Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1864-05-21

| hancock, had crossed the Rapldan, and
bivouacked upon the south bank and the
historic field of Charlottesville.
The cavalry advance, which preceded the
main army some distance, had encountered
a small force of the enemy, but no engaga-
ment of Importance took place, and the
reconnaissance was effected with slight loss
Thus far the advance had been successful,
and that night the mighty army rested from
the fatigues of the day, in order to prepare
for the bloody scene of the morrow. All
felt that Thursdays sun would not set with
out witnessing a battle, for the lines had
been thrown SO far forward that collision
must inevitably follow any further advance
Notwithstanding this, however, not man
faltered nor a cheek blanched with fear
The issue must be met the period for ac-
ton had arrived the army was prepared I;
and each strove to his duty in this trying
hour.
THURSDAY, MAY 5-BATTLE OF THE
WILDERNESS.
Early in morning the 9th and 9th
Corps were in motion, and, about s O'Clock,
the centre of the 9Th had reached the inter
section of the turnpike and plank roads lead
ing from Fredericksburg to Orange Court
House, and near the "WilderEess." In its
front was broken and very irregular table
land, densely covered with dwarf timber
and undcrgrowth, and almost impassible.-
The eye could penetrate but short distance
into this maze of forest, and nature seemed
to have exerted her curious handiwork to
veil all beyond. Here was dark curtain
completely hiding thecountry in front, and
presenting barrier to rapid progress, or
even the most careful manGuvrIng. The
t,,r, ,+ al 81. I'd.
angles by the road leading to Spottsylvania
Court House. The army halted in column
The 2d Corps was on the left, and the 9th
and 9th occupied the centre and right re-
spectively.
The army thus remained motionless, mo-
mcntarily expecting the order to march,
until about noon, when the headquarters
standard was fixed near Wilderness Tavern,
and corps commanders began to gather
around it, awaiting the order for a further
movement. A consultation ensued, notes
were examined, but still no welcome order
to march, At last General Warren left head
quarters, took the head of his corps and the
9th filed over the point of hill to the left
of Wilderness Tavern, and upon the sum-
NIT of this emincnce headquarters were re-
moved. Line Of battle was then formed
with the whole army, and scarcely had this
been accomplished, when the sound of drop
ping shot indicated that skirmshing had
begun. These evidences of strife were heard
to the right and south of Wilderness Tavern
and proceeded from the engagement of a
brigade of Grtlin's division of the 9TH Corps
with the enemy, who had thrown one of his
corps forward, preliminary to an attack
on the whole line.
The battle ragged iercely with this portion
of the command until noon, when it became
general. The brigade had scarcely formed
for action when it was met by Il heavy vol
ley of musketry, and the rebels, taking ad-
vantage of the momcntary confusion, rushed
forward at q charge The ground had not
been perfectly rcconnoitred, and, in an at
tempt to employ artillery in repulsing the
charge, two guns of Battery ID, 1st New
York, were captured. These, however, We're
all the trophies the rebels succeeded in ta-
king during the entire action
The charged was rcpuIscd with infantry,
and Wauen's corps soon became engaged
against heavy masses of the enemy. Short
ly after General Sedgwick's army became
involved. The rebels pressed forward stead
lily, but were as steadily forced back, and the
lines of the army, after repeated assaults,
remained intact.
The strife here was trifing compared with
that in which General Hancock was engaged
Against him Longstrcet, one of Lees ablest
lieutenants, had been thrown, and such was
the nature of the ground that the fight was
one almost wholly of musketry. No artil-
lery could be brought to bear, and as the
fight progressed the sound of small arms
became terrific. Charge after charge by
Longstrect was met and repulsed by volleys
Of AZ Il
with terrible effect. Gradually, however,
the enemy drew of, the firing ceased, night
fell and the battle was over for the day
The enemy had failed to drive us back from
the fell, although his efforts to do so were
most persistent He had had advantage of
a naturally protected field of operations in
which to manTuvre, and this enabled him
to handle his forces with the utmost rapidi-
ty, secrecy, and skill. The army was COM
PEELED to remain wa.ohiul along the whole
line, no. knowing at wha. point the enemy
might be most expected, and uncertain how
to manGuvre to foil the adversary. Yet,
with all these advantages, Lee was unable
to accomplish his object and, though vic
tory did not perch upon our eagles, 1t GER
tafnly did not rest upon his. Lee, in his
official despatch to the rebel Secretary OF
War, states that the attack was made hy
our troops; whereas it is evident from or
accounts that the rebels themselves made
the attack, for they came out from their en-
trenchments ut Mine Run with the probable
intention of driving the Army OF the Poto-
mac back acryss the Rapidan. In this en-
gagement the rebels lost General j. NJ Jones
aud Colonel Warren, of the 10th Virginia,
killed, aud General Stafford mortally wound
ed. We lost heavily in the battle, aud
among the officers killed was Gen. Alex
ander Hays, OF Pennsylvania. Lee made
two Intellectual attempts on this day to cut
our army in two, but did not succeed. Ills
strength was developed by the movement,
and General Grant deemed il advisable Ia
! order up General Burnside's corps, which
had been left Us u reserve near Manassas.
! This reinforcement made u mast eAtraordin-
AIRY march in order to obey the command,
and arrived within supporting distance OF
the army before nigh,iall. Lieutenant Gen.
Grant was upon the field during the after
noon, and seemed satisfied with theprogress
| Of affairs.
THE BATTLE or FRIDAY, MAY o.
This day scarcely daWned ere the engage
ment was resumed, longslrcet masslng h's
columns against denonl llaneocks corps
I with great discrimination TWAS alleina',
/ Ia pushed backward and charged i"gN NAld'
anA nncp MAS driven close 20 hls held NoTAs
hut. rallylng again, he dfoEe the gelyls be-
Ers him With gFsat slaughter Tie bad
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