The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1864-05-18
HEADQUARTERS, FiFTl Army CoRrs,
In yHR FIELD, May l6-0 A. M.

troops, building and otherwise strength
ening position nothing Of Importance has 10
the past twenty -four hours 10 the nrst day without
battle entering tho present campaign. Is the
nrst days soldiers known- be called
10 lie In breastworks under the enemy cannon aud
TO feel that a any moment may be summoned 10 bat
te and 70 DEATH TO keep that eternal vigilance which
only tho price OF liberty bat tho perpetual necessity
and duty OF tho soldier.
Early yesterday morning possession Of tho heights
left, BY General Ayrss brigade the evening pre-
vious given portion OF the Sixth oorps who sti
hold IT, An attempt, IL was supposed, would DO made
this morning TO retaks n but had the effort been renewed
there wsald have been hot and desperate work. the
orders are to hold this point at all hazards.
Vaguely mysterious rumors reach US that the enemy b
moving round right, with view to getting between
aud fredericksburg. 1t IL not Al oil probable that he
will have tsmerty to from behind his breast
works, and much lass attempt anything hazardous
such movement would bs At present. General Lee, II
IA moves any direction, viii probab 90 the opposite
way.
very severe thunder storm visited Us yesterday
afternoon. It's effect has been NOT only 70 cool The air.
which has the chiness OF early spring. but has 80
dsepensd the mud TO render moving ARTILLERY and
wagon trains work exceedingly difficult. It is
thought by that the condition Of the roads the
cause Of remaining here aad not continuing our
onward march, or, at loast, attempting II.
Corps hospitals have just hsen established as though
great battle looked for and every preparation
made for such cop.msency.
There is densefog this morning. and everything Is
cr..et up 70 the hour OF sending this despatch.
Mr. Francis c. Longs Despatch.
HEADQUARTERS, ARxY rHs PoroMAo, !
NER srorrsrLvANn CovKr Housn, va,S
Yesterday the Third division Of the Sixth corps com
mapdei by General Birncy ordered to fall back from
It's position the right flank Of our ne II had scarcely
left les position whom the enemy took advantage Of the
Occurrences md moved up with the apparent intention Of
occupying the advantageous position had va
Gated.
when this movement Of the enemy became known,
General Birney was ordered back TO bis former position
which he reganed after a sharp encounter with tho
rebels and q loss OF hundred and fortynve men
killed and wounded
About three O'Clock p n. to-day the batteries on our
right threw shells into the woods In front Of them,
and sharp skirmsh took place between the ptckets,
which subsidized Ihavc not been able to ascertain
whether any casualties occurred.
since then an almost unbroken silence has rsencd u
the srny Ifi were not for occasional crack Of
rifle one would almost imagine the enemy
had deserted his works in front OF US.
Leo has taken advantage OF tho short respite gven him
to intrerc ch himself sl more strongly In his already
strong position He may nnd 70 his cost, that strategy
Il not confined to the rebel programme exclusively
the universal opinion In the army that Lee viii have
| enough to do presently II he has mot already.
i CENTRAL REINFORCED
An order was read 70 the troops day stating shat
| rsiniorcements mad reached US.
Our baggage and supply trains, which have been Hnl
on the plank road Chanceorsvie for several days
have been sent 10 Fredericksburg Should there be for
ward movement made they viii probably follow by th'
spottsyiyania and fredericksburg pike They are now
some ten miles In the roar and strongly guarded
governers sprague, Of Rhode Island, and Smith, ol
Vermont, with several other distinguished gentlemen
we're q, Fredericksburg yesterday, rendering matsria
| aid 70 the sick and wounded soldiers
mr.. N. Davidson's Despatch'
BrIra PLAN, May ie-< N.
can o.lv learn from the front that every prspArason
| , making for a vigorous attack upon the enemy
Two hundred aud eighty moro rebel prisoners have
just arrived. me ofhcsr in command OF snsn g3ars
states that others came into Fredericksburg THIS morun
he leaving. He could sivo no estimate OF the'
number. About thirteen hundred we're shipped IRON
here to-day 70 Point lookout on board the uanspor
/. steamers g. r. spasdiAg and New Jersey
FvH O'CLOCK r n.
NO canncnsdins had been hoard At Frcder cksburs n
to two A. NJ. to day. II was expected there would DO
hgnt 70 morrow
Every one expresses aston shrnent ~ the amount Z
business dcoc ~ Tho gnre doch vbss supplies and r.
tsforosments al aaass, sah q yQupdaf e