§&r Bedford |iujamr*.
R>KI)FO]II) PA.. NMNV, \i.\ v ->N, IBR4 T
Tin: GttKAT BATTLrIS.
<? devote the most- of our space to the details
of the fierce battles that lias been raging for almost
ver> day for near two weeks. ThougUtlw results
at this' writing are not decisive, yet we feel very
lopeful and sanguine that the chief amies of the
rebels will lie routed and destroyed before the fight-
Hig now going om is brought to a dose. We give
a resume of the operations of the Army of the fV
tomtc from the time it crossed the Kapidaa, down
to the latest dates.
Ifadutftdqy, Mvii. 24</*.—The A nay of the Poto
mac made ii forwan.hnovement Tuesday night.—•
at midnight crossing the Ilnpidan at .several lords
without serious opposition, about fifteen miles
tbove Fredericksburg. The army consists of the
Second Corps, Gen. Hancock; Fifth Goips. Gen.
Warren; Sixth Corps, Gen. Sedgwick. Wednes
day night our army encamped in the Wilderness,
two or three miles west of Oliancellorsvilie, where
the headquarters were established.
Thursday, bth. —ljcc finding onr army had pas
red the Uapidarvandotrt-ntanoetivered him, nmvod
his army from GordonsviJle, and early in the morn
ing chosing his ground. The roads were narrow
and bounded on either side with a dense growth of
young jiine, chinkopin and scrnbby oak. with an
undergrowth of hazel, that rendered the forests
impenetrable. An advance in line of buttle was
almost impossible, and artillery could not be
brought into-action at alb Lee adhered to his old
tactics by hurling his army against our flanks and
centre, intending to whip us in detail. lie was
every where repu'sed. We gained no deoisive ad
vantage in this day "s fight. Gen. Havs was killed
on the left.. During the night Gen. Grant pre
pared for an attack on the following morning. The
corps of Gen. Burnside—the 9th—numbering 30,-
(>OO men. which had been stationed at Warren ton,
was brought forward and assigned lo a position as
a reserve.
Friday f>fh —A groat battle was fought on this day.
lasting from daylight until dark. Gen. <.' ran(. mak
ing the attack. I huing the day Ix-e repeated his
tactics of Thursday, but was again repulsed. The
slaughter on both sides was very great, our army
hec&ase of the unfavorable nature of the ground
and the superior knowledge of that ground by the
enemy, suffering the most, lint the moral effects
of the day's fighting were with us. The Rebels
had gained nothing—having again tailed U> break
our line. Gen. Wadsworth was killed.
Saturday Ith. —This was mainly i rapid march- j
ing day with the infantry of both armies—Lee i
striving to get into a good position on the North j
Anna and Grant to intercept and harrass him.— J
The opposing cavalry forces, however, had a fierce j
clash abont six miles north of Spottsylvania Court
House, resulting in our advantage. The different
corps also had some fighting during the day.
Sunday. Kth —Fighting was renewed on the
morning of this day, Gen. MEADE commencing
the attack. The Rebels were driven out of their
hastily constructed breastworks, about two and a
half miles from the Court House. The fight was j
not a general one, nor a very severe one. Gen. i
SEDGWICK was killed, and was succeeded by Gen- i
eral IT. G. "WRIGHT. After dark the Rebels at- 1
tempted a night surprise, but were driven hack.
Monday. 9th —There was skirmishing this mor
ning, hut no fighting of consequence occurred un
til the afternoon, when a scvo v <* fight" took place
between HANCOCK and the Rebel right under
IJONGSTSEET. WARREN. command*!! g our center. I
was also engaged. We drove the enemy half a j
mile. General SHKTHDAN, commanding the cav- l
airy corps, on this day succeeded in getting in the j
enemy's rear ; tore np eight or ton miles of the
Virginia Central Rrilroad ; captured and distroved j
two locomotives and three trains heavily laden
with supplies for GEE'S army; destroyed hisdepot |
of supplies at Beaver Dam, and recaptured 37S
of our men, including several officers.
Tuesday, It Hh —There was a great battle fought
this day. The.enemy attempted once more to
turn our flank: and it was only after a struggle of
extraordinary severity that, he was repulsed, and
our lines were re-established. looter in the day a
vigorous attempt was made by GRANT upon the
enemy, with such success that our troops took
from LEE several thou-and prisoners and a num
ber of gun. Our losses on this day were very
severe—probably not loss than nine thousand in
all. Generals KICK and STEVENSON were kill
ed.
Wednesday, ] 1 th. —To-day General GRANT tele
graphed to the War Department that the result of
six days' fighting was '"much in our favor." The
army was comparatively quiet during the day. A
letter dated at seven o clock in the evening says :
"Our position is the same as at the close of yes
terday's battle. There has U'en active skirmish
ing nearly all day. hut no general engagement.—
Our batteries at intervals have shelled the enemy
to prevent his throwing up earth works, which he
attempted to do." I)n this day the cavalry com
mand of Gen. SHERIDAN met and defeated the
cavalry command of Gen. STI ART. and also de
stroyed an additional quantity of rebel stores and
several miles of railroad.
Thursday. 12/.V. —The greatest battle of the war
was fought this day, and the army of the Potomac
achieved a splendid victory. The enemy was
completely surprised at a very early hour in the
morning by an attack in force by Gee. HANCOCK.
The fighting during the day was tcriftie, hut the
Rebels utterly failed to recover the ground lost in
the morning. A terrible infantry fight was kept
up during the night, ami at daylight LF.E aban
doned the strongly entrenched position of Spott
sylvania Court House, leaving in our hands eigh
teen guns, twenty-two colors, and 4,000 prisoners.
He had been badly whipped. This day SHERIDAN
again met and defeated the enemy's cavalry, and
penetrated within t.ho outer line of the defenses
of Richmond.
Friday, l.'i th. —In the morning the fact was as
certained that LEE had retreated, but whether to
occupy a new position of defense in the vicinity or
make a thorough retreat was not determined. One
division of Wright's and one of Hancock's were
ougaged in settling this question, and at A. M.
had come upon his rear guard. Onr army was
greatly fatigued by the exertions of the previous
day. Reinforcements from Washington were to
day sent forward. Gen. Meade issued a congrat
ulatory address to the army.
Saturday, Sunday and Monday there was no
fighting in force. The heavy rains had made the
Toads impassable for artillery. J/ee holds his po
sition, and was entrenching himself at the latest
accounts. Grants army is largely reinforce 1, and
must, aoon move upon the reliels with a crushing
power.
A riot of females, demanding "broad c r Mood,"
tor.k place in Savannah on the 27th ult. The baud
appeared armed in the streets, storing all the food
♦fcey could find. The military were called out,
fof pressed the tumult and the ringleaders were
conrigned to prison.
Tit Ml 8 TIE IIIHI
OCR ARMS VICTORIOUS I
DETAILS OF OPERATIONS IN THE ARMY OF
THE POTOMAC.
file soulhwesit.
GEN. KiTEEIfSDEPARTMEXT.
BATTLE Of MONBAY. MAY tiUlWliU.'Hl FROM
FIRST PAfrE.
throwing np breastworks, and a brigade was ad
vanced otrt for a mile or more from rhe main front
over some cleared land. AT>.ut an hour before
sunset this attack was c ade. Immediately upon
the retirement of the advance brigade, the' enemy
charged toward our line. |mt never reached it.—
They put a few guns in position, and shelled the
woods for a while, but did ho harm. A sinal!
number of Gen. BTUVKY'S troops, on whom tlie
attack was principally made, were woumkd by the
enemy s musketry before, they withdrew, having
received more harm than they had done.. Before
this attack. Our advance could see HILL'S Corps
marching south to join the main body, opposing
our progress in front on the branch of the Po. As
it was necessary to hold this position until it was
certain the enemy were gone. Gen. llaxcook did
not stay the progress of flu men engaged in for
ming breast works, but added another line in the
open ground around Todd's Tavern, a regiment of
heavy artillery working all night to finish theui.
It was a very pretty sight. The lanterns of the
workmen hung to the blossomieg cherry-trees,
and picturesque groups of soldiers digging and
erecting the works, while batteries stood harnessed 1
np. their cannpniers lying on the ground around ■
the carriages, in wait for any emergneey. At sun- !
rise scouts advanced and found the enemy in small :
force; and about noonday Gen. Hancock: left Gen. |
Wabt> s brigade to hold the position, and ad
vanced with his corps toward the 1 liver Po, which j
hv night, he had. after considerable resistance, !
passed .Gen. P>rK.\TUiK pushing out on the extreme j
left, advanced TO A place in front of SEDGWICK'S |
(now WRIGHT S) corps. _ A reconnotssance by two j
regiments was made. These advance some dis- ;
tande without meeting much resistance. At the I
same time the cannonade along some portions of"
the front was quite brisk between curs and the
rebel artillorv.
Flic prisoners we have are in apparent good
condition. One fellow, who was taken with much
trouble, explained his determined efforts to avoid
capture, on the ground that it was currently re
ported that we should massacre all our prisoners,
in revenge for the slaughter of our negro soldiers.
The same intolerable heat which we have had
ever since this movement commenced still con
tinues, and numerous cases of coup Je nohil hap
pen every day. It is, however, one compensa
tion for the heat that it keeps the "oads in excel
lent traveling condition, saving and excepting the
dust, winch is here of a most malignant type.
Gen. D\ RIGHT, who formerly commanded a di
vision of the Sixth, is now in command of that
Gorps so grievously deprived of its head bv the
death of the beloved SEDGWICK, the details of
which T yesterday sent you. The grief at this sad
event intensifies as it becomes known throughout
the army. An effort was at first made to keep the
sad fact from the knowledge of his men. Gen.
\\ RIGHT is an excellent soldier, and will command
the Sixth well.
Tie 1 road which onr troops faced runs from Gr
ange Court-] louse to Fredericksljurgh, and is for
ty-one miles long. It crosses no river. Proceed
ing from Orange Court-house, we come at a dis
tance of ten miles to Verdiersville ; ten miles fur
ther brings us to Parker s Store, six miie further
to "V\ ildernesgf; five miles further to Chancellors
ville; ten miles more to Frederickphurgh.
i 'lnst as J. close this letter a heavy cannonading
has commenced in the front, for which 1 leave im
mediately.
From !h<■ X. Time*.
THE BATTLE OF TVKSDAV, MAT 10.
IIKAHQTARTERS ARXY OT TBI T'OTOVAC, }
SEAR SPOTTSVLVA.MA 0. H., Wednesday, May It. J
) If would seem to have been the policy of Leo in
(ae series of battles whieh lie has delivered during
the past week, to contest the advance to Richmond
at every available point, to wear us awav bv de
grees, ami then, perhaps, to fall upon the Union
iorce.s under liutler, endeavor to annihilate
them. This plan lias been carried into execution
with a masterly skill, inspired by a fury perfectly
diabolical.
We are steadily pressing the rebels southward.
The enemy has been greatly favored by the nature
of this country, in whose dense woods and tangled
chappar.'d the lithe and wary arc much more at
uome. Fortunately, if we once carry the position
which they now hold in front of Spoitsylvanm
Gourt-house, we snail be out of the "Wilderness"
and reach open countiy.-.
The operations of yesterday were opened by a
reconnoissance on the left of Burnside's corps,
which developed the fact that the enemy was in
no force there—nothing hut cavalry disputing the
advance. This caused the division of .Mott to !*■
withdrawn from its position on the extreme right
and it was sent to the left to connect with Burn
side. The rebel position now very much resem
bled ours at Gettysburg, a curved interior line,
well protected by breastworks, with the additional
defence of a marshy run in front. Holding us at
bay in the centre, thev discovered the weakness of
the right, now held by Barlow's division. This
division of Hancock's command had made the pas
sage of the Po, throwing out skirmishers on the
eat bank. This gave it a eoigne of vantage from
which it not only enfiladed the entire robe] posi
tion. but commanded the road on which their
trains were passing. At the same time, however,
it isolated it from the rest of the aririv—a false
position, of which the rebels could hardly have
failed to fake advantage, as we shall presently see.
Gen. Warren's corps held the centre of the" line,
and it was resolved that a vigorous assault should
he made there, while Hancock and Curnsrde en
deavored to assail and turn the two flanks of the
enemy. With this view, two divisions of tlm
Second Corps were !thrown over to connect with
the right of Warren and support him. in execu
tion of the projected design. Warren's corps mov
ed forward during the day, pressing the rebels
through the woods to an open space behind, close
to tlie enemy s breastworks. TEuj was attended
by von- heavy shelling from the enemy, and it was
three or four o'clock P. M. before the woods were
cleared. After this, the corps advanced, to assault
the beastworks. In this, however, it did not suc
ceed. although the attempt was gallantly made.—
Carroll's brigade went in on the charge and iost
eight hundred men.
Gen Meade realizing the critical position in
which the extreme right of our line ( Barlow's di
vision.) was placed, had ordered it to draw back,
the rebels hud, however, anticipated us, and mak
ing a detour came in on its rear, making it a mat
ter of considerable difficulty to withdraw; supports
combm up. however, it was successfully accom
plished. A general attack was ordered all along
the line, to take place at 5 o dock, but owing to
the tardiness of some of the Gunimanders to get
into line it was postponed, first to f o'clock, and
then to hah-past A furious cannonade from our
art illery preceded the charge. The worst of it was
! the lateness of the hour preventing its being ?>er
t fectlv successful.
Gen. WKKJHT advanced the flower of the Sixth
Corps. >ohly and well they sustained their repu
tation. l PTox s brigade leading. they advanced
rapidly upon the enemy's breastworks without
firing a shot, capturing them at the point of the
bayonet. As they rushed on they captured the
enemy by hunereds. rashing upon them with a
fury that nothing could withstand. To the num
ber of twelve hundred they run them back into
our lines at lull speed, capturin? at the same time
three of their guns. Earlier in the day one of the
enemy batteries had been disabled'and all the
cannomers driven from the guns, from which thev
were kepi by tne savage lire of our skirmishers.—
It was hppedfchat all the guns would be brought
off, but the charge was not successful on the other
narts of the me and the gallant Sixth had to
tall back. Our loss dunna the dav mint reach
from eight to ten thousand men.
Wwut'a Brigade, Second Corps, lost heavily—
the twentieth Massachusetts particularly. Col
MAC* was dangerously wonnded. Mai ABBOT
aiiyiher splcntliJ officer. wag killed, awl oiilv six
or seven oSwr?. out of about friQ--tonr, "left.
Lieut. Fki Ki:siiKN*, of the. First Mfi-isacim-u'tts.
took a section into aetiotWa a pot where the refer
el sharpshooters had a sweeping lire. Ife was ta
ken from the field, shot in both thighs. after doing
good service. This was on Wiuuht's front,—
(-•cn,.A\ uut was hi, n th" in ek enrlv in the tla.v,
hut WitiM not leaVe the field, and afterward led his
brigade in the charge on Hancock's front. A
battel?- of ConcHX ii, on Wkioht's front, did
rood service, throwing tffi4r shed* into the rebel
iuTciiclitnenrs. (.'apt. Mahtin. if the Thud
Massachusetts pat eery, was wounded in the neek.
The losses of the army up to this time exceed
anything Unit-any previous tattle has tost us.
/>(( (Ac ,V. Y. Daily World.
tpchspay'S UATTLK.
J{.VXTt.k-FtW.|> NKA 11 Sl'ttilVrJ.VAN lA. V
Thursday, May !2 —£ a. m! )
Our army this morning is entirely engaged in
the Hem st of its buttle, and pressing on to victo
ry.
After the sanguinary hut generally wi.sitceess
fnl battle of Tuesday, the tinny during yesterday
was comparatively quiet. A feeble demonstration
against our right wing was repulsed this forenoon.
A recomioissanee was made- on the right to face
the enemy s left. It was intended to assault the
enemy's right in force.
A column j consisting of a portion of the Sixth
corps and Btrney's division of General Hancock's
cors. were at first intended to undertake this work,
which was afterward jibuiidonod. Meanwhile, oc
casional sharps! too ting auu artillery firing on both
sides occupied the day.
In the forenoon two companies in the left of the
Sixth corps eouimeneci' driving some sharpshoot
ers troru position in :\ house com maud ing a partial
view of our lilies, killing and capturing several of
ilicir nwnfeer. In the afternoon rain to sonic ex
tent fell, continuing until after dark, drying the
cooling the atmosphere, and raising the spir
its of the troops, hires were built and supplies
cooked, the bands began to play in the fbrrcst
along the lines, and undisturbed for once by the
enemy's shells, our soldiers ate heartily and rested
sweetly. The enemy had no ammunition to waste
in firing artillery at random after nightfall. Their
officers acknowledged that, and but little was
fired.
Meanwhile news arrived toward evening that
General Sheridan had ] enetvated t<> the vicinity of
Tieaver dam, on tlieOningeCourt House railroad,
had torn up about ten miles of the track, captur
ed a rebel supply train and recaptured above
three hundred of our own men taken prisoners
in the Old V\ ildcrness battles. This news was so
inspiring, that wherever it was known, a general
jubilee of cheers succeeded the announcement. and
during the night arrangements were pushed for an
attack on our side this morning. The enemy had
been seen pushing troops toward our right* and
ostentatiously erecting abattis in front of Han
cock's troops. It was shrewdly, and as the event
showed, rightly suspected that rbis was only a
blind to the real intention of the enemy, wasthere
fbre anticipated.
Alter midnight the Second corps (Hancock's,)
wis pushed to the left of the Sixih corps,
(Wright's.) between that and Burnsido's comm
rnand, and on the left of Spottsyhrania road.
At 4* o'clock this morning Hancock attacked the
enemy frr nting him, a force opening a withering
cannonade and making resistless charges against
the very heart of his position.
The cannonade was replied to with vigor. The
charges of our men mere as vigorously resisted :
hut the determination of the onset overwhelmed
i vevything. The troops rushed in on the rifle-pits
of the enemy, bayonet!ing thoin in their works,
cutting their linos, and capturing on the first
charge over three thousand men and several guns,
including the greater portion of the "Stonewall
Brigade." belonging to the division commanded
by General Ned Johnson, and forming part of
it well's corps. General Johnson himself was ta
ken prisonerer. The assault was continued till
nearly the whole division of the corps was cop
tured and other troops amounting in the aggre
gate to a thousand men.
Later, 11 o'clock.
A dispatch arrive- at thus moment announcing
the capture of seven thousand prisoner arjd t'uir
by guns. The battle is still progressing. The
♦Sixth corps in the left of me Second lias moved
into battle, and are also pushing the enemy. Gen.
Warren, Fifth corps, moves up to its support on
the right, ihe battle is becoming general.
Nearly all our artillery is engaged, and the clang
or ot the guns, the whistle of grape and solid shot,
the roar of musketry, and the explosion of the
enemy s sheila, filled miles of forest with awful
tumult. The sheds burst around me while 1
write. £
It is just now reported that Hancock has turned
the light flank ot the enemy iielow Sjlvania
Court llousm and is pressing on. The battle is
e.vorywhere overwhelming in our favor.
1 errific firing ices just eommenctnl on the left,
very near General Grant's headquarters.
1 he battle is going on with terrible energy and
ottr success is .said to lie certain. Prisoners- are
eo list an fly coming in.
The following is a dispatch sent by Gen. Han
cock this morning:
NeAH SPOTTSYLVANTA Cot'RT HoTSE. )
May 12 — 8 A.m. j
I have captured from thirty, to forty guns. I
have finished up Johnson anil am now going into
Kariy. \Y. J. • HANCOCK.
The guns captured have arrived at headquarters.
Brigadier-General Stuart, commanding a brigade
in Johnson's division, was captured.
General Burnside's column is reported to have
moved down on the railroad toward Fredericks
burg, going in on the enemy'.? rear. General
Warren, with the Fifth corps on the right, is now
tending heavy lines of skirmishers to feel the ene
my's works in his front, which are supposed to be
abandoned.
It is impossible to ascertain all particulars at the
time of this writing, hut our victory is considered
to he going on with a decisive result. We are pres
sing the enemy everywhere. General Wright is
slightly wounded but still in command of the
Kixth corps
DISPATCHES FROM THE SECRETARY
OF IVAR.
FIRST niKI'ATCn.
rOfficial.]
n ASHINGTOX, Friday, May 13—5.30 A.M.
Maj.-Gm. Dir.:
Official dispatches just received by this Department
dated yesterday, 8 A. M., at the battle-field, near
Spottsvlvania Court-House. They state that during
the night, Gen. Hancock marched from* his previous
position on our right, and occupied the ground be
tween Gens. Wright and Burnside; at daylight he at
tacked with hi? accttstumed impetuosity, forcing tlie
first and then the second line of the enemy's works,
capturing the whole of Gen. Edward Johnson's Divi
sion and part of Early's, together with Maj.-General
Johnson. Gen. Geo. H. Stuart, and from thirty to
forty cannon.
The number of prisoners is not given, but it is to
be counted by thousands.
Gen. Burnside on the extreme left opened at the
same time with Gen. Hancock, and advanced with
comparatively little opposition. His right has form
ed a junction with Geu. Hancock, and his left is now
actively engaged.
Gen. Wright's troops attacked at seven fifteen o'-
clock, and are now at work.
Gen. War.en is demonstrating to hold the enemy
in front of his lines. The rebel works at that point
arc exceedingly stong.
EDWIN M. STANTON,
Secretary of War.
SECOND msPATcn.
(Official.)
WASHINGTON. Mav 13,1804 —2: 30 P.M.
To Maj.-Gen. Dix ;
A dispatch from Lieut.-Gen. Grant has just been
received, dated near Spottsvlvania Court-house, May
12, 6 : 301\ M. It is as follows :
The eighth day of battle closes, leaving between
three and four thousand prisoners in our hands for
the day's work, including two General officers, and
over thirty pieces of artillery. The enemy are obsti
nate, and seem to hnve found the last ditch. We have
lost no organization, not even a cop>any, whilst wo:
have destroyed and captured one division. (John
"tStSL'gJ M . ■ M i|ii. ii u
son.s.j one brigade, /Dobbs'.; agiioue regiment en
tire of the enemy.
h!. m| STAKTq#, Secretary of War.
rSiKp MSATI H.
{oin'ioi.} m
Wasiusotox, Friday. Mnv 13—04 P. M.
Maj. Gen. IH.r;
flu following dispatch from Mr. Dana Las just
reached this department:
SwrrttnasTAjtu Covkt-Hocsr, Va.. May 18—8 A. M.
Mm*. K. M-. F*nn*m. Secrttmy ' Fr ;
"bee nUuidoiied his porii ion during the night,
whetnOr to occupy a new position in the vicinity or to
make a thorough retreat, is not determined. One di
vision q1 \\ right's snd ime of Hancock's are engag
ed in settling this question, and at (i| A. M. had came
Hp Off his fam- guard':' Th'rttiSfh'onr army t* greatly
in tigged from ihe enormous effort of yesterday, the
nows of Lee's departure inspires the men with fresh
energy- ' lie whole force will soon be in motion, bat
the heavy rains of the fast 86 hours renders the roads
very ililiicub for wagons add ariiljery. 'i'hu propor
tion of severely wniude(f is greater than oh either of
the previous days' lighting. This was owing to the
great use made of artiilcrv.
(Sigtwd,) Eij ATX M. ST A N'TO X,
Secretary of War.
FOURTH IH WATCH
[ Ofjirial]
Washington. D. ('. Friday. May 13—6:0& P. M.
Major- Gen. iJix, Xeic- Vork :
Ihe Acting Surgeon-tienei al reports that of five
hundred patients from the recent battle-field, admit
ted into tue Harwood Hospital, not one will require
any surgical operation, and tliat in his opinion two
thirds of the whole number will be fit for duty in
thirty days.
itcidforoemeato are going forward t.o the Army of
the Potomac, Enwi.v M. Staxton,
•Secretary of War.
Washington. Mag 13.
General Grant sends a dispatch to the President
received last fiight, announcing, in terms of charac
teristic modesty, that lie moved on the "enemy's
works" again at Spottov ivanin Court-ilouse onThurs
day morning, 12th, at daylight. General Buruside
aud Genera! Hancock making grand and impetous
charges with the bayonet by corps ; surprising the.
enemy, producing the wildest consternation in his
ranks, crushing Lee's right and centre, and hurling
his entire line beak- with awful slaughter a distance of
several ru lies. General Grant remained master of the
field, with till the rebel deud and wounded. Besides
we captured thirty pieces of cannon; one whole divis
ion, with its commander, .Mhjor-General Ned John
son : and his brother, Brigadier General .lohnson :
and Brigadier-General George Stuart.
The rout of the enemy was complete. The capture
of General Johnson's rebel division, embracing four
thnnand men. is exclusive of Lee's killed and wound
ed cm the field.
WASHINGTON, May "15—Midnight.—'To Major-
General Catlwalnder, Philadelphia : —Dispatches
from General Grant have been received nv this
Department down to seven o'clock this morning.
There had been no engagemeht for the last two
days.
Despatches from Oeu.pral Sherman down to eight
o'clock last night, state that his forces had been ac
tively engaged during the day, with advantago to our
side, but no decided result-
Nothing has been heard of General Butler's oper
ation? since his telegrams of last night, heretofore
published.
(Signed) E. M. STANTON. Secretary of War
Washington, May 16. 1-30 P. M—To Major-Gen
eral Cadwalader, Philadelphia :—Our lat.-ist dates
from General Grant's headquarters are to yeaterdav
loorping at 7 o'clock 30 minutes. Xo operations of
importance had occurred- Our reinforcements were
arriving.
Nothing lias been received from General Butler
since the telegrams of Saturday.
We have intelligence from Resaea up to eleven
o'clock last night.
Our lines had advanced on the left to the lines of
the enemy, their earthworks having been stormed.
General Stoneman is reported to have destroyed
a wagon train, captured two guns, and thrashed Rod
dy. Pi) WIN M. STANTON.
Washington, ?!ay 17.
A dispatch from the Army of the Potomac, dated
the 16th. says '
After ten days of incessant fighting, the army was
yesterday allowed to rest and recruit for another
struggle.
Home changes in the position of the troops on ei
ther side were made during the day, ana on the
right n slight skirmish occurred between the pieket.s.
A column ofthe enemy was seen moveing towards
our right flank, for the purpose, it is supposed, of at
tacking enr trains : but a portion of the 2d Corps was
sent- out to cheek them, and their object was thus .de
feated.
It is almost impossible to discover J.he exact posi
tion of the enemy, ;.3 they keep behind the woods,
and their picket lines only are within our observation.
General Stee! jaf Little Rock.
WASHINGTON-MAT 17.
Major General Cadtralladet, Philadelphia :
)\g Lave no official inidiligence of auy military op
erations since my last dispatch.
The Richmond papers of Saturday state that Gen.
Steele had surrendered at Camden with 9,000 men to
Price. Litis is known to be untrue. Gen. Steele,
with his whole command, withdrew some two weeks
ago from Carod#n, and is iow at Little Rock, having
defeated Kirby Smith on the way to Saline.
As heretofore stated, Sherman was in close pursuit
of Johnston, having captured 1,000 prisoners and
eight pieces ef artiilerv at Restten,
EDWIN M STANTON
Secretary of War.
OBSTRUCTIONS REMOTED FROM Till JAMES
RIVER.
PHIIAIIKiiPHIA, May 13—fi p. M.
A dispatch from Fortress monroe, just received,
states that all the obstruction* in tho James river
have been removed, and that our fleet of iron
clads is advancing on Richmond.
H F.RMTDA HUNDRED, May 12, 1
via Fortress Monroe, May 13—9 p- m. )
A teamster was shot dead this morning by a
guerrilla, three miles from Bermuda Hundred.
At daylight this morning (lie rear guard ad
vanced. At BA. M. General Butler and staff left
the old headquarters. At 10 A. M. the whole force
was moving in the direction of the Petersburg
and Richmond Railroad. At noon the enemy was
discovered intrenched. Tho Tenth New llamp
shier charged and drove the enemy from his in
trenehments. There was skirmishing all the af
ternotjn on our right. There was no general en
gagement- A number of rebels were captured, in
cluding one colonel. There has been no fighting
on the. left. The officers and men are in good
spirits)
The Loss oi General Ollicers.
Ibe loss of able General officers in each army is
oftentimes ono of the most serious they can sustain.
1 hough we have only very limited information re
garding the Rebel losses in the late battles, we can
yet com fa re the losses of the two armies in this re
spect, as follows:
THE NATIONAL ARMY
Killed—-Major-General Sedgwick, of Connecticut;
Brigadiet-Generals Wndsworth and RieCj of New-
York : Stevenson, of Massachusetts ; Havs of Penn
sylvania—Total 5.
Wonnd -fb—Brigadier-General Torbert, of New-
Jersey; Robinson, of the Regular Army; Gettv of
the same: Webb of New York ; Baxter'of Penusvl
vania; W. H. Morris, of Now York—Total, 6.
Captured.—Brigadier-Generals Shaler, Seymour,
and Crawford (reported)— 3. Total number disabled,
14.
General? Bart let t and Owens were also vety slight
ly wounded, but as they are still at the head of their
brigades it the field, they cannot be considered hors
du combat
TIIE REBEL ARMY.
Killed. —Brigadier-Generals .T. IE. B. Stuart, Jen
kins, of South Carolina; 4. M. Jones, of Virginia;
L. A. Stafford, of Louisiana.—4
W ounded.—Lieutonaut-Geueral -Lougstreet, of
\ii-giiiia; M ajar-General II elk. of Virginia : Major-
GeneraJ Pickett, of Vircmoia; Prir.iuier-Geaerala
Peeram, of Virginia; Walker, of V.rgmia: Hnva,
pt Louisiana, Benrung, of Georgia. —7.
IMPORTANTFROM DALTON.
DETAILS 0E ,SHERMAN'S MOT KM KM.
f'iNCrjryATt. liny 15. —Details of news from Sher
man s army up to Thursday afternoon are received.
I lu; enemy's position was held by. the corps of How
ard, Kehobeld, Palmer, and Hooker, severe skirmkh
mg had occured for some dayg, resulting in a loss to
us of about eight hundred killed, wounded' and mis
15''ig, the greater number being slightly wyuuded.
i he hH tell chiefly upon Grant,* llisision of Hook
er.s Corps, and W ood.s Division of Palmer,s Corps.
It became fully developed, that Dalton was almost,
if not altogether, impregnable to a front attack. The
Hanking movement by McPhersou was admirably con
toived and executed, and secured a "vital point at
Snake Gap. opening upon Kesac-a, fifteen miles In the
rear of Dalton.
No sooner was this doie than Sherman shifted the
main body of his troops to the right' following Mc-
Pberson. Johu so a had no alternative but to take
flight from his stroghold on the mountain.
Kilpfttriek, at the head of a division of cavalry,
reached Johnson's rear, and destoyed the rnilroad'a
few mile# south of Resaca Sunday night.
J Johnson's army is believed to be 00.000 strong,
including some IG, 000 militia, John Morgan, the
celebrated Rebel raider, is commauding a brigade of
infantry.
Sherman's army is in magnificent fighting trim,
and has absolute confidence of making a triumphat
march through Georgia, or wherever else their mar
jiirect. I- orrest is rejuirted to have crossed the
Tennessee River, to make a raid on Sherman's rear,
and there is note of preparation for him along the
railroads south of Nashville. It is believed he mat
he well eared for.
GENERAL BUTLER'S OPERATIONS.
A dispatch lias been recti red from Gen. Butler,
dated "lu the Field, near Chester Station, Ya., May
12—3:3 d P. M.
It states that he is now pressing the enemy near
Fort Darling, and has before liim all the troops from
North Carolina and South Carolina that have go
"P-
Beauregard's courier was captured Uiis morning
going to Gen. Hoke, in command of Ifrury's Bluft'.
He had a dispatch stating that Beauregard would
join them as soon as the troojie caine up.
Gen. Gilmore holds the iutrenchments while
Smith demonstrates upon Drury and the enemy's
lines.
Gen. Kautz, with his cavalry, has been sent to cut
the Danville Railroad, near Appomattox Station,
and can perhaps advance on James River.
Ye have had no telegraphic communication with
Gen. Sherman since Wednesday.
Kovrix M. STANTON, Secretary of AVar.
GENERAL MEADE'S ADDRESS TO TILL ABMV OF THE
POTOMAC.
WASJIIXCTOX, May 14.—Dispatches dated Head
quarters Army of the Potomac, May 13, 12 If., have
been received. Gen. Meade has issued the follow
ing congratulatory address to his troops:—
IIEAD-QUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, May
13* 1864, —Soldiers: —The moment has arrived
wlien your Commanding General feels authorized
to address you in terms of congratulation,
i For eight days and nights, almost without in
termission, in rain and sunshine, you have been gal
lantly fighting a desperate foe. in positions natur
ally strong, and rendered doubly so by intrench
mcuts.
You have compelled him to abandon bis fortifi
' cations on the Kapidau, to retire and attempt to
stop your onward progress, and now he has aban
doned the last intrenched position so tenaciously
held, suffering a loss in all, of eighteen guns, twen
ty-two colors, and eight thousand prisorfcrs, in
cluding two general officers.
Y our heroic deeds and noble endurance of fatigue
and privations will ever be memorable. Let us
return thanks te God for the mercy thus shown
us, and ask earnestly for its continuation.
Soldiers! your work is not yet over. The ene
my must be pursued, and, if possible, overcome.
The courage and fortitude you have displayed ren
ders your Commanding General confident your fu
ture efforts will result in success.
\\ hile we mount the loss of -many gallant com
rades, let us remember the enemy must have suf
fered equal if not greater losses.
M e shall soon receive reinforcements, which he
cannot expect. Let us determine to continue vig
orously the work so well begun, and under God's
blessing in a short time the object of our labor will
be accomplished. GEORGE G. MEADE,
Major-General Commanding.
CONGRESSIONAL.
TOES DAT. May 10.
SEN ATE. —The Committee on Foreign Affairs re
ported the bill for the adjustment of the claims of
aliens arising out of the present war. The bill to
authorize the organization ofthe Veteran Volunteer
Engineers of the Cumberland was passed. Also,
the bill to prevent smuggling. The Hank bill was ta
ken up and with the amendments was passed. Af
ter an Executive session, adjourned.
HOPSE. —-The House resumed the consideration of
the Missouri contested election case, and after some
discussion the resolution declaring that Loan is not
entitled to a seat was rejected, and the resolution de
claring that Bruce is not entitled was adopted. The
Senate amendments to the Consular and Diplo
matic Appropriation bill were then considered.
I WEDNESDAY, May 11.
SENATE. —The bill to amend the net to establish
and equalize the grade of line officers in the navy
was passed. After a spirited debate a resolution
was adopted directing the Committee on the conduct
of the War to investigate the causes of the recent
disasters to our arms on Red river. The bill for the
relief of contractors for the machinery of the doub
le-ender gunboats, thebillfortbe better organization
of the Quartermaster's Department, and the bill
granting lands to lowa for railroad purposes were
severally passed.
HOUSE. —The House refused to concur in the Sen
ate amendments to the Consular and Diplomatic Ap
propriation bill, raising the grade of our representa
tives to Belgium to that of Minister Plenipotentiarv,
nnd reviving the system of Consular pupils. The
bill providing for the dismissal from the military
service of unemployed Gencrais was fir.aly pas
sed—yeas 72, nays 45. The bill to establish a postal
! money order system was passed.
TnrßsnAY, May 12.
SENATE. —Mt . M ilson offered a bill authorizing every
railroad in the United States to carry freight, passen
gers, mails, troops, and Government supplies, and
receive compensation therefor. Jt was resolved that
the Seeratary of War be directed to furnish the Sen
ate with a list of all general officers in commission at
or since the beginning of the present war. The bill
altering the charter of the City of Washington so as
jto allow every male citizen to*vote without regard to
color, was brought up for argumeut, after which the
Senate adjonrned to Monday.
HOUSE.— The resolutions*of the New-York Cham
ber of Commerce recommending the extension of tel
egraphic communication withthe Old World was pre
sented. The House renewed the consideration of the
bill to give homesteads from forfeited or confiscated
lands to the soldiers nnd sailors, without regard to
color. The bill declaring the Rnritnn and Delaware
Bay Railroad, and the Camden and Atlantic Railroad,
to be public highways of the United States, was also
considered.
FRIDAY, May 13.
SENATE. —Not in session, having adjourned over
until Monday.
HOUSE. —Mr. Washburne, of TUinoq, stated to the
House the substance of an official dispatch received
from' Mr Dana the Assistant Secretary of War, and
dated at General Giant's headquarters Thursday
morning at 8 o'clock. The Speaker then caused to
be read Gen. Ingalls' dispatch to Senator Nesmith.
The Kentucky contested election case was brought up,
but laid over for further consideration. Mr. Pen
dleton, of Ohio reported a bill for the relief of the
Mercantile Mutual Insurance Company of New-
York, authorizing the Secretary of tie Treasury to
give notes to replaee those lost by ahipwreck, the
Company to give bonds to insure the Government
against loss. After a rather lengthy discussion it
was passed by the following vote: Yeia 67, nays 65.
The remainder of the session was occupied in the
consideration of the private calender The House
then adjourned to Monday next.
Heany Reniiorcemein# Going to the
i j||H ./tjhß Potomac.
[/'.-ow t)„ X. Y. Deity World.]
J|| . ; ,B ; AsmNGTON. May 13.
The Secretary of War, in bin dispatch yester
day, stated that the fftternroent W;*B sparine NO
pain# to subpartM Grant. The energy d's
played to this end is truly commendable. From
the erimmencement of the movement of the Ann
ul the I every branch of.the War
mefit nas been employed to ft# utmost wpantfb
render all possibia aid to the active military o De
ration#. " 1
.Sin< the battles of the Wilderness, and more
particularly nince tlie army ha* b<teii ju
the vicinity of Spottsylvania. reinforcements have
beea sent forward. Twelve thousand men left
, ,'; s . clt /, 0,1 Thursday, and it is stated that Gener
a! higel has reinforced the Army of the Potomac
with 15,000 men. There is every probability that
the losses of the army in the late battles ha ve been
greatly exaggerated, aiid that the reinforcement*
ot 25-,660- or more men, referred to above w fll
yery nearly maico up the actual lot*)*, so that
General Meade's army will be qmfo as strong in
morale, if not numerically, as it was when it sdt
out upon the campaign. '
1 he Militia of New Jersey Called Out.
1 RKXTON*. May lfi.—By request of the President of
the United State*, Governor Parker has Issued a
Proclamation for all the Militia force he can raise
| within fifteen days. The troops are to be infantry ex
clusively, and are to be mustered into the service of
the United States by regiments, to serve fof one
j hundred days; to be equipped, armed, subsisted,
and transpirted as other soldiers. They are to re
ceive no bounty, nor are they to be credited to any
draft, but individually they will receive credit for the
service.
I RESIDENTIAL,. —A "Freedom Club," has been or
iranhted at W orcesler Mass., the only distinguishing
feature in the platform being ''avowed sympathy with
the Cleveland National Convention."
The N . A . Herald says that all the war democrats
arc going to Cleveland convention to nominate Gen.
Graut, and advises them to put on Fremont for Vice
president. The Herald also tells that Gen. McCielian
replied to some one who inquired as to the presiden
tial prospect, that it was settling itself, and if Grant
took Richmond he would be the popular candidate,
and would have no opponent.
HORRIBLE CALAMITY. —On THE night of the 21th
ult., the residence of Dennis Phillips. Esq'r situated
between 1 .aural and Seaford, in Sussex county. IDe'a
ware, accidently took fire, and together with its con
tents was entirely consumed. The flames spread
with fearful rapidity, and it was with the greatest ex
ertion that the members of the familv were extrica
ted from the burning building. As it was, three of
the sons, aged eleven, thirteen, and seventeen vears.
were hnreed in a shocking manner. Two of" them
died in a few hours, and at last advices, the other was
lingering in great agony,and no hopes were entertain
ed of his recovery.
THE PRESBYTERIAN —-This very valuable paper,
which was established in 1831, and has had a suc
cessful career, and exerted a wholesome influence
for good during all this interval, has been enlarged,
and is now publish in quarto form, containing fifty
six columns, nearly all of which is original or se
lected reading. We are pleased to learn that the
publishers have receive a large accession to their
list of subscribers already. The improvements
made will undoubtedly augment that increase.
Plahidclpltia Xorth American:
ARKANSAS. —The rebel, Marmaduke taking advan
tage of the absence of General Steele in the south
, west, made a movement on Little flock, which for a
tirn caused the gloomiest apprehension for the city
and its inhabitants. It is even said that he was with
in cannon shot of the place, when General Steele ar
rived there with his forces. This has dispelled all
fears of an attack. On his return from Camden,
General Steele again encountered Price, and defeated
him on the 30th uli.
Government has ordered an immediate draft in
Massachusetts, New Jersey, Ohio. Minnesota, Ken
tucky and Maryland, to fill deficiencies in their quo
tas.
Sltur SMmiisfmnvts,
C. S. 10-40 BONDS.
RPHEPE Roods are issued under the Act of Congress of
March Sth 1864, which provides that all Bonds issued
under this Act shall be EXEMPT FROM TAXATION by
or under any stateor municipal authority. Subscriptions
to these Bonds are received in United States notes of Na
tional Banks.- They areTO BE REDEEMED IX COIN,
at the pleasure of the Government, at any period not Itu
Mat ten nor more Man forty years from their date, and un
til their redemption Five Per Cent. Interest will be
Paid in Coin, on Bonds of not over ono hundred dol
lars annually. The interest is payable on the first days
March and September in each year.
} Subscribers will roecive either Registered or Coupon
Bonds, as they may .prefer. Registered Bonds are re
corded on the Books of the U. S. Treasurer, and can be
transferred only on the owner's order. Coupon Bonds
are payable to order, and are more convenient for com
mercial uses.
Subscribers to this loan will have the option of having
their Boadsdraw interest from March Ist, by paying the
accrued interest in coin—(or in United States notes, or
the notes of National Banks, addiDg fifty percent for pre
mium.) or receive them drawing interest from the date of
subscription and deposit. As these Bonds are
Exempt from Municipal or State Taxation,
their value is increased from one to three per cent per an
num, according to tho rate of tax levies in various parts of
the country.
At the present rate of premium on gold they pay
OVER EIGHT PER CENT. INTEREST
in currency, and are ef equal convenience as a permanent
and temporary investment
It is believed that no securities offer so great induce
ments ta lenders as the various descriptions of U. S.
Bonds. In all other forms of Indebtedness, tho faith and
ability of private parties or stock companies or separate
communities only is pledged for payment, while for the
debts of the United States the whole property of the coun
try is holdou to secure tho payment of both principle and
interest in coin.
These Bonds may be subscribed for in eumi from S6O
up to any magnitude, on the same terms, and are thus
mane equally available to the smallest lender and the
largest capitalist. They can bo converted into money at
any moment, and the bolder will have tho benefit of the
interest.
It may be useful to state in this connection that the to
tal Funded debt of the United States on which interest is
payable in gold, on the 3d day of March, 1864, was $768,-
975,600. Tho interest on this debt for the coming fiscal
year will be §45.937,126, while the customs revenue in gold
for the current fiscal year ending Juno 30th, 1864, has been
so far at tho rate of over §100,000,000 per annum.
It irlftbe seen that even the present gold revenues oftha
Government aro largely in excess of the wants of the
Treasury for the payment of gold interest, while the re
cent increase of the tariff will doubtless raise the annual
receipts from customs on the same amount of importa
tions, to §150,000,000 per annum.
Instructions to the National Banks actingasloan agent*
were not issued from the United States Treasury until
March 26, but in the first three weeks of April tho sub
scriptions averaged more than Ten Millions a Week.
. Subscriptions will be received by tho
First National Bank of Philadelphia, Pa. *
Second National Bank of Philadclphie, Pa.
Third National Bank of Philadelphia, Pa.
AND BY ALL NATIONAL BANKS
which are depositaries of Pnbtio monev, and all
RESPECTABLE BANKS AND BANKERS
throughout the eountry, (acting as agents of the National
Depository Banks.) will furnish farther information on
application and ■ ' ' : y
AFFORD EVERT FACILITY TO SUBSCRIBERS.
May 13, 15C4 las.