Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1864-05-19
From the Raleigh Conf. derAte.

/ From the Raleigh Conf derAte
In the absence OF later we Icy before read
ers TO-DAY following of The first two vs. of
the battles on th Rapdao, copied from the Rich
mo- Sentinel of iass Monday for copy OF which, we
indebted TO the extremely polite and very consider
ate attention Of NJ iIr VIM Fl. Harvey, most eff
Gent officer OF the Atlantic and n 9. Railr oad and
General Superintendent OF military transportation at
this point.
The last few days have no: been surpassed by any
period of the war for the magoi ude and Importance of
the military operatious ard the justly absorbing inter.
est which they excited. From The Rapdau and from
the Apponattox, the sound OF batl has filed the air.
aud the shock OF Conflict Las shaken the earth The
waters too have afforded for the fury Of the
combatants aud the shores and caverns Of tie smes
lave reeounded with terrific explosions
The chief interest tas, of course, antred upon the
operatious upon the Rapidan The others were ogreat
importance but these were vital. Two great armies
under the lead Of the Generals which their respective
countries regarded their ablest there struggled for
victory, with the lie aud death of our Coniederacy
the stake OF battle. The Army of the Potomac under
Lieutenant u neral Grant, there 10 destroy the re-
noWned Army of n hern Virginia under the lead Ct
the General whom its soldiers love their life, was
there to defend The pes pie of two Contederaces
spectators and awaited the conflict with ep xiey
and baed breath If successful there our victories else
where would be assured and frmed if defeated our
! long gloomy war would have to be fought
again.
Most reverently aud fervtntly do we thank q, that
our hopes have BEEN realized, fears dspeled and
our enems DISAPPOINTED and put to confusion and de-
feat AS fast and far the flies, the people of
this Confederecy will lift their hearts in thanksgiving
to Heaven for so signal deverance, and in praise
and honor Of the battle crowned heroes who have ad
ded the fame of this splendid achievement to their st
aurels
Grants cavalry crossed the Papdan at Elys Ford,
Wednes lay morning, the 4tI inet about day break
His infantry followed crossing the same day at EIy's
Ford which is not far from the mouth O, the Rapidan,
and at Germanna, which ia miles higher up. Both
of these lords below the right flank of Lees for
titled position. On the same day. EWeli's and Hills
corps dispatched from above, and, by the next
morning, (Thursdav the 5th) had gained position
very Grants tiDe OF march. Grant thus
forced to confront him. in order to his flank from
attack And to do him justice, he seems to have
crossed in order to fight for be swiftly advanced upon
Leesues, and thus brought
THE FIRST Days BATTLE-Ihursday, Nay5.
Lee received the attack this occasion 1t con-
sisted Of powerful assault Ewes corps, forming
the left wing OF Lees army, and Ct several repeated
courageous and desperate attacks two of Hills d.
visions The attack EweI seems to have been first
and easiest sJlenced. II resulted in the complete re-
pulse of tie enems right wing, with the loss of four
pieces of artillery aid large number of prisoners
bow many is not definitely known.
Hills corps more Obstinately attacked The
emmy sad to ave charged with vigor and brave
~, advancing up very near our lines They were re-
Heaths and Wicox's divisions, and in every instance
repulsed with heavy slaughter.
An attempt to turn right flank with cavalry ard
artillery successfully resisted and driven back by
Ros8er and his gallant brigade of cavalry, though
greatly outrumbered. This closed the operations OF
the first day.
SECOND DAYS BATrLE-Friday, May G.
The next day Longstreets corps appeared 10 its old
position right of Lees army (Ewells position be-
ing on the left and HIPS in the centre.) 1t had we
bL haer std ork will
venient to The expected field of operations 1t s;guali
zed its parci ion in the battle by turning Grant
right flank, and driving it from the field with heavy
loss.
HIPS corps quickly recovered some ground lost early
in the morning while relieving, with fresh troops the
divisions that had usained the first days fight A !
general attack by centre and right wing appears to
have been then made which forced Grants lins back
several mlestO the derness with great loss In killed
and wounded.
Ewell GU his part, was not inert. A highly credta-
ole fank EOvern Mt N tde Dy Brig. General Cor |
don of his command, which rewarded with success
and as is fruits, the capture OF considerable number
OF prisoners and the pressing OF Grants right, FROM
Germanna down to E!y's Ford. When it is remember
eG that Grants right confronted By EHel rested on
the ,pIdan The difficulty OF fl .nkiug will be under
stood and appreciated. Here the battle of
Friday rested
sa urday produced no OF eratoos beyond some Skin
misbng. On yesterday morning the OF artillery
announced that fghtug renewed. Later in the
situation as follows
"rhe enemy have abandoned their position and are
marching towards fredericksburg. / am moving on
their right flank Our advance is at Chancellors-
Vile"
This is latest intelligence unless the telegraph
shall bring something further.
Ihe sum Is this: Grant has made bold, obstinate
attack, with the best soldiers he could bring together
and in great numbers Ga Thursday he assaulted and
everywhere defeated. Ga Friday, be received the
3ault and had both his wings outf4nked and turned
and his whole llnerght, lett and driven for
miles, with great loss. There he sheltered himself on
Saturday, while Lee to have rested prepared
The day, he 20 longer would endure attack, but
took up the line OF fight with Lee in pursuit. He
has been decsveiy 1epulsed decisively whipped and
nov he flies So ends his magnificent "On to Rich.
nond." So fail the bop2s which toe enemy ave built
on their great Thank GOD thank God
OF what is yet to come, could speculate, but ii
would be in Ignorance of essential facts and, at best,
would be Let rest 10 the full assurance that
the her ard his heroic army, who for the great
and glorious victory which will gladden. the heart OF
the @ lttderacy, and made fortunes prosperous
will p from it all the fruits which circumstances Will
allow.
Dispatches aud Corresponds
We continue selections from the Sentinel, en-
bracing its coresrondence'and such press dispatches
as owing to the general arrangement of the telegraph
lines have not appeared in this paper.
The following dispatch from Gen. Lee received i
in Richmond last Sunday.
Al.