Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1864-05-11
The Great Battles.
THE BATTLE OF FRIDAY.
Terrific Fighting by HancOck's, Sedg.
wick's and Warren's Corps.
Interesting "Details of Fridays and
Saturdays Battle.


following relative to the battles OF Friday
and Saturday:
At five o'clock in the morning, the con.
| test was renewed along the entire line, and
the roar and hum of battle came from every
| quarter. From certain indications 1t was
| concluded that Lee was reinforcing Long
street on Hancock's front, and part Of
| Burnside's corps was accordingly moved to
his support, taking position to the left OF
Gen. Warren, and completely filling the
gap into which the two brigades had been
thrown the preceding evening. On moy-
ing at daylight towards the assigned posi-
ton, through close forest, they. found il
occupied by rebels prepared to dispute its
| possession. The fighting at this point was
over by nine o'clock, finding 1t impossible
to dislodge the rebels from their position
Early in the morning, Hancock was driv-
en- back close to his breastworks by supe-
rior force, but subsequently rallied his men
and succeeded in regaining most of his lost
ground. Between ten and eleven o'clock,
however, Longstreet succeeded in turning
the left of his advance, and throwing it in
to great confusion. This extended along
the entire line, and came near involving the
whole corps in ineXtricable confusion. lie
was once more forced back to the breast
works, and the rebels actually planted their
colors inside these, but could not sustain
themselves and were elected.
At this time heavy reintorcements were
thrown to his support from Burnside's
corps, and his men were rallied and taken
well in hand, and all danger of further di y
aster removed.
The charge of Longstreet was completely
overwhelming. Solid masses of infantry
were hurled upon Hancock time after time,
with an impetuousness nothing could with
stand. Itwas exceedingly fortunate for the
Sixth corps and the whole army that he was
checked at the critical period and driven
back with as much precipitancy rs he came.
The ground in front of Hancock had been
| fought over a number of times, and the
wounded and dying on the field were vast.
At night Hancock occupied his breast
works, and had nothing but prisoners and
rebel dead to show for the slaughter OF two
days fighting. He behaved with conspic-
uous gallantry throughout, and was on the
field in person where dangers were thick
est.
Gen. Warren was also hotly assaulted
along the entire line, and the utmost sur
prise was manifested at the number OF
| troops Lee was able to bring into action
| This corps retained its first position, how
/ ever. till darkness. About midnight, a
charge was made when it gave way. and
was unable to regain the ground thus lost
! This, of course, compelled the abandon
ment of great portion of the line OF breast
works in front of this corps, and brought
the skirmish line within half mile of Grant
and Meades headquarters.
Sedgwick's corps maintained itself against
vigorous assaults by superior number at
different times during the day, and had no
serious reverse until late i'll the evening,
| ILL., Nn1n nn &c nv -tYaY, a
right for the purpose of turning it as was
done with Hancock's in the morning.
Milroy's old division were driven back
in great confusion, and at length the enc
my sucdeeded in effectually turning our
right flank. The behavior of this diviS-
ion was severely criticised by those sup
posed to know more concerning the affair.
This probably necessitated the transfer of
our sick and wounded, and all the supply
trains from the Germania ford road to our
landing at Charlottesville. The latter
were in motion the whole night and till
daylight. Had Lee occupied Germania and
cut off the retreat of our army by that
route, it would have given him the advan-
tage, and worked incalculable mischief;
causing an undue extension of our line
and corresponding weakening of it.
The contest of Friday was unsatisfacto-
ry. Many officers who despondingly feared
Lee would in some manner defeat Grant,
and superficial observers might construe
our repulses that day into defeat, but no
such foreboding found resting place in
the minds of those who knew the tenacity
of purpose and the fertility of resource
which characterizes Grant.
The advantages of the next day verified
their hopes. The battle RECOMMENDED at
daylight on Saturday, but the firing was
desultory and scattering. No fierce attacks
were made on either side. Both Generals
were intent on strategy, and neither was
anxious to bring on general engagement.
Lee seemed intent on cutting our commu-
nication via Germania ford. Grant appear
ed utterly indifferent to this, and seemed
rather to court it by withdrawing Sedg-
wick from his position, and throwing him
back by Germania ford, near his own head
quarters, and pushing Burnside out on the
Spottsylvania c. Ii. road, threatening Lees
| line of communication. A new line Of bat
| tie was formed by change in the positions
south, thus giving Lee the choice of being
cut off from his capital and risking every
thing upon the wager of battle.
At 2 o'clock p. NJ. Burnside was well un-
derway to Spottsylvania. Lee had thrown
infantry on to our right and driven in our
cavalry pickets on the Germania road
This result could only precipitate retreat
| on the part of Lee to prevent our army
being thrown between himself and Rich
mond, or deadly contest in open battle
that could only end in his determination
He soon discovered his error, and to all ap-
pearance had started in hot haste for new
| line of defense. Some think he will be
found north of Anna river, while Others