Newspaper Page Text
f
VOLUME - XL'V
ifwiifcrrfflp
IILLEDGEVILLE, GEORGIA,. TUESDAY, MAY 31, 1864.
NUMBER. 22
v r oK^ Fj & SON,
1 ,r'oRS AND PROPRIETORS.
,^ p men f.'midleb,
U1TE EDITOR.
Trf^S'
i: ; 0-j far Sis Months, in Adrante.
TRi SSlENT APfERTISIXa.
, v . n t ten lines, e*ch insertion,- $$
rer6q-1 ' LEHAL ADVERTISING .
ft’" 1 / , f 0 r Letters of Administration,by
CiU^' Executors, Guardians, «Sre.,
oo
Letters of Dismission
5 00
8 00
8 00
8 on
6 00
2 00
8 00
£ichle f 7 01 lin l,n,n ’ s " 5 CO
j r , . e sales of tr-n lines, or less, 10 00
%lmieistrati° n > • - ----
' 53 for Letters of Dismission
.fgSiaaslvp ' V''
-vatioR f»r iea-re to sell Land and
Debtors an! Creditors
‘ ' f nfsousl nr perishable property,
jpy'w - - -
nf IjHftd sad Negroes, per-square of
plivtr-y ' •• _
,f tea lines, or less, .
All a
ted‘ u h
pori
j ver tiS8Jnerits of sales by Sheriffs ex-
lines, will be charged in pro-
00
8 00
jaxCollector's Sales, per square
(k ft l ~~
?,, ;urfl of Mortgage and other month-
,, ni-emenis. 00 per sqnare of ten
L-for each insertion, v
Etabiishing lost papers, per square■ of
*-
for a man adrertising his >vne,i« advance, 10 00
f- hnlrs of Respect. Resolutions by So-
. F Obituaries,&c., exceeding six lines,
be charged as transient advertising*,
y, deviation from the above scale of prices un-
df'rany pretenee.
r.r-Remittances bj inai! at our risk.
From the Nashville Times.
Trealffifiit of ihe iiiliabilantu of the South—
Important letter from General Sherman.
We have gained possession of the
important letter published below, and
jive it to our readers, who, after pe-
rasing it, will know more of the tem
per ami character of the commander of
•hegrand military division of the Mis
sissippi than they have known hereto
fore. Til* ieiter was not designed for
publication, having been addressed to
.his adjutant-general, imreply to certain
iatermgai i . - relative fo the course to
be pursued by subordinate command
ers ol military districts towards disloy
al inhabitants. We will add that as
we consider our readers sensible men
and women, no Comments are necessa
ry:
Headers Departxent of Tenn., >
Vicksburg. Jan. 1st, ' 5
Major R, M. Sawyer, A. A. G. Ar
my o! Tennessee, Huntsville :
Dear Saw ver—In my former let
ter I have- answered all your questions,
save one, and that relates to the treat
ment of inhabitants known, or suspect
ed to he hostile or “secesh.”- This is
In truth the most difficult business ot
oar army, as it advances and occupies
he Southern country. It is almost
impossible to lay down rules, and I
invariably lerfve this subject to the lo
cal commanders, but am willing to
Shelbern the benefit or my acquired
knowledge and experience.
In Europe, whence we derive our
principles of war, as developed by their
nisi(;r:es, wars are between kings and
rulers, through hired armies, and not
■fifteen peoples. These remain, as it
ftere neutral, and sell their produce
’fthatever army is in possession.
Napoleon when at \&ar with .Prussia,
Austria arid Russia, bought forage and
provisions of the inhabitants, and con
tinently had an interest to protect
brnis and factories which ministered
;«h:s wants. In like manner, the al-
'■d armies in France, coultl bily of
l!:eFrench whatever thev needed, the
produce of the soil or manufactures of
country. Therefore the rule was
' ::, d is, that wars are cou/imed to the
Clines, and should not visit the homes
01 latiiilies or private interests.
F* u t in other examples a different
ri; leobtained the sanction of historical
£| bhoriiy. J v\ j] 1 only instance that,
hen in the reign of William and Ma-
'h the English army occupied Ireland,
j len in a state of revolt, the inhabi
ts were actually driven into foreign
“l 11 ',* 5, and were actually dispossessed
' !lt| eir property and a new population
'Produced. To this day a large por-
j" !l, 'lilie North of Ireland is. hsld by
1 Ie decendants of the Scotch emigrants
* ei ‘lthere by William’s order and an
U L Parliament.
Pic war which prevails in our land
^ e ssentially a war of races. The
‘"'-'them people entered into a clear
f ot government, but still tnain-
j. l ‘ c, l a sppeies of separate interests,
j| l,lor y and prejudices. These latter
p Cailie stronger and stronger, till they
'“'“Jed to a war, which has dqvelnp-
!f uits <»i the bitterest kind.
ot the North are! beyond all
J:f 6ll °n, right in of.tr lawful cause, but
,j ,,r e not bound to ignore the fact
l * iC people of tiiQ South have prej-
attd
<
Proc
V es vv hirh form part of their nature,
an effort ot reason or the slower
^ "diich they cannot throw off with
’ i ute
{ ‘ s of natural change. Now the
u>n arises, should we treat-as ab-
flifi'n ' CneiIUcs a ‘* ‘ n l ^ c South who
''Eli r0rn us * n -opinion or prejudices
,° r Danish them ? Or should w.e
fv e , 1 lein time to tliiuk, and gradual-
)angc their conduct so as to con
form to the new order of things^ which
is slowly and gradually creeping into
theiT country ? . #
When men- take arms to resist our
righttull authority, we are compelled
to use force, because all reason and
argument ceases when arms are resort
ed to. \\ hen the provisions, forage,
horse*,, mules, wagons, etc., are used
by our enemy, it. is clearly our duty and
•ight to take them, because, otherwise;
they migly. be used against us.
*» !•* like manner, all houses left vacant
by an.in imical people are clearly our
right, or such as are needed as store
houses, hospitals and quarters. But
a question arises as to dwellings used
by women, children arid non-combat
ants. iSo long as non-combatants re
main in their houses and keep to their
accustomed business,their opinions and
prejudices can in no wise influence the
war, and, therefore, should not’be n«r-
ticed. But if any one comes out into
the public streets and creates disorder,
he or she should be punished, restrained
or banished, either to the rear or front,
as the officer in command adjudges. .Il
the people, or any of them, keep up
a correspondence with parties in
hostility, they arc spies, and can be
punished with death or minor punish
ment.
These are well established princi
ples of war, and the peopleof the South,
have appealed (o war, are barred from
appeal to our Constitution, which they
have practically and publicly de
fied* They have appealed to war, and
must abide its rules and law*. The
United States ns ft belligerent parly
claiming right in the soil as the ulti
mate sovereign, have a right to change
the population, and il may be and is,
both politic and best, that wc should
do so in certain districts. When the
inhabitants persils too long in hostility,
it may be both politic and right that
vve should banish them and appropri
ate their lands to a more loyal and use
ful population. No man will deny that
the United States would be benefited
by dispossessing a single prejudiced,
hardheaded and disloyal planter and
substitute in his place a dozen or more
patient, industrious, good families,
even if they be of foreign birth. 1
think it (foes good to present t}ii$ view
of the case to many' Southern gentle
men, who grow rich and wealthy, not
by virtue alone of their industry and
skill, but by reason ot" the protection
and impetus to prosperity given by our
hitherto' moderate and magnanimous
Government. It is all idle nonsense
for these Southern planters to sav that
they made the South, that they own it,
and that they can do as they please—
even to break up our government, and
to shut up the natural avenues of trade,
intercourse and commerce.
We know, and they know if they are
intelligent beiftg^, that as compared
with the whole world, the are but ^tay
five millions are to one thousand mill
ions—that they did ;iot create the land
—that their only title to its use and en
joyment is the deed of the United States
and if thev appeal to war, they hold
their all by a very insecure tenure.
For my part I believe that this war
is the result of false political doctrine,
for which we ■;:r* as a people res
ponsible, viz ; that any and every peo
ple has a right to ^elfgovernment ; and
i would give all a ohnnee to reflect, and
when in error to recant. I know, slave
owners finding themselves in posses
sion of a species of property in opposi
tion to the gtowing sentiment ot the
whole civilized world, conceived their
property ir**danger, and foolishly ap
pealed to uar; and bv skillful political
handling involved with themselves th*
whole South on the doctrine of error
and prejudice*. I believe that some of
the rich and slaveholding are prejudic
ed to an extent that nothing but death
and rtiin will extinguish, but*hnpe that
as the poorer and industrial classes*!
the South realize their relative weak
ness, and their dependence upon the
fruits of the earth and good will oi their
fellow men, they will not only discover
the error.oflheir ways, and repent of
their hasty, action, hut bless those who
persistently maintained a constitution
al Government, strong enough to sus
tain itself, protects its citizens, and
and promises peaceful homes to mill
ions vet unborn.
In•tliis belief, while 1 assert for our
Government the highest military pre
rogatives, I am willing to bear in pa
tience that political nonsense of slave
I rights, State rights, freedom of con
science, freedom of press, and such
other trash, as have deluded the South
ern people into war, anarchy,-blood
shed, and the. foulest crimes that have
disgraced any time or any people.
I would advise the commanding
officers at Huntsville and such other
towns as are occupied by our troops,
to assemble the inhabitants and explain
to them these plain, self-evident propo
sitions, and tell them that il * r °i'
now to say whether they and their
children shall inherit their share. The
Government of the United State has in
North Alabama any and all rights
which they choose to enforce in war—
to take their lives; • their homes, their
lands their everything, because they
cannot deny that war does exist there,
and war is simply power unrestrained
by constitution or compact. If the^
want eternal warfare, well and good j
we will accept the issue and diaposse*
them, and put our friends in possas
sion. 1 know thousands and millions
of goad people who, at simple notice,
w-ould come to North Alabama and ac
cept the elegant houses and plantations
there., lfthe peopleof Huntsville think
different, let them persist in war three
years longer, and they will not be con
sulted. Three years ago, by a little
reflection and patience, they*, could
have had a hundred years of peace and
prosperity, but they preferred war.—
Very well, last year they could Hava
saved their slaves, but mow it is too
late—all the powers of earth cannot
restore to them their slaves any more
than their dead grandfathers. Next
year their lands will he takfcn, for i.n
war we caa take them, and rightfully
too, and another year they may beg in
vai.q for their - lives- A people who
will persevere in war.beyond a certain
limit ought to know the consequences ;
Many, many people, with less perti
nacity than the South, have been wip
ed out of national existence.
My own belief is, that even now the
non-slnveholding classes of the South
are alienating from their associates in
war. Already I hear crimination.—
Those who have property left should
take warning in time.
Since 1 have come down here I have
sevn many Southern planters who now
hire their negroes,and acknowledge they
knew not the earthquake they were to
make by appealing to secession. They
thought the politicians had prepared
the Way, and they could part in peace.
They Dow see that weare bound to
gether ns one nation by indissoluble
lies, and that jmy interest or any peo
ple that set themselves up in antago
nism to the nation must perish.
While I would not remit one jot or
titllp of our nation’s rights in peace or
war, I do not make allowance* for past
political errors and false prejudices.
Our national Congress atld Supreme
Courts are the proper arenas in which
to discuss conflicting opinions, and not
lho battle field.
Y r ou may^riot heab from me again,
and if you think It will do any good,
call some of the people together and
explain these, my views. You may
even read to them this letter, and let
them use it, so as to prepare them for
my coming.
To those who submit to the rightful
law and authority, all gentleness atid
forbearance*, hut to the petulant and
persistent secessionists, why death is
mercy, and the quicker he or she is
disposed of the belter. Satan and the
rebellions saints of heaven were allow
ed a continuance of existence in hell
merely to swelUtheir just punishment.
To such as would rebel against a Gov
ernment so mild and just as ours wa»
in peace, a punishment equal would
not be unjust.
We are progressing well in this
quarter^Though I have not changed
my opinion that we soon may assume
the existence of our national Govern
ment, yet years will pass hr fore ruffi
anism, murder and robbery will cease to
afflict this region of-our-country. Truly
your friend, W. T. Sherman,
Mai. Gen. Commanding.
Fretn Virginia.
The Richmond Examiner, of the IS,
«avs : Yester.day was the trfo«t •quiet
day Richmond has experienced lor the
last week.. The battle near Orewry’s
Bluff*was imperfectly appreciated in
Richmond till yesterday. It was, du
ring the time that it lasted, one *d the
most terrific, combats that has been
known. Confederate valor never had
a more splendid illustration. The nerve
of Smith or Butler’s large army was
concentrated on the hills behind heavy
fortifications, which they had strength
ened witlfall the appliances of unlim
ited labor and inexhaustible ingenuity.
A world in arms would not have mov
ed Beauregard from such a place. The
vast army of Grant has been lately
broken on some hasty breastworks,
thrown up in a night by Lee’s .troops
with their bayonets and tin "cans. But
a small force of brave Southern men
moved on those forts, not in a- drunken
rush, but with the steady Spartan step
of true discipline and inflexible resolu
tion, and went through the blaze of J 0,-
000 guns straight to their mark. Al
though completely successful,’ they suf
fered a considerable loss in killed and
wounded. Grant has gone clean away
from the scene of the late slaughter, leav
ing his dead arid dying out he field,'with
five-thousand stand of arms, many cais
sons, giin-carriages,'&c. The guns wdre
carried away to make a vain trophy.
But it will no'l Counteract the effected
his retreat. It is impossible to cavil
over the crown of victory now. Lee
remains on the field—master of the
field—therefore the victor of. that bloody
field. It is possibib that Grant’s army
will "stop awhile in Fredericksburg to
pla^tei* its hurts. Grant has already
received two reinforcements, one of
thirty and the. other of forty thousand.
He has lost them, and must have more
before he can come up to the new lines
which await him—-where he will find
them.
From the South-Side.
At the close of Monday's fight the
enemy was left at Proctor’s Creek,
about two miles and a half from Drew-
ry’s Bluff, having been dislodged from
his position and driven over two miles.
Every one looked for the fight to he
renewed yesterday, but when morrfing
came il was .discovered that the enemy
had fled tp his entrenchments on the
river, and under cover ofhis gun-bouts.
This is equivalent to his defeat and the
abandonment of his operations to lay
siege to Richmond. Driven back now
to his line of fortifications, our army
has only to hold him in check and pre
vent his advancing from them. He
can do us no harm in hii present posi
tion. If we can do this the whole move
ment of Butler will be foiled.
There were no operations on the
South-side yesterday. Byth armies
were quiet. It was rumored that the
Yankee* werq crossing, some of their
forces to thtNorih side-of James River,
a siort distance below Chaffin farm,
hut there wete received up to last night
no official information of it.
Information was received yesterday
that the Yankees had made another
raid on the railroad between Peters
burg and Weldon, burning the bridge
at Beilfield, twenty miles this side of
Weldon. It was reported that they,
were coming this way, and had de
clared their imentimt of again destroy-
the bride at 8t«ny Ct,eek. It is feared
that they may cut the Piedmont Rail
road or strike the Danville Railroad
again.
As we predicted, the great battle on
the South-side >vas joined yesterday.
The plan of battle was conceived and
deeded upon on Sunday night by the
gallant Beauregard, and as daylight
broke the work commenced. Almost
before the grey of morning, our forces
on the left, under the command of Gen.
Ransom^Ynarched out against the ene
my, and gave him battle. The enemy
occupied a strong position, and was
strongly entrenched in some fortifica
tions that had Leep evacuated by us on
Friday last, with a view of drawing
the enemy on and inducing him to ven*
ture an assault.on our inner line of for
tifications. This was the enemy’s right
and our left, and perhaps about a mile
or so from Drewry’s Bluff. No.sooner
were our men up than they charged
upon the enemy with a perfect yell.—
The fighting grew severe, and the bat
tle fora time wavered. * But the onset
of our men was too much. In
a mo-
^ *
ment our men swept over tfio fortifica
tions like an avalanche, and the enemy
was syon in rapid flight, leaving our
men in lull possession of the fortifica
tions, and the captors of four stand of
colors and one battery. This move
ment on our left was most handsomely
executed, and all accomplished hy 7
o’clock in the morning. .
Driven from these fortifications, the
enemy fi*ll back upon his own en
trenchments, and a general advance
was ordered along* the lines. The
victory oiy he left was quickly follow
ed up. -The enemy was no sooner
within his fortifications than an order
was given to charge him. Our men
advanced to the charge, but his fire
I was so terrific that certain regiments
broke in contusion. Here was the try-
| ing point—die enemy must he dislodg
ed. In an instant some of those men
who stormed the memorable heights of
Gettysburg were ordered up, and a
second charge was made. The ene
my's fire was terrible—making wide
gaps in our lines—but steadily our
men moved on. As thay approached,
tht* .enemy poured into them a most
galling fire—seemingly reserving hii
lise until they were well up—sweep
ing them down by rows—but not a
cheek blanched or an artn faltered.—
Through a perfect sheet of fire they
marched up.to..-the fortifications, and
with a shout of victory leaped over the
breastworks and captured the greater
portion of the enemy’s force—Gen.
Heckman and over 800 privates.
While this was going on along our
left, our centre and right were also
pressing the enemy with great success.
A charge had been made upon hi# cen
tre; across the turnpike, by Gen. Hoke,
and.he had been driven back from
e#ch of his positions. Here the ene’my
had no regular fortifications, but was
well protected by abattis formed by
felling trees and other temporary, de
fences. Our artillery was used against,
him with effect. The (New Orleans)
Washington Artillery, supported by
, Ha good’s South Carolina brigade, who
acted most gallantly throughout, suc :
ceeded in silencing a battery of the en
emy’s consisting of three 20 pounder
Parrotts and two 12 pounder Napole
ons. Onp of the Parrotts was turned
upon the enemy, and contributed to
putliag him.to flight. The following
note tells of the noble action of Ha-
good’s brigade :
“O.v the IIibld, May 16.—Capt.
Owens, Washington Artillery : I am in
structed hy Gen. Hagood, whose brig
ade captured two 12 pounder Napole
ons* and three Parrott guns, to request
a guard over them until »lwy can be
marked. I shall request Col. Waddy,
of Gen. Beauregard’s staff, to give
them to you. Please report avheq they
are together, and I * hall be at Gen. Ha-
good’s headquarters. Very respect
fully, EDWARD MAZYCK,
“Hagood’s Brigade.’’ -
Up to this .time, the enemy had
fought*well and with great stubborn
ness^ but driven from his fortifications
and pressed on ad sides, he began to
fall back rapidly*. Our victory now
became easy. Dispirited and discom-
fitled, the enemy showed bu( faint re
sistance, and the ret rent was but a step
removed from a route. In gauging
upon them, a whole regiment threw
down their arms and rushed into our
lines. From*n dozen sources we have
reports of their demoralization. On
official authority, we learn that several
hundreds iff prisoners captured in the
retreat expressed the greatest alacrity'
to come on .to Richmond, saving that
their lime was nearly out—that, they
were tired of the war—and that it they
Won lei “only show theinihe road to
Rich mond, they would come over
without any guard being placed over
them.” ■ They-seemed to be relieved
on getting out of danger, -and. glad* to
accept any/ate^other than that of lac
ing the fire of our men.
The retreat once began, the enemy
gavo way rapidly. Our army comin-
.ued to press him, and up to 4 o’clock
yesterday we had driven him iwo miles
and a half. Our forces kept* well on
his heels, and captured a good dc?«l oi
artillery, stdres, arms and ammunition,
which he had strewn along the way.
Several hundred, prisoners were nick
ed up in squads, and many -of them
were under the influence oi' liquor —
showing that Butler, like Grant, had
plied his men with liquor’belote going
into battle. This is confirmed hy doz-,
ens of persons from the-bailie-field, and
admits of no doubt.
The fight was commenced yester
day with the enemy posted in his for
tifications, but by 7 o’clock our army
had dislodged birr.-, and before the set
ting of the sun he had been repulsed
and driven back to Proctor’s creek, a
distance of tico mih.s, or more. . The
number of prisoners taken is. not yet
known, but it may be put down con
siderablyover a thousand—a Brigadier
General among the number—and.per
haps later . accounts may -swell it to
several thousand. We captured, also,
a great deal of artillery—some say as
much as twenty-§ix pieces—besides a
quantify of stores, arnns, ammunition,
&c. It may be a day or two before
we can know the extent of our^suceess,
but in the mean time let us be-content
with the assurance that our army, un
der the invincible Beauregard, has
won a great victory.
The number of prisoners from the
South-side received up to last evening
from Drewry’s Bluff reached 975, in
cluding one'Brigadier-General and -35
commissioned officers. One regiment
(27th Massachusetts) was “gobbled”
entire, officers, men, arms and iligs.
[ Richmond Fxowinter.
FROM LEeVaRMT.
• In relation to the fighting on the
Rappahannock, ou Saturday, the 14th,
a participant furnishes the Richmond
Enquirer with the foflowing: During
the engagement, the enemy cjiarged
and broke through the'lines of Jones’,
Walker’s (Stonewall) and a part of
Stuart’s Brigades, and fell upon the
left flank of Lane’s Brigade, taking a
few prisoners, before the Brigade could
iorm properly to repel the enemy.—
General Lane, with all the rapidity,
possible, swung back his left, pitched
into the enemy, drove hitn* back wiib
.terrible slaughter, and recovered the
works on tbe right.-Then the Brigades!
ofGeneruYs Gordon, Thomas and Doi<v-
coming to Lane’s assistance, they alb
jumped over the breastworks and pur-!
sued the enemy deep into the woods, |
continuing the pursuit until ordered
back by Gen. Lee.
In the afternoon, the enemy directed j
an attack upotffi salient, field by.parts
of Heth’s and Wilcox’s Di visions^ when 1
Lane’s Brigade was ordered to take
the assaulting column and a battery in j
U.Mik, by way of diversion. A hot fire
was poured into the brigade as it ciiarg- !
cd the battery, which consisted of six j
1‘2-pounder Napoleon guns, but ourj
men dashed forward, shot down the |
cannoneers, captured the pieces, he; j
tween three and four bundled prison-!
ers and three stands o£ colors. The j
cannon were abandoned, there being j
no horses on the ground to bring them
off.
Confirmatory of the above, Gen- Lee ;
telegraphs to the President from Spot
sylvania C. H., May 14, as follows :
“The enemy assaulted Wilcox’s lines
th^s morning, and- were handsomely!
repulsed. Mahone’s tmd Lane's Brig
ades attacked his left, capturing three. - }
hundred prisoners and four stands of
colors. Light skirmishing along the
whole line during the day. The cue- i
my seems to be moving toward
Wright’s
our
and
right- In the afternoon
Harris’ Brigades assaulted the left and
captured some prisoners atul one stand j
of colors. ft. E. LEE.”
OEN. BRECIvJXKIDGE’s BATTLE.
On Friday last, at 6 a. m., Maj.Gen.
Breckinridge moved from Staunton
down the Valley to New Market. On
Sunday following, he ehguged Siegel
three miles above New Market, and by
Sunday evening, at 7 o’clock, had de
feated and driven him beyond the’
Shenandoah river, six* miles from New
Market—having marched 49 tuiki,
fought, defeated and routed the enemy,
numbering from seven to ten thousand,
in two days and a half. This simple
statement will show our readers that
celerity of movement, as well as vigor
of action, did not desert our cause
when Stonewall Jackson died.
The War fn Virginia.
The mail yeslcfday (Says the Sa
vannah News.) brought us files of a por
tion of our Richmond exchanges, from
the 7th to the 16th instant, inclusiye.
The main features of ihe army new*
had previously reached us hy telegraph,
but frt»m the Examiner, of the 16lh, we
copy the hjfowing account of the ter
rible fighting at Spottsylvania, from
which our readers may judge to whal
extent Grant’s claim of a victory over
Lee is justified by the facts. The Ex
aminer says: ft
When the last number of this journal
went to press, authentic news had been
obtained of an assault in force on Lee’*
breastworks, continued through the
whole of Wednesday, and repulsed
with tremendous punishment of the en
emy. Rumors were circulated of'a,
renewal of the same desperate effort
on Thursday, but were unsupported
by evidence. We now know that
these rumors contained nothing that
was not true. Grant had received a
full corps of fresh troops—kept back
up to that moment to defend the trench
es of Washington—and risked with the
recklessness of a* true gambler on the
cast of the dice. He attempted no
manoeuvre. He relied on main sttength
—bringing up his ten lines at a run,
each one close behind the ^pther, and
dashed them like the waves of the sea
against the rocks, on the breastworks
of the South. By these tactics, either
a perfect victory is won or an attack
ing army is lost. The first rush was
successlul on one point. The eneihy
broke through the blaze of the living
volcano upon Johnson’s men, leaped
the works, and took two thousand pris-
oners^nd sixteen guns. But reserves
were ready, and a charge of greater
fury than their own drove them out in
a brief time. On all other parts of the
line they were entirely unsuccessful.
They were utterly repulsed, with
scarcely any loss to the Confederates,
who fired with the advantage of rest,
aim and cover but with a slaughter of
the - foe which is represented by* uni
versal testimony to have been the most
tetri hie of modern warfare.
In these two battles the army of
Northern Ya. has enjoyed, for the first
time advantages of firing into the enemy
with grape and rifle balls from lines of
substantial breastworks; and if one
may judge from - the high spirits and
unbounded confidence of the wounded
men who have come to tin’s city from
the battle, il has been highly gratified
by the new position. “Wejust mowed
them every time’ —such is to the only*
account they 7 givehff the struggle.
The Confederate loss, killed, wound-
ex! and missing, in all these battles,
beginning with the Wilderness ancl
concluding with that of Thursday last,
at Spottsylvania Court House, was
under fifteen thousand. The Wash
ington Chronicle, the organ of Lincoln,
that sees all things in the rose’s color,
announce^ the “depletion” of Grant’s
army by the battle of tire Wilderness,
and “other causes,” to have been, on
Tuesday evening ascertained, thirty-jive
thousand. To this awful'figure must
now be added the two da vs of unsuc
cessful assault on. the breast-works of
Spottsy fvauia—assault without ma
noeuvre, fuli in front, with deep col
umns, each fbici.ig tire other oh the
muzzle of the gut s—wherein the car
nage and loss must, in the necessity of
things, have been many times greater
than in the open,battles of the Wilder
ness and succeeding days. Putting
Hie tuV data together, it is impossible
to doubt the deduction that Grant’s
“depletion” by killitig wounding, and
“other causes 1 —that, is to say, by strag-
gl ng, desertion, Ac.—has surpassed
seventy thousand. The disproportion
of -numbers .between the antagonists
was.very' great when the Federal Gen
eral crossed the R;*pid Ann,' and il is
piobable that he has since received the
troops -originally retained to defend
Washington ; t>ut that disproportion
was wonderful reduced when the sun
went down on Thursday afternoon.
The capture of a brigade aqd sixteen
cannon from -our lines is certainly a
disagreeable circumstance ; but that
the'victory, on Thursday, was indu
bitable and complete, and iujmense in
effect upon the enemy, is proven be
yond cavil, by the fact that he laid still
liebinil Lis own trenches on Friday
without firing a shot. Considering that
he had commenced the work on Wed
nesday morning and continued it with .
unabated vigor till long after sunset;
that he has begun where he left oft' on
Thursday at the break of light, and
rushed, chatge after charge, upon Gen.
Lee, throughout the day; this fact, that
the'next d(r\\ h found turn jstill and si
lent, is most significant. General Lee
announces, in "the dispatch received