The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1864-05-13
eEHERAI MTBHa1eEAtE.
Particulars Of tho Battles.


Ranidsn ON Wsinesiay. Gen. Wilson'S csval
ry division forded the river at Germania for,i
and Gen. Gregg's division at Ely's Ford. eigh'
mlles below, at day break. The mounted psok
cts OF the enemy that we're watching the W.
points scampercd of before them. Douole
pontoon bridges were ut once thrown across
the river, and the infantry that had marched &c
the lords during the night began crossing over
Ut about 8 A. NJ. General Hancock's corps
aud the reserve artillery crossed ut Ely's Ford
and General Warren's at Germania. Sedg-
wick's corps followed the latter. The passage
Of the river continued all day At both points
At night General Hancock cncamped on the
Charlottesville battle grouud; General War.
-reu at the old wilderness tavern and dermauin
Ford.
Not shot was fred during the crossing: I'm
mediately AFTER reaching the south bank the
cavalry pushed forward 70 some distance from
the river, discovering nothing Of the enemy
but weak parties OF cavalry. Some prisoners
werc captured, among thcm courier from Gen.
Rhodes TO Gen. Ewell, with dispatches announc-
ing The approach OF the Yankees. UP to tins
time the whereabouts Of the enemy were almost
unknown. All tho movements OF our forces
were made with the most perfect precision and
care, Notwithstanding the hard work OF the
march. ..4..
LEES ATTACKS on THURSDAY. r ,4.r
On Thursday morning the whole army was In
motion at daylight According to the order Of
the day General Hancock's second corps was to
march from ChancellorsvilIe enthusiastically
on the Pamuuky road to Grove church; Gen.
Warren's (5th) from the old wilderness tavern
TO Parker's store on the Orange Court House
plank road; Sedgwick's (6th) corps Was ~ fol.
low behind Warren's; Gen. Sheridan WAS to
concentrate the whole cavalry corps NJ Piney
Branch church few miles south OF Chancel-
louisville, and start upon general hunt after
Stusrt's cavalry. the main body OF which was
reported to be concentrated, and ready for q
movement. L.Nr. ...s 81. .g
The different corps had been In motion but .
short time before information was received that
the enemy were advancing In strong force from
the direction Of New verdicrsvillc. Gems.
Grant and Meade came up from Germania ford
and orders were issued to halt the various
columns OF infantry, and TO concentrate aud
form them for battle at this point. Sedgwick
was ordered to take the right and Warren the
centre, and Hancock was expected to como up
on the lelt. Warren and Sedgwick got into
line about II o'clock and soon after skirmish-
ing was heard on the front.
About noon General Warren WAS ordered to
push Griffin's division forwarded to the right
and LEFT OF the turnpike. Bartlctt's brigade
moved up to the LEFT and Ayers regulars to the
right Of the road. After advancing about three
quarters Of mile they suddenly found them
selves confronted by strong rebel position on
q thickly wooded ridge. a severe dght ensued.
Our two brigades held their ground for nearly
an hour, but the enemy succeeded In oyer!app-
Ing Aver. regular brigade and forcing Il back.
The flank OF Bartlett's brigade being exposed,
Il was also soon forced back for some distance.
Two pieces Of the 81 Massachusetts, battery had
to be left behind In consequence Of the killing
Of nearly oil tho horses, and fell into the hands
OF the enemy. Two additional brigades were
brought and the enemy was held at bay. The
firing was kept up for an hour longer, when
the enemy drew of from that part Of our line.
Our loss In this affair probably exceeded GOO
In killed, wounded and missing. Among the
wounded are Gen. Bartlett. slightly; Col.
Hayes, 18th Mass, slightly; Col Gwin. listh
Penn; Col Quincy, 9th Mass; Col. Lombard,
4th Mich. We took about 300 prisoners. I'D.
Before Gen. Hancock, with the 2nd corps,
could reach the position assigned to him on the
left, movement by the enemy was discovered,
evidently meant to throw force between Ham
cock and the remainder Of the army. Getty's
division Of the 9th corps was ordered up to
check this demonstration, and o portion Of the
2nd corps coming up. General Grant ordered
them to attack the advancing enemy 10 order
to give the remaining divisions OF Hancock
time to come up and form. They did so, and
became at once holly engaged In woods so thick
that 1t was almost impossible to advance in
line. The enemy In great force pressed heav-
lily upon the front, and q most furious mus.
kerry fight continued for nearly two hours. fg
The heavy timber and dense underground
rendered the use Of artillery impossible, and
only few rounds from heavy pieces were fired
on either side. Our line steadily held It's ground
until the whole corps was formed, when night
fall prevented an advance on our part, and put
an end to the fight. ~. =, -. a
The loss on our left will probably reach one
thousand. including Gen. Alexander Hayes
killed, Coils. 8. Carroll and Tyler among the
wounded ~ '8"f ''
Tho 5th N. Y. cavalry, In advance on the road
10 Parker's store, was attacked by o superior
force In tho morning, and driven back with
Gen. Sheridan sent message to Gen.. Meade
In the evening, 20 tho effect that he had met
part Of Stuart's cavalry, and was driving them
In every direction. tyr .'' '1.-. = i1'. -
The position Of our troops on Thursday night
was parallel with little In advance Of the road
from Gcrmania Ford to Charlottesville, the
two TANKS resting on those points, with general
headquarters ut the Wilderness.
Meanwhile, In the afternoon the advance Of
the 9th Corps crossed 0ermania Ford, taking
position on our right flank. The remainder Of
the corps arrived on Friday morning.
The events Of tho day may be summed up as
follows Gen. Lee attempts to cut our army In
two both on tho right and let, by getting be-
tween the river and warren's and Sedgwick's
corps. with only part OF Burnside's across,
on the one side, and between Hancock's corps |
and the remainder Of the army on the other.
That he was foilcd in both purposes, and that
The army has been concentrated notwithstand-
Ing his two we'll conceived attacks, constitute
most substantial success for Gen. Grant.
Not quite one half Of the army was engaged.
There was heavy firing on Sedgwick's part OF
The line amer dark, but It was Of short dura.
lion. II In understood that Il was brought about |