Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1864-05-13
FROM THE poToMAe ARMY.
HEADouARrERs ARMY OF THE PoroMAc.
MAY, 4, 1864.

Grafton with others, it is of the utmost import.
ance that no effort be left uBspared to make il
successful
SoLDIERsi-The eyes of the whole country
are looking with anxious hope TO the blow you
are about TO strike in the most sacred cause that
ever called men 10 arms. Remember your
homes your wives and children and bear in
mind that the sOOneryOu enemies are overcome
the sooner you will be returned 10 enjoy the
benefits and blessings of peace. Bear with pa
tience the hardships and sacrifices you may be
called upon to endure. Have confidence in your
officers and in each other. Keep your ranks in
the'march and on the battlefield, and let each
man earnestly inplore Gods blessing, and en-
deavor by his thoughts and actions to render
himself worthy of the favor he seeks, with a
clear conscience and strong arms, actuated by a
high sense of duty fighting to preserve the
Government and institutions handed down to us
by our foreiathers; and ftrue to ourselves, vic
tory under Gods blessing must and will attend
our efforts. GEO. g. MEADE.
Maj Gen. Commanding
S. WILLIAMS, Asst Adj't Gen.
Washington, May 5-P. M.-The Republican
has Just issued an extra containing the follow
ing important intelligence:
We feel authorized to state since it cannot
now afford information to the enemy, that the
army of the Potomac has advanced towards
Richmond, and the struggle for the possession of
the rebel capital is begun.
Our army moved on Tuesday night and has
now crossed the Rapidan: the crossing was made
at Jacob Culpepper Germania and United
States Fords, and was affected without serious
opposition:
Lee has been compelled 10 fall back from hN
strong position where be bad held us at bay all
winter. Whether he viii make a stand this
oof4b 4bs 4 Of I
advised tbs the opinion of some that he will
fight at Charlottesville
Every hour may now bring us news of battle.
but we are inclined TO the belief that il will be
foot race for Richmond. The rebel capital
will undoubtedly be hanked and invested,
should Lees army occupy its defenses, and the
country may reasonably hope that this time it
will fall
Union Mills, May 60 T. M.-Thc Grand
Army of the Potomac crossed the Rapidan OH
Wednesday. The Second Corps moved on
Tuesday to Mills, opposite Elys Ford. On
Wednesday morning at four o'clock the cavalry
crossed and drove the enemy from the opposite
heights meeting opposition. The position
was gained and the corps moved on at seven
o'clock taking the road TO Charlottesville, at
which place Hancock would establish his head
quarters. The 9th and 9th Corps crossed Ger
mania Ford in the course of the route taking
the road 10 the Wilderness. Wednesday night
Gen. Warren s headquarters were at the Wilder
ness, with Sedgewick at his right and the gem
eral headquarters at Germania Ford.
Thursday morningthe rebels pressed our pick
cts and appeared to be III strong force on our
right.
The 9Th New York Cavalry, skirmishing on
the Orange Courthouse road, near Pekins tav-
ern, were driven in with a severe loss leaving
IL ! 4 4. -
Griffith's Division was marched forward
on our right, about eleven O'Clock, to feel the
enemy's position, and were met by the rebel
Gen. A. p. Hill, supported by Gen. Ewell
severe action took place, in which we captured
about 800 prisoners though reported we lost
two guns. Meantime Hancock marched his
corps to the right, TO connect with Warren, and
had hardly got into position, his left resting on
or near Charlottesville, when he was attacked
by BOngstreet with his foil Corps, and part of
Ewells. Hancock, with Gotty's Division and
5th Corps were under musketry fire for two and
| half hours duration, in which his command
suffered severely, but inhicting much injury
Ipon the rebels Other developments showed
Lee to have his whole force IN our front This
of their position was of course high
y Important and was thus obtained only by
he greatest of skill i'm handling our troops II 1
not being the purpose of Gen. Meade TO advance
,ur army, he ordered that line of battle be
leld till morning.
The position OfOur troops Oh Thursday night
was parallel with, and a little in advance of the
road from Germania Ford to charlottesville
The two hanks are resting on those points, and
.he General headquarters was at Wilderness.
Meanwhile, in the afternoon an advance of
he 9Th Corps crossed Germania Ford, taking
position on our right flank.
1a'c raI |,
1t was understood that general attack was
% be commenced when l left at five oclock.-
Heavy cannOnading was heard when passed
Kelly Ford about tlve o'clock this morning,
which leads me to believe that we had driven
hem TO their defenses as no heavy guns could !
De brought into action in their former position
There ought TO be no doubt that there has been
grand victory, as Meade showed his strength
by stubborn and gallant defense, without us
ng half the command he has undoubtedly |
brought into action to-day. The troops are in /
high state of enthusiasm.
Washington, May The Republican has the /
ollowing:
The Government has information this morn /
ng, whether from official sources or other we
re unable to learn at the moment of going to
,ress, that on Wednesday at daylight Gen.
Grants whole army was entirely across the Rap
dan. 1t marched 10 a plain little beyond and
lear the old Charlottesville battle ground.
Vhen Lee was forced out of his works and Of
cred battle, which was at once accepted.
The fight became fierce, aud lasted until dark
the enemy being forced back some distance,
With great loss, leaving most of his killed and
rounded in our hands. The two armies Law ON
heir arms all night on Wednesday, and at day-
ght on Thursday the battle opened again, and
aged with the greatest fury on both sides un-
j dark, when it was found that the enemy had
cen forced back in The two days fight about
Ro miles and half leaving heaps of dying,
lied and wounded ON the field to be buried
nd taken care of by our troops.
We have heard various estimates of the num-
er slaughtered, but at this moment it is useless
speculate on the subject. Every one knows
nat it must have been terrible.
Gn Friday morning at five o'clock the forces
ere marshalfng for another conflict
Gen. Grant is moving on Lees works
Up to this time Gen. Bunside's Corps. num-
sring 10000 men, had taken no part in the bat
e. but at $50 was marching into position to
lgage in the bloody contest of the third DAYS
attle
Of the result of this day S battle we have no
,port up TO the moment of going to press. The
attic commenced at six clock in the morning.
Mess Lee receives reinforeements equal to
urnside's Corps, the battle of Friday must have
roved terribly disastrous to him.
Washington, May SO A. ND Gen. John
!. DiG, Neto York: We have no official report
ON the front, but the Medical Director has no.
fed the Surgeon General that our wounded
ere being sent to Washington and will num-
sr between 5000 and 5000.
The Chief Quartermaster of the Army of the
otomac has made requisition for seven days
ain and for Railroad construction trains, aud
ates that the enemy is reported 10 be retiring.
his indicates Grants advance, aud affords an
ference of material success on our part.
The enemy has been always most felt in his
ows and their having failed and our forces not
lIy having maintained their ground, but pre-
lring to advance lead to the hope of full and
mplete success, for when either party fails dis
ganization by Struggling commences The
lemy's loss in killed and wounded must weak
him more than we are weakened.
a dispatch from Gen, Sherman dated five
clock, p. NJ, yesterday, states that Gen. Thom-
had occupied Tunnel Hill, where he expected
battle, and that the enemy had position at
uzzard Roost Pass, north of Dalton, where
had taken place, but no real fight
e yet.
Nothing further from Gen. Banks.
You may give publicity 10 the information