Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1864-05-20
Details of the Movements of Sunday,
Monday and Tuesday --- Reinforce
ments ON Both Sides-AnOther Ter-
rifle Battle to be Fought Before Long
Worlds Correspondence
UrAnorAprrRs SEcoND CORES.


l.4i Worlds Correspondence.l
HEADQUARTERS SECOND CORPS, l.
ARMY OF THE PoToMAC, May II, noon.}
Up to this hour nothing of Importance
has occurred to-day. During yesterday
afternoon considerable skirmishing took
place along the lines for the purpose of feel
ing the enemy and ascertaining whether
they had fallen back or not.
General Birney's guns opened first, fol-
lowed by a few from General Burnside, and
skirmshers were thrown forward, who
were met by the rebel sharpshooters, and a
lively fire was kept up for two or three hours
without any definite result.
The wounded from the hospitals that were
captured last week were recovered yester-
day, and brought into ourlines. They num-
Der over four hundred, several of whom
died during last night. The rebels treated
them inhumanly, robbing them of every
thing except their shirts and pantaloons.
They took all their valuables. A spy was
caught within our lines day or two since
dressed in our uniform. He was convicted
by drum-head court-martial, and summari-
ly shot.
HEADQUARTERS, ARMY OF THE POToMAC,l
May 16, 1864.
There was scarcely anything of interest
| transpired yesterday, if | except some
changes of position in one of the corps, the
Second, which occupied the right of the line
which was formerly our left.
A portion of this corps were withdrawn
In the morning and held in reserve; but a
movement of the enemy in that direction
being discovered in the afternoon, division
was sent to reinforce those left, in order to
enable them to hold their ground.
The enemy soon after made vigorous
attempt to drive in our pickets in that quar-
ter; but finding that our force was too strong,
he fell back during the night. Somewhat
later another attempt of similar nature
was defeated, and some twenty Of the rebels
were taken prisoners.
Our troops show the greatest watchful-
ness, and seem to enjoy the present position
of affairs. The enemy has taken up strong
location, on the hills north of Spottsylvania
Court House, and, Notwithstanding reports
to the contrary, nothing can be seen of
their movements except through powerful
glass.
believe our cavalry did have possession
of the town OH the morning of the Sth, but,
our infantry not being on hand to support
them, could not hold it. The rebels are said
to have extensive works en- portions of this
line, and are determined to oppose our adj
varce vigorously.
The horrible state of the roads has pre-
vented our getting supplies as rapidly as
desired, and full complement of rations
must be obtained before another advance is
commenced. A heavy rain set in last even
ing, lasting about two hours, which will
make the roads still worse. A thick fog
prevails this morning, and nothing can be
seen at distance of more than forty rods.
BELLE PLAIN, May I'D Pm.
No firing has been heard here to-day, and
it is therefore quite certain that nothing
has occurred in the army to-day in the
fighting line. To-day several loads of pris-
oners were sent to Point Lookout, at the
mouth of the Potomac, on the steamer
Ocean Wave.
The number of prisoners is increasing,
some arriving from the front every few
hours. The engineers are busily engaged
in completing the submarine portion OF the
line of telegraph to General Grants head
quarters, which will place him in direct
Communication with the War Department.
The roads to Fredericksburg are in an
almost impossible state, in consequence of
the recent rains. Butfew wounded arrived
here to-day. Two hundred of the Sixth
corps, badly wounded, went to Washington
to-day.
CALLS HOUSE, HEADQUARTERS ARMY,(
-rr~t May E-9 A. M.
There is but little of much importance to
send you this morning. Both armies re-
main in the same position rs at the date of
my last dispatch.
Lees right stretches to the Po river, near
SMELLS bridge. The enemy seems to be en-
deavoring to conceal the position of his
lines as much as possible, and it is only by
picket firing and few shots from our bat
teries that their location is developed.
Last night some guerrillas were lowering
near our lines, attempting to pick up strag-
glers, army wagons, horses, etc. Although
at one time they created some excitement,
it was found that it was no cavalry raid.
Three days rest to the wearied army has
vastly improved its condition, while the
arrival of reinforcements yesterday and
this morning proved very inspiriting.
The rebel intrenchments are quite strong
as they appear in our front, but on the reb-
ell right it appears to be the opinion that
they are capable OF being easily tlanked.-
The present calm Is of brief duration, yet
it is not proposed to even give you intima-
tions of what is only supposed to be the
plans of the reopening of the campaign.
Since Sunday there has been no rain, but
the ground is so thoroughly soaked that it
will take two or three days for it to be dry
again. fitsI
WASHINGTON, May 17-Midnight.
Intelligence from the army, derived from
other sources than your special correspond
| ents, is to the effect that no decisive move
ments have occurred ReinforcemeDts have