3

Washington, May 13.

— The extra says: An officer who arrived here to-day reports that at 3 o'clock yesterday afternoon a dispatch was received at the front from Gen. Sigel's command, dated at Butler's Mountain, between Charlottesburg and Lynchburg, at 7 A. M., announcing that our cavalry had torn up the railroad between Charlottesville and Lynchburg for 26 miles below the former place, and also the track of the Gordonsville road between Charlottesville and Keeswick had been destroyed.

When returning our forces encountered a body of rebel cavalry, who came from the direction of Carter's Mountain, and a skirmish ensued, which ended in the repulse of the rebels, who fled in the direction from whence they came.

The following dispatch from Mr. Dana has just been received at the War Department.

SPOTTSYLVANIA, May 13, 8 A. M.

To E. M. Stanton:
Lee abandoned his position during the night whether to occupy a new one in the vicinity or make a thorough retreat is not determined. One division of Wright, and one of Hancock's are engaged in settling this question, and at seven o'clock A. M., had come upon his rear guard. Although our army is greatly fatigued from the efforts of yesterday, the news of Lee's departure inspires the men with fresh energy. The whole force will soon be in motion, but the heavy rain of the last forty-six hours renders the roads very difficult for wagons and artillery. The proportion of the severely wounded is greater than in either of the previous days' fighting. This was owing to the great use of artillery.

(Signed,) E. M. STANTON.

A dispatch from Gen. Grant has just been received, dated near Spottsylvania Court House, May 12, 6:30 P. M. It is as follows:

"The eighth day of battle closes, leaving between 3,000 and 4,000 prisoners in our hands for the two days' work, including two general officers and over 30 pieces of artillery. The enemy are obstinate and seem to have found the last ditch. We have lost no organization, not even a company, whilst we have captured one division of Johnson, one brigade of Dobbs, and one entire regiment of the enemy.

(Signed,) E. M. STANTON.

Secretary of War.

The Republican extra has the following: Gen. Grant sent a dispatch to the President announcing that he moved on the enemy's works again at Spottsylvania C. H. on Tuesday morning, the 12th, at daylight. Gens. Burnside and Hancock were making grand and impetuous charges with the bayonet by corps, surprising the enemy and producing the wildest consternation in his ranks, crushing Lee's right and centre, and hurling his entire line back, with awful slaughter, a distance of several miles. Gen. Grant remained master of the field, with all their dead and wounded. The rout of the enemy was complete. Details hereafter.