Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1864-05-18
Gagtfela 99obtrdset.
Additioaal Details of the Late Fights
INeVIRGINIA.
From Richmond Papers of the 9Th.

tho earth. The waters, too, have Afforded
an arena for the fury Of the contestants. and
the shores and cayerns of the James have re-
sounded with terrific explosions.
The chief interest has, of course, centred
upon the operations upon the Rapidan. The.
Others were of great Importance, but these
we're Vital. Two great armies under the lead
of the Generals, whom their respective coun-
fries,repard as their ablest, there struggled
foreyictory, With the life eand death OF our Con-
federacy as the stake of battle. The Army
of the Potomac, under Lieutenant- General.
Grant. was there to destroy the renowned
Army Of Northern Virginia, under the ieaa
of the General whom its soldiers lovo as their
life, was there to defend. The people OF two
.tonfederacies were spectators; ands awaited
the conflict with deep anxiety and bated
breath; if successful there, our victories else
where would be assured and confirmed; if
defeated, our long gloomy war would have to
be fought over AGAIN.
Most reyerently and d,fervently do We thank
God that our hopes have been realized, our
fears dispelled and our enemies disappointed
and put to confusion and defeat! As fast and
as far ss the news flies, The people of this
Confederacy will lift their hearts in thanks
givings to Heaven for SO signal delirerance,
and in praise and honor ofthe battle crowned
heroes who have added the fame of this splen.
did achievement to their past laurels.
Grants cavalry crossed the Rapi6ap, at
Elys Ford, on Wednesday morning, the 4th
inst, about daybresk. His infantry followed,
crossing the same day at Ely's Ford, which
is not far from the mouth Of the Rspidan, and
at Germans, which is some miles higher up.
Both ofthese fords were below the right flank"
of Lees fortified position. On the same day,
Ewelpa.and.. Hill's corps were despatched
from above, and, blythe nextmorning, (Thurs-
day, the 5tb,) had gained q position very near
Grant'ssiine Of march. Grant wGsthus fore
ed to confront him, in order TO save his flank
from attack. And to do him Justice, he seems
to have crossed in order to fight; for he
swiftly advanced upon Lees line, and thus
brought on
THE FIRsr DAYS BATrLESTHURsDAY, MAY 5.
Lee received the attack on this occasion.
It consisted ofa powerful assault on Ewell's
corps, forming the left wing Of lees army,
and Of several repeated, courageous and des-
perate attacks on two of Hills divisions. The
attack on Ewelf seems to hsye been frstand
casieseailenced.. 1t resulted in the complete
repulse of enemy's right wing, with the loss
of four pieces OF artillery and . large number
of prisoners-how manysis not definitely
known.
Hills corps WAS more obstinately attacked.
The .enomy are said to have. charged with
great vigor and bravery; advancing up very
near our lines. They were received with the
heroisu worthy Of the. veterans of Heth's
and Wlcox's divisions and in every instance
repulsed with heavy slaughter.
An attempt TO turn our right flank with
cavalry and artillery was successfully resisted
and driven back by Rosser and his gallant
brigade of cavalry, though greatly outnum-
bered. This closed the. operations Of the
first day.
SECOND DAYS B.TrLE-FRlDAY, MAY 8.
The next day Longstreet's corps appeared
in its old position as right of Lees army,
{Ewell's position being on the left and Rills
In the pentre.) 1t had, we believe, been pcs
ted back toward GoFdonaville, conYenientto
the expected field of operations. 1t sigualized-
its participation in the battle by turning
Grants right fanks, and driving it from the
field .yith heavy loss.
Hills corps quickly recovered some ground
lostssrly in the morning while relieving,
With fresh. troops,the divisions that had sus-
tanned the FIRST day fight. a general attack
by our centre and right wing appears to have
been then made, which forced Grants lines
back several miles to Wilderness, with great
loss in killed and wounded, "a
2weli, on his part, wss not Inert. A high
lYereditable flank movement was made By
Brighten. Gordou,ot his command, which
was rewarded with success, and AZ its fruits,
the capture of q considerable number Of pris-
oners, and ths pressing Of Grants right from
Germanna down to Ely's Ford. When it is
remembered that Grants right Confronted
BY Ewell, rested on the Rapidan, the diff
Guilty of fanking it will be understood and
its success appreciated. Here the battle of
Friday rested.
FIGHT OK SATURDAY NIGHT.
There was, we learn, severe fighting on
&at4rday night, somewhere near Chancellors.
vile, between the members of Wickham's and
Lonax's Cavalry Brissdes, and the Yankees
the former being mostly dismounted and
acting as shsrp-shooters: The engagement
was severe, and resulted in the enemy being
severely punished. The 6ght- is represented
to have been protraetea into tho night. A
number Of our men were killed or wounded.
HEADQUARTERS Army NoRTHE IN VIRGINIA,
May ], 1868 p. m.
Hon Secretaryof Var: Gen. Gordon turn
ed the enemy's extreme right yesterday even
ing and drove him from his rifle pits
Amorg the prisoners are Gems. Seymour
and Shalcr. A number of arms we're also
taken.
TIE enemy have abandoned the Ge1manns
Ford Road, and removed his pontoon bridge
towards Ely's.
There has been no attack to day-only
slight skirmishiHg along the line.
(Signed,l R. E. LEE.
TnE FIGHT ON SUNDAY.
Various rumors were aaoat ii: regard to an
engagement, but the only reliableiRtelligence
received from the battlefield was the follow.
ing despatch from Gen. Lee, rccsived at S
O'Clock p. m.Sunday:
HEApoUARrEss.A .AEaY NORTHERN VIRGINIA,
May 8. 1864.
PresideatDaviss The enemy has abandon;
ed his position, and is owing towards Fred
ericksbqrg, This army is in motion upon his
.;;,Lf a,pL op1 nnr sbyarca IN now M Snnt