May 7—We are still penned up as prisoners in the rear of the army, close by General Grant’s headquarters. A great many prisoners came in to-day. From some of them I heard that my brother was well.
Wednesday, May 7, 2014
May 7, Saturday. Some fragmentary intelligence comes to us of a conflict of the two great armies. A two days’ fight is said to have taken place. The President came into my room about 1 P.M., and told me he had slept none last night. He lay down for a short time on the sofa in my room and detailed all the news he had gathered.
Mr. Wing, a correspondent of the New York Tribune, called upon me this evening. He brings the first news we have had, but this is not full and conclusive.
Early May 7th we sent our a strong skirmish line to locate the enemy’s position and found that he had retired behind his entrenchments. During the day Custer’s cavalry division drove the rebel cavalry from Cartharpin furnace to Todd’s tavern, and Warren’s corps brought on a considerable picket engagement about noon in making a reconnoissance on his front, and so the battle of the Wilderness ended. Our losses are said to amount to at least fifteen thousand men, without other result then probably killing and wounding as many of the rebels. Grant has no idea of ceasing operations, however, but is said to be arranging for another move by the flank to get between Richmond and the rebel army. Hancock was ubiquitous, riding everywhere and sending staff officers in endless succession from one end to the other of the line to keep himself posted on the situation. Our division remained all day along the Brock road, but towards night were ordered to march to Todd’s tavern in the direction of Spottsylvania court house. As soon as it became dark Warren’s corps passed from the right, their original position, immediately in our rear on the Brock road, we remaining in position behind the works.
by John Beauchamp Jones
MAY 7TH.—Bright and warm. The following is Gen. Lee’s dispatch, received yesterday morning—the italics not his.
“HEADQUARTERS ARMY NORTHERN VIRGINIA,
“May 5th, 1864.
“HON, SECRETARY OF WAR.
“The enemy crossed the Rapidan at Ely’s and Germania fords. Two corps of this army moved to oppose him—Ewell by the old turnpike, and Hill by the plank-road.
“They arrived this morning in close proximity to the enemy’s line of march.
“A strong attack was made upon Ewell, who repulsed it, capturing many prisoners and four pieces of artillery:
“The enemy subsequently concentrated upon Gen. Hill, who, with Heth’s and Wilcox’s divisions, successfully resisted repeated and desperate assaults.
“A large force of cavalry and artillery on our right was driven back by Rosser’s brigade.
“By the blessing of God, we maintained our position against every effort until night, when the contest closed.
“We have to mourn the loss of many brave officers and men. The gallant Brig.-Gen. J. M. Jones was killed, and Brig.-Gen. Stafford, I fear, mortally wounded, while leading his command with conspicuous valor.
“(Signed) R. E. LEE.”
A dispatch from Gen. Lee this morning says Hill’s corps was thrown into confusion yesterday by an attack of the enemy when some of the divisions were being relieved. But afterward we recovered the ground, strewn with the dead and wounded of the enemy. Then we attacked their whole line, driving them behind their breastworks. He concludes by thanks for our ability still to withstand all assaults. No doubt Grant has overwhelming numbers, and Lee is under the necessity of sparing his men as much as possible, while his adversary leads into action a succession of fresh troops. Gen. Longstreet is wounded.
Gen. Beauregard is at Petersburg, charged with the defense of this city and the railroad. Troops have been marching toward Drewry’s Bluff during the day. If the attack be delayed 24 hours more, we shall be strong enough to repel even the then greatly superior numbers of the invader.
But there is more anxiety manifested to-day. Senator Hunter and Mr. Ould, the agent of exchange, have been in the office next to mine once or twice, to drink some of the good whisky kept by Mr. Chapman, the disbursing clerk of the department. Mr. H.’s face is quite red.
5 P.M. The tocsin is sounding, for the militia, I suppose, all others being in the field. It is reported that the attack on Drewry’s Bluff, or rather on our forces posted there for its defense, has begun. Barton’s brigade marched thither to-day. It is said the enemy have 40,000 men on the south side of James River—we, 20,000.
There is now some excitement and trepidation among the shopkeepers and extortioners, who are compelled by State law to shoulder the musket for the defense of the city, and there is some running to and fro preliminary to the rendezvous in front of the City Hall. The alarm, however, I learnt at the department, is caused by reports brought in by countrymen, that the enemy is approaching the city from the northeast, as if from Gloucester Point. It may be so—a small body; but Gen. Ransom, Gen. Elzey’s successor here, doubts it, for his scouts give no intelligence of the enemy in that quarter. But the 19th Militia Regiment and the Foreign Battalion will have the pleasure of sleeping in the open air to-night, and of dreaming of their past gains etc.
