Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-06-20

gent and connected statement OF the af-
fair, OF which there have been so many
different versions.
IT appears that the battle opened at
Todd's Courthouse and lasted continu-
ously from Thursday to Sunday. The
forces on our side were portion OF Gene
RAJ Fitzhugh Lees command, and con-
sisted of Wickham's and Lomax's bril-
gades. The fight opened on Thursday
evening. Lomaxs Brigade engaging the
enemy and driving them back some dis
lance. During that night the enemy
took strong position, and on Friday the
fight was renewed by Wickham's Brigade
QomaX's being held In reserve that day.
little In advance of the ground occu-
plea on the day before. On Friday night
the enemy fell back behind Todds Tavern
their advance being posted within n short
distance Of the building. on Saturday
II became the turn of Lomax's Brigade
TO engage the enemy Wickhams being
held in reserve), and the fight opened at
an early hour and continued until 10
O'clock when our forces fell back to the
Old lines occupied by them i'm the fight
OF the second day. Lomax held his posi-
ton until evening. when he was forced
back by the enemy TO the line held by us
on the first day, in rear of a barricade
across the road formed by the telling
OF trees. The enemy continued to press
us. and here General Fitzhugh Lee or
dered up Wickham's Brigade and threw
out Observation-Disclosures Brigade de-
ploying the enemy on the right Of the
road leading from Todd's Tavern TO Spot
sylvania Courthouse, and Lomax on the
left. with General Fitzhugh Lee COM
handing in person and passing up and
down the fines. lie was said to be very
cool, and gave orders to his men. who
had been dismounted for the most part
IN this fight owing TO the dense forest
and thick underground, not TO fire until
the enemy got within thirty yards Of
them. Then continued he, take good
aim, and let them have It, and then l
want you TO go over after them The
enemy continued to advance. when Gene
raj Fitzhugh Lee gave the order in a
clear, distinct tone of voice. Then en-
sued n most desperate and stubborn fight.
resulting in the enemy being driven back.
Our men seeing that they had gained
the day. gave here a yell-sucb>>s rebels
only can-ysien the Yankees broke and
ran. closely pursued by our men for
distance Of half mile.
after this, on Saturday night, our
forces withdrew from tho fatigue Of bat
tie and the Third Virginia Cavalry
were posted as plcketS at the Darrlcade
for that night. Early Sunday morning
the Yankees strongly reinforced during
the night, attacked the Third Virginia
Cavalry on post, who, before the over
whelming numbers Of the enemy, con-
tinued 70 fall back until supports could
be brought up. This was quickly done,
and the fight ragged until Z O'Clock. when
General Fitzhugh Lee, seeing that his
force was too small to resist the enemy.
who were In very heavy force with both
cavalry and infantry, began to retire in
the direction of Spotsylvania Courthouse.
falling back slowly and cOntesting every
inch Of ground. At this critical juno
ture-about 10 o'clock In the morning.
n large force OF our infantry, under Gene
Anderson, came up and succeeded in re-
pulsing the enemy with great slaughter
as General Lee stated in his official dis
patch.
1.-The enemy fought with great stubborn
ness. for he was fighting 10 carry an i'm
portant point"