Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1864-05-12

sKIRNIsHIEG AND FIGHTING.
Yesterday commenced by heavy and
continuous skirnishing along the whole
line, and Grant gave orders for an attack
along the entire line, but the rebels took
the initiative at half past II and attacked
US along the whole line. After
feeling our position he resorted to his
usual tactics, by msssing his entire dis
possible force sgsinst Hancocks left and
Wsrren's right. BURROWS division, Han
cocks corps, which had crossed the river,
was Withdrawn to strengthen another
part Of the line,
The fgbt against Hancock was contin-
ued from half past one till nearly P. N.
and all attempts to move him proved un-
avsiling. The heaviest charge Of the reb-
els was at hslfpast three. General Han
cock having repulsed them charged
upon them in return snd drove them
from their advanced position. Rebel
prisoners say that in the charge which be
was driven he was nearly annihilated, and
that they never had before experienced
such q terrible charge, and that their dead
we're piled up in heaps. After this re-
pulse the enemy made but little demon
straion on our right wing. At half
past six we attacked with great fury, with
Burnside and WIighFs Corps, and part of
Warren's, with Gibbons division Of Han
cocks Corps. This was one Of the most
terrible and brilliant charges Of the
whole war, the men going in with
desfeniDg cheers. This charge Was
in thick wood, and was viewed by me as
far as it was possible to see anything.
GeUersls Grant and Meade and their
stats were present. witnessing the pro-
gress Of the engagement.
Our troops carried the outer line Of the
enemy's rifs-pits in the center, while
Burnside on the extreme left pushed back
their right to within 8 quarter Of mile
Of the Court House and held his ground
there when left this morning. In the
charge made by WrighPs division, Colonel
Upton, commanding a brigade, captured
DaIe's retel brigade. Some Of the prisoners
escaped in the melee and confusion, but
more than 1000 we're brought away, with
81 officers and many bsttle-hags; three
guns we're also taken in this charge, but
it was impossible to get them off
last night. At 10 O'clock closed
the sixth day of continuous and terrific
conflict, in which three great battles have
been fought, and in none of which has the
enemy gained any advantage, but steadily
and constantly were driven from the
blood stained field o. Wilderness.
After three days contest he attempted
to make another stand in another front,
but has been gradually driven from his
position with immense losses in killed,
wounded and prisoners. We have taken
over 1000 prisoners The enemy seems
shsky but may yet fight long and desper-
stely. Our OWnlOsses have been very great
particularly in general officers.
No less than twelve have been either
killed or wounded. General Stevenson and
Rice were killed yesterday. General Rice
was wounded in the thigh and had his leg
auputated, but was unable to bear the
shock, and died in the afternoon. Just be-
fore his death, at time Of acute pain, he
asked to be turned over to get relief, and
when asked which way he should be
turned, he answered as his last words,
Turn my face to the enemy"
Colonel Dawes, Of the 9th Wisconsin
was killed yesterday, while gsllsntly lead
ing his men 10 q charge. This regiment
has suffered terribly.
The army has fought with undaunted
courage and herOism, and won eternal
glory. It's spirit is still unbrOken and
defiant.
The generalship displayed by Lieuten-
ant General Grrnt has never been surpass-
ed, and has won enthusiastic admiration
of the entire army, while Meade has ex-
hibited the greatest qualities of an execu-
tive commander. The greatest harmony
and good order prevails in the whole army,
as we'll as entire confidence in the final
success Of its mission.