the woods. Reconnoissances in the afternoon discovered that the main body of the enemy had fallen back some distance. Preparations were at once made for a further advance, but in view of the exertions of the last few days, a brief respite for rest was allowed. The following passage, written by an eye-witness, gives a graphic description of the scene at head-quarters at this moment: "The lieutenant-general here, at the foot of a tree, one leg of his trowsers slipped above his boots, his hands limp, his coat in confusion, his sword equipments sprawling on the ground; not even the weight of sleep erasing that persistent expression of the lip which held a constant promise of something to be done. And there, at the foot of another tree, is General Meade a military hat, with the rim turned down about his ears, tapping a scabbard with his fingers, and gazing abstractedly into the depths of the earth through eye-glasses that should become historic. General Humphreys, chief of staff a spectacled, iron-gray, middleaged officer, of a pleasant smile and manner, who wears his trowsers below, after the manner of leggins, and is in all things independent and serene, paces yonder to and fro. That rather thick-set officer, with closely-trimmed whiskers, and the kindest of eyes, who never be trays a harsh impatience to any comer, is Adjutant-General Williams. General Hunt, chief of artillery, a hearty-faced, frank-handed man, whose black hair and whiskers have the least touch of time, lounges at the foot of another tree, holding lazy converse with one or two members of his staff. General Ingalls, chief quartermaster of the army, than whom no more imperturbable, efficient, or courteous presence is here, plays idly and smilingly with a riding-whip, tossing a telling word or two hither and thither. Staff officers and orderlies and horses thickly strew the grove."

Amid these reposing men drops an occasional shell from the enemy, and as the day draws to a close there are signs of renewed activity. At dusk an order was issued for the whole army to move towards Spottsylvania Court-Hou-e, rid Todd's Tavern. The Fifth Corps marched in advance, the Sixth Corps next, Hancock and Burnside following. The Sixth Corps marched on the Chancellorsville road, reaching Piney Branch Church towards the latter part of Sunday forenoon, the 8th. A part of our troops stretched across and occupied Fredericksburg, the Twenty-second New York Cavalry entering that city at eight o'clock on Saturday evening. A dépôt for our wounded was established there, and a basis for supplies arranged. Hancock's and Burnside's Corps pressed on, on Saturday night, resuming the chase again at daylight on Sunday morning, and camping at noon twenty miles away southerly from the Old Wilderness battle-field. The Fifth Corps, remaining till dark on the battle-ground, marched all Saturday night, though exhausted by the events of the four days and nights preceding, taking the Brock road past Todd's Tavern, towards Spottsylvania.

Meanwhile the enemy's cavalry was on the alert, and Stuart reported to Lee that Grant had resumed his flank movement, and that under cover of the thick woods he was throwing a force forward in the direction of Spottsylvania Court-House, on the direct road to Rich

mond. Orders were immediately issued for Anderson's Corps (late Longstreet's) to march at eleven o'clock at night for that place, and preparations were immediately made to put the whole army in motion for the same destination on the following day. The distance from the battle-field, which is near the western boundary of Spottsylvania County, to the Court-House, is fifteen miles. Warren's Corps left the Wilderness Tavern with Bartlett's Brigade in the advance as skirmishers. These pushed forward with confidence, but incautiously advancing, when near Spottsylvania Court-House, beyond the main body, were assailed by a heavy fire and driven back with severe loss. General Robinson fell, wounded in the leg. A line of battle was then formed, with Griffin on the right, Robinson on the left, and on his left Crawford's and Wadsworth's (now Cutler's) Divisions. The troops in the rear were brought up, and a portion of the Sixth Corps formed on the right. Meantime, Ewell's Corps had joined Longstreet's (now Anderson's) at Spottsylvania Court-House, where Lee had succeeded in throwing his army in advance of Grant's movement to the same place. Hill's Corps had not yet arrived, but was hourly expected. These events of the 7th were officially given to the public as follows:

"WASHINGTON, Monday, May 9—4. P. M. "A bearer of dispatches from General Meade's head-quarters 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 head-quarters at noon yesterday were twenty miles south of the battlefield. We occupy Fredericksburg. The Twenty-second New York Cavalry occupied that place at eight o'clock last night. The dépôt for our wounded is established at Fredericksburg.

"EDWIN M. STANTON, Secretary of War."

Sunday night, the 8th, found the Union army intrenched, facing the enemy northwest of Spottsylvania Court-House in an irregular line. Monday, the 9th, was occupied by the two armies in getting into position and preparing for battle. There was more or less skirmishing throughout the day, and some artillery firing, which began at dawn. There were some changes in the disposition of the troops. The enemy's sharpshooters were very busy, depriving the Union army of many a valuable officer. General W. H. Morris, of the Sixth Corps, and numbers of others, were killed or wounded. The most severe loss was that of General Sedgwick,* who, accompanied by his staff, had walked

John Sedgwick was born in Connecticut, about 1515, and graduated at West Point in 1887 He was brevetted captain and major for gallant conduct in the Mexican war, and at the outbreak of the rebellion held the position of lieutenantcolonel of the Second United States Cavalry. He was soon after promoted to the coloneley of the Fourth Cavalry, and on August 31st was commissioned a brigadier-general of volunteers. As commander of the Third Division of Sumner's Corps, he participated in the Peninsular campaign, and particularly distinguished himself at Fair Oaks. He was wounded at Antietam, was promoted in December, 1862. to be a major-general of volunteers, and in February, 1863, took command of the Sixth Army Corps. During the Chancellors

ville campaign, he stormed and captured Marye's
Heights, in the rear of Fredericksburg, and sub-
sequently, after hard fighting against overwhelm-
ing numbers, succeeded in crossing the Rappa-
hannock with his command. He had an honor-
able share in the Gettysburg campaign, and in
November, 1863, was publicly thanked by General
Meade for a well-executed manoeuvre on the Rapi-
dan, by which we captured a whole rebel división,
with several guns and colors. He died in the
manner described in the text, leaving a reputation
as a brave, judicious, and accomplished officer,
second to that of no man in the army.
eral times held temporary command of the Army
of the Potomac, and more than once declined the
supreme command.

He sev

out to the advanced line of breast works occupied by his men. A constant hum of bullets about this place caused the soldiers in the works to dodge and duck their heads. The general smiled at them goodnaturedly. He had a winning smile. Finally, one bullet hummed so near a soldier that he dropped down upon his face. General Sedgwick touched him with his foot in humorous disdain. “Pooh, pooh,

Who ever heard of a soldier dodging a bullet? Why, they couldn't hit an elephant at that distance."

There was a laugh at this, even though the straggling shot yet hummed unpleasantly around. The general was still smiling over the banter, when Colonel McMahon heard the buzz of a bullet culminate in what seemed an explosion close beside him.

"That must have been an explosive bullet, general."

No answer. But as the face of General Sedgwick slightly turned towards the officer at his side, a sad smile was upon it. Another moment, and the form of the general fell helplessly backward. It was caught by Colonel McMahon as it fell. A ball had entered the face, just below the left eye, pierced the brain, and passed out at the back of the head. He never spoke afterwards, though he breathed softly for a while.

On Tuesday, our forces at dawn occupied a line stretching out a length of about six miles on the northern bank of the Po, and taking the general form of a crescent, the wings being thrown forward; the Second Corps held the right wing, and the Sixth the left. The preceding night, Hancock had succeeded in crossing the Po, and now held a line on the right, nearly parallel to the road from Shady Grove Church to the Court-House. Warren held the centre, being on the east side of the Po; and Wright, who had succeeded Sedgwick in the command of the Sixth Corps, the left, facing towards the Court-House. Farther out on the left was Burnside's Ninth Corps, which, unknown to himself, and fortunately unknown to the enemy, was disconnected from its supports, and in a very dangerous position. Arnold's, Rodger's, Sleeper's, and other batteries covered our right; Meade's, Martin's, and others our left centre. In our front was a dense forest. The enemy still held Spottsylvania and the region north of the CourtHouse. On the preceding day, his left rested on Glady Run, sweeping northward, and sheltered by strong works. His right curved in a similar direction, and rested on the Ny River; and his centre, a little thrown forward from the right centre and left centre, was posted on commanding ground. His position was well supported by breastworks, and along his centre was the forest and underbrush, lining a marsh partially drained by a run. In the morning the conflict opened by a terrific cannonade of our artillery against the advancing rebel lines; and for the first time in the campaign, this arm was brought into full and destructive use.

Mott's Fourth Division of the Second Corps was then transferred to the left, and the advance continued at this point. Orders, however, had been given to attack the rebel centre. Accordingly, Gibbons's Second and Birney's Third Division of the Second Corps were drawn back from the other side of the Po, to connect with Warren. The

HISTORY OF THE GREAT REBELLION.

Second and Fourth Divisions of the Fifth Corps commenced the attack on the centre. The rest of the Fifth Corps and the two divisions of the Second then advanced and fought with great tenacity for several hours, driving the enemy to his rifle-pits, but failing to capture them. Gibbons's gallant Second Division, and especially Carroll's Brigade, suffered severely in repeated charges. General Rice, of the Second Brigade, Fourth Division, Fifth Corps, was at this time killed. The check of our centre threw the remaining division, Barlow's (First), of the Second Corps, on our right, in extreme peril, and orders were given to withdraw it to this side the river. The enemy, however, had already attacked it in great force, and turned it. He pounced so suddenly and fiercely upon the division as to force it back from the flanking position it held, and produce a momentary confusion. This was soon checked, and the division, though pressed by superior numbers, fought its way slowly backward, and, still fighting, retreated across the river and joined the Second Corps, against the right of which the enemy continued to exert his strength until after nightfall, when he was repulsed.

Towards evening, a most energetic and gallant assault was made by the whole line. Across the open fields, through reaches of wood, through depths of swamp and mire, the dark lines of our battalions struggled forward against a fearful fire poured down upon them from works that only our artillery could reach effectively. The divisions of the Fifth Corps, subjected to an enfilading volley of great guns from' right and left, suffered greatly. The terrible work set for these men, under such a fire, was not accomplished, when darkness closed around the struggling hosts with the repulse of the enemy on the right of the Second Corps. Upton's First Brigade of Wright's First Division of the Sixth Corps, with Russell's Third Brigade of the Third Division, moving steadily forward amid a raking and murderous fire, without firing a shot, scaled the enemy's works in gallant style, and captured more than one thousand of the very men who had stampeded the brigades of Shaler and Seymour on Friday night in the Wilderness, and sending a scattering volley after a host of flying rebels. Twelve guns also came into our possession. But Upton, finding himself far in advance of the army, was compelled to fall back with his prisoners from his daring assault. As always before, night closed on a hardfought but indecisive field. Our losses were perhaps more severe than those of any previous day. The Sixth Corps alone, in the battles up to that night, had lost over five thousand killed and wounded. The following bulletin was issued upon the reception of the news of these events in Washington:

"To Major-General DIX:

"WASHINGTON, May 11-11.30 A. M.

"Dispatches from General Grant, dated at eight o'clock this morning, have just reached this Department. He says:

"We have now ended the sixth day of very heavy fighting. The result to this Our losses have been heavy, as well as those of the enemy. time is much in our favor. We have taken over five thousand prisoners in battle, while he has taken from us but few except stragglers. I propose

I think the loss of the enemy must be greater.

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."

Wednesday, May 11th, was a day of no extended operations, and was spent mostly in skirmishing and changing positions on both sides. The enemy shifted his lines to the left, and corresponding movements were made on the Federal side. It had been determined to assault on Thursday morning, and the Second Corps being selected to make the attempt, it was, during the night, which was very stormy, moved from the right to the left of the Sixth, between that and Burnside, so that on Thursday morning the corps were disposed as follows: the Fifth Corps on the right, the Sixth Corps next, the Second Corps next, and Burnside, as before, on the extreme left. It was in front of Hancock's new position that the vital section of the enemy lay-a strong salient angle of earthworks, ditched in front, defended by cannon at every point, and held by Johnson's Division of Ewell's Corps, Ewell's whole corps adjoining.

*

On Thursday, the 12th, Hancock's Corps occupying a position exposed to the enemy's guns, moved at dawn cautiously up to the enemy's lines amidst a dense fog. Barlow's Division-Niell's Brigade leading -formed in column by battalions, took the advance, while Birney, Mott, and Gibbon, in two lines of battle, supported the attack. The storming column advanced silently, and without firing a shot, up to the angles of the breast works, over which it rushed, taking the forces within in flank, surrounding them, capturing nearly the entire division of Johnson, three thousand men, with its commander, and also a brigade or two of other troops, Brigadier-General George H. Stuart in command. Over forty pieces of artillery were also captured. The point of the lines thus carried was at Ewell's right and A. P. Hill's left, and the captured division was a part of Stonewall Jackson's famous old corps. It was an exceedingly important point, Hancock being thus inserted like a wedge between the enemy's centre and right.

The charge of the Second Corps was followed by a heavy cannonade all along the line, to which the enemy replied with great vigor. Five furious charges were made by the enemy to retake that position. Ewell's Corps, driven from it in the morning, came down first en masse, and were repulsed. Hill moved down from the right, joined Ewell, and threw his divisions into the struggle. General Wright moved up from the right, supporting Hancock to meet the surge. Anderson came on from the extreme left of the enemy's line. Warren sent in troops from the left of ours. The lines of both armies, thus contracted, met in a continual death-grapple in and to the right of the angle taken in the morning. The enemy's columns dashed with unflinching determination against our lines, retiring each time with great loss. At

* Winfield Scott Hancock was born in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, in 1824, and gradnated at West Point in 1844. He was brevetted first lieutenant for gallant conduct in the Mexican war, subsequently saw much service in the West, and at the breaking out of the rebellion held the position of quartermaster. He was appointed brigadier-general of volunteers in September, 1861, commanded a brigade in the Peninsular campaign, and was highly commended for his conduct at the battle of Williamsburg, May 5th, 1862. After the battle of Antietam, he assumed command of a division in the Second Corps, and dis

tinguished himself at Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, and Gettysburg. At the last-named battle he held command of the Second Corps, and was severely wounded. He participated in the campaign of 1564 against Richmond, and organized the assault which led to the capture of Joudson's division, May 12th. In the latter part of the year he resigned the command of the Second Corps to General Humphreys, and was assigned to the First Corps, then reorganizing. At the close of the war he commanded in the Shenandosh Valley. He is now major-general of volunteers, and has charge of the Middle Department.