The Burlington weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1860-1876, 1864-05-14

The Battle or Tuesday
NEW YORK, May l2-The HeraIds spe..
cial Gays that on Tuesday Gibbons ana
Baldwins divisions were withdrawn from
the South bank. The division was closely
by our artillery ported along the ridge
commanding the river. Early in the DAY
the whole army began to stratghten out in
line of battle for renewal of the engage
ment. Skirmishing was kept up during
this time between the two armies. Inc
enemy Strengthened himself rs though he
intended offensive operations. Our line
5th in the center, and the 9Th on the left,
with Burnside's corps in the rear Of our
left, for the protection of our immense
trains and to act rs q reserve In any emer-
gency. The country here il quito thickly
studded with groves Of pine and hard
wood, and affording much better facilities
for handling the troops and the use of ar
tillery than about Wilderness. The ene-
my during the night strengthened their
formidable position with rifle pits, breast
works, &C., rendering it stronger than any
line of defence occupied by him since leav-
ing his works on the Rapidan. Thus
matters stood until far into the afternoon
when the firing became quite sharp at diff
ferent points, but without anything def
General orders announcing the success
in the west and of Butler on the James
river was read to the troops producing
the widest excitement, and as the hour
approached for attack the enthusiasm of
the troops became almost ungovernable.-
Grant surrounded by his staff, with Meade,
Hancock and Warren, were all stationed
vast columns of our army slowly gathered
themselves together for the great struggle.
Just rs the attack was about to be made
the enemy advanced on our right threaten. .
ing TO press back that portion of the line,
disc0ncerting for time the plan Of assault.
Troops were hurried forward to the sup
port of the right but it had succeeded In
checking the rebels and sent back their
reinfOrcements with the word that they had
men enough and to spare. Sd
Half past six was fixed upon for the as
sault. Watches were compared by corps
commanders and they finally separated
| with orders to attack at the appointed
time. At the appointed hour simultaneous
ly with the firing of IL signal guns the
whole front advanced with cheers from the
whole line. The movement was indescrib-
ably grand. A portion of the force moved
in solid column while others advanced in
the usual order of battle, the whole army
moving together. The whole rebel line
opened most murderous FIRE against
which our lines irresistably swept, driving
the enemy slowly back from his position,
capturing nearly 1000 prisoners and three
pieces of artillery. The last, however,
were retaken by the rebels before the close
of the engagement. Night closed the bat
tie with our forces occupying the field.-
Our loss is heavy but judging from the kill
ed and wounded left on our hands much
less than the enemy's, who fought to the
last. Our troops bayonetted their men in
The rifle pits forcing them back hand to
hand until they yielded. t7ss
Gen. Rice was mortally wounded and
died during the amputatiOn of his leg. Our
loss of prominent officers was great The
lateness of the hour prevents collecting
names.
forts have been made since the commence
ment Of the fight in this locality. to turn
our right. Charge after charge was made
by the enemy on our right, four columns
deep, but we repulsed each charge. At
length the 5th corps drove the enemy, COM
| pelling him to fall back to his third line of
defense. The effect OF this repulse was APP
parent. The rebel dead at some points lay
piled up in heaps.
In ONE Of these gallant charges fell the
brave General Rice, Ut the head Of his col
| umn. He had been in every fight.
| Busy in the midst Of the terrible conflict
was General Warren. who rode up and
GOWN MS lines Olroctln& tnolf NOV 0m0ntS,
regardless Of the storm of shot and shells
and bullets. Another horse was shot from
under him-the third in the last four days.
We made general assault at seven O'Clock.
It was the NEST magnificent and terrible
one Of the war. Batteries, by the cutting
down of some trees, were placed in every
advantageous position. Likewise the bat
teries Of other corps. and simultaneously
they hurled nurder0us missiles into the
ranks ofthe enemy, accompanied by q gen.
hour till dark the combat deepened. Night
found Us vict0rs. Every side of our line
was now advanced, and we had takel,
more prisoners than we had lost, but il
was another expensive victory. Our loss
is heavy but it is believed that that Of the
enemy far exceeds ours.
1t is expected that the battle will be re.
sumed in the morning. Our men are in
good spirits, and there is no give away in
them.