The National tribune., 1904-06-09

ing what cover the ground afforded, and
hidden by the forest, met the advancing
lines with such well-deliyered and murder
out volleys that Hancock was every time
checked. Motifs Division gave way, and
Brig ten. Alexander Hays, in going to re-
pair the break in the line, was shot dead
while CALAMITY leading his command in the
thickest Of the fight. (1O6)
HELP SENT TO HANCOCK.
The heavy firing borne to the ears of
Gems. Grant and Meade at the Old Wilder
ness Tavern attested the severity of the
work that was going on at this important
junction Of roads. 1t was judged that the
pressure on Hancock might be relieved by
sending a force from Warren's Corps to
strike southwark through the forest and
fall upon the flank and rear of Hill. Wads-
worth's Division and the brigade of Bax-
ter were accordingly dispatched late in the
afternoon to execute this movement. But
great difficulty was experienced by these
troops in making their way through the
thicket, and it was dark by the time Wads-
worth got his force in position to apply
it in the manner directed. His troops lay
on their arms during the night where dark
ness found them, which was in contact
with the skirmishers on Hills flank-a sit
uation in which Wadsworth might attack
with much advantage the following morn
ing. 900
Hancock continued his unavailing efforts
to drive Hill till 8 o'clock, when night
shutting down on the darkling woods end
ed the struggle. The combatants lay on
their arms, mutually exhausted after the
fierce wrestle; and many corpses lay in the
tangled brakes and bushes, evidences of the
bloody work done that day.
TWO DETERMINED GIANTS.
The action of the 9th of May was not
so much a battle as the fierce grapple of
two mighty wrestlers suddenly meeting.
But it had determined that there should
be battle, and it had drawn the relative
positions of the combatants. The moving
Union columns, almost surprised in fla
granite delicto, had succeeded in making a
junction; and if it had been Lees purpose
to interpose between them, he was foiled in
this. The antagonist armies and their COM
maniers were in the highest mettle, both
were filled with aggressive ardor. and the
proof of this was that each determined to
attack on the morrow. Yet each felt that
in the encounter there would be need of
all his strength. and whatever corps of
each had not yet come up were urgently
ordered forward. On the Union side all
had already arrived. saving the Ninth
Corps, under Gen. Burnside, who had been
instructed to hold position on the Orange
& Alexandria Railroad for "a hours after
corps was at once summoned to the front,
and early on the morning of the 9th, after
a rapid and arduous march, it reached the
field and took position in the interval be-
tween Warren's Corps on the turnpike and
Hancock's on the plankroad. The Union
line of battle, as formed by dawn of the
9th. was therefore in the order of Sedg-
wick on the right next Warren. and Burn
side and Hancock OH the left. 1t ran
north and south. faced westward, and was
in extent about five miles.
On the side of the Confederates, Long
streets Corps, which at the opening of the
campaign had to march up from Gordons-
vile distant 40 miles,. had not been up
to participate in the action of the 5th; but
that night it bivouacked not far Off and
its presence early in the impending battle
was assured. Lee maintained the same
ground he had held the day before-Ewell
on the left across the turnpike. and Hill
on the right across the plankroad: but
whereas, on that day. owing to the sudden
ness with which they We're precipitated into
action, there had been no connection be-
tween them. they now extended to meet