The National tribune., 1904-06-16

road by other troops, halted in the morn
ing. midway of the march, at Todd's Tav-
ern; and, later, events SO shaped them
selves. that Hancock was detained all day
an anticipated attempt of Lee to fall upon
the rear Of the Union column. (S)
LEE SECURED sPoTsYLvANIA.
To return to the front of operations.
Sedgwick having joined Warren with a
part of his corps. resolved, late in the af-
ternOon, to assault the position with such
force as was available. But much time
was lost, and it was evening before any
thing was done. A partial attack was then
made by a New Jersey brigade, (9) but it
resulted in nothing. An advance was, how
Division. with better fortune. 1t happened
that body of troops belonging to Ewell's
Corps was marching in by the flank, and
coming Unexpectedly upon Crawfords force
it was driven back for mile in confusion
losing 100 prisoners and flag. Had the
attack been made in stronger force, as was
first intended. the best results might have
been expected. (1O)
The operations of the day left the Con-
federates in possession of Spotsylvania
Courthouse. Lee, in fact, had succeeded in
planting his army across Grants line of
march and having drawn up on the Spot
sylvania Ridge a bulwark of defense, he
the Potomac in check, and exact another
heavy dole of blood.
The army was all brought into position
on line in front of Spotsylyania on the
following day, Monday, the 9th, and the
cavalry under Sheridan was dispatch on
grand.raid to cut Lees railroad communi-
cations. Sedgwick's Corps took post on the
left of Warren, and Burnside's on the left
of Sedgwick, forming the left of the army.
Hancock came up from Todd's Tavern. and,
moving to the right, took position on high
ground overlooking the valley of the River
Po. WHICH, circling sonthward of Spotsyl-
vania Courthouse. heads northward to the
west of that place. Hancock formed the
right of the army. Aside from the move
ments TO take up position. the day was
passed in quiet. The Confederate sharp
shooters We're, however. very active, and
early in the day their deadly aim brought
down an illustrious victim in the person of
Gen. Sedgwick. the beloved Chief of the
Sixth Corps, who was shot while standing
III the breastworks along his line, and al
most instantly expired. The loss of this
lion-hearted soldier caused the profoundest
grief among his comrades, and throughout
the army, which felt ii could better have
afforded TO sacrifice the best division. Gen.
Wright succeeded to the command.
HANCOCK CROSSED TIE Po.
During the afternoon Confederate
wagon-train was observed hllng along the
road leading into Spotsylvana opposite
Hancock's position. That officer was di-
rected to make movement across the Po,
partly with the hope of capturing some of
the train. Accordingly, toward evening OF
the 9th the Second Corps forced cross
ing of the stream, the south bank of which
was observed by but a small force. The
passage was effected with entire success,
in face of many difficulties OF ground; but
nj hp ii
Re brought TO head. Next morning. the
10th. Hancock pushed forward the derel-
opment of his operation. and. at the same
time. bridged the stream ut the points at
which his force had crossed. The confed-
crate train had all been safely retired with
out any very weii-defined object. The po,
at IIancock's point of passage, runs nearly
eastward: but near Spotsylvania Court
house it turns sharply southwark Ii
therefore once more crossed his line of
advance CID and it was observed that
the enemy was in force behind intrench-
ments on its eastern bank. covering the ap-
proaches to Spotsylvania Courthouse The
20 Is here crossed by wooden bridge two