Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-09-22
GEN, JOHN sEpowIcK.

dispositions to attack. On this day Gen. Sedg-
wick was killed by a rebel sharpshooter and
Gen. H. G. Wright succeeded to the command
Of the sixth corps.
On the morning Of the 10th the confederate
army occupied zigzag line of breastworks,
covering Spottsylvania. in the shape of a huge
semicircle, running from point on the left
around by the north to its extreme right on the
southeast of the town, with the federals close
up, well covered likewise, and actively feeling
for weak spots. The federal line must have
been twelve miles long The region about
Spottsylvania presents a rolling surface. much
cut up with good-sized streams, and heavily
timbered, though not SO much of Jungle as the
Wilderness, and there are many farms 1t was
well adapted to Lees defensive tactics.
Early on the 10th Hancock on the Union
right, somewhat isolated, found himself con-
fronted by heavy rebel force under Early and
Heth, who began pressing him, his movement
on that flank being dangerous one to Lee. He
found IL impossible to force passage over the
Block House bridge Of the Pc where il bends to
the south, on the west of Spottsylvania Bir-
neys and Gibbons divisions were during the
forenoon ordered to be Withdrawn to support
another assault by the other corps When their
movement was in progress the confederstes at
tackled violently. Their assaults were repealed
and Hancock recrossed the Pc safely with all
his divisions, and moved to the support of War
rem and Wright
THE CHARGE OF UPToS's BRIGADE.
In the afternoon Warren, Wright and Burn
side made a simultaneous advance But Ander-
sons front was now too strong to be broken,
and Warren was easily repulsed. Further to
the left, however. Upton's brigade of Wright's
corps broke through the confederate line, cap
turing a battery and LOCO 10 1909 prisoners.
This charge was one of the most brilliant af-
fairs Of the campaign, not only in design, but
in leadership and execution. He penetrated
beyond a second line OF intrenchments. 1t
was Doles' and part of Daniels brigades of
Ewels corps that were broken in this onset.
But no support came to Upton; attacked in
front and on both sides by the confederates,
who had now recovered from their surprise. he
was driven back, yielding up the intrenchments
and captured guns, but getting of his prisoners.
Upton WAS afterward made a brigadier general
for this operation He was an able officer for SO
young a man.
Burnside, on the extreme left, pushed up al
most unopposed to within musket shot Of
Spottsylyania. having completely turned the
confederate right flank and got upon their rear.
Had he here manifested the same appetite for
attack that he did at Fredericksburg in 1862 i'm
portant results no doubt would have followed,
But his operations were of a feeble character
and seemingly without proper understanding
OF tie confederate position, which, unknown
to himself, he was menacing in its weakest and
most vulnerable part. Unfortunately, Burn
s4Nc - as tdtti 10 COuQeCt
with Wright's left, voluntarily yielding the
most valuable ground secured during the day.
Cen Stevenson Of the ninth corps and Gen.
Rice of the fifth corps were killed on this day.
In spite OF every effort, no permanent impress
sion was made on Lees lines.
HAScocK's CORPS AT THE BLOODY ANGLE"
On the night of the 18th Hancock's corps was
brought around to the left, between Wright
and Burnside, in front OF the angle in Lees
line, where it abruptly turned from its north
ern front to the south. Barlow's division was
massed in double columns OF regiments, Birney
in two deployed lines on his right. with Mott in
support, while Gibbon was held in reserve. At
$50 on the morning of the 18th, in the midst Of
q fog. which somewhat favored them. Barlow
and Birney advanced steadily against the angle
without firing shot, in splendid form, and
when close up charged with "a cheer The
abatis IN front was quickly torn away by the
men and they went over the intrepchments wi III