The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1864-05-27
The Campaign.
May 10th, 1854

On Thursday night Gen. Lee attempted to
turn the right flank of Gen. Grant, but made
failure. 1t was probably his intention to
get possession of our provision and ammuni-
ton trains. His advance was promptly met
and after considerable severe fighting the en-
envy retired. Gen. Grant, by means of re-
connoissance in force, ascertained that Lee
was strong y intrenched around Spottsylvania
Court House, and that direct assault could
only be made at the sari6ce of many lives.
Grant therefore determined to disodge the
rebels and bring them to fair fighting ground
by turning their right flank. The fla hiking
movement begun on Friday night, and up to
the present writing, has been entirely sue
cessful, as will be seen by Secretary Stanton
War Bulletin" elsewhere printed. 1t ap-
pears that our thanking movement is carried
well to the East as Hancock crossed the Fred
ericSsburg railroad and passed on to Bowling
Green, village half a dozen miles beyond
the track, and about forty miles from Rich.
mond. 1t is nearer to Richmond by this new
route, there are fewer streams to cross and
less obstacles to overcome. A despatch from
Headquarters Army of Potomac, date 10 P.
NJ. of the 22d, says: Gen. Hancock is seven
miles below Bowling Green, and occupies the
bridge over the Mattapony. Our cavalry had
good deal Of fighting, but drove the enemy
every time. Our position is now deemed
important and Richmond is in more danger
than ever"
On the morning Of the 10th INST the ene-
my made a night attack on Gen. Buffers
command and succeeded in killing and cap
turing a number of Gen. Heckman's brigade
The previous evening the sbels had received
reinforcements from Richmond About 4
o'clock A. NJ, under cover of dense fog the
enemy stole between our skirmishers and
right flank before they were discovered. The
assault was made with cavalry, artillery and
infantry, and was directed by Gen. Ransom.
The first blow was dealt with terrible force,
Gen. Heckman's brigade holding the right
was doubled up and forced back on the next
brigade, which was also thrown into some
confusion. Gen. Hickman made gallant
fight as long as he. could, but the enemy
came upon HIM SO suddenly and with such
ba inn tb,te
lance was impossible. A large number Of
the brigade were captured. After this oper-
alton, heavy attack was made on the entire
line Of the 18th corps, which was driven back
a quarter of mile after several hours furious
fighting. After forcing the 18Th corps back
the enemy made three desperate charges up
on the 10th corps, but were repulsed each
time with terrible loss to them. The rebels
then retired within their intrenchments. The
object Gen. Butler had in view in
advancing from Bermuda Hundreds having
been accomplished, /. C., to keep as much OIL
the rebels force from Joining Lee as possible
while Grants army was moving forward
Gen. Butler gave orders in the evening tc
fall back to new position, and his column
is now in an attitude to defy the whole o.
Lees army if driven upon him. While the
above fight was going on an attack was
made on our rear guard in the direction o.
Petersburg. The sk;imishing was brisk 70,
while, but the guuooais up the Appomatto,
taking part in the engagement soon compel
led the enemy to retire.
A portion of the Army of Western Vir
GINA under Gen. Sigel started at 5 O'Clock
A. n. on the 18th inst. from Woodstock
marched IS miles to Newmarket and Tough
the combined forces Ct Echols and Imboden
unden Breckenridge for four hours, and re
turned to Strasbury, 80 understanding IS
miles marching and four hours fighting, all in
50 hours. The engagement may be summed
up as follows We underated III,
strength of the enemy at Newmarket, and
sent out an insufficient force under Col
Moore. AT Foods Hill he met Imboden
who on the approach Of our force gradual,
fell back to Newmarket skirmishing all TIT
way with our advance, and drawing then
after hin. At Newmarket he was re-enforc
ed by Echols. They evidently intended &c