American citizen. [volume] (Butler, Butler County, Pa.) 1863-1872, 1864-05-11
Summary of Wnr News.

From our Exchanges and Telegrams,
we are enabled to gather the following
particulars The Potomac army COM
menced to move on Tuesday night, the
Sd inst. Previous to moving, General
Meade made a stirring address to the ar
my. which closes thus: With clear con
science and strong arms, actuatcd by a
high sense of duty, fighting to preserve
the government and institutions handed
down to us by our forcfathers, and if true
to ourselves, victory, under Gods bless
ing, must and will attend our efforts"
Our army succeeded in crossing the
Rappahannock and Rapidan rivers, with
but slight opposition, compelling Lee to
cvacuatc his strong positions and entrench-
ments where he had held us at bay so
long 1t was thought probable that he
would give battle at Charlottesville. At
ter reaching the south bank Of the Rapi-
dan, our cavalry under Gems. Wilson and
Gregg, were pushed forward, the former
to Parkcrs store, and the latter some dis
tance beyond Charlottesville. They dis
covered nothing of the enemy but weak
ibodies of cavalry. This reconnaissance
showed the fact that there was no strong
rebel force immediately ly on the south; a
few prisoners were taken, one Of them
bearing a dispatch from Gen. Rhodes to
Gen. Ewcll, that the Union or Yankee
soldiers had crossed in force at Gcrmania
and Ely's ford After the crossing and
reconnaissance was completed, our men
moved forward. Gen. Hancock encamp-
cd on the old battle ground of Chancel-
lorsville, Gen. Warren at the wilderness
tavern, and Gen. Sedgwick at the tavern
at Germania ford, being the head quar-
ters of Gems Grant and Meade. This
appears to have been the disposition of
our forces on Wednesday night, the 4th.
At an early hour on Thursday morning,
the Union army was in motion. The diff
ferent portions of the army had been on
the move but short time, when reports
were brought in that the enemy were ad-
vancing with infantry and artillery in
strong force, from near Old and New Yer
deirsville. At this time Gems. Grant and
Meade came up, our forces were concen-
trated and formed in line of battle, Sedg-
wick on the right Warren in the centre,
and Hancock ON the left. The two for
mer got into line about IL o'clock, a. m,
soon after which skirmishing was heard
in the front. Warren advanced about
three quarters of mile when he found
himself confronted by well-formed,
strong rebel position on thickly wooded
ridge, A severe fight ensued. The en-
envy made two desperate attacks upon our
hines ip hopes of breaking the same. The
fight contipped till dark, our forces re-
manning In possession of the ground; ev-
cry corps in proper position, and Burn
side fully up. The fighting was renewed
on Friday, and is said to have been the
most terrific ever fought by the army of
thePotomac. Lees entire army made re-
peated and furious assaults upon the right
and left which were repulsed About 4
o'clock, p. M, an attack was made along
the whole line, which was gallantly repuls.
ed. After which, near dark, Lee coaeen.
trated his whole force against our extreme
right, aad fell suddenly upon Sedgwiok
crushing part of his line. 1t was re-
formed and secured against further disus