Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1864-05-18
Gagtfelb 9obtttiset /.
Additioaal Details of the Late Fights
- INsVIRGINIM
From Richmond Papers Of the 9th.


and the Justly absorbing interest which they
excited. From the Rapidan and from the
Apnomattox. the sound of battlee has filled
the air. and the shock Of conflict has shaken
the earth. The waters, too, have Afforded
an arena for the fury of the comoataats, ana
the shores and cayerns of the James nave re-
sounded With terrific explosions.
The chief interest has, of course, centred
upon the operations upon the Rapidan. The
others were of great importance, bnt these
were vital. Two great armies under the 'leaa g
of the Generals, whom their respective coIn,
triessregard as. their ablest, there struggled
forayictory, With the lifeand death OF our Con-
f.deracy 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 lead
of the General whom its soldiers love as their
life, was there to defend. The people OF two
eConfederacies were spectators; andsawaised
the conflict with deep anxiety and bated
breath; if successful there, our victories else
where would be assured and conGrmedj If
defeated, our long gloomy war would have to
be fought over again. ;.
=, Most reyerently and 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 as the news flies, The people OF this
Confederacy will lift their hearts in thanks
givings to Heaven for SO signal deliYerance,
and in praise and honor of the battle crowned
heroes who have added the fame of this splen.
did achievement to their past laurels.
Grants cavalry crossed the Rapi3an, at
Ely's Ford, on Wednesday morning the 4th
inst, about daybreak. His infantry followed,
crossing the same day at Ely's Ford, which
is not far from the mouth of the Rapidan, and
at Germans, which is some miles higher up.
Both of these fords were below the right flank
of Lees fortified position. On the same day,
Ewell,s. and Hills corps were despatched
from above, and, blythe next morning, (Thurs-
day, the 5tb,) had gained position very near
Grant'ssiine of march. Grant wt1esthus fore
ed to confront him, in order TO save his flank
from attack. And to Do him justice, he secms
to have crossed in order to fight; fer he
swiftly advanced upon Lees line, and thus
brought on
THE FIRST DAYS BATTLEETHURsDAY, NAY 5.
Lee received the attack on this occasion.
It consisted ofa powerful assault on Ewells
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 EEell seems to hsve been first and
casiestSilenced. 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
heroism worthy Of the. veterans of Heth's
and Wilcoxs divisions, and in every instance
reprlsed With heavy slaughter.
An attempt TO turn our right flank with
cavalry and artillery was successfully resisted
and driven back b. Rosser and his gallant
brigade Of cavalry, though greatly outnum-
bered. This closed the operations Of the
first day.
SECOND DAYS BArTLE-FRIDAY, MAY 6.
The next day Longstreet's corps appeared
in old position as right of Lees army,
(Ewells position being on the left and HIPS
in the centre.) 1t had, we believe, been pcs
ted back toward Gosdonaville, convenient to
the expected field Of operations. 1t sgnalized,
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
loss-sarly in the morning while relieving,
with fresh. troops, the divisions that had sus-
tairsd the first days fight. a general attack
by our centre and right wing appears to have
= Il ,nb H.
back several miles to Wilderness, with great
loss in killsd and wounded, =.
Ewell, on his part, wss not Inert. A high.
y ereditable flank movement was made BY
Brighten. Gordon,oi his command, which
was rewarded with success, and as its fruits,
the capture Of considerable number Of pris-
oners, and tho pressing of Grant'a 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 on SATURDAY NIGHT.
There was, we learn, severe fighting on
&atqrday night, somewhere aear Chanosllors-
vile, between the members Of Wickham's and
Lomax's Cavalry Brigades, 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 6gbt is represented
to have been protraetca into tho night. A
number of our men were killed or wounded.
HEADQUARTERS Army NoRTHE IN VIRGINIA,
May 7, 1868 p. IN.
Hon Secretaryof Far: Gen. Gordon turn
cd the enemy's extreme right yesterday even
ing and drove him from lis rife pits.
Among the prisoners are Gems. Seymour
and Shaler. A numberof arms we're also
taken.
The enemy have abandoned the GeImanna
Ford Road, and removed his pontoon bridge
towards Ely's.
There has been no attack to day-only
slight sliirnishing along the line.
(Signed,) R. E. LEE.
TnE FIGHT ON SUNDAY.
Various rumo-s were afloat in regard to an
engagement, but the only re!iableiRtelligence
received from the battle field was the follow.
ing despatch from Gen. Lee, rccsired at 5
O'Clock p. m. Sunday: