The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1864-05-13
Rebels Gradually Driven Back.
Great Mortality Among Ofacers.
Gold Lower, "a Ia.

Gold Lower, "a Ia.
WASHINGTON, May l2.-During the last
twenty-four hours seven thousand men
from the Army of the Potomac, wounded in
the battles Of Thursday and Friday, ar
rived here. But few are suffering severely
from their injuries. MANY will return.
Heavy fighting yesterday about P. N.
An attack was made on the rebel batteries.
The assault was continued for a time and
abandoned, as they could not be carried
without great sacrifice.
! 1t is reported that Gen. Warren was
wounded yesterday, and died on his way to
Fredericksburg. The runor is repeated to-
night, and is generally believed.
The lighting yesterday was very severe,
as heavy artillery was brought into action
on both sides. The result as far as known
this morning is in favor of our forces.
The rebels attempted to get in the rear Of
portion of our army to obtain supplies,
but were driven of with loss.
NEw YORK, May I2.-The Herald's special
says on Tuesday Gibson and Barlow's Di-
visions were withdrawn from the south
bank of the Pc, the latter division closely
followed by the enemy, who were checked
by our artillery posted on ridge command
ing the river.
Early in the day the whole army began
to straighten out in line of battle for a re-
newal Of the engagement. Our lines formed
with the Second Corps on the right, the
Fifth in the center, and the Sixth on the
left, with Burnside's Corps in the rear of
our left for the protection of our immense
trains, and as reserve in an any emer-
gency.
The enemy during the night strength
ened his position with rife pits and breast
works, making it stronger than any of his
defsnces occupied by him since leaving his
sarthworks on the Rapidan.
Thus matters stood until afternoon. Five
o'clock was fixed for the grand assault.
General orders, announcing a success IN
der Sherman in the West and Butler on the
James River, were read to the troops, pro-
ducing the widest excitement. As the hour
approached for the attack, the enthusiasm
of the troops was ungOvernable. General
Grant, surrounded by his staff, Meade,
Hancock and Warren, all stationed on an
eminence within sight of each other, while
the vast columns Of our army slowly gath
cred themselves together for the great
struggle. Just as the attack was about to
be made, the enemy advanced on our right,
threatening to press back portion Of our
| lines, and we discontinued for the time the
| plan of assault. Troops were hurried to sup
port the right, but Barlow succeeded in
| checking the enemy, sending back his re-
| Inducements with word that he had men
enough and some to spare. Watches were
compared by corps commander, and finally
all separated with orders to attack a the
appointed hour. simultaneously with the
roar of twelve signal guns the whole front
advanced with cheers along the whole line
The movement was indiscribably grand.
Portions Of the forces moved in solid col
umns, while others advanced in usual order,
the whole army moving together, each
command fighting its own battle. The
whole rebel line opened murderous FIRE
against which our lines irresistably swept,
driving the enemy slowly back from his po-
sitions, capturing two thousand prisoners
and three pieces of artillery. The latter,
however, were retaken by the rebels before
the close Of the engagement.
Night closed the battle with our army in
possession of the field. The loss is heavy,
but judging from the killed and wounded
left in our hands, it is much less than the
enemy's, who fought 10 the last, our troops
bayOneting them in their riAe-pits, and
forcing them by hand to hand conflict to
yield.
Gen. Rice was MORALLY wounded, and
died while having his leg amputated.
Our loss in eminent officers was great, but
the lateness Of the hour prevents the col
lection Of names.
The engagement was renewed vigorously,
and at the time Of my departure was pro-
crossing favorably.
HEADo'Rs 5TH CoRPs, n The FIELD, May
lIth.-My Dispatch yesterday afternoon
left the army in the midst Of terrible bat
tle-as terrible for the time it lasted a. any
in the recent series Of fights. The battle
continued until night, and darkness closed
the struggle, and our army added another
to its list of victories.
In the morning a change was made in
the disposition Of our troops. Our men
| greatly strengthed their esrthworks, and
everything evineed determination to make
/ the day one Of decisive results.
There was active skirmishing all the
forenoon, and emerged at length into a gen
erzl engagement.
NEW YORK, May ll.-Additionsl from the
Herald's dispatch says the most determined
! and persistent efforts which have ever been
/ made since the commencement, will be
made in the fight in this locality to turn our
right. Charge after charge was Iaade by
the enemy on our right in four columns.
Our men repulsed each charge valiantly.
| At length the 5th corps drove the enemy,
and compelled him to fall back into his third
/ line Of defences. The effect Of the repuise
was apparent. The rebel dead at all points
lay piled in heaps. In one Of those gallant
! charges fell General Rice, at the head Of
his command Busy in the midst Of the
terrible conflict was Gen. Warren. He rode
up and down, regardless Of the storm Of
| she'll and bullets. Another horse shot u -
der him-ths third within the last four
days.
We made the general assault at o'clock,
the most magnificent and terrible one ofthe
war Batteries, through the cutting down
some trees, were placed in very advantage
Gus positions. simultaneously these can
non hurled their murderous missils into the
ranks Of the enemy, accompanied with
! general volley Of musketry, and from this
\ hour till dark the combat deepened, and
night left US vietors- On every side our
/ lines now advanced, and We had taken
more prisoners than we had lost.
WAsHISoTos, May I2.-Gentlemen prom
iEently connected with the Government
are to-day in good spirits in view Of the
results Of recent movements. Other move
ments are in progress which viii soon be
publicly developed, forming part u The