The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1864-05-18
The Battle Of Tuesday.

Ahc n0ItAe Oh IueS00ys
The N. Y. Heralds special says: "On
Tuesday, Gibson's and Barlows divisions
were Withdrawn from the south bank of
the Pc River, the latter division closely fol-
lowed by the enemy, who were checked by
our artillery posted along the ridge COM
handing the river.
Early in the day the whole army began
to straighten out in line of battle for a re-
newal of the engagement. Skrmishing
was kept up during this time between the
advanced lines of the two armies, the enc.
my bestirring himself as though he intend
ed offensive operations. Our line was
formed with the I'd Corps or the right,
the 9th in the centre, and the 9Th on the
left, with Burnside's corps in the rear of
of our left, for the protection of our i'm.
mense trains, and to act as reserve in any
emergency.
The country here is quite rolling, stud.
ded with groves of pine and hardwood, and
aftording much better facilities for handling
troops and the use Of artillery than about
the Wilderness.
The enemy, during the night, strength
ened his formidable position with rife-pits,
breastworks, barricades, ETC., rendering it
stronger than any line of defence occupied
by him since leaving his earthworks on the
Rapidan.
Thus matters stood until far in the after
noon, when the fighting became quite sharp
at intervals at different points, but with
out any thing definite.
Five o'clock was fixed upon for the grand
assault.
General orders announcing the successes
of Sherman in the West, and of Butler on
James River, were read to the troops, pro-
ducng the widest excitement, and as the
hour approached for the attack, the enthus.
iasm became almost ungovernable Gen.
Grant, surrounded by his staff. and Gems.
Meade, Hancock, and Warren, were all sta
toned on emincnccs within sight of each
other, while the vast columns of our
army slowly gathered themselves together
for the great struggle.
Just as the attack was about to be made,
the enemy advanced on our right, threat
ening to press back that portion of our
line. Disseminating, for time, the plan of
assault, our troops were hurried to Barlow,
to support the right, but Barlow succeeded
in checking the rebels, sending back his
reinforcements with the word that he had
men enough and to spare.
Half-past was then fixed upon for the
assault. Watches were compared by the
corps commanders, who finally separated
with orders to attack at an appointed time
At the appointed hour, simultaneously
| with the fire of the twelve signal guns, the
| whole front advanced with cheers from the
whole line. The movemcn: was indescrib.
ably grand. A portion of the forces moved
in solid column, while others advanced in
the usual order of battle, the whole army
moving together, and yet each command
fighting its own battle -
The whole rebel line opened most muir
derous fire, against which our lines rresis-
tibly swept, driving the enemy slowly back
| from his positions, capturing nearly 1000
prisoners and three pieces Of artillery The
latter, however, were taken by tie rebels
before the close Of the engagement.
Night closed the battle with our forces
occupying the field. Our loss is heavy,
but, judging from the killed and wounded
left on our hands, is much less than the
enemy's, who fought to the last, our troops
bayoneting their men in their rifle pits,
and forcing them, by hand.to hand con
f1icts, to yield.
Gen. Rice was MORALLY wounded, and
died under the amputation of his leg. Our
loss in prominent officers is great, but the
lateness of the hour and nv own wound
prevents the collection of the names.
The engagement was renewed vigorously
on Wednesday, and, at the time Of my de-
parture, it was progressing favorably."