East Saginaw courier. (East Saginaw, Mich.) 1859-18??, 1864-05-11

scfioch III thc toioetophiV report Oh
May sth;
City point has become ours without a
struggle. The Union forces are secure
~ planted in splendidly advantage
Gus position, within fifteen miles of
the rebel capitol. Our troops are land
ing as rapidl y-as possible. 1t is now
three o'clock, and before nightfall the
greater part Of the immense army will
he disembarked. Our line will stretch
across the narrow strip of land, tho
left resting on James River, and then
passing over the little river Appomat-
tox, the prolongatien of the line will
reach to the James again, holding that
almost insular position called the town
ship of tho Bermuda Hundred. -
1t is entrenched here with both TANKS
Of the army protected by gunboats
that we can bid defiance to Lees CO.
horts if Grants sharp pressing drives
them down upon us. The position is
considered admirable for seriously
threatening Richmond.
We copy a brief summary of the
telegraphic accounts concerning the
movements of Grants army up to Sun
day. ph ~
Wednesday at daylight, Grants
whole army was entirely across the
Rapidan. It marched to plain
little beyond and near the old Chan
cellsville battle ground, when Ice was
forced out of his works and offered
battle, which was Immediately accep-
ted. The fight became fierce, and
lasted until dark, the enemy being
forced back some distance leaving
most of his killed and wounded in our
hands.
The two armies lay on their arms
all Wednesday night, and at daylight
Thursday the battle opened again and
ragged with the greatest fury on both
sides until dark, when it was found
that the enemy had been forced in
the two days fight about two miles
and half, leaving heaps of dying,
killed and wounded on the field, to be
buried aud taken care of by our troops.
The Heyald has the following rela-
tive to the battles of Friday and Sat
urday.
At FIVE o'clock on Friday morning
the contest was renewed along the
entire line, and tho roar and hum of
battle came from every quarter
From certain indications it was con-
cluded that Lee was reinforcing Long
street on Hancok's front, and part of
Burnside's corps was accordingly
moved to his support, taking a posi-
ton on the left Of Gen Warren and
completely filling tho gap into which
the two Brigades were thrown the
preceding evening. On moving at
daylight towards the assigned position
through close forest they found it
occupied by rebels prepared 10 dispute
its possession.
The fighting at this point was over
by nine o'clock, finding it impossible
to dislodge the rebels from their posi-
ton. Early in the morning Hancock
was driven back close to his breast
works by superior force, but subse-
quently rallied and succeeded in re-
taking the lost ground. Between ten
and eleven o'clock however Longstreot
succeeded in turning the left of his
advance and throwing it into great
confusion. This extended along the
line and came near involving the
whole corps in inextricable confusion,
and Hancock was once moro forced
back to his breastworks, and the reb-
els actually planted their colors inside
these, but could notsustain themselves
and were elected. At this timo heavy
reinforcements were thrown to his
support from Burnside's corps, and
his men were rallied and taken well
in hand and all danger of further dis
aster removed.
The charge Of Longstreet was com
pletely overwhelming, solid masses of
infantry were hurled upon Hancock
time after time with an impetuosity
nothing could withstand.
1t was exceedingly fortunate for the
9th Corps and the whole army that
Longstrcet was checked ut this critical
period and driven back with as much
precipitation as he came. The ground
in front of Hancock had been fought
over a number of times, and the
wounded and dying on the field We're
vast. All night Hancock occupied
his breastyyorKs and had nothing but
prisoners and rebel dead to show for
the slaughter of two days fighting
He behaved with conspicuous gallant
ry throughout and was on the field in
person where the dangers were thick
est. Gen. Warren was also holly as
saulted along his entire line and the
utmost surprise was manifested at the
number of troops Leo was able to
bring into action. This corps retained
its first position, however, till dark
About midnight charge was made
which caused him to give way, and
he was unable to regain the ground
thus lost. This of course compelled
the abandonment of a great portion of
the line of breastworks in front of the
corps and brought the skirmish line
within half mile of Gen. Grant and
Meade's headquarters. Sedgwick's
corps maintained itself against the
vigorous assaults of superior numbers
at different times during the day and
had no serious reverse until late III
the evening. A charge was made on
its extreme right for the purpose of
turning it as was done with Hancock's
in the morning. Milroy's old division
was driven back in great confusion at
length, and the enemy succeeded eff
fectually in turning our right flank
The behavior of this division was So
vercly criticised by those supposed to
know more concerning the affair
This probably necessitated transfer