The Portland daily press., 1864-05-12
BY TELEGRAPH
TorKE
Portland Daily Press.
FROM THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC.

Lee Thanked on both sides aud Driven acros.
South Anna Rirer-Bafter trifhin 10 Mile.
Of Richmond Battle Imminent. a
PHILADELPHIA, May IL.
A special dispatch to the Evening Bulletin
from Washington, says a heavy firing was
heard yesterday from Gen. Buffers headquar.
tiers. The ironclads were engaged. A large
number of our soldiers were wounded in their
hands aud arms.
NEW YORK, May IL.
The total number of wounded that have ar
rived here thus far is 4l55.
The Times correspondent telegraphs the
following:
Washington, 1lM.-It is reported that
Grant has flanked Lee both on the right and
left. A terrible battle occurred yesterday.
Lee was driven across the South Anna river.
Grant was in close pursuit.
The Tribune's correspondent sends the fol-
lowing:
Headquarters 4rmy Potomac. near Spott-
sytcdaid Court House, Va, l0M.-A sharp
engagement, commencing about u o'clock
and closing at about +. NJ, took place yes
terday. The principal corps engaged on our
side was that of Hancocks, who, under cover
of our artillery, crossed and established his
troops in position on the south side of the
river Pc.
Rumors last night stated that Longstreet's
and Hills corps, commanded by Lee in per-
son, bad all day been retreating Richmond
ward, and that Ewell's alone remained in our
front. A long column of rebel troops was
seen moving on our left, which gave an air of
reliability to the report. This morning, how
ever, it is believed that Lee still remains in
force, his lines being within about two miles
of Spottsylvania Court House. Our lines
confront him, facing nearly southwark
Orr loss in the battles of Sunday and yes
terday will probably reach 2500.
Gems. Grant and Meade were at the front
last night, personally experimenting Han
cocks attack.
Brisk musketry firing, continuing for about
twenty minutes, broke out at 1910 last night.
1t is expected that Grant will renew the at
tack to-day. Our artillery has already COM
menced throwing occasional shells along the
enemy's line. The weather is very sultry.
SECOND DISPATCH.
battle-ground near .SpottsyludRid. Ia.
lOM.-Atter dispatching our special messen-
ger last evening, heavy cannonading was
opened on the rebels occupying Spottsylvania
Court House. Under cover of this fire Han
cock crossed the little river Pc, and pushed
the enemy from the town.
All things remained quiet up TO o'clock
this morning, when our messenger leaves.
The expectation is, however, that a general
engagement will be fought again If the ad-
vance OF our lines Is opposed.
News reaches us this morning that commu-
nicaiion is opened between us aud Washing
ton, by way of Belle Plains and Fredericks-
burg. Indeed, a mail is just in from Wash
ington by way of this route. Our wounded
and prisoners are also to be sent by this route.
We now hold about 5000 prisoners.
Gen. Morris, of the 9th corps, who was
standing beside Gen. Sedgewick when he was
killed, was also wounded in the leg, but not
seriously.
In Richmond paper found upon prisoner.
IL is stated that the body of Gen. Wadsworth
was buried by them at the Wilderness. This
would seem to determine the certainty OF his
death.
1t also states that Butler was within thir-
teen miles OF Richmond.
Our army is pressing Lees retreating forces
on all sides, while our cavalry under Sheridan
have been performing -prodgies OF valor
Our troops sustain their hard marching with
wonderful endurance and in spirits most ex-
cellent. For long time after our Wilderness
battle it was difficult to make many of our
men believe that the movement was not
another retreat, but when aseertaining beyond
question that we were advancing their enthu-
siasm knew no bounds, and they made the
woods ring with hurrahs for Grant, Meade,
Burnside, and for everybody.
Our wounded have suffered severely. and
but for humane and tender regard for their
condition, we should undoubtedly ere this
have been upon the south banks of the Anna.