Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1864-05-21
The FIGHTING ON THURSDAY.
600 SLEEPING REBELS CAPTURED.

Especial Correspondence Phila, Inquirer
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC IN
THE FIELD, TUESDAY, May 19.-The stiffness
OF an unusual quiet day was suddenly dis
tsrbed about p. M, by the opening OF sharp
musketry fire within less than two miles to the
right of the army headquarters, and pretty
well towards the rear.
Soon an aid came up in haste to inform
General Meade that more troops were needed
in that direction, and was very uietly lnfor med
by the Commanding General that a division
had already been sent Shortly after train OF
ambulances, some thirty In number, came hur:
ryipe in from the direction where the firing had
occurred, many of them pierced with numerous
bullet holes. 1t was clear that the enemy had
made a dash in the rear of the right wing.
The Second Corps had been Withdrawn from
the extreme right this morning, thus consider.
ably shortening our line in that direction, and
nncoyering the road leading directly into the
Fredericksburg pike. Along this road the
large brigade. possibly small division, must
have advanced, slipping quietly by our right
flank without giving any alarm.
The enemy first showed themselves in some
woods to the right of the pike as a train of
ambulances and subsistence train belonging to
the Ninth Corps were coming by that point,
dashing forward suddenly in order to effect
their capture. a number Of ambulances on
the left Of the pike were also exposed to their
attack and those which succeeded IN getting
away on the first onslaught had to run the
they furnished ocular demonstration in the
marks they bore.
A portion Of the anbulances and twenty.
eight wagons loaded with subsistence failed to
teamsters left their wagons and ran for their
lives, and the train was in the hands of the
enemy. Gen. Tyler's division of heavy artil-
lery, armed as infantry. lay near, and were
speedily brought up to the rescue.
The enemy did not succeed in getting dol
lars worth OF property off, and destroyed none,
two teams. The teamsters were not to be found,
having made off to place of safety as rapidly
as their natural powers OF locomotion would
permit, and the wagons were sent away in
charge of soldiers belonging to the regiments
that recaptured them After the train was Sc
cured Gen. Tyler continued TO push on. A
battery or two OF artillery were brought into
action, and the enemy were driven back be-
tween one and two miles within an hour after
tine engagement commenced.
Gen. Hancock's corps and Draw ford's divi-
sion OF Warrens corps were on the ground
within half an hour after the first alarm, but
their services were not needed, and with the
exception of Gen. Birney's division, they re-
turned 10 their former positions. The regi-
ments chiefly engaged were the LIST Maine, list
Massachusetts, and I'd, eth and Sth New York
heavy artillery, armed, 1t must be remembered,
as infantry.
The firing was extremely sharp, and the loss
considerable. That Of the First Massachusetts
was probably the most severe. Major Rolfe,
OF that regiment, is reported killed, and Majors
talns Davis and Thompson. Captain Preston,
of the same regiment, is said 10 be killed. Our
aggregate loss Is probably about three hundred.
The enemy lost considerabl number, and lett
many of their wounded in our hands.
ANDERsoNs HOUSE, TO THE LEFT OF SPoTT-
sYLyANIA, May 10, IS6i.-The fierce little gust
OF battle, yesterday, of which we sent you
advites, developed fully the position of Lee 10
his left Of Spottsyiyanla and the Fredericks.
burg read 1t was found that he had made full
preparations for a most stubborn resistance, to
overcome which wouid have required very
heavy sacrifice of life. This fact certainly
established, General Grant drew oil his attack
ing columns.
To-day has been occupied by the corps get
ting into their new positions. and Lees attack
ing days seem over. We have had no ghting
What is the natural or acquired strength OF
the rebel positions in new front is not def
nitely known, and it will require reconnos-
sance in force probably, to acquire the iufor-
nation.
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC,
Friday. May 2O-Ths morning at daylight
canncnadng was heard on the extreme right
Of onr line. On proceeding 10 ascertain the
cause, it was found that q battery had been
opened on some woods in the locality of the
fight yesterday evening, for the purpose of
about.
At the same time a portion of Brney's di.
vision deployed on either side of the woods,
and charging through it, captured over two
hundred rebels. who were sleep, and taken
com letely by surprise. They were marched
in past Gen. Meade's headquarters. Up to
the present time, o'clock a. m no firing has
been heard. although we look for active work
before the day closes.