The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-05-07
What Was News
Fifty Years Ago
From the RICHMOND Dispatch. May :. 1861

Tho very air is full of war news
General Leo has reported briefly to tho
secretary Of War some particulars of
tho great battle of tho 9TH (Thurs-
day). Tho enemy crossed tho Rapi-
dan at ElyS and Germania fords. Two
corps moved to oppose thcm--Ewelrs
by Tho turnpike and A. l.. Hilrs by
the plank road On the morning OF
tho 9th the contcnding armies arrived
in close proximity. Ewell repulsed a
strong attack. capturing many pris-
oncrs and several pieces of artillery
The enemy then concentrated on Hill
who. with IIeths and Williams's divi-
sions successfully resisted repeated
desperate assaults 1tosscr's cavalry
drove back Il large force of cavalry
and artillery on our right General
Leo says, by tho blessings Of God
we maintained our position against
, every effort until night, when the con-
test closed"
General Lee wires tho President that
we have to mourn tho loss OF many
bravo officers and men. The gallant
General. j. NJ Jones. Of Virginia, was
killed and i5rigadicr&;cncral Stafford
mortally wounded while leading their
commands with conspicuous valor.
A telegram from Orange Courthouse
to this paper last night says: Fight
ing was resumed yesterday morning,
the attacks of the enemy being very
violent. but their left was rcpuIsed
The right WAS moro stubborn until
General Longstroct forced them to re-
tire. Tho fight Thursday and yester-
day was near Wilderness. twenty-five
miles from Orange Courthouse. The
enemy was pushed back to Chancel-
louisville. being repulsed at every
point. General Longstrcet was Sc
verely wounded in the shoulder. Fed
cral General Wadsworth was killed.
Last night Major Hill. brother of
General y. y. Hill, telegraphed from
Orange Courthouse: "Wo are driving
the enemy at all points. General Hill
and staff all we'll
In Thursdays fight between Orange
Courthouse and charlottesville. Brig
adier-GcnerRl John Pegram. of Vir-
gtnia. was wounded In the log. Col
onel Randolph. OF the Second Virginia,
and Colonel Warren, of tho Tenth,
were killed.
In several OF tho city churches all
day prayer meetings wero hold yester-
day. the blessings of God being earn
estly invoked upon our arms. The
Episcopal and Presbyterian churches
VIII be opened for prayer at G o'clock
this morning.
Tho order Of General Bragg. consol-
idatinE the departments of Richmond
and ltcnrico, went into effect ycstcr-
day. General Robert Ransom now IS
In command of the entire department,
General Winder reporting direct to
him.
Commander Robert b. Pcgrum has
been assigned to the flagship OF tho
James River Confederate Fleet The
iron clad sloop Virginia Is the nag
ship.
strong force of The enemy is re-
ported to be In two miles OF Walthall
Junction. but General Pickett IL on the
alert. and tho Richmond and Peters
burg Road VIII DO protected at all
hazards.
The steamer Allison started under
flag of truce down the river yesterday
morning to carry 600 Federal prisoners
To city Point for exchange. according
TO agreement, but received inforna-
ton that for some reason unexplained
the Yankees had decided not to make an
exchange. and the Allison put back
TO tho city, returning the prisoners to
Libby Tie steamer was followed az
far us Curtis Neck by two Yankee
monitors.