THE army of Gen. Grant had remained inactive during the 16th, 17th, and 18th, before Spottsylvania. On the afternoon of the 18th the enemy in force made an effort to turn the right of Gen. Grant's line. It was held by some regiments of heavy artillery, acting as infantry, comprising the 1st Massachusetts, 15th, 2d, 6th, and a battalion of the 4th New York, all under Col. Kitchings, who fell back across an open field under cover of some woods. Repeated attempts were made by the enemy to drive them further, but without success. Subsequently a charge was made, driving the enemy back across the open field, which was held. Night put an end to the conflict. The loss of Col. Kitchings was about eleven hundred men. About four hundred of the enemy were made prisoners.

The following is the despatch of the War Department:

WAR DEPARTMENT, WASHINGTON, May 20-6:30 P. M. Major-General Dix:

This afternoon we have despatches dated at half past eight this morning, from Gen. Grant.

Last evening an effort was made by Ewell's corps to turn our right. They were promptly repulsed by Birney's and Tyler's divisions, and some of Warren's troops that were on the extreme right. About three hundred prisoners fell into our hands, besides many killed and wounded. Our loss foots up a little over six hundred wounded and one hundred and fifty killed and missing.

General Grant says that probably our killed and

missing are over-estimated.

Over twenty-five thousand veteran reënforcements have been forwarded to Gen. Grant. The condition of the army and his contemplated operations are entirely satisfactory. The army is abundantly supplied. Major-General Hunter has been placed in command of the Department of West Virginia, including the Shenandoah valley.

On the night of the 20th the troops were moving all night to new positions; and on the next morning the general headquarters were broken up, and nearly the whole army was in motion. At 12 o'clock, P. M., of the 20th the cavalry left their camp in the woods near Massaponax Church, and advanced toward Guineas' station, on the Richmond and Fredericksburg Railroad. The pickets of the enemy, firing only a few shots, withdrew before the advance until they reached Guineas' bridge on the river Ny, a short distance from the station. Here an inclination to make a stand and oppose the advance was shown. They were, however, soon driven from the bridge. At Downer's bridge another stand was made, and

the position held for some time. At Bowling Green the enemy made no stand, but assembled at Milford station in considerable force. On an eminence a little to the left of the station the enemy had mounted a battery, and thrown up some rifle-pits. A battery accompanying the cavalry was put into position, and occupied the enemy whilst a flank movement to the left was made. This was executed with success, and the enemy made a hasty retreat across the Mattapony. Six officers and sixtysix soldiers were surprised and captured. Milford station had been, until the previous day, the base for supplies to the army under Gen. Lee. But obtaining information of the contemplated movement, the enemy had removed their stores before the arrival of the cavalry.

Soon after midnight on the night of the 20th the 2d corps moved from its position on the Ny, near Spottsylvania Court House, and followed the road thus opened by the cavalry. Nothing unusual occurred during the march to Bowling Green. The corps then crossed the Mattapony at Milford bridge, and about a mile from the river Gen. Hancock halted his column and formed a line of battle in a commanding position on the crest of a range of hills. The enemy's cavalry followed close in the rear during the march and picked up the stragglers.

it

At six o'clock on the morning of the 21st the occupied by them and pushed on in the rear of 5th corps, under Gen. Warren, left the position Gen. Hancock. As the column approached the bridge across the Mattapony at 4 P. M., was delayed by a detachment of the enemy's cavalry posted in the woods that skirt the river on both sides of the road. They were soon driven out with a slight loss. During the day the whole army was in motion. The weather had become fine and the roads well settled.

On Sunday, the 22d, the following despatch was sent from the War Department:

War Department, WASHINGTON, May 23—10 P. M Major-General Dix:

On Friday evening General Grant commenced a movement for the purpose of compelling Lee to abandon his position at Spottsylvania. It has thus far progressed successfully.

Longstreet's corps started south at one o'clock Friday night, an hour and a half after Hancock moved. Ewell's corps followed Longstreet's last night.

The indications are that the rebel army has fallen back behind the North Anna. Hoke's brigade has joined Lee.

The movement of General Grant has thus far been

Over eight thousand prisoners have been transported from the field to prison depots, and large amounts of artillery and other implements of an active campaign brought away. Several thousand fresh cavalry horses have been forwarded to the army, and the grand Army of the Potomac is now fully as strong in numbers, and better equipped, supplied, and furnished, than when the campaign opened.

Several thousand reenforcements have also been

forwarded to other armies in the field, and ample supplies to all.

During the same time over thirty thousand volunteers for a hundred days have been mustered into the service, clothed, armed, equipped, and transported to their respective positions.

This statement is due to the chiefs of the army staff and bureaux, and their respective corps, to whom the credit belongs.

EDWIN M. STANTON, Secretary of War. The 9th corps, under Gen. Burnside, began to move on the 21st. Early in the afternoon orders were given to leave the line of works thrown up in their front. The movement was covered by a sortie of Gen. Ledlie's brigade of Gen. Crittenden's division, who deplayed in front in skirmish line with two regiments held in reserve. The enemy were driven some distance toward Spottsylvania Court House. Meanwhile the rest of the corps moved out of the works, and by night were far on the road. The march was kept up steadily until eleven o'clock, when a short halt was ordered.

Finding the enemy in force on the road proposed, the route was abandoned. The column retrograded a few miles on the Richmond and Fredericksburg telegraph road, and thence moved to the southeast. At 9 o'clock on the next morning a halt of an hour was made, and then the march was resumed, crossing the railroad near Guineas' station, and arriving at Bowling Green at 4 P. M. On the next morning the march was continued to Milford station. The 6th corps moved after the 9th, and filed into the intrenchments as vacated by the 9th.

The sortie of Gen. Ledlie had rallied the enemy on their main line, and they advanced in considerable force upon the 6th corps, but were met with such a fire as caused them to retreat with severe loss. Subsequently it followed the route of the 5th corps. On the 22d the entire army was in a new position, facing westerly

from Milford to Guineas' station.

On Monday forenoon, May 22d, the advance of the army reached the North Anna River. The 5th corps arrived, by the telegraph road, in the neighborhood of Jericho Mills. The 24 corps arrived in the afternoon, and took position on the left of the 5th, extending to the railroad. In front of the army there were three fords of the North Anna, known as Island, Jericho, and Chesterfield, or Taylor's Bridge fords. The latter is about a mile above the railroad crossing of the river, and the next, or Jericho ford, about four miles further up. The 2d corps arrived at Taylor's bridge about the time when the 5th arrived at Jericho. About a hundred rods in front of Taylor's bridge is a small stream called Long Creek, parallel with the North Anna, and forming a junction with it below the railroad, thus giving a peninsular form to the land between. The bridge across the North Anna was commanded at its entrance by a redan whose extremities were covered by the river, and its flanks swept by artillery in field-works on the opposite bank, as well as by infantry in rifle-pits. The peninsula formed a broad open space between the redan and the 2d corps drawn up in front. Gen. Barlow's division occupied the right of the railroad, Gen. Birney's was in front of the peninsula, and Gen. Gibbon's on the right, while the 5th corps was on the right on the Milford road, and about four miles up from the railroad. Skirmishing commenced in front of Gen. Birney, and his batteries opened upon the enemy at 4 P. M. His division was ordered to charge and carry the works, and, if possible, get possession of the bridge across the river. A brilliant charge was made without a halt until the enemy was driven across the bridge, and guns so placed as to command it. The loss was about five hundred on each side. No effort was made to cross that night, but the bridge was then held by a small command. About 11 P. M. the enemy made a sortie from his works and endeavored to retake the bridge, but after a spirited skirmish of about twenty minutes he was driven off. About midnight another attack was made with a much larger force. The enemy got possession of the bridge and held it for some time, and made several attempts to burn it, but were finally forced to retire. Early the next morning the 2d corps crossed the river.

About the time when the bridge was taken by the 2d corps, the 5th corps effected a crossing and took a position on the south bank, and threw up some breastworks. Soon after they were attacked by a heavy force of the enemy, which was repulsed after causing a loss of about five hundred. Their own loss was unknown.

This attack was renewed during the night. About dark Gen. Burnside's corps came up and took position between Gens. Hancock and Warren, and made preparations to cross, while the 6th corps took the right of the 5th. On the next day, the 24th, the army crossed the river, and considerable skirmishing took place along the whole line with a loss of about five hundred. During the day a portion of the cavalry force under Gen. Sheridan reached the army, returning from James River. On the 25th, contrary to general expectation, the enemy were found strongly posted in force within two miles of Gen. Grant's lines. They lay in the form of a triangle, with the apex reaching nearly to the North Anna River, between the points where Gens. Warren and Hancock crossed with their corps. Their ground was found to be admirably chosen and extensively fortified. The formation of their line gave them every facility for a quick movement of troops from one flank to the other. A successful assault would have inɣolved immense slaughter. As the apex of the enemy's position stretched toward the North Anna, his right wing resting on a formidable marsh and extending across the railroad, protected it and covered the junction. His left wing ran along Little River. New movements were therefore made by Gen. Grant. His plan was to recross the North Anna and march by the left flank. The swelling of the streams by the recent rains made it prudent to commence it as soon as possible. To cover the movement a strong demonstration was made during Thursday on the left of the enemy. Some divisions of cavalry attacked his left, whilst the 3d division of Gen. Sheridan's cavalry moved up the Virginia Central Railroad and began to burn the track. Under cover of this attack, on Thursday evening the 27th, the 6th corps quietly and swiftly withdrew to the north bank of the river, followed by the other corps in quick succession, and moved out easterly for the Pamunkey. The rear was protected by Gen. Hancock. At the same time a strong skirmish line was left in front to engage the enemy's attention and disarm suspicion.

At 9 o'clock on the next morning, Friday the 28th, Hanover Ferry and Hanovertown were occupied by a portion of Gen. Sheridan's cavalry, who captured seventy-five of the enemy. At 10 A. M. the 1st division of the 2d corps arrived, followed closely by the remainder of the corps. Hanovertown is on the Pamunkey River, fifteen miles from Richmond, and sixteen miles from the White House, on the same river. Thirteen miles east of the White House is West Point, where the Mattapony and the Pamunkey join and form the York River. Transports with supplies for the army were already on the way to the White House, to which the base of the army was now changed. On Saturday the 28th the troops continued to arrive all day, and the crossing of the Pamunkey was secured. The enemy had previously occupied Hanover

Court House, and in the mean time extended his lines southerly. The despatch of the War Department relative to these movements was as follows:

WASHINGTON, May 28-9:50 P. M.

To Major-General Dix:

Army of the Potomac, at Magahick Church, ten miles An official despatch from the headquarters of the from Hanovertown, dated yesterday afternoon at five o'clock, has just been received.

It states that our army was withdrawn to the north side of the North Anna on Thursday night, and moved ing the Pamunkey. toward Hanovertown, the place designated for cross

At 9 o'clock yesterday (Friday) morning Sheridan, with the 1st and 2d divisions of cavalry, took possession of Hanover Ferry and Hanovertown, finding there only a rebel vidette. The 1st division of the with sufficient force of cavalry and infantry and ar 6th corps arrived at 10 A. M., and now hold the place, tillery to resist any attack likely to be made upon them. The remainder of the corps is pressing for ward with rapidity. Weather fine and perfect.

(28th), from Headquarters, Magahick Church, has A later despatch dated at 7 o'clock this morning also been received. It reports that every thing goes on finely; weather clear and cool; the troops came up rapidly and in great spirits, and that the army will be beyond the Pamunkey by noon.

Breckinridge is at Hanover Court House with a force variously reported from three thousand to ten thousand. Wickham's and Lomax's brigades of cavalry are also there.

The despatch further states that, after seizing Hanover Ferry yesterday, General Torbert captured rebel cavalry is exceedingly demoralized, and flees seventy-five cavalry, including six officers; that the before ours on every occasion.

No despatches from any other field of operations have been received to-day.

EDWIN M. STANTON, Secretary of War. On Saturday two divisions of cavalry, under Gens. Torbert and Gregg, were pushed toward Mechanicsville as a reconnoissance of the enemy's line. Near the Tolopatomy Creek, a tributary of the Pamunkey, a sharp engagement took place with a cavalry force of the enemy, which resulted in forcing them back some distance, leaving a part of their dead and wounded. The loss of the Union force was about four hundred, and that of the enemy was supposed to be not less.

On Sunday, the 29th, the whole army was across the Pamunkey, and fronted southwest about three miles from the river. Reconnoissances were made from each corps, followed up by a gradual advance. The enemy appeared to be in force, distant about six miles, and beyond the Tolopatomy Creek, holding Shady Grove and Mechanicsville with his extreme right, and his centre in front of Atlee's station on the Virginia Central Railroad, and his left covering Hanover Court House.

On Monday, the 30th, the forces of Gen. Lee were reported to be on the Mechanicsville road south of the Tolopatomy Creek, with his right resting on Shady Grove. The right of Gen. Grant's army, consisting of the 6th corps under Gen. Wright, extended in the direction of Hanover Court House. The right centre was held by Gen. Hancock on the Shady Grove road, and the left centre by Gen. Warren on

the Mechanicsville road. Gen. Burnside held the left, and a little in rear. The right and rear were covered by the 3d division of cavalry under Gen. Wilson. The divisions of Gens. Torbert and Gregg were advanced on the left flank. The division of Gen. Torbert held the Old Church Tavern Cross Road with a picket force extending on the road to Coal Harbor. A movement of the enemy was made about 2 P. M. upon these pickets, who were driven in, and a sharp engagement ensued, with a loss of eighty or ninety on each side, when the enemy were driven back. About 5 P. M. an attack was made on Gen. Warren's corps, which was gradually moving to the left along the Mechanicsville road, by a reconnoitring division of Gen. Ewell's corps with two brigades of cavalry. The turning of Gen. Warren's flank was endangered, which was prevented only by the timely arrival of reënforcements. A sharp engagement followed, and the enemy were forced to retire by a road parallel to the Coal Harbor road. Gen. Meade, upon being informed of the situation of Gen. Warren, ordered an attack along the whole line. Gen. Hancock alone received the order in time to attack before dark, and immediately advanced upon the enemy's skirmish line, captured their rifle-pits, and held them all night. Gen. Warren held his position near Mechanicsville, and the enemy moved down troops to prevent any further dangerous concentration on his right. An effort was made to dislodge Gen. Hancock at midnight, but without success.

On Tuesday, the 31st, the army of Gen. Grant was further reënforced by the arrival of the 18th corps under Gen. Smith. This corps, being a part of the command of Gen. Butler, embarked on transports at City Point, and moved with celerity down the James River and up the York River to the White House, which was the base of supplies for Gen. Grant's army.

After the retirement of Gen. Butler to his intrenchments on the 20th, little fighting occurred. An attack was made on his post at Wilson's Wharf, on the northerly bank of the James, held by two regiments of negro troops, on the 24th, by a body of cavalry under Gen. Fitz Lee. Á demand for surrender was made, which Gen. Wild declined, when the skirmishing line was speedily driven in, and furious charges made on the works. After a contest of three or four hours the enemy withdrew, leaving twenty-five dead on the ground. On the 26th a reconnoissance discovered the enemy in considerable force. The position of Gen. Butler now was such that his communication and supplies were perfectly secure. Both flanks of his remaining force were covered by gunboats.

On Tuesday, May 31st, the headquarters of Gen. Grant were about five miles southeast of Hanover Court House, and less than that distance west of Hanovertown. In front of that position, facing westerly on its right and

southwesterly on its left, the line of battle of the army extended a distance of six miles across Tolopatomy Creek. The right was held by Gen. Wright's 6th corps, next Gen. Hancock's 2d corps, next Gen. Burnside's 9th corps, and Gen. Warren's 5th corps on the left. The position of the enemy was on the westerly bank of a creek running southeast, and a tributary to the Tolopatomy before the latter turns to the northeast to the Pamunkey. Their line closely followed in general direction that of Gen. Grant's army. The right was held by Gen. A. P. Hill. the centre by Gen. Longstreet's corps, and the left by Gen. Ewell. In this position they covered the Chickahominy, which is the outer line of defence for Richmond and the Virginia Central Railroad, with cavalry supports thrown out on the left as far as Hanover Court House, and on the right to Bottom Bridge. This was the theatre of operations of the Army of the Potomac in 1862, when the approach to Richmond was made across the Chickahominy, before which the enemy were now strongly drawn up.

On Tuesday there was desultory firing through the day along the whole line. Gen. Grant already contemplated a movement by the left, and the 1st division of cavalry, under Gen. Torbert, were ordered forward to reconnoitre thoroughly the ground in the vicinity of Coal Harbor, and to hold it at all hazards for the occupation of infantry. While there a sharp fight ensued with a body of the enemy's cavalry, which resulted in Gen. Torbert's holding the desired ground.

On the next day, June 1st, an effort was made by a division of the enemy under Gen. Hoke, to get possession of Coal Harbor. This was repulsed by Gen. Sheridan. Subsequently Gen. Hoke was reenforced, and about noon checked the further advance of Gen. Sheridan on the left. On the previous night the 6th corps was detached from the right, and marched from Shady Grove to Coal Harbor, where they arrived soon after the close of the above affair. It formed in line on the right of the Gaines' Mill road, with Gen. Ricketts' division on the right, Gen. Russell's in the centre, and Gen. Neill's 2d on the left. About 3 o'clock the 18th corps, under Gen. Smith, from the White House, came into the field, and formed on the right of the 6th corps, with Gen. Mar tindale on the right, Gen. Brookes in the centre, and Gen. Devins on the left. Their march, like that of the 6th corps, had been severe, over a distance of twenty-five miles. A charge by the 18th corps was ordered at once, and, without stopping, they crossed an open field to a strip of wood, and took and held the first line of the enemy's rifle-pits, capturing six hundred prisoners. A lodgment was also effected in the enemy's line further to the right, but the po sition proved to be completely commanded by a redoubt in the second line of the enemy, and, amidst a heavy fire, it was abandoned. During the night the enemy made desperate efforts to