Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1864-05-20

Terrible battles between the armies OF Grant and
Lee took place ON Thursday and Friday
The special correspondent of the Rochester
Democrat has arrived in Washington with the
following account of operations up to Friday
morning:
CROSSING THE RAPIDAN.
'srhe whole Army of the Potomac effected the
passage of the Rapidan on the 4th instant Gem
eral Wilson's cavalry division forded the river at
Germannia Ford, and General Gregg division at
Ely IS Ford, eight miles below, ut dayhreak The
few mounted pickets of the enemy that were
watching the two points, scampered off before
them. Double pontoon bridges were ut once
thrown across the river and the infantry that had
marched to the Ford during the nieht commenced
crossing over about A. NJ. Gen. Hancock corps
and the reserve artillery crossed at Fly's Ford and
Gen. Warren at Germanna Sedgwick' corps
followed the latter. The passage of the river con-
tinued all day at both points Gen Hancock is
encamped on the Charlottesville battle ground
Gen. Warren is at the old Wilderness Tavern, ard
Gen. Sedgwick at the tavern and Germanna Ford
Both Gen. Grant and Gen. Meade headquarters
are at this point for the night.
''Not shot was fred during the crossing. I'M
medately after reaching the..south bank Gen. Viii
son S and Gen. Gregg's cavalry pushed forward.
the former to Parker Store the latter some dis
tance beyond Charlottesville. They discovered
nothing of the the enemy but weak parties of cav
airy, developing the fact that there was no strong
rebel force south of us. About a dozen prisoners
were taken by our cavalry, among whom were sew
eral couriers. One of the latter carried despatch
| from Gen. Rhodes to Gen. Ewell, informing him
that the Yankees had crossed in force at Germanna
and Ely Fords.
THE BATTLE OF THURSDAY OPENED.
"Reyeille was sounded at A. NJ on Thursday,
and our whole army was again in motion at day
/ n Il Il l. ~
! Hancock corps was to march upon Chancellors-
vile, enthusiastically on the Pamunkey road to
/ Grove Church, Gen. Warren from Old Wilder
ness Tavern to Parker's Store. on the Orange
| Court House plank-road Sedgwicks s corps was
| to follow behind Warrens Gen. Sheridan was
to concentrate the whole cavalry corps at Piney
Branch church, few miles south of Chancelors-
/ vile, and start upon general hunt after Stewart
cavalry, the main body of which was reported to
be concentrating for a fight.
'aThe different bodies had been in motion but a
short time, when, at about clock, reports came
in from both turnpike and pank-road running all
most parallel from this vicinity to Orange Court
house, that the enemy were advancing with infan-
try and artillery toward us from near Old and New
Verdiersyille. The evidence accunulating in the
course of the next two hours that strong rebe
columns were moving upon us from the directions
mentioned, Generals Grant and Meade came up
| from Germanna Ford, and orders were issued tc
halt the various columns of infantry, concentrate
and form them for battle at this point.
Commanding ridges running from the north
west to the southeast cross both roads over which
the enemy were advancing, about half mile te
the west of this peiRt, offered fine position fol
the formation Of battle front, and was selected
for this purpose. Sedgwick was ordered to take
the right, Warren the centre, and Hancock wa:
expected to come UP on the left. Warren anC
Sedgwick got into line about ! o'clock. and soor
after skirmshing was heard ON the front. Abeu
noon Gen Warren was ordered TO push Griffin
division forward to the right and left of the turn
pike, and ascertain what the enemy were about
Bartlett brigade moved up the left and Ayres
regulars to the right Of the road-Sweitzer fol
lowed in reserve. W