The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1864-05-13

him, perhaps. as to General Grant and the gal
liant officers and soldiers nnder his command


We are exceedingly gratified to know that
Grant has not been jostled from his plans, but
is now ON the line of movement according to
his original design. While, however we might
rejoice at what has already been accomplished,
much more remained to be done. Mr. Lin
coin proceeded, amid repeated cheers for the
President, General Grant and the Army.
NEW York, NAV 9-Informa,ion has been
received tonight that the rebel ram in Alber-
marie Sound was attacked and sunk by the
United States steamer Sassacus.
WASHINGTON, May 9-Among the killed and
wounded in the battles of Thursday and Fri
day was Col. Lombard, LIST Michigan.
The New York Herald has the following rel
alive to the battles on Friday and Saturday:
At o'clock in the morning the contest was
renewed against our line and rear, and the hum
of battle came from every quarter. From GER
tain indications itw concluded that Lee was
reinforcing Longstreet on Hancock's front and
part OF Burnside's corps accordingly moved to
his support taking position to the left of General
Warren and completely filling the gap into
which the two brigades had been thrown the
preceding evening.
On moving at daylight towards their assign.
ed position, through close forest, they found it
occupied by rebels prepared to dispute its pos
session. Fighting at this point was over by 9
o'clock, finding it impossible to disodge the
rebels from their position.
back close to his breastworks. by superior
force, but subsequently rallied his men and
succeeded regaining most of his ground, Be-
tween 10 and IL O'Clock, however, Longstreet
succeeded in the left of his advance throw
ing it into great confusion. This extended
along the entire line and came near involving
the whole corps in ineXtricable confusion. He
was once more forced back to his breastworks
and the enemy actually planted his colors inside
these, but could not sustain themselves and
were elected. At this time heavy reinforce
ments were thrown 10 his support from Burn
sides corps and his men were rallied and taken
well in hand and all danger of further disaster
removed.
The charge of Longstreet was completely
overwhelming. Solid masses of infantry were
hurled upon Hancock time after time with an
impetuosty which nothing could withstand.
1t was exceedingly fortunate for the 9Th corps
and the whole army that he was checked at
the critical period and driven back with as
much precipitation as he came.
The ground in front of Hancock had been
fought over number of times, and the num-
beers OF wounded and dying on the field were
vast.
4: night Hancock occupied his breastworks,
and had nothing but prisoners and rebel dead
to show for the slaughter of two days fighting.
He behaved with conspicuous gailantry
throughout, and was on the field personally
WHITE udIlScTS WCTc INC ttllckCSt.
Gen. Warren also rode along the line. The
utmost surprise was manifested at the number
of troops Lee was able to bring into action.
This corps retained its first position howev-
err till darkness. About midnight charge
was made which gave way, and was unable to
regain the ground thus lost.
This OF course compelled the abandonment
of the great position lire and breastworks in
front of these corps, and brought the skirmish
line within half a mile of Grants and Mcadc's
headquarters.
Sedgwlcks corps maintained itself against
vigorous assault, superior in numbers at differ
ent times during the day and had no serious re.
verse until late in the evening" when serious
charge was made on its extreme right for the
purpose OF turning it. as was done with Han
cocks in the morning.
great confusion at length, and the enemy sue
ceeded in efectually turning our right flank.
The behavior of this division is severely criti-
cized by those supposed to know concerning
the affair.
This probably neccssitates the transfer of our
sick and wounded and all supply trains from
the Germania Ford road to cur landing to
Charlottesville
The latter were in motion all night, and at
daylight Lee had occupied Germania and cut
OIL the retreat OF the army by that route, which
would have given him the advantage, but night
worked incalculable mischief, causing an undue
extension of his line, and a corresponding
weakening of the line.
The contest of Friday was unsatisfactory.
Many officers were responding and feared Lee
would in some manner defeat Grant, and a SUI
perfical observer might construe the repulses
that day into defeat, but no such forehOdings
found resting place in the minds of those who
knew the tenaclty of purpose, fertility of re-
source and characteristics of Grant.
0Iy Dtacrn Of
hopes. The battle recommended at daylight
on Saturday, but the firing was desultory and
scattering. No fierce attacks We're made on
either side, both Generals being intent on STRAIT
egg, and neither being anxious to bring on a
general engagement.
Burnside was well under way at Spottsylva-
mia. Lee had thrown infantry on to our right
and drove in our cavalry pickets on the Ger.
Eania road.
The result could only be to precipitate the
retreat on the part of LeetO prevent our army
from being thrown between himself and Rich
mond, or force him into All open field which
would result in his determination.
Lee seemed intent on cutting our commuui
cations via Germania Ford. Grant appeared
utterly indifferent to this and seemed rather to
court it by withdrawing Sedgwick from his
position and throwing it back by Germania
Ford, near his own headquarters, and push
ing Burnside out of Spottsylvania Court
House, tapping Lees line of communication.
The new line was formed by placing in position
corps extending nearly north and south and
gave Lee choice of being cut off from his
capital or risking everything on the verge of
battle.
He soon discovered the error, and to all APP
pearance had started in hot haste for another
line of defence Some think Lee found North
Anna river, while others are fully certain there
was no tenable position for him to fall back to
between this and Richmond.
WASHINGTON, May 9.-The Washington Re
publican has an extra that official dispatches an
nounce our complete victory over Lee and
that the recel army is retreating in the direc
ton Of SpOttsylvania, Grant pursuing.
PHILADELPHIA May 9.-The following is
special to the Ecen;ng Telegraph:
W AsHINGToN, May Accommodation have
been opened with Gems. Smith and Gilmore
who are near Richmond. There was no fight
ing yesterday. Our army is believed to be ad-
vanclng successfully and Fredericksburg b
been occupied, and the railroad is being re-
paired. The Star extra says Grant has field
full of prisoners, and had advanced to Spott-
sylvania Court House. A verbal message re-
celved at Hallecks Headquarters by a messen-
ger from the army, st,tes that both armies
closed on Friday, the enemy having fallen back
about one and half miles, leaving their dead
and wounded on the field. On Saturday at
O'Clock Lee was in full retreat through Spott-
sylvania, and when the messages left, Hancock
was entering the place in pursuit. Butler is re-