The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1864-05-13
THE GREAT BATTLES IN
VIRGINIA.

Terrible Fighting on Thursday ana rH'
day last.-The Rebels Defeated Win
Great Loss and Retreatins.
The Journal, from the mass of Geographic
reports complies the following account of the
advance of Gen. Grant on the rebel army of
Gen. Lee in Virginia, and the battles and
casualties in the two great battles fought on
Thursday and Friday last:
CROSSING THE RAPIDAN.
The entire Army of the Potomac effected
the crossing Of the Rapidan on Wednesday,
Gen. Gregg's cavalry division crossing at
Ely's Ford. and Gen. Wilson's at Gsrmania
Ford, the few mounted pickets Of the enemy
scampering away before Gen. Gregg's ca'al-
ry. Double pontoons were laid, and by
O'Clock P. NJ, of Wednesday, the whole army
had successfully, and without opposition
not a shot having been tired-crossed the
Rapidan-Gen. Hancock encamping at the
the old Charlottesville battle ground, War
rem at the Wilderness Tavern, and Gen.
Sedgwick at Germania Ford, Generals Grant
and Meades headquarters tor the night being
at the latter ford.
Not sign of the enemy was found, al
though our cavalry pushed beyond the battle
ground at Charlottesville some distance,
except small squads of cavalry. Some pris-
oners were captured, among them courier
from Gen. Rhodes to Ewell, announcing the
coming of the Yankees. Up to this time
the whereabouts of the enemy was almost
unknown. Enough was known, however, to
warrant the presumption that he was con-
centrsliDg and preparing to meet the advanc-
ing hosts. Al! the movements of our forces
were made with The most perfect precision
and care, Notwithstanding the hard work OF
the march. Burnside at this time was still
in reserve. His command consisted of four
divisions, numbering in the aggregate, 1t is
said, 10000 men, brigaded under Generals
Potter, Ferrero, Wilson and Crittenden, and
was expected to come up with the main body
of the army on Thursday afternoon.
THE BATTLE ON THURSDAY.
! At three o'clock on the morning of Thurs
dav the reveille was sounded and our troops
sent out on their march to meet the enemy
about light-Hancock moving southwest
from Charlottesville, Warren from the Old
Wilderness Tavern to Parker's store, Sedg-
wick to follow. Sheridan with the cavalry
was concentrated at Poneyi Branch Church
for hunt for Stuart and his horsemen, said
to be concentrated and ready for move
The different bodies moved but short dis
lance when it was reported that the enemy
we're advancing with artillery and infantry
from New Vendiersvile. Our infantry COL
umn halted in line of battle General Sedg-
wick on the right, Warren in the center, and
Hancock on the lef.
Our troops had not been long in motion
when (about six o'clock report came in
from both the turnpike and plank roads, run
ming almost parallel, that the enemy were
advancing. Two hours afterwards the re-
port was confirmed that strong rebel columns
were moving upon US from the directions
mentioned. Generals Grant and Meade
came up from Gtrmania Ford, and orders
were issued to halt the various columns Of
infantry, and to Concentrate and form them
tor battle at this point. Commanding
ridges running from the northwest to the
southeast across both the roads over which
the enemy were advancing, about halt mile
to the west of this pont, offered fine posi-
ton for the formation Of battle front, and
were selected for this purpose. Sedgwick
was ordered to take the right and Warren
the center, ard Hancock was expected to
come up On the left Warren and Sedgwick
got into line about l o'clock, and soon after
skirmi,hing vas heard on tie front.
About noon General Warren was ordered
to push Gritfin's division forward to the right
and left OF the turnpike, and ascertain what
the enemy were about. Bartett's brigade
moved up to the left and Ayers regulars to
the right of the road, Sweetzers following
in reserve After advancing about three
, quarters of mile they suddenly found them
selves confronted by well-formed strong
: rebel position on thickly wooded ridge.
A severe battle took place and lasted near
" an hour, our troops being opposed b!
greater numbers, for the enemy followed hi
Z usual custom Of massing almost his whole
# available force against our men, Final,
the enemy succeeded in overlapping Ayers
brigade and driving it back. This exposed
. the flank of Bartletts brigade and it wa
3 forced also to fall back for some distance
Daring these movement two guns belonging
to the third Mass. battery had to be left, il
consequence of the killing of nearly all thu
horses belonging to it, and tell into the enc
a my's hands. The two brisades were soon
I however relieved by those Of Sweetzer ant
Wadsworth. whom the enemy attacked witt
great fury, but were so manfully met that
: fter an hours severe firing, they Withdrew
r from that part of our line.
n Our loss VS. heavy in Ayers and Bartlett
I, brigades. and is estimated at six hundred IL
killed. wounded and missing. Among tn
J. wounded were Gen. Bartlett, slightly; Col
y HAYES, 18th Mass, slightly, and Col. Guine
n Of the 9th Mass. We took some three HUI
" dred prisoners.
.. .. About 3 o'clock in the afternoon, Hancocl
ii who had been ordered to the left not bein
o a: hand the enemy attempted to get between
J. Warren and his corps after retiring from ou
:, right. Get,ys division was Immediately or
" dered up, and Motifs division of Hancock
corps arriving in time they attacked the enc
my, giving chance for the rest of the corp
e to form and be ready for them. Hancock
l. men behaved most admirably. This engage
l. mert was conducted in dense wood wher
e no artillery could be use. Two other divi
IS sons, Burtons and Gibben's arriving, form
l. ed second line, and, notwithstanding tn
IS repeated and heavy attacks of the enemy
=. held their ground, and this, too, under tn
e severest musketry fire in the history Of tn
e Army Of the Potomac. When the who'll
n corps had arrived, about nightfall, no ad
c vance could be made, darkness preventin;
4 the orders of Gen. Grant from being carrie,
y out.
b Wadsv orth's division and brigade Q
" Robinson's division, under command Of Gen