Occasion
ally there considerable disorder but nothing serious
troops that broke and In the widest after
wards made OF the most brilliant charges OF the day
After failing TO crush our left and centre, tho enemy
made sudden attack upon right, and for short
time threatened to flank. The right slowly
pressed back, aud feared that change OF front
would become necessary; but the rebels were finally
checked and abandoned all they had gained rapidly
they had acquired it. After eleven O'Clock there was
very little fighting and the day occupied in feeling
the enemy's position and looking after the wounded
THE FIGHTING ON sArURUAY--LKE's MOVEMENTS.
On Saturday there little fighting, but nothing Of
consequence, Lee having moved Off to Spottsylvania
Court House, leaving behind his barrcades srong force
which at night followed on as the rear guard.
~. THE ENEMY AGAIN .s1AcsEb. -.'s
Saturday night forces moved down towards Spott
syvana Court House. and Sunday attacked the enemy
again The fighting however, was not decisive only
small portion Of the troops being engaged
OPERATIONS SUNDAY AND MONDAY.
md piad in m.
stons, little fighting going on al intervals.
TukspAy-oup POSITION.
Yesterday it expected that grand attack would
be made upon the enemy Lee occupied position south
OF Spottsylvana Court House, his advance holding the
place. Our lines confronted him the north and west,
with the Fifth corps the centre the second the left
and the sixth the right Burnsdes troops In reserve
None Of the negro troops had been engaged but they
expected TO ncx Tho cavalry had been sent
around army information been received TO
the effect that It had destroyed bis communication
with Richmond by ral, and captured large number OF
prisoners.
General Meade has had exclusive control OF the troops
and in carrying out General Grants plans has handled
the army with ccnsummate SKILL notwithstanding the
shifting OF divisions and tho temporary disorder which
occurred from time to time The army is in fine cond
ton, in complete order and confident OF success Our
wagon trains all in the Of the troops with
army is as formidable ever.
II yet impossible estimate losses Our loss OF
general officers particularly severe, and includes the
following g;-sedgwck, wadsworh Hays and webb
killed Getty, Robinson, Baxter aud Owens, wounded
and shaler, Seymour and Neil, prisoners. The
loss o: the rebels Is believed 70 be equally severe,
though as they removed nearly all their wounded
TO Gordonsvile, It is impossible TO determine the
number. Most OF their dead were leh unburied. Our
own wounded being well cared for Fredericksburg,
and are being forwarded to Washington rapidly as
circumstances will permit. pontoon bridge has boon
laid across the Rappabannock, and communication bc.
tween Boil Plain and the army Is uninterrupted The
unusual number OF slight wounds Is attributed TO the
character the country which fought, many
OF the missiles that would otherwise have proved fatal,
striking the and sancing ndcting slight injury.
CHANCE ARTILLERY.
Very little OF the artillery has been engaged up TO
yesterday but the openness country occupied by
our forces will enable to bring into action that
formidable arm OF our service.
The campaign thus far, while II has not proved
as decisive as was anticipated, is encouraging,
and promises TO be highly successful. The indomi.
table will OF our army is not and cannot be
broken, nor has its confidence been impaired in its
leaders. We started forispottsyvana expecting 70 get
into position there without nght In this failed,
although Lee also failed In his attempt TO crush BY
falling upon flank. After desperate battle he has
been compelled to ab,ndon his scheme and take up
another plan. He now occupies tho position
seeking secure and remains for agnt the battle
for which we originally set out.
There is doubt of the fact that Lee has received
renforccments since the lighting commenced.
There that Lee is retreating towards Han.
over Junction but of this nothing conarma Cry
THE WASHINGTON TELeGRAMS.