Daily Davenport Democrat. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1864-1874, 1864-05-12
NEW YoRK, May l2.

Tuesday Gibbons and Barlow's divis.
ions were withdrawn from the south
bank of the Pc. the latter's division
closely followed by the enemy, Who we're
checked by our artillery posted along the
ridge commanding the river.
Early in the day the whole army be-
gan to st'aighten out in line Of battle for
the renewal of the engagement. Skir-
missing was kept up during this time
between tho advanced lines Of the two
armies. The enemy moves himself a.
though intending offensive operations,
Our limo was formed with the I'd corps
on our right, 9Th in centre, and 9Th on
left, with Barnside's corps in rear of our
left. for protection Of our immense train
and to act a. reserve in any cmergen-
cics.
The country here is quite rolling, with
groves Of pine and hard Gods, and If.
fordiDg much better facilities for hand
ling troops and using artillery than
| about Wilderness.
The enemy during the night strength
ened their formidable position with rifle
pits, breastworks, barbados, &C., max
| ing it stronger than any line of defense.
occupied by him since leaving the earth
works on the Kapidan.
Thus matters stood until far into the
morning, when lighting became quite
sharp at intervals, at different points. but
without anything definite.
s o'clock was fixed for the grand A.
sault.
General orders announcing the success
OF Sherman in the West, and Butler on
the James river, were read to the troops
and produced the widest excitement.
and as the hour approached for the at
tack the enthusiasm of the t.oops Boz
came almost ungovernabIe.
Grant, surrounded bv liz staff. and
Meade, Hancock and Warren: were all
stationed on an eminencc within sight
of each other, while the vast columns Of
our army slowly gothere.l themselves to-
gether for the great strv xgc.
Just As the attack was about 10 be
made the enc.ny advaD ccd on our right.
threatening to press Lack that portion
Of the line. Troops -weto hurried to the
support Of the right. but Barlow suc-
ceedcd in checking the rebels, and sent
the reinforce,nents back with word that
hc had men enough. and some 70 spare.
Half past "a wss then fixed for tho
ASSAULT. Watches were compared by
the corpA commanders, and finally sep
arated with orders to attach It the ap-
pointed hour.
Al the appointed time, s;multaneous-
y with ihe firing OF the Il signal guns,
the whole front advanced with cheers.
The whole movement was grand. A
portion OF the forces moved 10 solid col
umns, while others advanced in the usual
order OF battle.
The Whole army moved together, yet
each CON mand was Aehting it own bat.
tie.
The y hole rebel line opened I most
murdero us ilrc, against which our liuca
'rresistt bly, swept, driving the enemy
slowly back from biz. position, coptur-
ing nearly 1000 pria oDers and 8 vieces
Of fastillery-,ho Iatt er, however, ~'ese
ret AIKEN BY tho yebej bsfore the close y
tho battle.
Night closed the battle, with our fore.
o occupying tac field.
Our loss is heavy, but judging tom
the killed and left ia our haads, mech
less thaa the e,lsmy's. te's
The enemy ought TO the last, and ouf
troops bayonets ed their men 10 the rife
pits. and forced them 10 hand 70 hand
conflict to yield.
Gsn. Rice "a smortally vousdsd ard
died whils his lsg wss being amPa-
tated. sslit - = s's
Our loss il resmisesst ot1cefs i greet
bps the latensss. Of tho hour and my owa
wound prevs aiso > sollsotipa Of the
names. .ssts~ .l5faesegsa ~F& - > 1Tf 81 r
!. At,Ahs time<of dcpar ture everything
= psperssaiog favosssly.
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l7sADeuAhins fnra A s4Y Cosrs. !
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