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.
WASHINGTON, May 9-4 P. M.

Maj.-Gen. John A. Dix:
Despatches have just reached here direct from
Gen. Grant. They are not fully deciphered yet, but
he is "on to Richmond." We have taken two thou-
sand prisoners.

EDWIN M. STANTON, Secretary of War.

The last official despatch.

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), 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 confidence 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 13, 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.

here to-night. [A ball entered his eye and passed through his head, killing him instantly.] represented to be in excellent condition, and with ample supplies.

The army

Gen. Robinson and Gen. Morris are wounded. No other casualties to general officers are reported. Gen. H. G. Wright has been placed in command of Sedgwick's corps.

Gen. Grant did not design to renew the attack today, being engaged in replenishing from the supply train, so as to advance without it.

EDWIN M. STANTON, Secretary of War. On Tuesday morning, the 10th, Gen. Grant's forces occupied substantially the same position as on the previous day. His line stretched about six miles on the northerly bank of the Po, and took the general form of a crescent, the wings being thrown forward. The 2d corps, across the Po, now held a line on the right, nearly parallel to the road from Shady Grove Church to the Court House. The 5th corps held the centre, being on the east side of the Po, and the 6th corps held the left, facing toward the Court House. Further on the left was the 9th corps, under Gen. Burnside. Several batteries covered the right and others the left centre. In front was a dense forest. The enemy held Spottsylvania and the region north of the Court House. His left rested on Glady Run, sweeping northward and sheltered by strong works long before made in anticipation of this emergency. His right curved in a similar direction, and rested on the Ny River, and his centre, a little thrown forward from the right and left centres, was posted on commanding ground. His position was well supported by breast works, and along the centre was the forest and underbrush, lining a marsh partially drained by the run. The conflict opened in the morning by a terrific fire of artillery, which was incessant during all the forenoon. A most vigorous and gallant attack was then made by the 5th corps, and by Gens. Gibbons' and Birney's divisions of the 2d corps, on the centre of Gen. Lee's army. The losses of Gen. Grant were most severe in the repeated charges by which the enemy was driven to his rifle-pits. Brig.Gen. Rice, commanding the 2d brigade of the 4th division of the 5th corps, was killed at this time. In the mean time the enemy had attacked and turned Gen. Barlow's division of the 2d corps, on the right; but it was finally extricated without great loss. Toward the close of the day a most energetic assault was made along the whole line, in which the enemy's works were scaled, and more than a thousand prisoners taken, with several guns, by Gen. Upton's 1st brigade of Gen. Wright's 1st division of the 6th corps, which was in the advance of this onset. His position being too far in advance of the residue of the army to be held, he was compelled to fall back with the prisoners which he had taken. The Federal losses throughout the day were estimated to exceed ten thousand; and the total loss thus far, thirtyfive thousand. The enemy's loss was supposed to be equally severe.

The following despatches from the Secretary

works.

The 6th corps, under Gen. Wright, had carried the first line of the enemy's rifle pits.

There had been heavy skirmishing during the day. Our wounded had reached Fredericksburg, and during the night some were brought up to Washington. The Surgeon General reports that ample supplies of nurses, surgeons, and medical stores have gone forward.

There has been nothing heard from Gen. Sherman or Gen. Butler since my last despatch of yesterday. EDWIN M. STANTON, Secretary of War. WASHINGTON. May 11-11:30 P. M

Maj. Gen. John A. Dix:
Despatches from Gen. Grant, dated at 8 o'clock
this morning, have just reached this department.
He says:

"We have now ended the sixth day of very hard 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 five thousand prisoners in battle, while he has taken from us but few except stragglers.

propose to fight it out on this line, if it takes all summer." The Government is sparing no pains to support him. EDWIN M. STANTON, Secretary of War. The following despatch of Gen. Lee was sent to Richmond:

SPOTTSYLVANIA COURT HOUSE, VIA GURNEY'S,
May 10, 1864.

The Honorable Secretary of War:

Gen. Grant's army is intrenched near this place, on both sides of the Brock road. Frequent skir mishing occurred yesterday and to-day, each army endeavoring to discover the position of the other. To-day the enemy shelled our lines and made several assaults with infantry against different points, particularly on our left, held by Gen. R. H. Anderson, The last, which occurred after sunset, was the most obstinate, some of the enemy leaping over the breastworks. They were easily repulsed, except in front of Gen. Doles' brigade, where they drove our men from their position, and from a four-gun battery there posted. The men were soon rallied, and by dark our line was reestablished and the battery recovered.

A large body of the enemy moved around our left on the evening of the 9th, and took possession of the road about midway between Shady Grove Church and the Court House. Gen. Early, with a part of Hill's corps, drove them back this evening, taking one gun and a few prisoners.

Thanks to a merciful Providence, our casualties have been small.

Among the wounded are Brig.-Gens. Hayes and H. H. Walker.

R. E. LEE.

On the next day, Wednesday, the 11th, the position of the two armies was nearly the same as on the previous day. The enemy still held and covered the town with a crescent-shaped line. Their centre was very strong and posted securely, with rifle-pits in front and the strip of forest covering it, well guarded with lines of skirmishers. During the morning there was a brisk skirmishing, which died away at noon.

Some reconnoitring movements were made, and the enemy, apprehending an attack on their left, moved artillery from their right to left, toward the point threatened. During the afternoon rain fell for the first time since the army moved. It was determined during the day to make an assault early the next morning on the enemy's left, where their batteries were so strongly posted as to annoy Gen. Grant's lines. The 2d corps was selected to make this movement. Soon after midnight, in the darkness and storm, Gen. Hancock changed the position of his corps from the extreme right to the left, filling up the space between Gens. Wright and Burnside. It was then near ground well commanded by the enemy, and requiring a quick advance in the morning.

On Thursday the 12th, at the dawn of day, veiled by the twilight and by a dense fog, the 2d corps moved up to the enemy's lines. Gen. Barlow's 1st division and Gen. Birney's 3d division formed the first line; Gen. Gibbon's 2d division and Gen. Mott's 4th formed the second line. The advance of Gen. Barlow marched in column of battalions doubled on the centre. As the corps moved over the rugged and woody space intervening the excitement increased, until it broke out in a rush at the hostile intrenchments. These the corps leaped, with loud cheers, and dashed among the astonished enemy, compelling their surrender in mass. An entire division was surrounded, and officers and men captured. Three thousand prisoners and two generals-Maj.-Gen. Edward Johnson and Brig.-Gen. G. H. Stewart-were taken. So complete was the surprise that the hostile officers were taken at their breakfast, and within an hour after the start of the corps Gen. Hancock reported as follows: "I have captured from thirty to forty guns. I have finished up Johnson, and am now going into Early." The second line of rifle-pits was immediately stormed, and after a stubborn resistance wrested from the enemy. A heavy cannonade then commenced all along the line, to which the enemy replied with the utmost spirit. The whole line now pressed up to support the 2d corps. The 9th corps rushed in on the extreme left, converging toward the penetrated space, and joined its right to the left of the 2d corps. The 6th corps advanced against Gen. Ewell's left, and on the extreme right Gen. Warren's corps became hotly engaged. About 9 o'clock the enemy began to charge desperately upon the 2d and 9th corps, to recover the lost works. For three hours a bloody fight continued. At noon, however, they abandoned for a time the attempt to retake the position so obstinately held. But the further advance of Gen. Hancock had been successfully checked. Most of the captured cannon were covered by the guns of the sharpshooters, and neither party were able to bring them off. Meantime the right and centre had charged the enemy's position with great intrepidity, but without success, his position being found impregnable. Every ave

nue of approach was swept by a most destructive fire of artillery, and his force was strong enough to hold the position against twice the attacking numbers.

Gen. Meade now sought to turn the enemy's right; and after a temporary lull in the afternoon, began to crowd his troops down toward the left, still keeping up his artillery and infantry fire. The rain began to fall at noon, but the carnage went on until night. The enemy finding that the Federal right had been merely holding him in front from reenforcing his right, and had now abandoned his front, also concentrated on his right. Every inch of ground was fought over with desperation. The dead and wounded lay thickly strewn along the ground, and heaped up where the fight was hottest. After fourteen hours, night fell on one of the severest contests of the war. The movement of Gen. Hancock in the morning was the first decided success of the campaign, having secured an advance of a mile in the line at that point. About three thousand prisoners were reported to be captured. The loss in killed and wounded was estimated at ten thousand, and that of the enemy was supposed to be equally severe. The artillery which had been captured remained on disputed ground, and was subsequently withdrawn by the enemy.

On Friday the 13th it was soon apparent that the enemy had withdrawn his main force on the left, by falling back to a new defensive position. The storm increased, and rendered the roads very heavy. Skirmishing and artillery firing were kept up by small bodies of the troops during the day. At noon Gen. Meade issued the following address to his army:

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, May 13, 1864. SOLDIERS! The moment has arrived when your

commanding officer feels authorized to address you

in terms of congratulation.

For eight days and nights, without almost any intermission, through rain and sunshine you have been fighting a desperate foe in positions naturally strong, and rendered doubly so by intrenchments. tions on the Rapidan, to retire and to attempt to You have compelled him to abandon his fortificastop your progress, and now he has abandoned the last intrenched position, so tenaciously held, suffering in all a loss of eighteen guns, twenty-two colors, eight thousand prisoners, including two general officers. Your heroic deeds, noble endurance of fatigue and privation, will ever be memorable. Let us return thanks to God for the mercy thus shown us, and ask earnestly for its continuance.

be pursued, and, if possible, overcome. and fortitude you have displayed render your Commanding General confident that your future efforts will result in success.

Soldiers! Your work is not over. The enemy must The courage

While we mourn the loss of many gallant comrades, let us remember that the enemy must have suffered equal if not greater losses.

We shall soon receive reënforcements which he cannot expect. Let us determine, then, to continue vigorously the work so well begun, and, under God's blessing, in a short time the object of our labors will be accomplished.

(Signed) GEORGE G. MEADE, Major-Gen. Commanding. Official: S. WILLIAMS.

On Saturday the 14th, the enemy appeared to have fallen back a little, but to be still holding the Court House tenaciously. Gen. Meade's line finally stretched nearly at right angles across the Fredericksburg and Spottsylvania road, with Gen. Hancock's corps on the right, Gen. Burnside's 9th on the right centre, Gen. Wright's 6th on the left centre, and Gen. Warren's 5th on the left. The position of the enemy seemed to be a semicircular line of earthworks with rifle-pits here and there, well established on commanding heights, and the whole flanked right and left by dense woods. A part of the works appeared to be sodded, showing an old construction, and great activity was manifest in strengthening the position. Gen. Grant's forces soon commenced to throw up military works, and both armies were diligently at work with the spade. On the extreme left there was considerable fighting. In the afternoon Gen. Meade narrowly escaped capture or injury, being in a house near which the enemy made a sudden and unlooked-for charge. On this day Gen. Lee issued the following address to his army:

General Order No. 41.

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF NORTHERN VA., May 14, 1864. 1. The General Commanding takes great pleasure in announcing to the army the series of successes that, by the favor of God, have recently been achieved by our arms.

2. A part of the enemy's force threatening the Valley of Virginia, has been routed by Gen. Imboden and driven back to the Potomac, with the loss of their train and a number of prisoners.

3. Another body of the enemy under Gen. Averill, penetrated to the Virginia and Tennessee Railroad, at Dublin depot. A portion of his force has been dispersed by Gens. Morgan and W. E. Jones, who are in pursuit of the remainder.

4. The army of Gen. Banks sustained a severe defeat in Western Louisiana by the forces of Gen. Kirby Smith, and retreated to Alexandria, losing several thousand prisoners, thirty-five pieces of artillery, and a large number of wagons. Some of the most formidable gunboats that accompanied the expedition were destroyed to save them from capture.

5. The expedition of Gen. Steele into Western Arkansas has ended in a complete disaster. Northern journals of the 10th inst. announce his surrender, with an army of nine thousand men, to Gen. Price.

6. The cavalry force sent by Gen. Grant to attack Richmond has been repulsed, and retired toward the Peninsula. Every demonstration of the enemy south of James River has, up to this time, been successfully repelled.

7. The heroic valor of this army, with the blessing of Almighty God, has thus far checked the principal army of the enemy, and inflicted upon it heavy losses. The eyes and hearts of your countrymen are turned to you in confidence, and their prayers attend you in your gallant struggle. Encouraged by the success that has been vouchsafed to us, and stimulated by the great interests that depend upon the issue, let every man resolve to endure all and brave all, until, by the assistance of a just and merciful God, the enemy shall be driven back and peace secured to our country. Continue to emulate the valor of your comrades who have fallen, and remember that it depends upon you whether they shall have died in vain. It is in your power, under God, to defeat the last great effort of the enemy, establish the independence of your native land, and earn the lasting love and gratitude of your countrymen, and the admiration of mankind. R. E. LEE, General.

The following despatches were sent by the Secretary of War:

WASHINGTON, May 13-2:30 P. M.

To Major-General John A. Dix:

A despatch from Lieut.-Gen. Grant has just been received, dated near Spottsylvania Court House, May 12, 6:30 P. M. It is as follows:

"The eighth day of battle closes leaving between three and four thousand prisoners in our hands for the day's work, including two general officers and stinate, and seem to have found the last ditch. We over thirty pieces of artillery. The enemy are obhave lost no organization, not even a company, while we have destroyed and captured one division (Johnson's), one brigade (Dobbs'), and one regiment entire of the enemy.' EDWIN M. STANTON, Secretary of War. WASHINGTON, May 18-6:30 P. M. Major-General Dix: reached this department. The following despatch from Mr. Dana has just

EDWIN M. STANTON, Secretary of War. SPOTTSYLVANIA Court House, Va., May 13—8 A. x. Hon E. M. Stanton, Secretary of War:

Lee abandoned his position during the night, whether to occupy a new position in the vicinity or to make a thorough retreat is not determined.

One division of Wright's and another of Hancock's are engaged in settling this question, and at half-past 7 A. M. had come up on his rear guard. Though our army is greatly fatigued from the enormous efforts of yesterday, the news of Lee's departure inspires the men with fresh energy.

The whole force will soon be in motion; but the heavy rains of the last thirty-six hours render the roads very difficult for wagons and artillery.

The proportion of severely wounded is greater than on either of the previous days' fighting. This was owing to the great use made of artillery.

WASHINGTON, May 18-6:55 P. M. Major-General Dix, New York:

The Acting Surgeon General reports that of five hundred patients from the recent battle-field admitted into the Harwood Hospital, not one will require any surgical operation, and that, in his opinion, twothirds of the whole number of wounded will be fit for service in thirty days.

Reenforcements are going forward to the Army of

the Potomac.

EDWIN M. STANTON, Secretary of War.
WASHINGTON, May 15-9 A. M.

To Major-General Dix:

An official despatch from the battle field at Spottsylvania yesterday morning, at half-past 6, states that during the preceding night (Friday) a move. ment was made by the 5th and 6th 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 manœuvre, it is said, if successful, would place our forces in Lee's rear, and compel him to retreat toward Lynchburg.

No cannon nor any sound of battle was heard yesterday at Belle Plain or Fredericksburg, which affords ground for inference that Lee had retreated during Friday night, and before the advance of the 5th and 6th corps.

Nothing later than half-past 6 A. M. of yesterday has been received from the army by the department. All the wounded that had reached Belle Plain yester. day evening have arrived here.

The surgical report from the headquarters of the army states that the condition of the supplies is satisfactory, and the wounded are doing well. The medical director at Belle Plain reports that every thing at that point is satisfactory. The surgical arrangements have never been so complete as now.

Gen. Sheridan's command had reached the left bank of Turkey Island at 8 o'clock yesterday after

noon, and have formed their junction with the forces of Gen. Butler.

EDWIN M. STANTON, Secretary of War. On the 15th, 16th, and 17th, offensive operations were suspended. The roads had been made impassable by the rains.

It was at first supposed that the wounded in these terrible battles would be sent to Rappahannock Station, and thence by railroad to Washington. But the guerrillas of the enemy were so numerous in the rear of Gen. Grant's army as to prevent this arrangement. The trains were therefore withdrawn to Washington. At first hospitals were established on the field. But on Friday, the 6th, a number of slightly wounded men, who had been ordered to the rear, made their way to Fredericksburg under an escort of fourteen armed men. entering the town, they were fired on by the citizens with such arms as could be obtained. They, however, succeeded in passing out and proceeded to Aquia Creek, where they were taken up by a gunboat and carried to Washington. Fredericksburg was occupied by a force of Gen. Grant, and hospitals established. Surgeons and nurses were immediately sent forward from Washington, Philadelphia, Harrisburg, Trenton, New York, and Albany, and

On

other cities, to render assistance. The vessels in the employment of the Sanitary Commission were loaded with hospital supplies, and despatched with relief agents and nurses. The most severely wounded were retained at the hospitals in Fredericksburg, but others were transported to the Government hospitals in the northern cities. The Christian Commission had a large number of persons, with stores at hand, to afford relief. The Government also did every thing in its power to succor the wounded. The losses by the battles of the first eight days were variously estimated. The following is a statement which does not include the 9th

THE number of troops in the Army of the Potomac, when it crossed the Rapidan, has been variously stated at 120,000 and 150,000. The army consisted of four corps, each of which, with full ranks, would have numbered about forty thousand men. The ranks, however, were not full. No official statement of the numbers has been made. But there were various cooperating movements in which large forces were engaged. Gen. Butler moved up the Peninsula with a force between forty and fifty thousand strong, to cut the southern communications with Richmond. Another force, about fifteen thousand strong moved up the Shenandoah valley, under Gen. Sigel, and from Western Virginia under other commanders, for the purpose of cutting the railroads running from the west and southwest to Richmond. It evidently must have been the opinion of Gen. Grant that the army of Gen. Meade would have been sufficient to cope with the forces of Gen. Lee. But, to secure ample provision for that object, the corps of Gen. Burnside was added as a reserve against all contingencies. After the first day's

encounter, it was found necessary to order up this reserve in haste, and in the subsequent battles every brigade was fully employed as a part of the ordinary force. The subsequent and immense reënforcement required by Gen. Grant, after the battles at Spottsylvania Court House, served to show the unexpected great strength of the enemy in the field.

Several cooperating movements were in progress during the advance thus far of Gen. Grant. On Monday the 9th of May, the cavalry force connected with Gen. Grant's army commenced an advance to cut the communications between

Gen. Lee's army and Richmond. At daylight the march began, with Gen. Merritt's 1st division in advance, Gen. Wilson's 3d division in the centre, and Gen. Gregg's 2d division in the rear. The movement was first toward Fredericksburg. At a distance of three miles from that city the column turned to the right and passed round the right flank of the enemy to the south of Spottsylvania Court House, on the road to Childsburgh, at which place a halt was made. Moving thence on the same road south