The Franklin repository. (Chambersburg, Pa.) 1863-1931, May 18, 1864, Image 4

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withdraw frony':Uur front at the Wilderness, he
dispatched a bligade across the Rapidan, and
planted artillery so as to command Germania
ford, supposing of course that we were to pur
sue our usual course of fighting and then falling
back.
The brigade remained there one day and two
nights 'without any chance of attacking our re
treating columns, and only had the efteet of
turning back our wounded. The pertinacity
with which Grant bangs to him is so unusual
and •so uneipected, that Le Le e is perfectly be
wildered.
Gen. Talbot was captured 14 night, and his
horses taken from bini betweeij Aequia Creek
and Predericlesbarg on his ways to the army.
Gen. Crittenden wept to the front this Morn
ing.
Up to Monday night the reserve artillery had
not been brought into fire. It was supposed to
have' been licitly at work yesterdaybeyondSpott
sylvania Court-House.
HON. E. B. WASIIBURNE'S ACCOUNT OF TUES
DAY'S FIGHT.
Prom the Washington RepubliCan
We are indebted to Hon. E. B. Washburne,
Member of Congress from Illinois, who has wit
nessed all the battles in the recent campaign
in Virginia, for the following detailed statement
of the battle of Spottsylvauia Court Honse.on
Tuesday morning and evening. It is not only
reliable, but deeply interesting :
On Tuesday morning our forces commenced
heavy skirmishing with the enemy all along the
line, at a point two or three miles this - side of
Spottsylvania - Court House. Gen. Hancock's
Corps the previous evening had crossed'the Po
river, to obtain what was then supposed to be
an important position..
It afterwards turned • out, after crossing the
river, not so advantageous as General Hancock
thought it to be. General Hancock was over
the river on Tuesday morning; the rebels find
ing him in that position, according to their
usual,tactics undertook to punish him for skir
mishing-in #l6 afternoon, and prepared to at
tack him.
To•get a better position, General Hancock
forded his entire force to this side of the river
Po, where he took up his line of battle. This
was the signal for the most desperate and fu
rious assault of the enemy upon Gen. Hancock,
in which Longstreet's and Ewell's corps of the
rebel army participated.
This assault was not only repulsed by our
troops, but was followed by a gallant chars
by Gen. Hancock, -which is believed to be the
most brilliant one of the war, and which, ac
cording to the statements of rebel prisoners and
the obserution .of skilful military men, nearly
annihilated Gen. Heth's rebel division of Long
street's corps.
It had been 'decided upon by Gen. Grant to
snake a general assault along the enemy's whole
line on'Tuesday afternoon,, but this attack upon
Hancock interfered to some extent with that
arrangement, as part of our force had to be ta
ken from another part of the line to assist Gen.
Hancock, consequently the assault was delayed,
_and 'instead of commencing at 5 o'clock it .did
-net actually commence on the centre and left
until quarter before six o'clock in the afternoon.
Befisre this time General Burnside had been
,gradually pushing up on our extreme left with
his white troops. By those who have seen the
.tmost of war, this general assault upon the ene-
St/y is regarded without parallel. Our troops
went into battle with a yell, and carried the
Brat line .of the enemy's works all along the
line.
Gen. Wright's (6th - Corps, late Gen. Sedg
wick's) earned a portion of the main works,
and in the assault they captured Gen. Dole's
brigade of Rhode's division, Ewell's corps, and
three guns. • In the confusion of the melee many
of the prisoners got at Gen. Wright was
unable to bring off the guns, but brought off one
thousand prisoners, twenty-seven rebel officers
and many stands of regimental colors.
This assault did not last over half an hour, in
.the meantime Burnside was pushing on the en
emy on the extreme left until ten o'clock at
night, when he had forced the enemy's right
wing around to within - a quarter of a mile of.
Spottsylvania Court House, the enemy retreat
ing before hid. When be finally stopped his
advance, he could distinctly hear the confusion
consequent upon the punishment he had admin
istered to them, also the rumbling of wagons and
the felling of trees, to repel our movements
upon him.
The result of the fight of the day was regard
ed as very decidedly in our favor, and the mo
rale was all with us. Our army, although fa
tigued by marching and fighting for six conse
cutive days and nights, maintained the most
determined and defiant spirik. Our loss in
Tuesday's attack was about 3,500 in killed and
Wounded.
During all the battles thus far our army has
captured four thousand of the enemy. Our army
has lost but few prisoners except such as have
been taken while straggling from their regi
ments..
We believed that the enemy's loss on Tues
day far exceeds that of onr army, as it istlinown
that the casualties in Gen. Heth's (rebel) bri
gade were enormous. A-prisoner stated that
nothing had ever been seen like ;t; the re bel dead'
were piled up in heaps on the ground.
Mr. Washburne left the battle ground at ten
o'clock yesterday; at time it was stated
that the enemy were moving for anotherattack
upon Gen. Grant. An hour after he left for
this city, he heard heavy artillery firing, appar
ently on the ; left of our army. It continued aud
ibly for three-quarters of an hour.
• Washburne left Fredericksburg at 12i
yesterday afternoon; lat that time within the
period above mentioffed no firing was heard,
which indicates that there was no battle; unless
it took place late in the afternoon.
Gen. Grant, during the several contests, was,
on the field, sometimes under fire; at one time
he remained at a place after our, pickets had
been driven in.. He exhibits under all circum
stances the utmost coolness and self-possession,
and has no doubt of his ultimate success.
The fight on Tuesday was in a dense thicket
and woods. The fighting was principally with
musketry, but artillery was used to some extent
in shelling the enemy.
-TheAction Renewed on Wednesday—Lee
Asks Time to Bury his Dead—Gen.
Grant has not Time to Bury his own
—Be Proposes to Advance on the En
emy's Works—The Rebels Leave the
Field.
WASIZINGTON, Thursday, May 12,1&4.
Yesterday morning the fighting was again
renewed, and was continued with ,various suc
cess until about 11 o'clock, when our lines was
somewhat advanced.
At that hour a flag of truce is reported to
,have been sent by Lee, who asked for a cessa
tion of hostilities for 48 hours that t w might bury
ills dead.
-
.Gen. Grant replied that he had net time to
bury .his own dead, and would advance immedi
,,atteAyland some parts of our line were, there
foreottabed forward.
It is stated that the woods were shelled, but
130 respopse was elicited from where the en
emy's center had been a few hours before.
The prisoners captured on Tuesday and Wed
nesday number over 4,000. The Rebel dead
and wounded ,were found covering almost every
foot of ground wherever our troops surged for
ward and the Rebel gave way.
The slaughter among out troops was terrific,
bnt not so great 49,0;4 of the enemy ; and but
few captures were•made by the latter.
The Deeisive Strpgpae o f Thursday—
Terrible Slangliter- , G en. Hancock
captures Over 4,000 Prisoners and 36
(ions—Lee Defeatera-;Hs Stirrenders
the Field to Grant.
BEFORE SPOTTSY4NANWCOWIT HOUSE,}
May I,l—Daybreak,
l Aittj• AU. ja, Johnsoi, Ewell% corps, has
just been captured by llancock's 'Corps, and
brought within our lines. '
Brig. Gen. Stuart, commanding a brigade in
Johnson's Division, has also been captured.
Hancock has also succeeded in capturing
from fifteen to twenty of the enemy's guns,-
Which he turned upon them the moment of their
capture.
During the night, Gen Hdneock left his lines
on the left, and, cutting a road to the extreme
left through the woods, made his appearance on
the enemy's - right flank and rear at daylight,
capturing the officers and guns already named,
together with some two thousand prisoners. '
Gen. Johnson was brought to headquarters,
on the horse of an Orderly. When brought into.
the presence of Gen. Meade, thelatter, extend
ing his hand to Johnson, said '
"How are yon, Johnson 2"
" How do you do, Gen. Meade?" .was John
son's reply.
They then both shook hands and took seats.
Gen. Grant then approached the party, when
Gen. Meade said, "Gen. Johnson, this is Gen.
Grant." Salutations were exchanged and the
party were again seated.
Gen. Seth "Williams, was nest introduced to
Gen. Johnson. The meeting between these
latter named officers was very cordial. During
the time Johnson remained at headquarters he
constantly eyed Gen. Grant, surveying the little
giant fiom head to foot.
TWELVE M.—The guns captured are arriv
ing at headquarters. Most of them are Napo
leons, marked U. S. The others are 10-pone
der Parrots: The following is the despatch re
ceived by Genera] Meade, at early morn, from,
General Hancock :
"I have captured from thirty to forty gums;
I have finished up Johnson, and am now going
into Early."
Burnside is working away on the enemy'S
rear, and reports that he is taking large num
bers of prisoners.
Sheridan with the cavalay has captured three
railroad trains, two laden with forage and ra
tions and one with Union prisoners. The erio'•
my got the range of 'Arcades headquarters at
nine A. M., and three. or four shells fella few
paces from the gallant Pennsylvanian and his
co-patriot Grant.
Brig. Gen. Wright is slightly wounded, but
still in command of the 6th ,Corps.
When Gen. Stuart was captured ho decline •
to take the proffered hand of Hancock, saying
it was against his principles.
He also refused, in a very ungentlemanly
manner, to
. partake of refreshments offered to
him by Union officers. Johnson commanded
the Celebrated "Stonewall Brigade." The
.greatest enthusiasm prevails in the -army On
account of our. success to-day, despite file
drenching rain now prevailing.
Hancock and his Pennsylvania soldiers have
again covered themselves with glory, and their
deeds of valor shoal' ba remembered by all
Pennsylvanians.
Hea . vy artillery is - still continuing along the
line of Burnside's Corps.' -
Generals Grant and Meade have been along
the . line the entire night and day, and have been
seen at all points by the soldiers.
'Yesterday there was nothing but slight skin=
mishing along the line. We, are undoubtedly
following up the enemy, who are fighting as
they retreat. -
NEAR SPOTTSYLVANIA COERT Horn. I
May 12-8 'o'clock A. M.
The day opened this morning with the follow
ing cheering news, sent in the form of a des
patch from Gen. Hancock to Gen. Grant
" GEN ERA :—I have captured from thirty to
forty guns ! I hare finished up Johnson and am
now going into Early."
- As I write the whole line is engaged, but the
/wariest firing is being done by Hancock's Corps.
Major-General E. Johnson recaptured. He
commanded the " Stonewall" Division in Ew
ell's Corps, composeduaainly ofliirginia troops.
No doubt of his capture exists, for he is sit
ting on a log nenr afire before me, at the present
moment, iu conversation with some of our gen
erals.-
He is a stout, rugged-looking man. with sandy
hair, moustaches, and apparently about forty
years of age.
The attack was commenced this morning at
daylight by Hancock, who moved forward his
whole line, and is now driven the enemy.
The morning is damp and foggy, but seceess
so far makes our 'spirits light and cheerful.—
Brigadier-General Stuart of the Rebel army
has also been captured, and is safe within our
lines.
The artillery firing in the direction of Han
cock is increasing in extent and rapidity. A
considerable portion of the sth Corps is actively
engaged and doing well.
The number of prisoners token this morning
la variously estimated. The lowest figure places
them at 3000, butl have just heard from good
authority that 5000 are in our hands.
- _ll A. M.—The battle continues with great
fury, but we are steadly gaining ground on the
Rebels. The 6th Corps have gone to the relief
of the 2d, and are now actively engaged at the
present moment.
The" musketry firing is tremendous - ' acconipa
nied with heavy salvos of artillery. Every inch
of ground is being sharply contested, and noth-.
ing can exceed the ferocity of the contest.
Heavy fighting, is progressing very near Gen.
Grant's headquarters. Several shells struck
near his headquarters.
The captured artillery are being brought to
the rear, and the roads leading to the different
corps hospitals are filled with soldiers, who
have been wounded at the front, and are seek
ing after medical treatment.
; . 4 1 drenching fain .set in about nine o'clock
but it seems to have no effect in abating the
fighting in the front.
The roads are knee-deep with mud, and very
unfavorable for military operations.
A Rebel battle flag has just been brought in
to headquarters. It belonged to the 42d Vir
ginia, Colonel Withers, Johnston's Division,
and contains the names of the different battles
in which the regiment took part.
The flag is a red square one with a blue cross
containing stars. The flag was captured by the
93d New York, Colonel Crocker. Thirteen of
the captured guns have been broughtto General
Grants headquarters. The others are placed in
differentpositions in the rear. They are excel
lent pieces, in good condition, and very similar
iu appearance to our own.
Barlow's division of the 2d Corps performed
a brilliant feat this morning, at day light. They
advanced during the night, and before the
break of day made their appearance directly in
front of the Rebel intrencli me nts. They charged
and before the enemy had time to, fire a gun,
they were surrounded, and surrendered at
once.
Our men had to climb over their breastworks.
and used the butt ends of their muskets to
bring the Reheis to subjection. I learn that
Captain Fritz, Jr., of Philadelphia, is wounded.
General Wright is slightly wounded, but is still
in command of the 6th Coips,
Twelve M.—There has been for the past half
hour a brief lull in the battle, but the indica
tions are that it will shortly be renewed with
vigor and will continue all day. Everything
seems favorable, and both officers and men are
in good spirits. •
Onr losses in the past eight days' fighting
have been very heavy, but it is impossible to
form any correct estimate of the same. The
accounts vary from 18,000 to 25,000; but owing
to thexature of the contest, which is mostly_in
th&woodi, thousands may be lying dead or
wounded on the ground, of which, no record can
at presant be made. .
From Grant—The Advanee 'Of Friday:-
Gem Sheridan Forms a 4unetion with
Butler's Forces.
WistoseToNlnay ,r
.11f4.Gen. Cadivallader,PhilezdeOhiv-rAil offi
cial dispatch from the battle field at Spottsyl
to affaliktin: Itiiiialtiltf; : ,iri4 -:,18; _ 1864.
vania, yesterday morning,at 630 states that
during the preceding nigt (Friday) a move
ment was madAy the fifth and sixth corps to
our left, and an attack was to have been made
at daylight, but no sound of battle had been
heard from that quarter.
This inanceuvre, it is said, ifeuccessful, would•
place our forces in Lee's. rear, and compel him
to retreat towards Lynchburg. •
' No cannon nor any sound of battle was heard
yesterday at Belle Plain or Fredericksburg,
which affords trona& for the inference that Lee
had retreated during Friday night, and before
the advance of the fifth and sixth corps. •
Nothing later than 6.30 A. M., of yesterday,
has been received from the army by this De
partment.
All our wounded that had reached' Belle Plain
yesterday afternoon have arrived here.
The surgical' report from the headquarters of
the army states that the condition of the sup-.
plies is satistactory and the wounded are doing
well.
The Medical Director at Belle Plain reports
that everthing at that pointis satisfactory. The
surgical arrangements have never been so com
plete as now.
Gen. Sheridan's ' command had reached the
left bank of Turkey Island at o'clock yesterday,
and have formed a junction with the forces of
Gen. Butler.
E. M. STANTON, See'y of War
Dispatches from Gen. Grant.
WASHINOTON, 11os .1.1 7 -11:30 P. M.
Dispatches from General Grant, dated at 8
o'clock this morning, have just reached this
department. He Says : ' -
"We have now _ended' the - sixth - day of very
heavy fighting. The result to this time is much
in our favor. Our losses have been heavy; as
well as those of the enemy. I think the loss of
the enemy must be greater. We have taken
over 5,000 prisoners in battle, while be has taken
from us but few except stragglers. I propose
to fight it out on this line, if it takes all summer."
The Government is sparing no pains to sup
port him. E. M. STANTON. Sec'y of War.
WA Ku NerioN: May 13-2.30
To Maj. Gcn. Dix :—A despatch from Gen.
"received, has been "reived, aate4l near Spottsyl
vania Court House, May 12, 9t30 P. M., which
is as follows :
The eighth day of battle cloies, leaving between
three and four thousand prisoners in our hands
for the day's work, including two General offi
cers and thirty pieces of artillery.
The enemy are obstinate, and seem to have
found one last ditch. We have lust no organ
ization, not even a company, whilst we have
destroyed and captured one division (Johnson's),
one brigade , .(Dobbs'), and One regimeht entire
of the enemy. =
(Signed) E. M. STANTON, Sec'y of War.
From Gen'. Sheridan—Ms Advance on
Richmond—The Rebels Defeated in
Two Engagements—The Virginia Cen
teal R. lt. , Cut at All Points—Death of
Gen: J. E: B. Stuart. •
ASHINGIVN, May 14—Midnight.
Maj. Gcn. Cadteafader, Philadelphia :—An
official dispatch from Gen. Sheridan, dated at
Bottpm Brid g e, via Fortress Monroe, May 13,
states that on the 9th he marched around the
enemy's right flank, and on the evening of that
day reached the North Anna river,-withoUt se
rious opposition. -
During the night he destroyed the enemy's
depotat Beaver Dam r three large trainsof cars,
two fine locomotives, two hundred thousand
pounds of bacon and other stores, amounting in
all to a million and a half of rations.
Also the telegraph and railroad track for about
ten. miles, embracing several culverts, and re'-'
captured :175 of our Men, including two Colo
nets, one Major and several other officers.
On the morning of the 10th he resumed opera
tions, crossing the South Anna at Grand Squir- -
rel bridge, and want into camp about daylight.
The 11th he captured Ashland Station; at that
point he destroyed a locomotive, a train of cars,
an engine house and two or three Government
buildings, containing a large amount of stores.
He also destroyed six miles of railroad, em
bracing six culverts, two trestle bridges, and
the telegraph wires.
At about 7 o'clock a. m. of the ^ nth hereneW
ed the advance on Richmond.%
He found the rebel Stuart with his cavalry
concentrated at Yellow Tavern, and immedi
ately attacked him.
4feer an obstinate contest he gained poses
sion of the Brockle turnpike, capturing two
pieces of artillery, and driving the enemy's for
tes back towards Ashland and across the north
fork of the Chickahominy, a• distance of four
miles..
At the same time a party charged down the
Brock Road, and captured the first line of the
enemy's works around Richnioiad.
During the night he marched the whole of
big command between thefirst and second lines
of the enemy's works on the bluffs overlooking
the line of the -Virginia Central railroad, and
then on Mechanicsville turnpike, after demon
strating against the Works and finding them
very strong, he gave up the intention ofassault
ing, and determined to recross the Chickahom
iny at Metidow Bridge.
It had been partially destroyed by the - enemy
but was repaired in about three hours, under a
heavyartillery fire from a•rebel battery,
Gen. Merritt made the crossing, attacked the •
enemy and drove him off handsomely, the pur
suit continuing as far as Gaines' Mills. •
The enemy observing the re-crossing of the
Chickahominy, came out from his second line of
works.
A brigade of infantry and a large, number of
dismounted .cavalry attacked the division of
Generals Gregg and. Wilson but after a severe
contest were repulsed and ,driven behind their
works. •
. .
Gregg and Wilson's divisions,after collecting
the wounded, reerossed,the hichabominy' on
the afternoon of the 12th. The colica.eneamped
at Wulnut Grove and Gaines' Mills.
At 9 o'clock, a. in.,
of the 13th, the march
Was resumed, and our forces encamped at Bot
tom Bridge.
. The-command is in fide spirits. The loss of
horses will not exceed one hundred. All the;
wounded were brought off except about thirty
cases of mortally wounded, and those were well
cared for in the farm houses of the country.—
The wounded will not exceed 250, and the to
tal losses not over 350.
The Virginia Central Railroad bridges over
the Chickahominy, and other trestle bridges,
one sixty feet in length, one thirty, some twenty
feet, and the railroad bridges for a long distance
south of the.Chickahominy were destroyed.
Great praise is given to the division comman
ders Gens. 'Gregg; Wilson and Merritt and
Gemit. Custer and Davids, Cole. Gregg, Divine,
Chapman, M'lntoSh and Gibbs, brigade com
manders. All the officers and men behaved
splendidly.
12.30 P. M.—ln -a dispatch this moment re
ceived from Admiral Lee, he reports to thed
Secretary of the - Navy that the Richmond pa-1
pers of yesterday mention the death of Gen. J.
E. B. Stuart—shot in battle.
This no doubt happened in flit) battle with'
Gen. Sheridan.'
E: M. STANTON; Sec'y of War.
Our P riscbn era at "Washington—They
Number l LOOD—Desti nation, Fort Deb
aware—Lee and MU Wonnded,—Lonti
, street Reported Dead—No Battle Yes
-1 terday—Our Total Loss 25,000.
Special Dispatch to the Evening Telegraph.
WASHINGTON, Mayl4.
An officer of Col. Lyle's regiment (the 90th
Penna.), just in from the front, denies the report
of Col. Lyle's being killed or wounded.
Three hundred and sixty Rebel officers ar
rived this morning, among whom are Major
General Johnston and four Brigadier Generals.
They are en route to Fort Delaware.
Our prisoners amount to about 11,000. .
. _
Out captured One; rnunber 44.
20,000 stand of small-arms have been tales.
The'roads beyond Aquia Creek are - in a`ter
rible condition from the recent rains.
- Seven thousand prisoners had re.ached- Belle
Plain up to last night.
Rebeiprisoners report that A.P.A Hill and
Gen. R. E. Lee hre both wounded, and that
Gen. Longetreet had died from his wounds.
No battle took place yesterday. Lee's army
is no doubt trying to` get a good positiont behind
the North Anna.
Our losses - so far will not reach over twenty
five thousand. ;
The Won*led of Petnisylitania—Gover.-
nor . Curtin Looking. to Them—Hebei
• Prisoners. llinder Black JEs eor t.
Special Dispatch to the N. Y. Tribune.
WASHINGTON, May 15.1844.
Gov. Curtin and staff arrived to-day from
Frederickiburg and Belle Plain, having spent
several days among the wounded. lie speaks
in the, highest terms of the arrangements made
by the Medical Ddpartment, everything possible
being-done under the orders of Acting Surgeon-
General Barnes to care for the wounded 'end to
bring, them on here. Fifteen hundred arrived
to-day.
A batch of Rebel prisoners guarded by negro
soldiers 'were sent to-day to Point Lookout.
Gen, Meade's A4d,i•ess.
.
l WASBINGTOR: .1 1 4ftS , 14,-10 P. M.
Dispatchee dated headquarters Army 'of the
Potomac, May 13, 12 M.,- have . been received.
The Associated -Press messenger brings the fol
lowing : .
,
HEADQUAHTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC,
May 13,1864. JJ
SotnrEnsv 7 -The moment - has arrived' when
your comnianding general feels authorized to
address you in, terms of congratulation. For
eight days and nights almost without intermis
sion, in rain and sunshine, you hive been gal
lantly fighting a desperate foe in positions natu
rally strong and rendered doubly so by entrench
ments.Yomdmve compelled him - to abandon
his fortifications on the Rapidan, retire . and,
attempt to stop your onward progress, and now
he has abandoned 'his last entrenched position
so tenaciously held, suffering a loss, in all, of
eighteen guns, twenty-two _colors, and eight
thousand prisoners, including two general offi
cers, Tour heroic deeds and endurance of
fatigue and privation will .ever be memorable.
Let us return thanks to God for the mercy
thug shown, and ask earnestly foi its . contin
uance.
Soldiers! Your work \is not yet over. The
enemy must be pursued; and, if- possible, over
come.
The courage and fortitude you have displayed
renders your commanding general confident
that your efforts will he crowned with sue=
, .
cess.
While we mourn the loss of many - gallant com
rades, let us remember the enemy must have
suffered eqital, if not greater, losses. •
' We shall soon receive reinforcements which
he cannot expect,
Let us determine, then, to continue vigor
ously the work so well beguni Under God's
blessing, in a short time, the objeet of tour labor
will be accomplished.
(Signed) Geo. G - 43IEaDE,
. Maj. Gen; Commanding.
S. WILLIAMS, A. A. G.
Gen. Grant Daring the Battle.
Gen. Grant's headquarters were located in a
field between the plank road' and a small road
leading to a little hamlet known as_
Parker's
store. During the fight, hoWever, he was-prin
cipally with Gen. Meade, whine headquarters
were on a piney knoll in the rear of Warren's
Carps. ,I had seen Grant at Vicksburg and in
Tennessee, and his appearance was familiar ;
but as I strolled through the group 'of officers,
reclining under the trees at headquarters Ilea
ed for him some time in vain, such was his
insignificant, unpretending aspect and conduct
while the battle was raging in all 'its fury. A
stranger to the insignia of military rank would
have little dreamed that •the plain, quiet man
Who sat with his_ back against a tree, apparently
heedless and umnoved, was the one upon whom
the fortunes of the day, if net of the age and
ccinntry, were hinging. It was only when some
aid Tor orderly rode up in hot haste with a com
munication from some 'portion of the battle
field that his eyes upturned to seek id those of
the messenger the purport bf tho message.--
The constqtation witn bleu. Meade or the di
rect suggestion or command;—all took place
With that same imperturbability of countenance
far which he has always been iremarkable. No
movement of the, enemy seemed to puzzle or
disconcert him. Fertilein resources, the peti
tion for reinforeethant was speedly answered.
And while all this trampired he stood calmly
in the group, at tittles sinokMg his favorite se
gar-4 more vigorous or a niore frequent puf
fing only indicating the itiwardi work of ithe Mind.
.If something transpired which he deemed need
ed his personal attention, aWay he darted on
horseback to the immediate' seene,tthe one or
,two of his aids and an orderly exerting their
utmost to keep up
. ;with hint. Arrived on the
spot, he calmly considered the matter requiring
his 'attention, with ready judgment commu
nicated the necessary orders, and then Wiled
away to another part of the field; or td his eat
beneath the pine tree, there to enter on theror
der book some record of the hattle's - progi t ess.
It was amusing again at times to see him—the
(lommanderin Chief—whittling away with his
knife upon the bark of a tree, pausing now and
then to throw in a word or sentence in the con-
Veriation of those Fouped about, and then going
to work again with renewed vigor upoti.the
incision of the pine. The contemplation of this
by those who were with hint at Vicksburg will
recall an incident of a similar character in that
memorable siege: When the columbiads were
mounted in front of Logan's line Gen. Grunt
Was desirous of sluperintending the operations.
jDuring the preliminary, mirk of cutting the
;embrasures he mounted the epaulenient, and,
!while the rebel bullets struck all 'around him,
deliberately whittled a rail Until the guns were
'placed hi position.
From Gen. 'ltintler.
WAstoNcTol'Ainy 15--10 P. M.
Maj. Eel:. Dix :—The following telegrams
havejust reached this Department from Gen=
Butler.
No other official reports have been received
since my dispatch of this aftCrnoon :
E. M. STANIV.X . , Sec'y of War.
HALFWAY HOUSE, May 74-8 A. M:—Hon
E M. Stanton, Say of War :—We are still
before the base of the eneray's works at Drury's
Bluff, Fort Darling:, The enemy are still here
in force. ' i .
Gem Gilmore, by a flank movement, with - a
portion of his corps and a brigade of the Eigh
teenth corps, assaulted and took the - enemy's
works on their right at disk lest evening. It
was gallantly done. BENJ. F.- BUTLR.
HEADQUARTERS, HALFM - AY HoESE, May 14.
—lO A. M.—To Hon. E. M. Stanton, Seep of
War:—Gen. Smith carried the enemy's - first
line on the right, this morning, moving at S o'
clock. The loss was small. The enemy have
retired into three square redoubts, upon which
we are now bringing our artillery to bear with
effect. ,BEND. F. BUTLER.
Maj. Gen. Commanding.
BERMUDA HUNDRED, Va., May 'l3, P. M.,
via FORTRESS MONAOE, May 14.—Rebel pris
oners captured last night say Lee adMits a lots
of 30,000 men in killed and wounded.
Frikm,Geo!gla.
Gen. Schofield has achieved a victory, and
pursued the, enemy into North Carolina. Gen.
Thome has gobbled up five thousand rebels
and captured 12 guns.
[Gen. Schofield is operating under Sherman,
in the army of the Cumberland.)
graOliu Kl.quiterg.
TERms.—s2 per annum in ' t advant
if not paid within the year. $ll subs
counts inust be settled annually. No
sent out of the State unless paid for it,
ADVERTISEMENTS are inserted
per line for first insertion, and F/Vg
for each' subsequent insertion. Adv
fire lines or less are charged 50 cents
Lion and 25 cents for each subsequent
Advertisements exceeding, five line
seeding ten lints, are charged $1 for
end 50 cents for each insertion there;
a— All Legal Notice*, of ki d, and all Or
phan*' Cqurt and other. Judie' I Sale , are required
by law to be adveltieed in thell„prosiToßY—ie having
the larttOrl circulation of any paper published in the
county of Franklin.
All Obituary and Marriage notices exceedingfive
Ines, and all communications, resolutions and other
notices of limited orindividual interest, are charged
ten cents per line.
Ady' ertisements or subscriptiOns niay be sent di
rectlY to the Publishers, or through any responsible
City Agency.. M'CLURE & STONER,
THE gross cash receipts of the RErOS
officeduring this day (Wednesday)
will be given to the Christian Commission,
in aid of our woundedheroes now suffering
in Aid hospitals . and.on the field; and• we
trait that f oal: patroniwill make , the
con
tribution a liberal one. We hope thus to
lessen in some humble degree, the sad
exactions of a causeless war, conceived
'and waged by Shiveryand Treasou—tlie
kindred, crowning crimes of our National
history.
Let the Nation bow in profoundest
gratitude to the God of Justice ! In the
fulness of
,His time, He has smitten the
foes of Humanity and of Free Govern
ment, and , the fair" Western World, by
terrible baptiam in its noblest blond, is
again dedicated to the Freedom in which
it waS Created.
After three, long, long years of mingled
discomfiture and triumph—of fiercest and
deadliest warfare—of wide-spread, relent
less desolation--4 keenestbereavements
and saddest sacrifices, the Army of the
Fotomac and the Army of Virginia, di
rected by the most trusted and successful
commanders, and strengthened byes.
haustingefforts on both sides, confronted
each other to decide to fate of the Re.
public. . „
- It was confessedly the last, the crown
ing effort of Treason for positive success,
and true hearts quailed as they contem
plated. the possibility 'of- disaster, to the-
Old Flag.
_The. Nation might still have
found life in fresh offering's to our holy
cause; but beyond the decisive defeat of
Leelslosts of crime, - Treason has no here
' after save in the violent. throes of death
and it its crimsoned history:
The decisive - battle lias been fought. -
With a, desperation known only to crime,
the battalions of - Treason struggled in
vain for victory. Nine, days of sweep
ing carnage record the undaunted valor
of our brave defenders, and the thousands
wounded and slain tell how bravely they
struggled---how 'nobly died. As willing
martyrs to a Nation's cause, they will be
enshrined iii a Nation's grateful memory.
Never before ircthe history of war has
siich a conflict been witnessed. Fully a
quarter ofa milion of men, _reared under
the same beneficent laws, brethren by
the ties •of .laugnige, of government, of
blood and of common sacrifices in rearing
our glittering monuments of genius and
patriotism, struggled with sublhnest he
roism for the best - . and basest of causes.
Each day's sun went down on mingled
currents of fraternal blood, and ere the
morning dawn : proclaimed another day,
the work of death began again.
Slowly but surely the Union army ad
vanced its lines over hecatombs of slain.
The sacrifice was priceless, save when
measured by the
,frttits of the achieve
-Picot—the perpetuity of Free- Govet:n-
Pivot. Stubbornly but steadily Treason
receded from the conflict, and the heroic
Army of the Potomac, inspired by its
just cause and the tuasterly . genius and
invincible purpose of its great comman
ders, crowned itself and the Nation with
decisive victory on Thursday last. Sul
lenly and hopelessly the shattered col
umns of Treason retired from, the sangui
nary field, with nearly if tiof quite half
of their warriors killed, disabled or cap
tured.
There may be other strnggles--there
May still be temliolry discomfitures in
the future for us; kw the GREAT BATTLE
HAD BEEN FOUGHT, and the utter over
throw of this causeless, wicked rebellion
is but a question of months—not years.
The military power of Treason i; broken.
Its life, its hope was in the army of Lee,
and that army is now crushed in spirit,
WA:SHINbTO::i. May 14.
Wednesday, Nay !IS, 1864.
THE OVERTHROW OF TREASON.
isolated from re-inforeementsr . sulipliet 4
munitions . and its capital, with scarcely
half its numbers left to brave its gloomy
future, and it comet long refuse to yiel t i
Virginia, to the Union of our Fathers. •
or $2.50
".eription ac
gaper will be
advance.
at TEN cents
ants per line
I -
rtisements of
I , or first insor-'
,nsertion; and
r and not ex
first insertion
net.
Patriots will rejoice that our imperiled
cause is thus rescued from mnrderoue.tral•
tors, while life is - too - short for the faith
less among us to atone for their cowardly
_
treachery to the best government of the
_
Earth. , But let the faithiss be left to the
scorn of : the living, and the keen
retribution of .rt; Nation's sacred bereaii - e-.
-meat for our gallant dead; and let the
true and tried or our Country's supporters
give fervent- thanks to ,Him who rukh
over all, for our redeemed - Republic—our
nobler Nationality d. -
ILEME3IBEE THE WOUNDED..
Propriotors
' Not less than twenty thousand of .our
braVe fathers, sons and brothers are.now
writhing - under ghastly wounds in our
hospitals. They. have periled their lives
that we might have enduring peace and
the priceless blessings of free government;
and have fallen in the terrible conflicts
of the last two weeks. -
The goVernment does much for its lie
roic defenders—all it can do perhaps: hut
not one-half that can be done'to solace
them in their sore afilictions.and minister
to their countless wants.
Thia cause appeals to every lover. of
our country; and from our teemingplen
ty on every band—from our bountifal
stores and garners, and our growing
wealth, let the hand_ of liberality be ex
tended to aid the suffering.
Many, very many, of these brave men
cannot be ministered to by ihein loved
ones ; and it is the highest and the no
blest civil duty.of every one to give b'otm-
Wally of what he or she possesses, to les
-sen the pain and privations of our thou
sands of sick and wounded.
isitot necessary to wait for the Chain
bersbnig or the'Philadelphia Fairs. They
willserve a good purpose, and merit the
cordial efforts of all ;. bat- the wants of
the wounded are immediate and pressing,
and the most grateful and effectual aid
will' be that rendered juit NOW.
We, believe the - Christian and Sanitary
Commissions to be the very best chan
nels through which to contribute to the
necessities of our wounded. Money for
the Christian. Commission may be sent
directly tv Jos. Patterson,'Esq., Western
Bank Philadelphia, and stores for either.
Commission may be sent to Oaks &Linn,
Chambersburg, to be forwarded: Money
for the Sanitary Cianmisskin may be sent
to Caleb Cope, Esq., Philadelphia, or ethr:-
tributions tor either Will be pheerfully
forwarded from this - office, or from-the
- Bank of Chambersburg. ,
—We appeal . to, the patriotic mid be
nevolent to come forward - and act gener
ously in thistiatter at once. Those of ui
who are spared the terrible ordealof hat ;
fie should not hesitate to give prompt
and ample succor to those who have per- -
iled their lives in our , stead. Let us
unite in this humane and holy work, and
the God who has given victory to , our
armies, will not let the gifts of the getter
dirs.be without their reward !
-
1 -GEN. S. WILEY CRAWFORD, the gal
lant young commander of the Pennsyl
vania Reserves, -has been reported killed
or calitnied ; but we have seen a letter
from himdated Thursday last, which - re;
Moves all . doubts as to Lis safety. , Bits
brave ' Command; sadly - thinned by
_its
manyheroic conflicts with the enemy,las
again been terribly decimated. The to
tal loss of the Reserves is 110 officers and
2,.12.94 men killed, AV ounded. and missingH
including 870 captured In the early part
of the great struggle. This must be near
ly if not quite fifty per cent of its strenithi.
and it shows how desperate and_deadli,
have been its struggles. '
THE Perry County Fire Insurance Company
has made an assessment of foUr per cerit.'66
its premium notes, to coverrecent losses. This
is the tenth assessment made by that company.
THE Bank of Gettyspurg has declared a did;
dend of eight per cent., and the First NatiOnul
Bank of Gettysburg has declared a dividend of
six. percent. Prosperous institutions. ' _
WE are compelled to omit . the favors'of
Our correspondents this week, -to give our read
ers the full details of the glorious news Arena
our gallant armies:
The Hon. Titian J. Coffey, havfng resigned
the office of Assistant Attorney General of the
United States, the Attorney General hue up
pointed J. Hubley Ashton, Esq., of Philadel
phia, to that office, and he has entered -on its
duties. Mr. Coffey will hereafter assist the
Attorney General in the preparation and argu
ment of cases in the Supreme Court- of the
United States, in which the Government is
party, thole eases now numbering more than
one-third of the calendar of the Court.
-knouT a week before the present military
operations conimeneed, a gentlemanfrornßatti.
more, who had a conversation with.thaPresi.
dent, reported him as expressing the..utmoet
confidence in' Gel:Grant, adding : /Then /
ten to him explaining his plans andses is
fluxapfroadezng campaign lam appa lled their
magnstude, and astounded at the confidential
seems to feel in his ability to accomplish them."`
El
PERSON 1Y