The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1864-05-20
under him-the third within four days.

uuucT uitn-tuc InlTu WlCnlu lOuT UdyS.
We made a general assault at O'Clock. 1t
was the most magnificent and terrible one of
the war. The batteries, through the cutting
down of some trees were placed in very advan-
tageous positions, as likewise the batteries of
other corps.
simultaneously these cannon hurled their
murderous missiles into the ranks of the enemy
accompanied bya general veley of musketry,
aud from this hour till dark the combat deep
ened. Night left us victOrs on every side Our
lines now advanced and we had taken more
prisoners than we had lost, but it has been
another expensive victory.
Our losses heavy but it is believed that OF
the enemy far exceeds ours. 1t is expected the
battle will be resumed in the morning. Our
men are in good spirits and there is no give
way to them.
WASHINGTON, May H. Times special. +
distinguished officer who left Grant in the
saddle late as 10 o'clock this morning sums up
the bloody work of yesterday thus: The
fight opened alcng the line of Longstreets
Corps under Hill. We held the rebel right,
resting abont two miles northeast OF Spotsyl
vania and Grant posted Burnside's 9th corps,
against it"
HEApQRs 9TH ARMY CORPs,(
In the Field, May IL.
My dispatch yesterday afternoon left the
army in the midst of a terrible battle-terrible,
for the time it lasted, as any in the recent
series of fights Heretofore the contests have
been invariably musketry, in this battle the roll
of artillery fire was incessant and almost deaf
ening as at Gettysburg.
The battle continued till night, and darkness
closed the sanguinary struggle.
Our army added another to its list of battles
and victories.
In the morning q change was made in the
disposition of our line In the meantime our
men greatly strengthened their earthwOrks,
oH1 nhaf onH bir,r
evidenced that a determination was made that
this day should be one of decisive results.
Very active diminishing all through the fore
part OF the day was merged into q great en-
gagement. AS the hours wore on the battle
waXed faster and hotter, and fiercer and sharper
was the rattle OF musketry and louder the roar
of the artillery.
WASHINGTON, May 12-Gentlemen promi-
nently connected with the government are in
to-day, and are in good spirits in view of re-
cent movements.
Other movements are in progress which will
soon be publicly developed, forming part of
the general plan looking to success.
Gen. Burnside sent word to his friends in
Washington that everything looked very ia
vOrable and hopeful.
Special dispatch 10 the Tribune of the 18th
says Burnside advanced to SpOtsylvania Court
house that morning, driving Hills corps before
him and now holds the place.
tured bp charge of Vermont brigade Tues
Gay night but nearly half escaped.
BUFFALO, May 12.-NO confirmation received
here of the rumOr that Sigel had formed
junction with Grant.
WASHINGTON, May 12.-Dispatches from the
Army of the Potomac dated Wilderness battle
field 18th, says probably the most desperate
fighting of the past seven terrible days took
place Tuesday.
Believing the enemy to have sent the great
er part of his troops to Richmond an advance
along the entire line was determined on. At
an early hour the I'd 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 enemy
was found to be in the shape Of horse shoe,
and on HancOck's troops advancing to attack
them they were compelled to fall back.
An attempt to break their centre was then
ordered, and a part of Hancock's men were
sent to support Warren in the movement.
Our right was also advanced and the move be.
gun in the afternoon.
The enemy were driven into their entrench-
ments in gallant style, and Upton's brigade of
Wright's fifth corps, got into the enemys rear
capturing II guns and about 1000 prisoners.
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
abandon its advanced position, leaving its cap
tured guns, after spiking them, but bringing
OF all the prisoners
The enemy suffered heavy losses during the
fight, our shells falling into their works and
our infantry delivering their fire with remark
able precision.
Gen. Stevenson is reported killed. He COM
manded brigade in Burn.ide's corps.
Our losses were very heavy. Gen. Gibbons
division has lost altogether over thousand
men.
Gen. RObinsons division, after losing botlls
its general officers and about $500 men, had
no one to command it, and has been broken
up and distributed among other division of 9TH
corps No division of the army fought better
than this one.
About o'clock p NJ q report was brought
to Meade that a flank movement was being
made On our right and the headquarters being
in that direction, they packed and moved TO.
wards the centre in rather hasty manner.
The report turned out to be false.
At one o'clock Tuesday a fire ragged between
the two armies at one point in the line, and
large, number Of wounded Of both parties were
lying on the spot. Our men in attempting to
get their comrades Oft the field were fired on
by rebel skirmishers ami driven Off, and the
poor sufferers had to be left to perish in the
flames.
New YORK, May 12-The Posts Washington
special says dispatches just received from the
army dated late Yesterday state that Grant has
won announcer Victory. Lees WlOlC lett Is
is crushed, and we have captured whole reb-
ell brigade. Burnside chased Ewell over three
miles,
The World has u rumOr from Washington
that the 10th and 18th army corps on the north
bank of James River are to be sent around to
reinforce the Army of the Potomac from the
north; that they comprise too small an army
to capture Richmond, and are too numerous
to permit their being kept out of the fed.
The Worlds special says Grant massed nearly
400 pieces of artillery against Lees position at
| Spotsylvania Court House ON Tuesday and fired
for two hours. When the assault was finally
| ordered, the advancing column met with but
| feeble resistance Lees line did not waver
until just before the close of the battle; then it
| fell back and we gained considerable ground.
| The correspondence from General Buffers
army contains nothing later of that Generals
| operations than was announced in his dispatch.
WASHINGTON, May 12.-The Star says Gen.
Burnsides colored troops were held in reserve
Dut were subsequently brought into action and
fought with desperation. Their officers ex-
pected to have considerable difficulty in re-
STAINING them as they appeared to be DESTROYS
not to take any prisoners, being eXasperated
by the remembrance of Fort Pillow and the
atrocities committed there.
It was believed in the army that Sigel. hay
ing made forced marches, had destroyed Lees
railroad communications with Lvnchbure
| 80 ~ Chnr;don had dOnn tho co,,o n: