[from our own Correspondent.]
Army of Northern Virginia,
Near Spotsylvania C. H., May 19, 1864.
On Tuesday evening about 4 P. M. Gen. Wright, on our right centre, with two regiments, moved forward on a reconnaissance towards the enemy's lines.
Before going far, the enemy threw forward their skirmishers.
An engagement, lasting a few in moments ensued, when our men fell back, and nothing else was done along our infantry lines during that day. Late that afternoon, the enemy having advanced some cavalry near to Stanard's Mid, on the telegraph road, our cavalry met them and hold them in check.
Early yesterday morning, about daylight, a picked command of Yankees, composed.
It is said, of volunteers who were called on by Grant in person, inside a faint of a purpose to assault our but they had scarcely mole their appearance on Lowell's which our artillery opened upon them with grape, shrapnel, and case shot.
commanded the enemy's column, but their performances reflected little credit upon that nerve and dash for which Yankee claim that Hancock is noted.
So feeble was the attack that our officers were both to be have that if was meant in earnest.
The enemy advanced but a short distance, when they engaged our skirmishers, who held them in check until we had massed twenty pieces of artillery in position.
These suddenly opened upon the enemy, when our skirmishers retired and our infantry fire of battle fired into them.
For more than an hour the roar of artillery was incessant and the battle of musketry quite brisk.
At the end of this time the enemy's dead strewed the ground in front of our earthworks, and we had captured some seventy prisoners. The enemy then retired.
Shortly afterwards a vigorous cannonade was commenced by the enemy on our right and centre, which, lasted for two hours or more, our batteries replying spiritedly, and giving the enemy "as good as they sent"
Our losses in the engagement in front of Ewell's lines were not over thirty, whilst that of the enemy is, estimated at fully fifteen hundred.
Last night the enemy abandoned this part of the line, burying the arms which they could not take off — To-day our men are busy exhuming them.
Gentlemen who have ridden over the field say that the enemy have left about two hundred unburied dead on the field over which they fought on yesterday.
The enemy seem now to be massing everything on their left, (our right) as if concentrating to resist an attack, or to be the better prepared to fall back, or to move on us from a new point of operation.
To show you how the Yankees are keeping up the agony.
I send herewith Meade's congratulatory order to his troops after the great battle of the 12th.
It is as follows:
Near Spotsylvania C. H., May 19, 1864.
Headquarters Army of Potomac,
May 13, 1864.
Soldiers:
The moment has arrived when your Commanding General feels authorized to address you in terms of congratulation.
For eight days and nights, almost without intermission, in rain and sunshine, you have been gallantly nothing a desperate foe, in position naturally strong, and rendered doubly so by entrenchments.
You have compelled him to abandon his fortifications on the Rapidan, to retire and to attempt to stop his onward progress, and now he has abandoned his last entrenched position so tenaciously held, suffering a loss to all of 18 guns, colors, and 8,000 prisoners, including two general officers.
Your heroic deeds and noble endurance of fatigue and privation will ever be remembered.
Let us return thinks to God for the mercy thus shown us, and ask earnestly for its countenance.
Soldiers, your work is not over.
The enemy must be pursued and, if possible, overcome.
The courage and fortitude you have displayed render your Commanding General confident your future efforts will result in success.
While we mourn the loss of many gallant comrades, let us remember the enemy has suffered equal, if not greater loss,. We shall soon receive reinforcements, which he cannot expect.
Let us, then determine to continue vigorously the work so well begun, and under God's blessing, in a short time, the object of our labors will be achieved. May 13, 1864.
Soldiers:
Geo G. Meade, Major Gen.
Official: S. Williams. Last night about sundown the enemy, about one hundred strong, dashed into Guiney's Station and burnt it. During the day of yesterday the enemy are reported to have landed from their gunboats at Port Royal, after first shelling the woods for an hour or more.
X.
