Year: 1864

NEw York. MAY 2o.-The war correspond
ent of the Richmond Examiner tells why Lee left
SpOttsylyania II.
He SAYS that after a reconnaissance had been
made an assault upon the enemys works was
ordered, when their occupants were driven from
them


1t was not discovered. he says that the enemy
were rapidly moving their whole army on our
right flank. and had been since day break, the
force in our front being mere handful who bad
been left TO keep up appearances


As soon a. this was discovered eyery thing
and everybody was on the move with us


A special to the Tribune dated near Hanover
Junction, May %, says:


There has been no general engagement thus
far. although our advance brigade in posses
sion of the south bank of the North Anna has
been retarded by the presence OF the enemy i'm
front


Skirpishing continued throughout the entire
day and there was hardly an instant in which ar
tillery was not engaged on either side


Hancock. before night had thrown his entire
corps across the river on the left in the rear Of
the railroad and position was taken about
mile and half in advance and is now along Bull
Marsh Creek


The 9th army corps commenced to cross late
in the day aud were all over last night


Preparations wcte made Tor an assault on the
enemy's works towards evening. but the sky rap
idly dafkening. closed, which gathered and burst
in most furious storm of thunder and lightning
ann rain and most sublime discharges of heaven
ly artillery, IN clouds superseded the attack which
Was to have been made. his morning tue sky
was clear ana the weather warm


Wnren holds position along the GortoBsvilie
road, on our right.


We have several lines OF the eueuly v works
which they seem to have abandoned withou; very
obstinate resistance.


Our present position i 4 very strong one Il
is impossible TO tell, without a reconnaissance in
force or battle, how strong the enemy is in front
but it is generally believed that after opposing
Us long enough to gain time, they will fan back
again towards Richmond


The enemy destroyed, by burning. Yesterday
morning., a large railroad tressel bridge across the
North Anna River.


Grants headquarters j. beyond the North
Anna, near Jericho Mills.


Sheridan, with his cavalry, has been heard from,
and have made IA most excellent report OF them
selves. They have been circling around Rich
mond destroying vast amount OF property. and
rendering useless, for distance. the Danville
Railroad The enemy's cavalry is entirely una
bic 30 offer them any opposition.


LATER.


Our right has not yet been able TO conmuni
cate with the LETT on this side of the river.


The enemy is now reported to be confronting
Us in force.


The Tribunes correspondent. writing from
headquarters, Nav 25, III A NJ, saws:


At the same time Birneys division crossed
and took the rebel rifle pits aud the North Anna
bridge


Our right wing under Warren advanced, cut
ting the Virginia Central Railroad, establishing
himself in position AT Noel's Station


The rebel line forms two sides of Il triaHgle
Its apex being opposite Oxford where Burnside
crossed on the night of the oath From the
apex of the rebel line, its right line extends
in northeastern direction, crossing the Freder
icksburg Railroad at angle of forty FIVE degrees
crossing the junction. The left wing extends in
a southwesterly direction crossing the Central
Railroad aud facing nOrthwestward


Hancock cOnfronts the enemy's right wing on
our left and extends his lines parallel with that
of the enemy, across the Richmond Fredericks
burg and Potomac Railroad


Burnside's line Is in position opposite the apex
of the enemvs works. and faces southwark of
the eneuy's works in front of Hancock. which
can only be carried with great loss


The Richmond Examiner contends that il Is
Grant that is on the retreat. Lee followed Grant
from the Wilderness.


Lee is now last 10 run, and i pursuer, not pur-
sued. from Spottsylvania II is true that by this
movem snt both armies have been brought nearer
Richmond but for Leeit was rendered necessary
by the contiguration of the soil and the lines OF
the rivers which ne had resolved to defend