TUB WlLMINUON JOURNAL.
COM r KU K liATK STATICS
UP AMKKICA.
WILMINGTON, N. C.
THURSDAY, MAY 19, V64.
"tt'k fnr na tcp fftn leim DD tO tbe
latest dates, no
general engagement bad taken place between our troops
cm tbe soutfa-sidcrcf the Jam.srirer between Richmond
on tbe south
jLU tbe reports about big lights, dcc.t
nd Petersburg.
Benito be t least premature
' nearly notbioir d.ibiie frcm Lee, b-yond
ite gtceral impression that oil 80 tar bad gone avora.
fr.y. We tave gaictd advantages, but the real strength
of the icfptctive forces tad rot jet rxen tried. No
had taken pla.?.
really decisive genera-
-. r ..rfamtd ia repaid to the safety ol
I o fpars were cntertaiuea IU b
n.v.f flDy mere cavalry raid. It is quite
rrobable that tbe reported death of Gen. J. E. .
abt ia correct, though tbe latest accounts m
B. Stu-
make no
mention of it.
Oa Thursday the Yankee raiders who had cut the
ItaMrcad between Petersburg atcl VVeldon crossed over
the 'Appomattox at City Point, and swung round to
Petersburg, coming to Swift's Greek, within three
miles of that city. They were easily driven off by the
local force. Naturally there was considerable excite
ment in Petersburg;
The Richmond and Petersburg Railroad bad not
been seriously irjured, but the presence of the ecemyin
force so near its line, rendered it impossible to ran cars
on it with safety and it was not attempted.
Different accounts state the enemy's force between
the railroad and the James River at anything from 15
to 50 thousand men. It is evident to us that their
force is much larger than we had hitherto supposed
and we think the larger number although somewhat ex
aggerated, is nearest to the actual fact.
"V7e Ehouid not be at dl surprised to learn that Gen
Johnston had fallen back from Dalton. Why he should
do so, or what ends are to be served by Lis doirg so,
we are not prepared to say. We do not pretend to be
a jadge of military strategy. We can only rest assured
that Gen. Jchnstos knows better than we do that ol
course, means nothing but we ar assured that what
he docs, he will do ucderslaLdingly and for the best,
and that he ia confident of a favourable result.
Daily Journal, lQLh.
Tli War News.
We continae to tcke extracts frcm the Richmond
nanprs relative to the war new3 in Virginia. These
i i -
extracts alihccgh rather Etale, are nevertheless valuable
a3 matter of history, and will be found interesting.
We are indebted to the Raleigh Confederate for them.
We have not seen a Richmond paper in several days,
at least ;i a week. Up to the present -writing we
Lave received ro news from Virginia to day. It is
understood the Yankees got possssaion of the Weldon
and Petcisburg Rail road on Monday evening, above
Belfi-ld,and cut the wires. It is feared they also dc
Etroyed the bridgo ia that ceighborhocd. There i3
considerable tcxiety manifested here to learn the re
sult of ycsteidav's battle near Petersburg, not that
any one apprars to have any doubt ol our success, but
on account of being unable to receive any tidings of
the many friends who are knon to be in the ranks
there.
P. S. Sicce writing the above we learn that the
telegraph to Petersburg i3 egain in working order.
We B hall probably receive cur dispatches G3 usual be
fore going to pres3.
The news from the Trans-Mississippi re-confirms the
, surrender ol IJaks at Alexandria.
If the di?pnU:hes from Mobile give the correct ver
eion, it woulJ appear that Grant Las lost heavily in
Virginia.
Latex;. It will be seen by ihis paper that comma
nicatior. 19 now open to and beyond Richmond. The
news is rpue satisfactory.
Gkkat Fall cf Puicks TendtyB r-.o fl'our wa soll
irg u thin place a $ 0 ptr barret. ail even $350 was
paid iu ft store ; atid hnrym at $ i and JG ner lb. Ia the
course of the it we?k 11 Fold here a' $!i0, ar.d hpcon
at $3. Thtf 3 prc8 were &li in the quivaieut of the new
it -.up. that is, old isM'ji at twu-thiruH ' I 'Is lace- -h barrel
ot $50 cot-tine $V.'5 ia "id i.o'ea We have heard of a fall
iu otht r articles ttior.gh no" o such an extent as iti t ese.
Tht- mof pr:b.ihe c .uses ateixne.l far tuis grnU "hange
are, thf appreciation tf tlu? car ejey ia cors. qu ice of
in i-caiCii ptocuced by ti e Lite ncn of .Coiigreis ; 'he
chetru.g inintte ot rich cxd ubutdiat cr. ps of t-niub
ft i ; a c r'an i that Jheie is a tjorj.lus of b !h meat and
bieadstutlu id the r(umr ; and, Sijtiily, the ecect uu
bioktn teiif tel tufcfsms lo r.uri.rm, withacous qaeut-
Ijr wetter -e i. g !n eflra tn ib vmuQ or he Couiedera'
carriECj Fay Obs iverylCtk insi.
Jt wiil Le t-eea by reference to oar corunuToIal report
t!:at tho aitic'e of fl jar end b isan have al:o f 1 ec ia this
market. Yeafercay inorsin.? a small ljtof very caoice
bacon wa3 b ad from cart at $4 per lb , and learn that
BOine was crcd on Monday at $3 6 J per To.
Mr. W. W. Uolden ht,s resumed tbe publication
of the btatichufl; and ncv blows his owu brez2n instru
ment. As a matter of coarse he Bignalizas his tegular ap
pearance how inary inegular ones he has made we
do not pretend to eay, by personality and abuse in
one word, by IloIJenism.
Among other things he devotes eome space to an at
tempt to revive a personal matter between Col. D. K,
McRae acd the Editor of the Journal. As that is a
purely piivafe matter between the persons involved, and
go understood, of course it is a matter to which no
gentleman could or would have made any reference.
liiat fact, however, nor the further fact, that it is not a
legitimate subject of newspaper discussion, does not at
all preclude it frcm comirg within the range of the
Standard's animadversions, as neither of these condi.
iiocs apply to that paper or its editor.
A matter that has been fully understood and adjusted
between Ool. McRak and ourselves, is one that com
mon coortefy, z.b well as common self-respect, forbid3 us
to allude to farther than to say that the three last
words of tbe third paragraph the second lea?ei one of
the SLat.dard's article now under notice, apply fully to
the Standard's statement cf the eff.iir in qiestion.
It is lu-rdiy probable that either this humble individ
ual or CoI.D. K. McRae will ever seek an endorse
ment or recognition of any cf their qualities from the
editor of the Standard, spcakirg cx ciihedca, i. e , from
under Gov. Yancs's b.d.
The editor of the Standard can settle Lj3 difficulties
es best suits Lim, with Gov. Vance or with the editor
of the Salisbury Watchman. That is A is business, uot
ours. lie, as a canJ date for the high effips of Gover
nor, may continue to make his paper th3 organ of per-
cvuai wuiucuuuu ; wuu luiLur wii'i uiui we can nave
no further concern, and simply dismiss the subject by
asking the pardon of our readers for having devoted
even a limned space in cur columns to anything that Mc.
Hold en ccu'd Suy against us personally.
And that euch a man Ehculd ba a candidate for he
gubernatorial chair cf is orth Carolina!
Washington, A. C.
This fown, not long Eirce flourishing and beauti-
mi, is tow a smcKing imn. inree-!curth3 of its
buildings are ia ashes; delicate women, feeble old
men, helpless children have Jest their al! by the fires
of the 30th April and tbe 9ih May, 1864. They
have been turned homeless into the streets ; their
provisions, their furniture and their clothing having
perished in the general wreck. Washington, before
tbe war probably contained a population of some
thing ike twents-five hundred. Of course tbe active
men tre mostly in the army or exiles at other points,
and.nnable to assist the fierers who are left, while
the adjacent gentry, harried and plundered by the
Tanketa for two years, ia squally unable to render i
any assistance, which, if it comes at all, mast cdme
from more favored sections, whose people, if they
have not escaped the consequences of tbe war, have
at least bsen paved Item i-s actual ravage?.
The cafe cf tbe people, of Washington -.ppald in
the most forcible manner to the sympathies r.f the peo
ple of the whelo State. It is a matter cf duty, nnd
ought to be a matter of pleaeure for lho?Q who have
anything to divide, to divide it freely with the guffL-r-ieff
people of ourtister town of Washingtcu. With
out prompt aid the most direful consequences nuat en-
t-ue, and we are told that many musi actually perish.
The people of Wilmington ure earnestly appealed to
to contribute liberally. Tbe fate of Washington might
bave been their f;e. Tbey cught to show by their
acts their thackfu!nrs3 that it is not : by their cheerful
givkg that they are worthy cf the blessings they en-
-py.
Anxious to 6 something In a matter in which we
(eel so much interest, we have opened a list at this of
fice, and will be happy to receive any subscriptions for
the relief of the sufHrers at Washington. Believe us,
all. that can be -given will be reeded. One of our firm,
an old Washington man himself, will see that any funds
committed to our care are pLc.d in proper hands duly
reach their destination, and are properly applied.'
We would state here that Mr. Jenkins, the very
gentlemanly lessee of tbe theatre, has kindly coosented j
to ve a periormacce at that establishment on this,
Tuesday eveniDg, for the benefit of the Washington
sufierers.
We have received a copy of the following circular,
which we lay before cur leaders with a view cf enfor
cing the considerations already urged. The writer, Mr.
fciTANLT, is lujiy cognizant of the facts he states :
Wilson, N. C, May 11th, 1864.
To the Conductors cf the Korth Carolina Press:
Gkntlk-mbn : Before the Yankees evacuated ths town of.
Washitgton on the 30ih nit., they Bet fire to the town in
several places, and about one-half of it waa consumed
On the 9.h bust., the town was again fired, (as ia believed
by an incendiary ) and one-ha t of ;he remainder of it was
laid in ashes. Thret-fcurths of the Town are destroyed
Hundreds of aged men, women a:id children have had their
UonBes,mrniture, clothing, provisions their all dest cyed,
and they are now enduring all the Lorrors and sufferings
incident to Buch a Cblami y. The people of Beaufort coun
ty have Deea eo ccrcpie'ely robbtd and stripped bj ihe
Yankees and negroes lor two years, that they are unable
to assist or alleviate the wants of the eufforini8. Many cf
them mvsl peruh unless the patriotic and liberal citizens
of more favoicd localities come to the rescue. Ihey have
responded nobly to appeals mada to them in bebatf of oth
er bu2iring communities, and I cannot believe that tbey
will refuse their aid to tLes& scflcrers, if their claim were
properly presented. 1 most' respectfully request that yoa
will call tne attention of the pubiic to tho necessities cf
our people, and urge them to prompt relief. Any sums of
money forwarded iu mo at Kaleigh prior to tho lrt of
June, and after that tiu.e to this place, will be placed in
the bands ol discreet citizens of the town, lor the use ot
the most needy surlerers. Mr. Jamea A. Willard, of WiU
mingion, and id r. Martin Stevenhou, u;f Greensboro', will
receive ajiy contiibutions which may be banded or sent tq
teem tor tne same purpose, ani-1 have no doubt but that
the Kditors of the difl'jrent newspapers in the State wbl i
a.'so receive tha contributions of the liberally disposed.
very reopectrni y, i
JNO. A. STANLY.
P. 8 It may not be amiss for me to state that Bcaufcrt
county, though withinthe enemy's linos for over twoyears.
"i" seui io me neia muieen ion companies by voluntary
enlistment, out of a Votive ponulation of about 1 400. and
that many cf the g-eattst rullerers bv these tires are tbe
ag d fathers, motceie, wivca children and tiite-rs of these
soiaierd.
The subscription to to the Washington fund is going
on quite satisfactorily at cur effiee. We hope these
who can allord it, a.od who intend making donations
wili da.60 during the week, as it is desirable that the
remittance of us krge a sum as possible should be
forwarded at an early day. The necessities of people
burnt oat of houte and home are naturally pressing and
do not admit cf delay.
"V
Ilolileiilsm In Ctnp.
We have been surprised to learn that certain influ
ences have been at work among our soldiers at tbe forts
in this vicinity, favourable to the prospects of Mr.
IIoldex and unfavourable to thcae of Governor
Vancs.
Xow, for the life of us, we cannot see bow asy sol
dier could prefer Air. LToz,den to the Governor., Whit
on earth could make Mr. Uoldex acceptable to the
soldier ? Gov. Vance has bimault b?ec. a soldier, and
Mr. II old en has rA. Guvrruor Vance knows the
wants of the soldier by experience, acd Mr. Holdf.n
does not. Goveruor-VAXoii's iflbris to provide cloth
ing, shoe?, k.z., for the North Carolina troop3, hava at
tracted attention and elicited praise from all sections .f
the country, and from the pr fs at large, including the
Rale'gh Standard, Mr. Holdex's owq paper. What
in the world h-is Mr. IIolden done for the soldie.s ?
That would be a question bard to answar. Mr. Hol
der's own paper die Standard and his present organ,
tbe Progress, may be.qacted tc show wLat the Gover
nor has done.
Tlir Liate JoUn soilIt,
It wiil-bo seen by the following from the Liverpool
Mercury, of April ?ib, that thia distinguished citizen
of the world has departed this life, and that they are
about to erect a monument to him iu that city. John
had lived all over the world ; had been conscripted at
.the South and drafted at the North ; had been in
Fort Lafayette aod Castle Thunder had been rich
and poor, lean and fa', drunk and sober, pieu3 and pro
fane : " f
The late Mb. Johk jiith It will be remembered
that the friends of the late Mr. Ji ha bniitb subscribed Home
time sgo towards the erection of a memorial statue to re
cord the Bervices wh ch he rendered in his time to the can?e
Bf education and the advancement of Liberal opinions, in
his two-fold character of lecturer on education and as one
of the editors of the Liverpool Mercury. The competitive
des'gns may now be seen i r a tew das in the rooms of
tho Financial Reform Aesociatioc, South John-street,
orner cf Cable-stree: ; and thos; who subscribed to the
fund will be pleased, Co doubt, at the opportunity thu3 af
forded them cf renewirg their famil arity with the well
known features of the deceased gentleman. The des;gus
are four in number two by local an two by metropolitan
fcniptors. Ihey are very ciever specimens of thiB order
of talent, and wi ll repay a visit, it isiuterded to place the
selected design, when finished, ia the Free Library, Wil
iam Brown-street.
Tna Imfobtation Law, Showing the Jmporlaband Pro
hibited Articles, together with the Tariff of the Confed
erate States, and the Iieccnt 2iegv.lalions in relation to
Foreign Commerce, prepared by D. C. Labatt, (of New
Orients.) Wilmington, N. C.
Tha above is the title of a pamphlet which we fennd
thia morc'jsg on ocr table, 44 with the co mpliments cf the
Author," and which we have carefully examined for tin
first tide. It ia very carefully cojnjjLed and contains
much v iluable information, desiraUo for all, end indispen
sable V those ergaged ia the importing business. Ia ad
dition to the list of importable and prohibited articles, it
givjs tha act cf Congress npou the Eubjsct, with tho sev
eral regulations issued from the Treasury Department; al
bo, the tax, fandic and military bills cf the last Congress,
editorial art icles frcm the Iticb meed papers, commenting
upon or cxplatatory of the Iaw which forma the subject
nutter of thu psinphlet. 8 atem "22 ts arc also given aa to
the; entrances cf vessels at the different Confederate ports
for tha year ending September 30th, 1S63, and a further
statement of clearances from the port of Wilmington up
to Apiil 1st, 1864. Even thia enumeration does not em
brace all that tbfs interesting pani.'hxt contains ia a tbort
compass and convenient foim.
From the Memphis Appeal.
KPIOUA21.
AtJ ABUT BSEF COKTKACTOB.
Tha life of Old Bald.v, inglorious and brief,
Was enr'ied, I'm told, by a surfeit of beefi
With h,s countrymen'a coin the dinner waa bought ;
Old Ba ldy, invited, ato more than they ouqht ;
Bo the Devil came up, with many nice bows,
And t ,ook him down home to attend to hia cows.
Old Patin,iewaret For the herdsman you've got
Will steal all your cattle then poison ycur pot ;
Wo i your fine widow and seize on your sceptre,
Ku .e your dark realm and laugh loud at your spectra.
Be,, if coin you would keep, quite safely do lock it,
Cr soon 'twili be ftuad in Baldy'a tight pocket ;
And Proserpine guard, or he'll win hsr toft love
But one thing I'll grant he'll ne'er take her above.
Bo feed well with pitcti this Contractor-in-Chief,
And purge well with brimstone to cure him of beef.
KIT B300K3.
Mrs. Partinston is of opinion that Mount Yesuvius
should take sarsaparilla to cure itself of eruptions.
The ol d lady thinks it has been vomiting go loner that
nothing would stay on its & tomacb. .
Prom the Ralcih Conft derate.
In the absence of later news, we ly before cur read
erf? to-day t' e following account of ihe first two diya of
the battles op th Riputan, c pied from the Rich
rooi d Sentinel of ins'. Mor'diy, for a copy of which, we
are indebted o the t xtremely politp and very consider
ate attention of M jir Wm H. Harvey, a most effi
cient officer ol the Atlantic and N. CJ. Riilrecd, and
(ieneral Superintendoot of military transportation at
this point.
THE Gl5AirtflC MILITARY OPKRAHOJiS,
The last few days have not been surpassed by any
period of the war t.r tbe magni-ude and important;:; of
tbe military operations, ur d the justlv abaorbin,? inter
est which they txcifed. From the Rapidan and from
the Appomattox, the sound of battle has filled the air,
and tbe s'iock ot conflict bag shaken the ertb- The
waterp, too, have afforded ao arena for the fury of tbe
combatiin s and the shores and caverns of the J ames
aave reeoundtd wiih terrific explosions.
The chief interest las, of coars?, centred upon the
operation upon the Rapidan. The others were of great
importance, but these were vital. Two great armits
under the. lead of the Generals which their- respective
countries regarde-i a? their ablest, there stragg'ed for
victory, with the life t.nd death of our Confederacy as
the stake of battle. The Army of the Potomac, under
Lieutenant G nera! Grarv, was there to destroy the re
nowned Army of Xorthera Virgiuia under the lead cf
the General whom it sobiiers love as their life, was
there to defend. The pet pie of two Confederacies were
spectators ; and awaited the conflict with d;ep anxiety
and bated breath ; if successful there, our victories else
where would be assured and cc firmed ; if defeated, our
long glocmy war, would have to b
lougnt over
t .
asraw
Most reverently and fervently do we thank G d that
oar hopes have been realized, cur fears dispelled and
our enemus d sappointeJ and put to confusion and de
feat ! As fast and a? far cs the news flies, the people of
this Confederacy wil lift their hearts in thanksgiving
to Heaven lor to signal a deliverance, and in praise
and honor of the battle crowned heroes who have ad
ded the fame of thi spltndod achievement to their p'Et
laurels.
Grant's cavalry crossed tie Rapidan, at Ely's Ford,
on YVedne3iay morfjiijg, the 4la inst., about dajbreas.
El is infantry followed, crossing tbe same day at Ely's
Ford, which is not far from the mouth of the Rapidan,
and at Germanna, which ia Bome miles higher up. Both
of these fords were below the riht flank of Lee's for
tified position. On the 8;rne,dft$', Eweli's and Hills
corps were dispatched frcm above, and, by the next
morning, (Tnursdav, the 5if,) ht.d gained a position
very near Gram's (ice of march. Grant was thus
forced to confront him, in order to eavehis flank from
attack. And to do him justice, he Eeems to have
crossed in otd r to fight ; for be swifily advanced upon
Lee'S'linea, and thus brought on
The First Day's Rattle Thursday, 31ay5.
Lee received the attack on this occasion. It con
sisted cf a powerful assault on Eweli's corps, forming
the left wing of Lee's army, and cf several repeated'
courageous acd desperate attacks ou two of Hill's di
visions. The attack on Ewell seems to have been first
and easiest filenced. It resulted in tbe complete re
pulse of the enem's light T.'irg, with the loss of four
pieces of artillery a::d a lerge number of prisoners
bow many is uot definitely known.
Hill's corps was more obstinately attacked. The
en.my are Ba:d to 1 ave charged with vigor and brave
ry, advancing up very near cur lines. 'I hey were re
ceived with the heroism worthy of the veterans of
Heath's and Wilcox's divisions, and in every instance
repulsed with heavy slaughter.
An attempt to turn our right flank with cavalry and
artillery was successfully resisted and driven back by
Rosser and his gallant brigade of cavalry, though
greatly cutr.umbe.red. This closed the operations ol
the first day.
Second Day's Cattle Friday, May 6.
The next day Longstreet's corps appeared in its old
pesitioo as rijht of Lee's, army, (Eweli's position be
ing on the left and Hill'd in the centre.) It had, we
believe, been posttd back towards Gordonsville, con
venient to tbe expected field of operations. It slgnali- ,
zed its puriicq a ion m tne oattie oy turning u rant a
right flank, and driving it from the field with heavy
!os3.
Hill's corps quickly recovered some ground lost early
in the morning while relieving, with freih troops, the
divisions that had susfained the first day's fight. A
general attack by c ur centre acd right wing appears to
have been then made, which forced Grant's linrs back
several miks.to tbe Wilderness, with great loss in killed
acd woumkd. - '
Ewell, ou hv p'-rt, wa$ not inert. A highly credita
ble fhnk moveiu. ut was intde ty Brig. General Gor
don, of bis command, which was rewarded with success,
and es is fruits, the capiure o! a considerable number
of prisoners, and the pie.-sing of Grant's right, from
Jerm:nna down to Ely's Fo.d. When, it is remember
ed tl t Gram's rL'ht e n'ronted by Evell, rested on
the Ripidan, the d;tiicj!!y of fl.ukiug it will be under
stood and its suceiss appreciated. Here the battle of
Friday rested
tea ur day produced no oj eratioas beyond some skir
mishing. On ye-teni iy morning the roar of artillery
announced that fighi.it. jr was renewed. Later in the
I day the following dispatch from Gen. Lse told of the
situation as foiluwa :
" Tbe enemy htve abandoned their position and are
marching towards Fredericksburg. I tun moving on
their right lluuk. Oar "advance is a.t Chanceilors
vdle." . This is onr latest intelligence unlets the telegraph '
shall bring somethirg further.
The axxm is this,: Grant has made a bold, obstinate
attack, with the best soldiers he" could bring together,
and in great numbers. Oa Thursday he assaulted, and
was everywhere defeated. Oa Friday, he received the
a. 3au!t, and had both his wings culanked and turned,
and his whole line right, left and centre driven lcr
miles, with great loss. There he sheltered himself on
Saturday, while Ljb seems to have rested or prepared.
The ex-t day, he no longer wauLl endure attack, but
took up the line of fligtit, with Lee in pursuit. He
has been decisively lepuhed, decisively whipped, and
now he fliea! So ends his magnificent "Oa to Rich
mond." So fail the hop;s which tha enemy have built
on their great man. Thank God ! thank God ! .
Of what is yet to come, we could speculate, bat it
would be in igr.orance of essential facta, nd, at best,
it wcukt be vaiu. - Let us rest ia the full assurance that
the her and his heroic army, who won for U3 the great
and glerieus victory which, will gladden the heart of
tbe O afederacy, uod made our fortunes so. prosparou?,
will re ip feom it all the fruits which circumstances Will
allow.
Pi'tss Dispatcher and Corcat pondince.
We continue our selections from the Sentinel, em
bracing its correspondeocend such pres dispatches
as, owing to the general derangement of the telegraph
lines have not appeared in thia paper.
The lollowicg dispatch from Gen. Lee was received
in Richmond last Sunday.
" I he enemy have abandoned their position and are
marching towards Fredericksbargr I am moving on
tbeir right flank. Oar advance is at Chancellorsville."
a
(press dispatches
Second Day's Hatil? Frttoul.n. of the Fight.
Orange O. IT, May 7. Your correspondent left
the front at 4 a. m. bringing the lollowing reliable
information.
Gen. Ewell again repulsed the enemy yesterday, who
advanced his front with five lines of battle. The
Yankee loss is tenible, especially on Early's front.
Eweli's loss is very small. About 12 o'clock yesterday
tne enemy navmg previously attached iitin ana w in
cox and driven them back, Longstreet planned and
was intbe act of executing a flank movement ou the
enemy's Lft wing, when, by the mistake of cur men,
he was fired upon. Lieut. Gen. Longstreet aod stfcff
were severely, though not mortally wounded. Gen.
Lngstieet in tho shouldeF, so say the surgeons with
whom the Frees correspondent conversed and who
examined his wound ; and instantly killing Brig. Gen
eral Jenkins of South Carolina. Our troops continued
to press the enemy until about 4 o'clock, driving back
the enemy's left and centre soma two miles,' oar left
Btandicg fa3t in it3 position.
Last night oar men held possession of the enemy's
battle-field on the left and centre, capturing a number
of tne eqemy's wounded and some of the dead. The en
emy fought, yesteiday, most obstinately in all parts of
the line. Oar succcs3 was very great, though not deem
ed decisive.
The charge of Gordan'a (Georgia) brigade Thursday
is represented to have been the grandest of the war.
Just before daylight some picket firing waa beard in
front of Hill's corps, and about 6 a. ra. cannonading,
lasting half an hour, wus heard on Eweli's line.
Our loss thus far is about 5,000, of whom a large pro
portion are slightly woupded. The proportion of offi
ears to privates killed and wounded is very much larger
than in any previous fight. -
The Yankee Gen. Hayes ia reported killed, and a
dead Yankee Gtnerai with the initials "H.H. O.,,'
supposed to be Couch or Casey, wa3x found in Ewell'a
front. The -fiht occurred in a desolate wooded coun
try. Little or ro artilleiy was brought into action.
At one time vesterdav. when the enemy were neavuy
pre sicg Hill's men. Gen. Kershaw, opportunely, by
double quickiner, with his troopp, arrived on tbe field,
decked, repulsed and pursued the enemy, thus turning
the fortunes ol tbe day, at that end ot me hup.
The battle field extends over a ertace of $ miles in
length, dosser's cavalry fought the enemy all day, on'
our extreme right, losing heavily end gaining notnicg
important. Ewell captured two pieces of artillery in
the fight of 1 hursday, and 1200 prisoners. The wound
ed are erriving here and receiving every attention.
Gen. R. H. Anderson ia now commanding ia place
of Lorgstreet.
Two thousand well and wounded prisoners havejoeen
captured thus far.
The battle ground extends from the Rapidan riper
to the plank road and is about . 25 mile3 East of this
place.
The battle ia not yet ended. Weather hot and sul-
Fk LATER.
(second dispatch )
Obange C. H.. May 7 Gordon' (Georgia) brig
ade and Johnston's (North Carolina) brigade of Ewells
corps, turned the enemy s extreme ngbt nanu, about
four miles above Germanna Ford last evening, between
sunset dark, capturing 400 prisoners, including
Brig. Gens. Seymour acd Shaler. I be enemy, com
pletely surprised, hastily fled on finding their breast
works turned and stormed Oar los3 very slight.
There are rumors here that Moaby has whipped the
negro troops, capturing some, r.nd burning some bridges
in Facqaier county.
third dispatch.
Orange C. II., May 7. Trustworthy advices from
the front as late as 1 o'clock, P. M., represent that
there was no general engagement up to that time.
Lietenant General Loapstreet's condition to day is
reported cs much improved.
There wus some cannonading on the extreme right
and left during the morning, bat it amounted to noth
ing of importance.
A negro soldier, on infantry man, the first ever cap
tured by this army, was taktn near Brandy Station
yesterday, acd brought in here to-day. He says that
he belongs to the 27th Ohio, Burneide's corps.
The eneinv have been fortifying all day, as if to pre
vok Get. Lee to attack him.
foueth dispatch.
Orange C. Ii., May 8. Advices from the, front to
sunrise this mrrnirg leport that there was no general
engagement yepterday, only heavy skirmishing. Ihe
impretsion prevailed last n'ght that the enemy were
falling back towards Culpepper or Fredericksburg.
The nero troops occupying Brandy Station ad
vanced out to Culpepper C. H. Friday and occupied
t. Yesterday tbey went back to Brandy Station, set
fire to the store3 principally quartermaster's nd
then marched to j in Grunt.
Scouts say that the enemy have abandoned the line
of the Orange railway, and no cars are running cn it.
It 13 supposed that junt now intcnii to make 1 rea-
ricksburs bis base.
Ewell holds the read leading to Germanna Ford,bu:
the enemy issaid to have two fords by which to
recross the river to Culpeper if they wish.
Stuart was yesterday engaged with the enemy on
our right, and it we reported be wes compelled to give
back until Hampton joined him, when he forced the
euemy tc-retire.
The enemy a losses, thus far, are estimated at 18,000.
Ours will reach 7,000. The Yankee General Havs is
certainly killed. Wadsworth is wouaded and a prison
er he may recover. Oglet'y is reported killed.
twenty-four bucdred privates and one hundred eoim
missioned officers, thu3 far, have been registered here,
not including the Yankee wounded, of which we
captured some 1,500, chiefly in front 'of Hill and Lougi
street on Fru'ay.
Oar men began ye3ieiday evening to bury our own
and the Yankee dead.
Seigehxr iraied WiuchesLei' ou Friday with 5,000 jn-
fantry and 4 000 cavalry.
Ihe country between e Kappahanocic ana Potomac
is reported to be filled with Yankee deserters.
Gen. Longstreet's condition 18 much improved. lie
left for the iuterior to day.
Mosby captured two wagon trains, heavily laden and
horses attached, near Mar:inburg, on Thursday.
The la'est from tbe front, at 12 m., to day represent
the en-rmy lalling back towards Fredericksburg, and our
troops following tbem closely.
BY THE FUKDEilCKSBUttttTtlAIff
JLMUV1NCJ THE
-FITZL.EE
We learn from a letter received by the . Fredericks
burg train hast evening, that Fi:z L?e engaged the en
emy with Li.3 cavalry on Friday, acd egain oa Satur
day. In Saturday's fight, which took plaje at Todd's
I'avern in ripottlyvania couaty a few miles from the
Court House, he drove the enemy to Mitchell's Ford,
punishing tbem severely. Two captains aL.d forty
eignt privates, captured by Wiekham's brigade, were
Drought down oi the tr-in most of them belonged to
New Yoik regiments.
It wfes reported at Milf crd when the cars left, that
the cavalry wire fighting the enemy to-day.
'1 he report that the enemy tad cccnpicd Fredericks
barg, is without foundation. They have 'not been nepi
er at any time than five or eix miles &' the town.
Five oi cur , wounded were brought down on the
train. - - '
A spy, captured by our scouta was also brought
down.
The prisoners say that Barnside h&a two brigades
of negro troops this side of the JJapidan, and that they
are giving no quarter to our men who fall into their
bands.
From the Richmond Examiner, Jiay llth.
Tlie War Rwa.
FEOM GENERAL LEFTS ARMY.
Tbfre was cothinp official yesterday from Gen. Lfe'a
army, nor coa'd we learn anything on inquiry at the War
Department up to a late hour last n'ght. There were a
dozsu Tumors out last night, some cf tin unpleasant char
acer, but, we have reason to believe without any founda
tion in fact. A telegraph was received last night from tha
chief qnartermas er of Lee' army, giving ctrtAin direc
tions m his department, dated at Spotsylvania Court House
yesterday atten" on, and dispatched from Guinea's sta
tion, at five o'clock lat cveijiug, from v, h;ch it is plain
that Lee's line of c mmanicatiou is open, and tliat no dis
aster has befallen his army.
It is reported, on pretty good authority, that there bad
been some fighting near the Block Eouje, four milea of
Spottsylvania Court House, and that we had repulsed the
euemy aod were, at l-ist accouuTs, still driving him. Lee's
headquarters were reported to be at Shady Grcve, some
BiXteea miles from Fredericksburg.
A crentleman, who arrived last evening frcm Fredericks
burst, reports that ou Sunday evening, wlien he let, the
Vnkees were layiDg their pontoon across the river to the
8taffrd Heights, preparatory, as it was supposed, to their
crossing over hould4t become necessary.
Gret deoioralizutioa is tsaid to exist in Grant's army.
Icef.terday mornino: one man brought down .and delivered
orer to General Winder upwards of forty prisoners, who
had voluntarily surrendered to him, end asked to be brought
to headquarters, inese prisoners ay the country between
tbe Kapid Ann and Rappahannock is filled with deserters
estimating their number at several thousand.
THS SKBMY ON THK CENTRAL BAILBOAD THEY AR3 BSPOR
TED ADVAKCDSG Of TBE HANOVER JUNCTION.
Nothing positive has been heard of the work of the
Yankee raiders at Beaver Dam. It is supposed, however,
that evervthine there cars, locomotives. &a. were des
troyed. Altf-r completing th-fir worfe there, it ii supposed
tbe xanKees strucs iianover junction. At an early hour
yesterday a dispatch wan received ircm Col. Bradley T.
Johnson, stating that it was believed that they were ad
vancing acainBt that point: that f ome prisoners had been
captured who reported that the column was advancing
from Beaver Dam ; that they were some three thousand
strong, and under the command of Gen. Merrit.
Later accounts received from Col. Eradley Johnson re
ported that b had yesterday morning a skirmish wrrh the
Yankees, and captured several prihoaers, and tkat at 12
o'clock yeaierday there was a force of some two or three
thousand at Nsgro Foot, eight miles west of Hanover junc
tion, wha were resting and feeding their horses, with the
evident dasiga of making a raid cn same point. It was
reported that another columa was advancing -iron Beaver
Dam.
Another report last night was that the Yaukees, ten
thousand strong, were marchiog oa Richmond, and that
Fitzhugh Lee and Btuart were in close pursuit of them,
some two or three toz-s behind them. To impede their
pursuit the Yankee bad felled trees oa tteir " way, aud
were making a direct march onjhe city, 'ihis rumor pre
vailed extensively last night, and caused quite a sensation.
It is said that Fitzhugh Lee telegraphed last night that he
had good news wbica he would like to report, but he
could not do so at that time.
It is reported thit the whole cavalry force cf Grant's
xrm-o haa been detached, aud bai been sent nmnn-t to
make thia demonstration against the railroads and Bicirn
ruoad. .
A FIGHT AT DCBLIN DEPOT.
As we hinted sooie day ago aa likely to occur, Yankee
General Averill has etjirted out oa a raid against the Vir
ginia and Tennessee rai.way. A dispatch was received
eariy jeeterday that a portiou of his torces had struck the
raiiroad at Dablia Depot, and that a sharp light had ensued.
It is reported that our lorces under JeLkins were repulsed,
atd that he himself was wounded. We have no other par
ticulars of the fight that can be reiied on. There were
many rumors out last night about the affair, but we do not
think them worth repeating. . . ,.
A private dispatch, to u jvernor Smith reports that his
son, a Lieutenant-Colonel, was wounded in the fight, and
fell into tha hands oi the enemj. The. wound, iras ja tho
J thigh, and not d nperons, no boDe beinpr fractured. He
! waa reported to have been takeli to a private bonne, about
mree rone? iroin Dobiio, and was getting on qmte com
fortably. ,
MOVEMENTS" ON THK SOUTHS ID A S1IABP FIGHT.
Early yeB'erday mornioj? Gdneral Raniom Btrt-d out
from Drewry's B!uff, where be remained, for the ptirpoBe
of making a reconrfoUnance ia force of the enemy's posi
tion and Btrength. Taking Barton's and Gracey ' brigades
he proceeded to hunt the enemy, and soon found him iu
considerable f'rce between Drewry's Blnflf and Chester,
ab ut three miles from nre wry's Bluff
A sharp fight ensued. Barton's brigade was at one
junc'ure of the fizht thrown in some confusion, but they
soon rallied, and handsomely repuUed the enemy, driving
them tor some distance. Tbe enemy, left. In hs retreat,
some few pieces cf artillery, but as the bmbers were taken
away, our men could not carry them eff Alter pursuing
the eoetQi for some distance our men fell bTck to tbeir en
trenchments, occupying the same position as when tbey
started out.
We took some eighty prisoners, and cur loss was com
paratively Blight perhaps not over a hundred.
The enemy was touad to b? in large force. It U likely
that he is also receiving reinforcements from below. A
deserter who came in yesteiday (a youth who had former
ly resided in Richmond,) savs that he lauded at Bermuda
Hundreds on Monday. If this be true, it is clear that troops
are still arriving there.
From all icd catu ns the enemy is in large force on the
Southside, anl the m ivemens threatens to became a seri
ous one, yet we believe we are prepared to meet it.
THE VfiKY LITEST.
The very 'atet news last night (12 o'clock,) was that
the co umu of Yankee raiders said to be marching from
Hanover Junction on Richmond was at Dover Mills, on the
James river, eighteen miles above Richmond, eviden'ly de
termined to cui ihe canal, and, perhaps, to cross the river
and cut the Danville railroad. There was nothing bsBides
tbis up to ihe hour of putting our paper ta press.
. .
THE NKW3 OF THE F.'GHT OF YKETEHDAY ON THE SOUTH-
SIDE, AS GATHERED FKOM PKlt80S ON THS FIELD.
By invitation from Coiotiel Gill, the popular (Superin
tendent of the Petersburg railroad, one ot our reporters
formed one o! a party of Borne twelvfc cr fifteen gentlemen
which left the city yesterday atterroon iu a special traia
for a reconno'ssance over tne oid as far as C hester. -
Iney proceeded wr.hout encountering auvthmg of interest
a Ur ad the bridge over iurkUnd creek, a dis'ance of
sorue nine mil s irom 'he city. The.e they found the tim
ber on fire which had been tellad all through that country,
to clear tbe approach vf the ntveral lines ot fortifications,
scattered heie and there and covering acres in extent, and
the fUoits hissing and crackling in tie air. The fi e, fanned
by li e strong bre-.z j that blew.lrum th West, had been'
cmnmunica'ed to ti e bridge, acd he party, by the advice
of Mr. Gill, declined to crisis the bridge, fearing that it
mi. ht re wholly d ;stroyed before they could return. Af--er
a pause or a fw moments at the bridge, a lar&e num
ber ot troops were: saeu coming down the track ot the rail
road. Thoy proved to Le our men who were engaged in
;he tiht of ihf: morning, and from whom some very inter
esting particulate cf it were learned. ,
It appears that early yesterdaymorning General Ran
scm deie' irrnou io make a reconnois-aacs with two brig
ades fcr tho purpose ot a?certainmg the position aqd
fctrength of tl:e eu my. Froceodfng out tbey encountered
tbe enemy about two milea fromhe Half-Wiy House, be
tween lbs turnpike asd railroad. Here, about nine o'clock,
the fight commence! quickly. -General Kaufcom gallantly
commandii g iu persou. Our forcea consisted of Barton's
and Graceys brigades, Barton's brigade occupying the
right and left of ths turnpike, and Gracey'a still on thelett
of them. After a sharp tight tbe enemy was driven to his
fortifications, a diatauce of a mile aud a half. As soon as
retreat began, ths Ninth and Fitty-ihird Virginia dashed iu
upon tie euemy'a liuts making no lesa than two charges
aud finally pressed them baca to their fortifications. In
tho pursuit ol the enemy our men captured a battery and a
large number of t ntrencticg tools, but as the horses ot the
butery had been killed, the guns couid not be brought oil.
In a moment large nuuibers ot reiEforcements of tbe enemy
were seen coming up, and it being found that they were
attempting a flank movement, our men were lorced to fall
back.
Tbe object of the reconnoissance being accomplished,
and ihe.-nemy beiDg found in a position Btrongly fortified
and in great torce, our tr 'Ops retired. As they fell back
they repea'edly offered the enemy battle, but he dareJ not
to accept it nor venture t j f jJiow our troops out of reach
( f biM fortifi 'ations.
Our ttal loss was one hundred and fifty in killed and
wounicd. Moat ol tne woandud wre borne on the fiald
ty tho Ambulance Corps. Colonel Cabel of the Thirty
ehih Virginia, is reported mortally wouuded
Id priHOiier8 we c.iptured about a hundred, and lost, per
haps, Boruo fifty or eixty. The Yankee prisoners taken re
port that 'he forces t-ngazed onteirside were of Gil
more's C' lnmacd and principal y of the troopB withdrawn
trom before Charleston.
Ne cculd learn no'hirrgof the part Gracay's brigade
took, as ti e men with whom our reporter conversed all be
longed to Barton's brigade. We doubt not, however, that
tl eir participation was equally .Reliant ar.d successful.
Our troopB reported that no firms: had been be.rd during
the day ia the d rec'ion of Petersburg.
THU FIGHT LAST SATURDAY NEAR FOKT WALTHRALL JUNC
TION. We get some further and interesting particulars of the
fight lant Saturday near Fort Walthall junction, on the
raiiroad, about three miles and a half this tide of Peteib
bur?. Friday night eloped ia upon the opposing fores after
several hours of sharp skiriuish'ng. hatorday Morning at
Bunrise, found the two armies drawn up ia line of battle
aboui haif a tinle apart, ar d in full vinw of erch other
Oui loi ces oecup.ed the railroad to the right and left of
Mr Craig's rfs deLce, very near to the juueion, and the
Yankee occupied a position iu an adjacent field.
About eleven o'clock ekirmifching commenced, when the
Surry artHery, nucer Cip'ain Hankins, advanced several
hjinared yartis i front aud opened on tho enemy with
shell. This brought on a sharp tire between the iufatitry
cn our lettaud tho advauce cf tha enemy's right Bat in
r'air'.y miouies the firiug ou both fides ceased, except here
a d there a w ild shot from the enemy's artillery
Our lorces now made the railroad their lice of battle,
and about half pat two o'clock the encm opon.ed on
them with their artillery in front, and at the same time en
deav'urrd to turn our lei t. Thpy finally succeeded, by
overwhelming numbers, i reaching the railroad, but Gen
eral Hagood, with three Houth Carolina regiment, (the
Twenty-first, Twenty - fifth aud Tweuty seventh) advanced
and drove ihe enemy back to tbeir line in great confu
sion. The fighting continued until about 4 o'clock, and was
for the greater portion of the tiaie very severe, our brave
at d gallant men driving every thing before them.
Our troops were confronted by grea'lr superior ruar
bera, but th?y held their ground maufully. Their number
engaged was twelve or fifteen thousand. The eccmy ad
vanced in overwhelming numbers, fstirra'ed at one divi
sion and two brigades, upon that portion of our lino held
by General Hagcod's brigade. They were fn such num
bers a- to overlap our line, which enabled them to flank
and turn our extremi left. Tiiis forced Gen. Hsgood to
change his front, wnich he did successfully, but the move
ment necessitated the txpoeure of our officers and men,
and caused the heavy loan which wo sustained. The ene
my, however, were soon driven back, when the brave
Houth Carolinians re-occupied thjir original line, and held
it encceesfu'ly against two more assaults of the enemy.
Br gadier General Basbrod Johnson was the senior Bri
gadier in com rsnd, and is said to have behaved with much
coolness. Lieutenant General D. il. Hill waa alao on thu
ground.
It ia mentioned a? a somewhat singular coiccidenca, that
the ti'Otps ergaged oa tbe part of the enemy in thia fight
were the same troops that the brave South Caroliniani had
foukht so loeg on Morris and James Jsland, at Charleston.
Our loss iu the fiht of FrbJay and baturday, particularly
ia that of Baturday, was very severe, proving couclusivsly
that cur men lought with the utmoBt desperation. The
losa in officers is very large. In Gen. Hood's brigade, four
outj of seven field officers engaged in the fight were kled.
Among those killed and wounded we loam of tha following:
Lieutenaot-Cclokel Drgan, of the Twenty-first South
Carolina volunteers, killed in the engagement of Saturday;
Col. John U. .Fres-ley, severely wouaaed 1.1 tne lelt snonl
der ; Colonel Graham, of the Twenty-arpt booth Carotin a,
was wounded ia two places, not very severely ; Captaia
William K. Stoney, of General Hagood's btaff, supposed to
be mortally wounled : Lieutenant-Colonel of the Twenty
seventh ;-onth Carolina, (name forgotten.) waa eevertly
wounded in the head.
OCCUPATION OF FCET POWHATAN BY THE YANKBZS.
We mentioned ye&teiday tiat the 1'ankecf, iu coming up
the river, had landtd four thousand negroes at Fort Pow
hatan. At iaic&t accounts this fcrce Btill occupied that
post, and were greatly aunoying tne people in that neigh
borhood by patering and depredating in every direction
Fort Powhatan ia about twenty milea below City Point.
The river at that p. int is very nariow, tbe channel hugging
the south Ehore cicsely, avd tho banks very high and pre
cipitous.
EUaNlNS OF THE BRIDGE ON THE PETERSBURG AND WELDON
ROAD.
For prudential reasons wo lefrained from noticing tha
burning of the bridte ou the Petersburg and Weldon rail
road by the eremy, al'fcough we had information of it at
time. But now that it has beon made public, no harm can
come from giving sorae particulars cx it, which we have
been abie to obtain.
Ou Friday wg.t, after the battle cf that afternoon, ths
notorious Bpeare, with a body of cavalry, started out to
wards tbe source of the Blackwater river, and crossed at
a point where the stream is easily forded. Here he met
no opposition, and made a detour, which brought hira to
waKeueia depot, on the WoiloiK and Petersburg railroad,
where he stopped for the night. While there he did not
burn the depot, nor in'eiiere with private property, farth
er than t a Bteal horses, corn aud provender.
Lt an early hour Saturday the raiders started for Stony
Creek depot, on the VVeldon railroad, proceeding by way
ot Littleton and Sussex Court Hcuae. They reached Lit
tleton, Sussex county, about eleven o'clock, taking the
people by surprise. While at Littleton they searched all
the houses, Btole horsea, and broke open the postoffice
and destroyed all the letter. They also captured lour
wagons belonging to the Seventh Cavalry, two of which,
filled with bacon, were burnt. Two othere, containing
ammunition, the invaders carried ofi with them,
Tha party reached Stony Creek abaut two o'clock,
where they encountered a bridge guard of sixty South
Carolina troops, who offered defper&te resistance. After
a short fiht the guard waa captured, having lost ten ia
killed aad wounded, beven oi tne enzmy were killed.
Tbey burnt Fitzhuga's tavern at the creek, destroyed
the railroad bridge, and burnt the depot building wood
sheds, water tank, &c. The railroad employees and others
at Stony Creek made their escape, but all retreated in the
direction of Weldon. After remaining there some time,
rip ear e and his raiders tilted ofi;' in the direction of Notto
way River bridge, foar milts below : and said they were
going irom there oa to Jarratt's, Belfield, etc.
Later accounts Bay that Soeare and his raiders aia not
bnra the depot nor the tavern at btony Creek ; they did
bura-the bridge, wood sheds, bridge timbers, lumber and
o her articles belonging to tbe company, bucn corn as
they did not feed to the:.- horses the Yankees burnt. They
tore up but little of tbe traek. A shell passed through the
depot, and another boxsted la tne secoaa story ol the
t&Yera. .
The bridge guard, ajjty in number, got into the t.p of
the torn table, and foiHwo and a ba f hours. o&Vred rrm?t
gallant resistance. Tbey wer finally entirely surrnnnd' rt
and forced to eurrerder. Keren of the Yankee were kill
ed and several wounded Am org th killed wan a Lit Dt
John Mayes, wheae death Ppear deadly lamented, nixing
that he was ihe most efficient officer ia his command. Hat
one of the bridge guard was wounded, and he not fat illy
The dwelling ot Mr. tiee, n-ar the creek, ws burned b
the enemy. '
Account estimate the number of thia raiding party at
eighteen hundred or two thousand, althongh others think
they numbered at bat three thousand. They had six
pieces of artillery.
THS BNKMY'8 GUNB3ATS FATBOLLIKO TDK BIVB.
TBe enemy s foros are scattered throan th-i narrow
neck of land between the James river on the one side r ni
the Appomattox on the other. 1 Their point of disembark,
tioo oa the James river is Bormndi Hundreds, from whi -h
point their forces crossover to Port WiUt.atl orj trie An
pomatox. The ganboat patrol up and djwq each river
pssiiag down from Port Walthail to the m m'h of the t,l
pomattox.shelling on both Bida every Bp t 1 klto all rJ
ever to our sharpshooters. Tho fai-rny wai o a Vint deal
of ammunition ia this way, looking for 4,grey bacia" an!
"masked batteriei."
STOKY OF YANKEE DESERTERS FROM
THE ABUT ON TUB
' SuUTHPIDa.
Deserters are coming in rapidly from theeaemy cn the
Soutbfcide. Tney a'j have their storiea to telt They
represent that they lost very heavily ia killed and wounded
in the battle of hdturday etimtijg their lois at f.om
ore to two honssni.
They say tht great disatisfaetiou exist in tbeir army,
and that the chiel cause is the negro troops, several thou
sand beiug in the army nw at BermucU Hundreds. Thy
report that Butler caused a telegram to be read to ilia
troops early Saturday morning, stating that (iraat hid
gained a great victory over Lee; had driven him twen'y
miles, and at last acconca was sti.l driving him. Thisiu
famoua cfeeat, contrived by Butler to inspire the course
Jf his men, waB received with great applause, of course.
Desertera all eay that Giimore'i corp, recently opera
ting at Morris Inland and in Florida, accompany tbe expe
dition and that Butler commindd m person. We are in
clined to doubt thia. The craven coward would scarcely
muster nerve enough to take the fie'd. Besides, we ae
told by an efflcer who fame up on the last flig of true
that Bt:er returned to Fotress Monroe on last Friday
that be' came up to Bermuda Uucdreds, but atu-r ordering
certain dispositions of the troops he went down tho iiver..
Accounts are contradictory of his presence with 'he forces
now on the South&ide. but the question will probably be
soon decided by the even s now tr .spiring there.
THE FIGHT NEAR f POTSYLVANIA COCRT HC'USE SBtVSEN FI Z
HUGH LKB AND THE ENEMY.
From a gentleman (one of the true patrio!s of gthe w;ir.)
who participated aud wts wtunded in the battle near
Spottsylvania Court House, we have; an j&telligcnt and con
nected statement of the affair, of which there have buenso
many different versions.
It appears that the battle opened at Todd's tavern,
about a mile and a half above Bpotsylvania Court IIoue,
and lasted continuously from Thurnday to Hunday. The
forces on our side were a po ' iou of Genernl Fit zliugh L?o's
command, and consisted of Wiekham's aud Lomax'a brig
ades. The fight opened on TLu-sbiy evening, Lnmaxia
brigade engaging the enetay, and driving them biick some
dis-ance. During that Eight the fenem? took a strong po
sition, and on Friday the tight was renewed by W;ckjAtn's
brigade, (Lomx's being held m reerve that uayj a nine
in advance of the groaud occupied cn the day bn'ore. On
Hridav nicht the encmv fell back behind 10UJ a tavern,
their advauce being ported withiu a short diatanco or the
building. On Satnrdoy it became the turn of Lomax's brig-
auc id cugiiKc 1110 eucujjr, v,lbuualu uv,un u-w m v.
serve,) and the fight opened at an early hour and conti?
uee until ten o 'clued, when our forces fell back t) the old
bneBoccupied by them in the figbt of th. s.coad day. Lo
max held his position uatU evening, whea lie was forced
back by the enemy to the line held by us on the first dty,
in rear of a barricade across the road formed by tha fellirg
of trees. The enemy continued to prena us, and lu ro (Jen.
Fitzhugh Lee ordered up W ickbam'a brigade and threw out
skirmishers Wickham'a brigade deploviug the enemy ou
the right of the road leading frcm Todd's tavern to -pott-sjlvania
Court Hopsa, and Lomax's on the left, with Gone
ral Fitzhugh Lee commandiog in peraou and Dassing up
and down the lines, tie was sid to be very cool, and gave
orders to his men, who bad been dismounted lor the m ist
p .it in thia fight, owing to the dense forest and thvk na
dergrowth. net to fire until the enemy got witli'u thirty
yards of them. Then," continued he, take gnol aire,
and let them have it, and then 1 want on to go over, after
tt em." The tnmv continued to advance, wn- n (ienerai
Fitzhugh Lpo gave the order, iu a clear, distinct voice,
fire." Then ensued a most desperate and Biutibjrn
fight, resulting in the eremy being driven back. Our men
seeing that tbey had gained the d ty, gave here a yell
such as "rebels" only can when tho Yankeea broke and
ran, closely pursued by our men for a distance of half a
mile.
After this, on Saturday nigh, oti- forces withdrew from
the fatigue of battle, and the Third Virginia cavalry weio
ported as pickets at the barricade tor that night. Early
Hunday miming the Yankees Btroug'y rein'orced during
tho night, aUackc-d the Third Virginia cavalry oa post,wh
before the overwhelming numbeis of ihe euemy, continued
to fall back until supports could be brought u ). This was
quickly done, and the fight raged until Bevan o'clo 'k, wu-n
General hi'.zbogh Lee, seeing that bis force was too unall
to resist the enemy, who wers in very heavy force, with
both cavalry and infantry, bocan to retire in the direction
ol Hpotteylvania Court House, fallirig bick slowly and con
testing everv inch of ground. At this critical juncture,
about ten o'clock in the morning, a Urge force of pur in
fantry, under General Auderon came up and t-ucceeded in
repulsing the eaemy with great blaughtcr" aa General
Cice stated iu his official dispatch.
' The enemy fought with great a'ubbornets, for ho wus
fighting to carry an imDortant point to open his way cler
to Fredeiick.burg ' He had a very la'ge force two divl
sions of cavalry at d a brigade t f regulars all under tho
immediate command of General SedKWiCk.
Iu the fights of Friday and!aturday ol General Fitzhugh
Lee with the enemy, we captured nome eixty prisoner
among whim were Borne five or bix officers. Thuy report
their loss at some three tj four hundred. Our lt.si in tho
same tights was about two hundred aud li.ty in killed,
woundjd and missing.
Our officers are aid to have displayed the mast ecu
spicuous valor in this fight. All alori the lioes, amidst u
perfect hail of bullets, they rode cheering' oor mea ou to
victory. While iu tho act of leading his men on, wl.hhis
aim uplifted, Colonel Owens had a finger shot oil. Not
-tapping lor thia, he deliberat;!y drew hispistol with Lis
other hind and shot tbe ranker dead by his tide who had
juat fired on him. There is one instance of individval he
roism that deserves to be mentioned, la the thickest ot
the fight, when our lineB were wavering, and the ot p win:'
forces wbte within seventy five yards of each oilier, a
courier dashed between th"ra and cheered our men in
their charge. The name ot the brave young man we did
not learn.
The Examiner, of Wedaeaday, says, editorially: No
new battle has occurred in Northern Virginia, nnd there
are evidences of a wide and deep demoraiizatioa among
the Federal troops. But the Btrugg'8 ia tar 'rom beiu
over in that quarter. Grant must take or lose ail, and he
will not lenouuce the game until his lat shot is expended.
His real cumbers appear to have been equal to tbe highest
estimate placed upon them. When bo crossed tha Rapidan
there were two reports one that he came with a hundred
thousand, the other that he brought two hundred thousant
men. The latter statement appears to hive beeu tno
truth, for be could not otherwise nave coma to the scratch
again and agaiu, unless be possessed prodigious number
ot fresh troops.
Meantime the enemy have eent cut Btrorg raiding forces
in every direction, cutting the railroads leading to aod
from Richmond. Their policy Is evidently to prevent Leo
frcm receiving reinforcements or supplies, and 9- causn
hia retreat. The most important ot these force sis oqq
coLs sting of ttree divisions ol cavalry, which lant nigh
were at Isegrofoot, nineteen miles trom this c ty, aud ap
proaching it. That the telegraphic wires cf the ci'y de
fences were four times cut in twenty lour hours by thjir
emissaries, indicates an intention to attack the city if they
tiud tuemseives able to do so; and if they attack t all,
thsy will do bo this morning. Let every mas abo to lira
a gun, now to his post.
AVEBILL'S 3 VJJSIENTS IN P0UTH WESTERN VIU01KIA HE 13
WEIPPID A.T SALTTILLE.
A gentleman from,ScuthweBtern Virginia reached the city
on yesterday, hakgeome by tisltyille, Smyth ccunfy, at
which place a fight had occur red on Suuday bttween por
tions cf Jones' and Morgan's commandJ, tud the Yankee
raider, Averill, resulting in ib? complete defeat of tbe, lat
ter. Averill had made a descent upon Dubiia depot, .on
tne Virginia acd Tennessee railroad, driven out the small
force cf Confederates stationed there, and divided his
forca, BendiDg fliteen hundred to Baltviile to canture and
destroy the worfes. Thia body was mt by Morgan and
Jones, as above stated, and almost entirely demolished
A d -spatch was received here stating that a sou of Gov.
Smith, belonging to Jeukiou' command, received a sevcra
fleth wound in tne leg iu the engagement at Dublin depot.
The name deipaich confirms the report of victory.
DEATH OF CAPT. EARLY.
Capt. Robsrt Early, son of Dr. Hubert Early, of Ly.ich
burg, was killedin the battle of r-poTts.lvania on Thurtd iy
last. Capt. Early was the adjutant general of Gm, J. M.
Jonae, who was also killed. v
From the Richmond Examiner, May 12th.
HOVEMKSrSO.V THK SOUTH-SIUB,
The news of the rooming yesterday was the report, sort
ed late on tha night before, bat the Yankees, in heavoy
column were in full speed for Richmond, with Stuart end
Fitziugh Lee close on their tracks. Rumour reported
them ia great force, and the accouaw, if oae believed hut
half what he heard, nude it a very serious matter. Report
quickly followed report, that the demonstration was Dot
xuerely a raid, but that the enemy w.ia ia Une t jrco with
olid columns of cavalry and artillery ; chat th-y were
marching on Richmond, obstructing ti e roods behind them
by felling trees' to iupede pursuit; that tbey were bu' a
few miles off, and that it was doubtless a movement plan-
ned by Giant to "take llfchmona. ine matter grew e-
rious for tha while. Tha millitary authorities Beemed to be
impressed by tha alarm, and active measures wre at once
taken for the defence of the city. Soon a'ter daylight, tho
Governor, prompted by information that bad reach d him,
issued the following stirring appeal to tne Citiz9tis ol Rich
mond, which was Boon circulated and posted through the
city :
to tne vmzernx of me ars
and the People of Richmond :
"The enemy are undoubtedly upprocLcmr.'j the city, and
may be expected at any hour, witu a view to i s capture,
its pillage, and its destruction. The strongest canitiuera-
tions of self aud duty to the country, callts every man to
arms I A duty which none can refute without dishonor.
Ail persons, therefore, able to wield a muiket. wiil imme
diately assemble upon the Tublic Square, where a rogl-
meet win De louod in arms, anu arouuu wnicu bii can ral
ly, and where the requisite directions will be given for
arming and iquippiLg ttiose who tespond to this can.
'rue Uovemor .connaenwy reue mil mis epii.
not be made in Tain.
'William pmitii,
KSovemor ot Virginia."
Uot waa kth9 appeal ia Tifa. Ic a short tha? tho entirp