flashing their lights among the May blossoms of the branches. The batteries were harnessed up among the patriot diggers, who laid aside their pickaxes and spades occasionally to look to their guns and bayonets. Thus passed the watchful night of war. As the sun rose scouts reported the enemy still in front, but in small force; and at noon Hancock had again advanced and taken possession of his new field.

A light-horse battery of the enemy, on the approach of our troops at a brisk charge, quickly limbered up, and posted off in hot haste. It was well for them that they did. A lively engagement ensued, during which the rebels made the best use in their power of a secreted position they held in an adjacent wood. They dared not meet us there in the open field. Some of them who ventured out were taken prisoners, and in other parts of the battle ground considerable supplies and munitions of war were captured.

The marching of HANCOCK to form a junction with Sedgwick and Warren had been well done. He moved in line of battle by the left flank to mass, fighting every foot of the way against an entrenched enemy, who was determined, at all hazards, to prevent the strategic movement of our General. Every position that he took he obstinately held, completely

foiling the rebels, and effecting his junction at the desired time and designated place. The great object was attained by the exertion of his utmost skill and vigor. The part he had to perform was realized by him, and all, to be a severe one; but ably, bravely, successfully he performed it. He took the rebel line of rifle pits at a most critical moment, and five stands of colors. It is admitted that his heroism and skill in these preliminary engagements did much toward saving our army.

By his passage of the Po HANCOCK secured a coigne advantage over the enemy. He enfiladed the entire rebel position, commanding their roads, on which their trains were passing. It was a bold move; but like the dashing character he had so nobly won. His two divisions thrown over the river connected with the right of WARREN. By this junction the rebels were driven from their coverts in the woods, where we had been exposed to some damage from their shells. A general attack followed along the entire line, continuing for several hours. The enemy could not withstand our charge, but fell back in confusion, leaving a large number of killed, wounded, and prisoners, on the field.

Early in the morning of the 12th of May, fighting was resumed by HANCOCK. In one of his brilliant

war.

charges, for which he has become so justly famous, he dashed on the division of Hill, planted in its entrenchments, five miles below Spottsylvania Court House. At the head of his gallant Corps, fired with the energy peculiar to him, he charged on the foe at the double quick. His appearance on this occasion is described as the impersonation of the heroism of Cheering his men as he placed himself at their head, receiving their cheers in return with the waving of his sword, he gave the word "Charge!" with a shout that rang along the lines like the clangor of a trumpet. The steady columns swept onward at that familiar word, and followed their great commander into the very centre of the breaking lines of the rebels. They wavered, staggered, fell back, step by step; then broke into a confused mass, and fled in all directions. Colors struck the ground, horses tumbled headlong in the wreck, shattered cannon ploughed the reeking earth, bayonets crossed in wild, discordant clatter, heaps of confused bodies strewed the crimson grass on every side; while over all, louder than the roar of guns, amid the advancing standards of the Union, all unfurled and flapping in the smoky air, rose on high the shout Victory!" "Victory!"

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As our columns dashed over the field, HANCOCK

still at their head, the prisoners and trophies of war were gathered around him. They numbered three thousand men, among whom were one Major General, two Brigadier Generals, fifty officers, and twelve pieces of artillery.

The result of the battle was a flag of truce from Lee, and the capture of despatches, in which he confessed that he was short of supplies. It was evident that he must fall back on Richmond, as his final base.

The valor of HANCOCK in this splendid engagement has been well characterised as sublime. He placed himself at the head of his entire Corps; every division, every brigade, every regiment, being under his eagle eye. His orders were his own, from first to last. Every movement was his, from the beginning to the close of the fight. His presence was seen, heard, and felt, in all parts of the field; until the enthusiasm of his men, as they rushed eagerly on the enemies of their land, knew no bounds. His associates in command rallied around him with a readiness that never wavered, a skill that never failed, a courage that never faltered. The whole mass moved together, like a terrific engine of war in the grasp of one strong hand, and controlled by the will of one gifted mind. What wonder that he achieved so glorious a victory?

CHAPTER XXVII.

ACROSS THE RIVER PO.

"Let us, then, be up and doing;
With a heart for any fate,

Still achieving, still pursuing,

Learn to labor and to wait."

Longfellow.

HE pursuit of the retreating army of Lee was

THE

made with as much rapidity as an unfavorable change in the roads would permit. HANCOCK, still again in the advance, had accomplished the feat, described in another chapter, which resulted in the capture of Major Generals Edward Johnson and George H. Stuart, and a large portion of their commands.

The fatigue of our army was great, and the line of march was much impeded by a fall of rain of thirty-six hours' duration. The glorious success of HANCOCK had inspired all hearts, and the resolution to achieve new victories over the galled and retreating rebels was instantly formed. As the rain ceased and the sun broke forth on the day that witnessed