Dayton daily empire. [volume] (Dayton [Ohio]) 1850-1865, 1864-05-10
Par.leular. ID dc GO, n.,,I..

was renewed along the entire lne, and the
roar and din OF battle came from every quar-
ter. From certain indications It was cOnclu-
ded that Lee was reinforcing Lonpstreet, on
Haueock'S front, and part Of Burnside's corps
was accordingly moved to bis support, taking
4 position to the left of General Warren and
completely filling the gap into which the two
brigades had been thrown the preceding even.
ing. On moving, at daylight, toward the as
signed position through close forest, they
found It occupied by rebels who were prepared
10 dispute its possession Fighting at this
point was over by nine o'clock, finding It i'm.
possible 20 dislod9e the rebels from their posi-.
ton. Early in the morning Hancock was
driven back close 10 his brtaslworks 10y a su-
peIior force but subs quenly rallied his men
and succeeded in regslhinp most OF lhs lost
ground, Between ten and eleven o'clock,
however Longstreet succeed in turning the
left OF his advance and throwing il into great
confusion. This extended along the entire
line and came near involving the whole corps
in ineEtricRble confusion he was once more
forced back to bis breastworks, aud the rebels
actually planted their colors inside of them
but could not sustain themselves and we're
eiecled. At this time heavy renforcements
were thrown 10 his support from Burnside =
corps and his men were rallied and taken well
in hand and all danger of further disaster WAS
removed. In the charge Longstreet was com.
pletely overwhelmed Solid massec Of infan-
try were hur ed upon Hancock time after time
with an impetuosily nothing could Withstand
II was exceedingly fortunate for the SIKH
Corps and the whole army that he was check.
ed at the critical period and d. iven back with
AZ much precipitancy rs he came The ground
in front Of Hancock had been fought over a
great many times and the number Of wounded
snd dying on the field was vas, At night
Hancock occupied bis breastworks, and had
nothing but his own and rebel dead to show
for the slaughter of two days fghinn He
behaved with conspicuous gallantry through
out, and WAS on the field in person where dan
gers were thckest
General Warren was also hoty assaulted
along his entire line, and the utmost surprise
has been manifested at the number Of troops
Lee is able to bring into action This corps,
however, retained ITS position until dark
About midnight charge was made in which
il gave way nd was unable to regain the
ground thus lost This, of course, compelled
the abandonment Of the line Of breastworks
in front Of this corps and brought the skirm.
ish line within half a mile Of Grant and
maintained itself against vigorous assault
Of superior numbers at different times during
the day, and had no serious reverse until late
in the evening, when charge was made on
ils extreme right or the purpose of turning
it, as was done, Hancock il the morning
"Milroy's old division was d,iven back In
great confusion, when at length the enemy
succeeded ia turning our right hank. The
behavior Of this division has been severely
criticised by those supposed 10 know more
concerning the affair This probably neees.
STATED the transfer Of our sick and wounded
and all supply trains from Germania Ford
road to Chancellorsville. The latter we're ia
motion the whole night and at daylight, had
Lee occupied Germania Ford and cut off the
retreat OF tho army, that route would have
given him an advantage, but might have work
ed incalculable mischief, causing undue eX.
tension OF his line
"The contest on Friday was unsatisfactory
Many officers feared Lee would ia some m sn-
ner, defeat Grant Superficial observers
might eonstrue our repulsss that day into de-
feat, but no such iorebodug found a resting
place the minds Of those who knew the te.
naclty OF purpose and fertility OF resource
which characterizes CIR mt The advantages
of the next day verified their hopes The
battle commenced at daylight on Saturday,
but the firing was desultory and scatlerine.--
No fierce attacks were made on either side -
Both Generals were intent on strategy, and
neither anxious 10 bring on general engage.
ment Lee seemed intent on cutting our
commu uication via Germana Ford Grant
appeared utterly indifferent to this, and seem
ed rather to court 1t by wuhdrawing Sedgwiek
from his position and throwing il back by Ger.
mania Fo'd near his own headquarters and
pushing Burnside out on the Spottsylvaha c,
H road. threatening Lees line of commnni-
cAtiona The new lide Of battle, formed BY
= change in positions, extended nearly north
aud south and gave Lee chance OF being
cut oh from his capital and risking everything
upon The wager Of battle
''At two o'clock m Burnside was we'll un-
der way TO Spottsylyania Lee had throwu IN.
tAu,Fy on to our right and drove in the caval-
~ piekets on the Lermanis road The re.
sult could only be preeipitsle retreat on the
part Of Lee, 10 prevent our army from being
thrown between himself and Richmond or a
deadly contest in the open field that could on.
" end in his determination. He soon discoy-
eyed his error, and, TO all appearances, had
STATED 10 hot haste fer another line Of de
tense. Some thihk he found Il at North Anna
River, while others arc equally certain there
il no tenable position for him between this
and Richmond"