Dayton daily empire. [volume] (Dayton [Ohio]) 1850-1865, 1864-05-28
By Telegraph.
FOR THE DAILY EMPIRE
MORNING REPORT.

New YoRK, May 20 The war correspond
emf Of the Richmond Examiner tslegnpbs
why Lee left Spottsylvauia Court Hoase, he
said the reconnoisance aud assault on
Union forces was ordered, when their eccu-
pants we're driven from them, II was not
discovered, be said, that the enemy we're rap
idly moving their whole army on our right
nalk and had been since daybreak,.th force
on our font beng mere handful who had
been left to keep up appearances As soon
as this reconnaissance was over, every thing
aud everybody was on the move with uGut
1ribunes special, near Hanover Junction,
25th, 3 A. NJ There has been no general eu.
gagement thus far, although our advance be.
youd the possession Of the south bank Of North
Anna has been retained by presence of the
enemy Skirmishng continued throus hout
the entire day, and there was hardly an inter
val during which artillery was not engaged
on either side Hancock before. night had
thrown bis entire corps across she river on
the left near the rail road, and our position
taken a mile and q half in advance OF the riv.
er on Bull Marsh creek
The Ninth Army corps commenced to cross
late in tho day and we're eli over last night
Preparations we're made for an assault on the
enemy's works towards evening but the sky
rapidly darkening BY clouds which gathered
and burst in q most furious storm OF thunder
aud lightning and rain and most terrible
discharge Of artillery In the clouds suspended
the attack which was TO have been made.
This morning the sky was clear and weaih
er warm, Warren holds a-position along the
GoldsborOnph road on the right, We have
several lines in the enemy's works which they
seem to have Abandoned without very obsti.
nate resistance, but their present position is a
very strong one II is impossible to tell with
out reconnaissance in force, or battle, bow
strong the enemy is in front, but II is gene
rally believed that after opposing us long
enough to gain time they will fall back again
on Richmond 4 $500
The enemy destroyed by burning yesterday
morning the large rail road tressle bridge
across North Anna
Grants head quarters are beyond the Nerth
Anna, near Junction Mills
Sheridan with his cavalry has been heard
from, and have made most excellent report Of
themselves They have been csscuiting
around Richmond, and have destroyed q vast
amount Of property and rendering useless for
some distance the Dauville Railroad. The
eaemys cavalry is unable to offer them any
opposition
LATER--ourrighth has not been able to com.
municate with our left this side of the river
The enemy is now reported as confronting US
in force. a-,-
The Tribune correspondent at Headquarters
IL A. NJ. 26th says
At the same time that Birney's division car
ried the rife pits and Norh Anna bridge,
our right wing under Warren advanced cut
ting the Virginia Central, and establishing
himself in position at Nools Station. The
rebel line forms two sides Of triangle It's
apex being opposite OF Ok ford, where Burn.
side crossed on the night Of the oath From
thsapex the rebel right line extends Ia a
north-easterly direction, crossing the Freder.
icksburR Roilroad at angle Of 40 degrees
and covering the Junction. The left wing ex
tends in a souih-westerly direction cutting the
Central Railroad, and facing the north west
Hancock eonfronts the enemy,s right wing
and on our left, and extends his line parallel
with that Of the enemy's across the Richmond
Fredericksburg 4 Potomac Railroad Barn.
sides line is in a position apex of the enemy's
works, and faces southwark The enemy
works in front OF Hancock can only be car.
ried with great loss.