The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1864-05-18

WASHINGTON, May lz.-Dlspa'chos
from the Army of the Potomac, dated
Wilderness battle field, May IL, say that
probably the most desperate fighting OF
the past seven terrible dsys took place on
Tuesday. Believing the enemy to have
sent greater part of his troops to Rich
mend, an advance along the entire line
was determined ON at an early hour
The Second Corps, having the right OF
the line, had crossed the evening previous,
and met with but slight opposition.
In the morning the position of the enc
my was found to be in the shape of horse
shoe, and Hancock's troops advancing to
attack, they were compelled to fall back.
An. attempt to break their centre was
then ordered, and part of Hanceck's men
were sent to support Warren in the move
ment. Our right was also advanced, and
the move was begun in the afternoon.
The enemy were driven into their en-
trsnchments in gallant style. Upton's
brigade, of Wright's 9th corps, got into
the enemy's works. "a
Not being supported by other portions
of the line who were unable to gain the
= line of works in their front, this brigade
was forced to evacuate the advanced posi-
!, ton, leaving the captured guns, after
, spiking them. but bringing off all the
Z prisoners. The enemy suffered heavy
a losses during the fight, our shells falling
into their works, and our infantry deliver
n ing their fire with remarkable precision
n Gen. Rice was wounded in the thigh ear
Ily in the engagement, and died after hi
, leg had been amputated. Gen. Steven
O son is also reported killed; he comman
: ded a brigade in Burnside's corps. GU
n losses were very heavy.
= Gen. Rooinson's division after losing
Q both its general officers and about 2,o0'
IS men. had no General to command it, ant
n lit has been broken up and distributes
a ameng other divisions of the 9th corps
$ No division of the army fought bette
: than this one.
a At one o'clock Tuesday Ere rage
between the two armies at point In tn
ri line, and large number of Wounded
both parties were lying on the spet. Ou
men, in attempting to get their conrade
off the field, were fred on by rebel skin
e mishers and driven off, and the poor sui
!, fers had to be left to perish in the flames
:. Times Special.
~ WARRINGTON, May IA distinguish
he ed officer who left Grant in the saddle a
late as 10 o'clock this morning, sums u
the bloody work of yesterday thus: Th
Fight opened all along the line. Long
streets corps, under Hill, held the reb'
70 right. resting about two miles northea'
It. of Spottsylvania, and Grant pitted Burr
~ sides 9th corps against it. At give
rs moment later in the afternoon, Burnsid
g. precipitated his entire command, e1cel
= colored troops, upon the rebel right, dri'
as ing and completely crushing it. capturin
three rebel brigades and four pieces
ry cannon. The fight continued with fer
nd city never before witnessed until 8 p.
h. when night closed upon the bloodie
|e. field produced in this war. The losses G
lie. both sides are stated to be very large.
re OF the rebel brigades captured, son
n escaped during the awful carnage whie
to followed, but 1900 of the captured We
he sent to the rear this morning. Our il
ed formant talked with some of them befoi
Ill leaving to-day, and they acknowledge
,r- they had been in every principal bait
ed of the war, but never experienced SUI
terrible fighting. The battle ceased
no 9 o'clock, our line having advanced
as Burnside occupying at the end of Il
i,e conflict the entrenchments held by Lon
ne streets forces at the beginning. Th
no morning the fight was renswed-up to
n. o'clock Burnside held the same positio
IN. Lees army was then contracted into
nd sort of horse shoe form in and about Il
th town of Spottsylvania Courthouse. &c
an Stevenson is killed.