The 9th corps, under Gen. Burnside, was encamped at Warrenton. On May 1st he issued the following address to his troops: HEADQUARTERS 9TH ARMY CORPS, The General commanding publishes the following instructions to the men just entering the service of the country. He expects that every old soldier who has learned their value by experience, will join in impressing their importance on those who are now to share with him the honor of a soldier's life. On the march no soldier should quit the ranks, on any pretence whatever, without permission of his commanding officer. The army is about to move into the country of an active enemy, with no friendly force behind or near it, and every straggler runs the risk of Libby Prison or a bullet. No soldier should leave camp without his musket; nor, on any consideration, whether on the march or in action, take off the haversack, canteen, or cartridge box. He should sleep with his arms within reach. Washing the feet at night, soaping the stockings, and greasing the shoes will prevent foot-soreness. Cavalry and artillery should husband their forage. Every soldier should endeavor to make his rations hold out longer than the time for which they were issued. A little saving may save a day's starving. It is well to make little bags, or some secure packages, for coffee, salt, and sugar. If mixed in the haversack they become worthless. Blankets and overcoats should never be thrown away, no matter how tired or hot one may be. Cold nights follow hot days. The chief point in health and comfort is to sleep warm. At the same time the recruit should not overload his knapsack; by endeavoring to carry many comforts he may be compelled to throw away all. He should never waste a cartridge nor a cap; the time may come when every one will tell. When on picket duty he must remember that the safety of the whole army may depend upon his vigilance. He should observe and report every unusual sound. If attacked he must remember that a cool and determined party, acting on the defensive and properly protecting themselves, can keep at bay many times their number, and thus give time to their comrades to form and come to their support. In action he should keep cool, not loading in haste, but tearing the cartridge and pouring in all the pow. der before putting in the ball. He should aim deliberately, aim low, and pull the trigger slowly. One shot in five minutes, well aimed, is better than five in a minute without aim. He should never leave the ranks to carry off the wounded without permission of his officer; the ambulance attendants will take care of them, and he must feel that his first duty is to stand by his comrades in the fight. Spies and persons in citizen's dress found lurking in our lines with hostile intent, should be immedi ately turned over to the Provost Guard. Prisoners of war, wounded or not, should be treated with that soldierly kindness and consideration which the 9th corps has always honorably shown, and which is due to an open enemy. The General Commanding desires to express to the 9th corps that he feels the same confidence in them now that he has ever felt in times past, and has ever found just cause for feeling. He believes that they will do their duty thoroughly and heartily on all occasions and under all circumstances. By command of Maj.-Gen. BURNSIDE. EDWARD M. NEILL, Ass't Adj.-Gen. Acting as a reserve upon the advance of the army Gen. Burnside followed to the banks of the Rapidan, but did not cross over. The army of Gen. Lee consisted of three corps under Lieut.-Gens. Longstreet, A. P. Hill, and Ewell, and occupied a position around Orange Court House, south of Culpepper Court House. The plan of Lieut.-Gen. Grant in his advance upon Richmond was to follow a line nearly corresponding to the route of the Fredericksburg and Richmond railroad, making his base at Aquia Creek. For this purpose he moved down the right of the position of Gen. Lee, and was prepared either to accept a battle from him on the Rapidan or to continue his march to Spottsylvania Court House. But Gen. Lee would not consent to be outflanked, and ultimately endanger his railroad communication with Richmond. He, therefore, prepared to resist the progress of Lieut.-Gen. Grant, and commenced a rapid movement of his forces parallel with the course of the river. Lieut.-Gen. Longstreet's corps started from Gordonsville, Lieut.-Gen Hill took the plank road, and Lieut.Gen Ewell the old turnpike which joins the plank. The two latter arrived in front of Lieut.Gen. Grant's forces on Thursday morning. Early on that morning his forces began to move. The 5th corps, under Maj.-Gen. Warren, advanced from its position near Wilderness Tavern along the roads leading to Orange Court House, five miles to Parker's Store. It is here that the Germania Ford road debouches into the old turnpike. This point is in Spottsylvania county, about eight miles above Chancellorsville, and twenty below Orange Court House. The whole face of the country in that neighborhood is thickly covered with an undergrowth of field pines, cedars, and scrub oaks, and therefore utterly unfit for the use of cavalry or artillery. Maj.-Gen. Sedgwick with the 6th corps was to follow, and Maj.-Gen. Hancock with the 2d corps was to stretch southwesterly from Chancellorsville toward Shady Grove Church. Gen. Sheridan covered the extreme left beyond Maj.-Gen. Hancock, with_the_object of finding the enemy's cavalry under Gen. Stuart. The effect of these movements was to bring Maj.-Gen. Sedgwick on the right, Maj.Gen. Hancock on the left, and Maj.-Gen. Warren in the centre of the line extending nearly five miles. The centre was thrown a little forward, the wings not having reached the best position, and then the action commenced. At noon, Gen. Griffin, whose advance had been driven in, was ordered to push the 1st division of the 5th corps out to the right and left of the turnpike and feel the enemy. An advance of less than a mile, stretching across the turnpike, brought them in contact with the enemy under Lieut.-Gen. Ewell, posted on a wooded declivity. A sharp engagement ensued for an hour, when the pressure of the enemy could no longer be resisted. Gen. Griffin's division was driven back, leaving two pieces of artillery in the enemy's hands. The 4th division, under Gen. Wadsworth, and the 2d, under Gen. Robinson, now advanced, relieving Gen. Griffin, and holding the enemy in check. The Federal loss was about one thousand men. The next movement of the enemy was to press between the corps of Gens. Warren and Hancock on the left centre. Here the contest commenced about 3 P. M. In anticipation of this movement Gen. Hancock's advance had been checked, and his corps was rapidly moving to close the gap between it and the centre. One division of the 6th corps, under Gen. Getty, had been detached and moved to the left, taking position on the right of the Orange Court House plank road. The advance, consisting of the 1st brigade of the 2d division of the 2d corps, had scarcely formed a junction with Gen. Getty, when the enemy, belonging to Lieut.-Gen. Hill's corps, made a powerful attack upon them. The position was held with the utmost obstinacy. Meanwhile the remainder of Gen. Hancock's corps arrived and attacked on the enemy's front and right. The divisions of Gens. Birney, Barlow, and Gibbons, took an active part, and the contest became exceedingly bloody. Such was the nature of the undergrowth that there was little opportunity to use artillery. The furious fire of the enemy's musketry was seldom surpassed. After the contest had stubbornly continued for two hours, a portion of Gens. Wadsworth's and Robinson's divisions of the 5th, moved out to turn the flanks of Gen. Hill's corps. The contest continued here until late in the night, and closed with a loss of a thousand killed and wounded, among whom was Gen. Alexander Hayes. The effort of the enemy to penetrate the left centre failed. On the right the fighting commenced with an attack by Gen. Sedgwick, who advanced his line. In the afternoon the enemy advanced to drive him back, during which they made a desperate effort to turn his right. In this extremity he sent a request to Gen. Burnside, who had that day crossed over, to close up and assist him. At this time the attack of the enemy was repulsed, but near nightfall it was renewed again with great vigor. A most desperate engagement ensued, which continued until two hours after dark, when the indecisive conflict closed. Three hundred of the enemy had been taken prisoners, and they in turn claimed the capture of a thousand during the day. The following is Gen. Lee's despatch: HEADQUARTERS ARMY Northern VIRGINIA, May 5, 1864. Hon. Secretary of War: The enemy crossed the Rapidan at Ely's and Germania Fords. Two corps of this army moved to oppose him, Ewell's by the old turnpike and Hill's by the plank road. They arrived this morning in close proximity to the enemy's line of march. A strong attack was made upon Ewell, who repulsed it, capturing many prisoners and four pieces of artillery. The enemy subsequently concentrated upon Gen. Hill, who with his and Wilcox's divisions, successfully resisted the repeated and desperate assaults. A large force of cavalry and artillery on our right were driven back by Rossan's brigade. By the blessings of God, we maintained our position against every effort until night, when the combat closed. We have to mourn the loss of many brave officers and men. Gallant Brig.-Gen. J. M. Jones was killed, and Gen. Stafford, I fear, mortally wounded, while leading his command with conspicuous valor. R. E. LEE. VOL IV.-7 A No despatch was sent from Lieut.-Gen. Grant. During the day the 9th corps, under Gen. Burnside, had come upon the field after a forced march. It was distributed as occasion required on the right, right centre and left centre. The Federal line continued substantially as during the day, stretching northwest and southeast, nearly parallel to a line from Germania Ford to Chancellorsville. Gen. Grant had thus been successful in covering the fords by which all his teams were yet to pass, and which it was absolutely necessary to keep open in order to preserve his line of communication, and which were threatened by the rapid and bold movement of Gen. Lee from west to east. On the next day, Friday, May 6th, the battle consisted of a succession of fierce attacks made by each side. Both had more or less intrenched their positions by felling timber and covering it with earth, or with slight earthworks. An advance had been ordered on the right, at 5 A. M., by Gen. Grant, but before it took place the firing of the pickets had commenced and increased until six o'clock, when the engagement became general. The interval of ground between the opposing lines was fought over in some places as many as four or five times, the combatants driving each other in turn from the opposite lines of rifle-pits. Gen. Seymour with a provisional division on the extreme right, and Gen. Wright's 1st division of the 6th corps, next adjoining, were first engaged, and Gen. Ricketts' was next involved. An effort made on the part of the enemy to flank was repelled, and the line pushed a few hundred yards ahead, but without any decisive advantage. At 8 and half-past 10 o'clock the right was again pressed by the enemy. The firing at each period extended all along the line. The efforts of the enemy appeared to be intended to break through the separate corps. The gaps, however, were closed by the 9th corps. Earthworks were thrown up whenever and wherever practicable, and proved to be of invaluable service. On the left the engagement commenced at the same time as on the right. Gen. Hancock pressed the enemy some distance, until being reënforced they held their ground. Soon a severe assault was again made on the left, followed up along the line with such vigor as nearly to involve the whole in confusion. Reënforcements from Gen. Burnside checked the advance of the enemy, and relieved the left and centre. Before noon Gen. Wadsworth, commanding the 4th division of the 5th corps was shot in the forehead and instantly killed. At noon the contest was comparatively suspended, and Gen. Grant concentrated his lines, interposing the greater part of Gen. Burnside's corps between Gens. Warren and Hancock. The left was also brought forward a little toward the centre from the Brock Road, to which it had been driven. These movements had hardly been completed when the forces of Gens. Longstreet and Hill renewed the attack on the left and centre with great fury, and drove them back. The fight was fiercest at the junction of these two corps and Gen. Crawford's 3d division of the 5th corps. Gen. Carr's 4th division of the 2d corps, and Gen. Stevenson's division of the 9th corps, suffered the most heavily. The latter division being on Gen. Hancock's right gave way, and the enemy rushed through the gap. Their advance was checked by an attack on the flank by Col. Carrol's brigade of Gen. Hancock's corps, and they retired with much loss. The centre and left then recovered their former position. Toward night the battle was renewed on the right. The assault of the enemy was sudden and furious, and the 2d brigade of the 3d division, under Gen. Seymour, on the extreme right, was panic-stricken, and, with Gen. Shaler's brigade, were overwhelmed and their commanders captured. Gen. Seymour had taken command of this brigade only on the previous night, and did every thing that skill and bravery could effect. The whole right wing, if not the whole army, was now in peril. Gen. Sedgwick, however, rallied and held his troops, thus saving the army from the threatened destruction. The enemy, not perceiving the havoc which they had made, or not knowing the condition of the right wing, and exhausted with the severe efforts of the day, retired in the darkness which now prevailed. No further effort was made to cut off the army from Germania Ford, even when it was nearly successful. The loss on the right wing was about 6,000, of which 4,000 occurred during this assault of the enemy. The total of the two days' battles was estimated at 15,000. Among the killed were Gens. Hayes, Wadsworth, and Webb of Gen. Grant's army. Of the enemy's, Gens. Jones, Jenkins, and Pickett were killed, and Gens. Longstreet, Pegram, and Hunter severely wounded. Gen. Longstreet was struck in the neck below the Adam's apple. The ball passed along the clavicle, fracturing it, and came out on the shoulder, cutting some important nerves of the arm. He was unable to take the field until near the close of the year. At the close of the day both armies held substantially the same line as on the previous evening, and the intervening space was occupied by the dead and wounded. Gen. Grant had strengthened his left, and during the night preparations were made to strengthen the right, and to repair the disaster on that flank. During these two days Gen. Grant's cavalry had occupied a position covering the rear and left, and prevented flanking movements by the cavalry of the enemy. On Friday, as Gen. Hancock's corps advanced to battle, the enemy charged and captured several hundred of the 18th Pennsylvania cavalry. On Saturday, the 7th, brisk skirmishing ensued along the lines. Gen. Gordon's brigade of the enemy cut off the communication of Gen. Sedgwick with Germania Ford, and the latter was withdrawn toward Wilderness Tavern. Gen. Burnside's corps was moved out on the road to Spottsylvania Court House. It was evident in the afternoon that Gen. Lee was withdrawing his main force toward Spottsylvania Court House, and orders were issued to the surgeons in charge of the hospitals to remove their sick and wounded to Ely's Ford, and the supply trains were ordered to move in the night to the vicinity of Todd's tavern. Subsequently Fredericksburg was occupied by some of Gen. Grant's forces, and made a depot for the wounded and a basis for supplies. The following despatches were sent by Gen. Lee to Richmond: HEADQUARTERS ARMY NORTHERN VIRGINIA, } Honorable Secretary of War: yesterday evening and drove him from his rifle-pits. Gen. Gordon turned the enemy's extreme right Among the prisoners captured are Gens. Seymour and Shaler. A number of arms were also taken. The enemy has abandoned the Germania Ford road and moved his pontoon bridge toward Ely's. There has been no attack to-day-only slight skirmishing along the line. (Signed) R. E. LEE. HEADQUARTERS ARMY NORTHERN VIRGINIA, May 8. Honorable Secretary of War: The enemy have abandoned their position and are marching toward Fredericksburg. I am moving on the right flank. (Signed) R. E. LEE. During the afternoon a battle took place between the cavalry. The loss was about two hundred and fifty on each side. At dark the 2d corps began to move by way of Brock's road, followed by the 5th corps on the same route. Gens. Burnside and Sedgwick moved on the old Chancellorsville road, and arrived on the field near Spottsylvania at noon on Sunday. Gen. Warren reached a point about three miles from Spottsylvania Court House, after marching all of Saturday night. About the same time Gen. Ewell's corps, with a portion of Gen. Longstreet's, had arrived. A sharply-contested action ensued in a field to the left of the Brock road, which stretched away to the east, toward the Spottsylvania and Fredericksburg road. The country was rolling, and dotted here and there with thick groves of pine and cedar for the distance of a mile from the point where the Wilderness terminates in the open country. A contest between cavalry had taken place in front of Gen. Warren, and some artilÎery was seen, but it was inaccurately reported that there was no infantry. As the advance of Gen. Warren passed down the road, shells were thrown at it with great activity, and the enemy fell back, making only a slight resistance. On reaching a triangular clearing known as Alsop's farm, of a hundred acres, the artillery of the enemy was found to be stationed there. Beyond the clearing was Ny Run, a small stream affording no obstacle to the advance of troops. The wooded ground rises beyond in ridges. The Union batteries were stationed to the right, commanding those of the enemy. The infantry advanced through the clearing and came upon three lines of the enemy, the last of which was behind earthworks. Here the struggle took place with the greatest violence, and continued some hours, during which Gen. Warren held his ground. In the afternoon a brigade of the 6th corps came to his assistance, and the enemy were driven from their position. The Federal loss was thirteen hundred. Many officers were wounded, among whom was Gen. Robinson, who was shot in the knee. Several brigades lost their commanders, and the 4th Michigan was finally commanded by a first lieutenant. The 1st Michigan, two hundred strong, came out of the fight with twenty-three men. The day was intensely hot, and many suffered from sun-stroke. Monday was comparatively quiet in the morning, followed by cannonading and skirmishing, but no general battle. While superintending the mounting of artillery, Gen. Sedgwick was killed by a ball from a sharpshooter entering his head. The centre of the the line formed on Sunday was held by Gen. Warren, with the 2d corps, Gen. Hancock, on the right, and the 6th corps, Gen. Wright, lately Gen. Sedgwick, on the left. Toward night, on Monday, Gen. Grant ordered another advance on the enemy. The right, with Gens. Birney's and Gibbon's divisions in advance, followed by Gen. Carroll's brigade, crossed over to the south bank of a branch of the Po River. Here a severe battle with both infantry and artillery ensued. Each side alternately charged. At night the enemy held Spottsylvania Court House, and Gen. Hancock slowly retired his corps, after suffering heavy losses. During the day an attack, directed on Gen. Wilcox's division of the 9th corps, was met and repulsed. The following despatches from Mr. Stanton, the Secretary of War, relative to the preceding operations, were sent to the public press: WASHINGTON, May 8-9 A. M. To Gen. John A. Dix, New York: We have no official reports from the front; but the Medical Director has notified the Surgeon General that our wounded were being sent to Washington, and will number from six to eight thousand. The Chief Quartermaster of the army of the Potomac has made requisition for seven days' grain, and for railroad construction trains, and states that the enemy is reported to be retiring. This indicates Gen. Grant's advance, and affords an inference of material success on our part. The enemy's strength has always been most felt in his first blows, and his efforts having failed, and our forces, not only having maintained their ground, but preparing to advance, lead to the hope of full and complete success; for when either party falls back, disorganization by straggling and desertion commence, and the enemy's loss in killed and wounded must weaken him more than we are weakened. Nothing later than my last night's despatch has been received from Gen. Butler. A despatch from Gen. Sherman, dated at 5 o'clock P. M. yesterday, states that Gen. Thomas had occupied Tunnel Hill, where he expected a battle, and that the enemy had taken position at Buzzard Roost Pass, north of Dalton. Skirmishing had taken place, but no real fighting. Nothing later from Gen. Banks. You may give such publicity to the information transmitted to you as you deem proper. It is designed to give accurate official statements of what is known to the department in this great crisis, and to withhold nothing from the public. EDWIN M. STANTON, Secretary of War. WASHINGTON, May 8-5 P. M. Maj.-Gen. John A. Dix, New York: We are yet without any official despatches from the Army of the Potomac, except those referred to this morning from the Medical Director and Chief Quarby the Department from any other source. It is betermaster, and nothing additional has been received lieved that no fighting took place yesterday. A part of the wounded arrived in ambulances this morning at Rappahannock Station, and are on the way in by railroad. The Department will probably receive despatches by that train, which will arrive tonight. A despatch from Gen. Butler, just received, and which left him yesterday, states that a demonstration had been made by his forces on the railroad between Petersburg and Richmond, and had succeeded nection; that there had been some severe fighting, in destroying a portion of it, so as to break the conbut that he had succeeded. He heard from a rebel deserter that Hunter was dangerously wounded, Pickett also, and Jones and Jenkins were killed. Nothing further has been heard from Gen. Sherman. EDWIN M. STANTON, Secretary of War. WASHINGTON, May 9-10:45 A. M. Maj.-Gen. John A. Dix: We have intelligence this morning, by agents direct from the army, as late as Saturday evening, but no official reports. The general result may be estimated as a success to our arms. known in modern times. The fighting on Friday was the most desperate I deeply regret to say that the country will have to mourn the death of that accomplished soldier, Brig.Gen. Wadsworth, who was struck in the forehead by them against one of the enemy's strongest positions. a ball, at the head of his command, while leading His remains are in our hands in charge of Col. Sharpe. Gen. Webb was wounded. Gen. Jones, of the rebel army, was killed. most admirable. Their cool, determined courage, has The condition of our army is represented to be in every instance proved too much for the desperate fury of the rebels, who have been driven at all points. There has been no straggling. At the latest accounts Hancock was pushing forHouse, and yesterday heavy cannonading was heard ward rapidly, by the left, to Spottsylvania Court at Aquia Creek from that direction. 7th Pennsylvania reserves, charged through an abatis We have lost some prisoners. One regiment, the of the enemy, but were unable to get back, and most number of prisoners, supposed to be more than we of them were captured. We have also taken a large lost. The wounded had not yet arrived at the point where the trains were to receive them. The Medical wounded. Artillery was not used on either side the Director reports that a large proportion are slightly last two days. There is nothing later from Gen. Butler than the dates of my last despatch. Gen. Sherman was heard from last night. He had been all day reconnoitring the enemy's position, and would attack to-day. EDWIN M. STANTON, Secretary of War. Maj.-Gen. John A. Dix: vance on their (Gen. Grant's) part has been repulsed. He states that our forces attacked them and caused some confusion. Gen. Wadsworth's body fell into their hands; but our reports this morning state that it is now in our possession, under charge of Col. Sharpe, as stated in my first despatch this morning. The belief here is that Lieut.-Gen. Grant is achieving a complete victory. EDWIN M. STANTON, Secretary of War. Maj.-Gen. John A. Dix: EDWIN M. STANTON, Secretary of War. The last official despatch. WASHINGTON, May 9-4, P. M. A bearer of despatches from Gen. Meade's headquarters has just reached here. He states that Lee's army commenced falling back on the night of Friday. Our army commenced the pursuit on Saturday. The rebels were in full retreat for Richmond by the direct road. Hancock passed through Spottsylvania Court House at daylight yesterday. Our headquarters at noon yesterday were twenty miles south of the battle field. We occupy Fredericksburg. The 22d New York cavalry occupied that place at eight o'clock last night. The depot for our wounded is established at Fredericksburg. EDWIN M. STANTON, Secretary of War. The President, on the 9th, also issued the following proclamation: EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, May 9, 1864. To the Friends of Union and Liberty: Enough is known of the army operations within the last five days to claim our especial gratitude to God. While what remains undone demands our most sincere prayers to and reliance upon Him (without whom all human effort is vain), I recommend that all patriots, at their homes, in their places of public worship, and wherever they may be, unite in common thanksgiving and prayer to Almighty ABRAHAM LINCOLN. God. The excitement produced throughout the North by these despatches was very great. Washington also was almost wild with enthusiasm over what was regarded as a great victory achieved by the Army of the Potomac over the army under Gen. Lee. In the evening the feelings of the people found vent in a congratulatory visit to the President, which is thus reported: "A procession was formed in front of Willard's Hotel about half-past eight this evening, headed by the band of the 27th Michigan regiment, and proceeded to the White House. After several patriotic airs had been performed by the band, in response to the cheers and calls of the multitude assembled, the President came forward, and was introduced to the people by Senator Foster, of Connecticut. "He returned his thanks for the compliment paid him, and said that we had won a great victory, for which we should return thanks to the Almighty, who had smiled upon and blessed our efforts, and also to Gen. Grant and his brave officers and soldiers, to whose heroism and sacrifices we were indebted, under Provi dence, for this triumph. We had won a great victory, but we must not be prematurely sanguine, for although much had been done, there was a great deal of work yet to do before the rebellion could be suppressed and the Union restored. There was one thing which he desired to say to them, and that was, that while Gen. Grant had met with stubborn resistance, he had not been forced back in the slightest degree from the line upon which he had started, and was now moving forward upon the line which he had marked out before the movement commenced. He had every confi- · dence in Gen. Grant, and believed that he would accomplish the great work which he had yet to do. "Enthusiastic cheers were given for the President, Gen. Grant, Gen. Meade, and our brave armies, after which the crowd retired in a quiet and orderly manner." The thanksgiving recommended by the President was very generally observed by the churches on the following Sunday. As an instance, the rector of Trinity Church, New York, issued the following: TRINITY RECTORY, May 18, 1864. The reverend the clergy of this parish are requested, on the approaching feast of Whitsunday, to offer solemn thanksgivings to Almighty God for the answer to the prayers of his people, and for the great mercies extended to this nation by His Divine Providence during the past week. The form of thanksgiving set forth and authorized by the Bishop of this diocese will be used immediately after the general thanksgiving, at each service during the day. MORGAN DIX, Rector of Trinity Church. The following is a report of the manner of observance: After the usual initial exercises had been gone through, the prayer for victories, to be found in the prayers at sea in the Episcopal book of common prayer, was read. Dr. Vinton then ascended the pulpit and preached the sermon, taking his text from St. John, seventh chapter and thirty-ninth verse:-"The Holy Ghost is not yet." The preacher only briefly. alluded to our victories in the course of his discourse. He said that the day of Pentecost had again dawned on the world; but the anniversary of the Christian year came that day, not ushered in like the fast days of the world formerly, but with the booming of cannon and hurrahs echoing in the air, and the rejoicing which all the people of this land were now expressing for their victories. The rest of the preacher's discourse was strictly confined to remarks on the coming of the Holy Ghost, and in conclusion he said we should now especially give God thanks for all the favors we have received at His hands. |