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The Latest News.
WASHINGTON, May 9. — Information has been received tonight that the rebel ram in Albermarie Sound has been attacked and sunk by the United States steamer Sassacus.
WASHINGTON, May 9. — Among the killed in the battles of Thursday and Friday was Col. Lombard, of the 1st Michigan regiment.
The N. Y. Herald has the following relative to the battles of Friday and Saturday:
At 5 o'clock in the morning the contest was renewed against our line, and the roar and hum of battle came form every quarter. From certain indications it was concluded that Lee was reinforcing Longstreet on Hancock's front, and part of Burnside's corps accordingly moved his support taking position to the left of Gen. Warren, and completely filling the gap into which the two brigades had been thrown the preceeding evening.
On the coming of daylight, towards the assigned position through the close forest, they found it occupied by rebels prepared to dispute its possession.
The fighting at this point was over by 9 o'clock, finding it impossible to dislodge the rebels form their position.
Early in the morning Hancock was driven back close to his breastworks by superior force, but subsequently rallied his men and succeeded in regaining most of his ground. Between 10 and 11 o'clock, however, Longstreet succeeded in turning the left of his advance and threw it into great confusion. This extended along the entire line, and came near involving the whole corps in inextricable confusion. He was once more forced back to his breastworks, and the rebels actually planted their colors inside them, but could not sustain themselves and were ejected. At this time heavy reinforcements were thrown to his support from Burnside's corps, and his men were rallied and taken well in hand, and all danger of further disaster was removed.
The charge of Longstreet was completely overwhelming. Solid masses of infantry were hurled upon General Hancock time after time, with an impetuosity nothing could withstand. It was exceedingly fortunate for the 6th corps and the whole army that he was checked at the critical period, and driven back with as much precipitation as he came. The ground in front of Hancock has been fought over a number of times, and the number of wounded and dying on the field was vast at night. Hancock occupied his breastworks, and had nothing but prisoners and the rebel dead to show for the slaughter of two days' fighting. He behaved with conspicuous gallantry throughout, and was on the field in person where the danger was thickest. Gen. Warren also rode along the line. The utmost surprise was manifested at the number of troops Lee was able to bring into action. This corps remained in its first position, however, till darkness came on.
About midnight a charge was made before which he gave way and was unable to regain the ground thus lost. This of course compelled the abandonment of a great portion of the line of breastworks in front of this corps, and brought the skirmish line within half a mile of Grant's and Meade's headquarters.
Sedgwick's corps maintained itself against the vigorous assaults of superior numbers at different times during the day, and had no serious reverse until late in the evening. A charge was made on its extreme right for the purpose of turning it, as was done with Hancock's in the morning.
Mallory's division was driven back in great confusion at length, and the enemy succeeded in effectually turning our right flank. The behavior of this division is severely criticised by those supposed to know more concerning the affair. This probably necessitated the removal of our sick and wounded and all supply trains form the Germania Ford road to our landing to Chancellorville. The latter were in motion the whole night, and at daylight had Lee occupied Germania and cut off the retreat of the army, that would have given him an advantage, and might have worked incalculable mischief, causing an undue extension of his line and correspondingly weakening it.
The contest of Friday was unsatisfactory to many officers, who despondingly fear that Lee would in some manner defeat Grant.
Superficial observers might construe our repulses of that day into a defeat, but no such foreboding found place in the minds of those who know the tenacity of purpose and fertility of resource which characterizes Grant.
The advantages of the next day verified their hopes. The battle recommenced at daylight on Saturday, but the firing was desultory and scattering. No fierce attacks were made on either side, both generals being intent on strategy, and neither anxious to bring on a general engagement. Lee seemed intent upon cutting our communication via Germania Ford. Grant appeared utterly indifferent to this, and seemed rather to court it by withdrawing Sedgwick from his position, and throwing it back by Germania Ford near his own headquarters, and pushing Burnside out on the Spottslyvania Court House road, and threatening Lee's line of communication.
A new line of battle was formed by a change in the position of the corps, which extended nearly north and south and gave Lee the choice of being cut off from his capital and risking everything upon a wager of battle.
At 12 p.m., Burnside was well under way to Spottsylvania. Lee had thrown infantry on to our right and drove in our cavalry pickets on the Germania road. The result could only be a precipitate retreat on the part of Lee to prevent our army from being thrown between himself and Richmond, or a deadly contest in open battle that could only end in his complete extermination. He soon discovered his error, and to all appearances had started in hot haste for another line of defense. Some think he will be found on the North Anna river, while others are fully certain there is no tenable position to fall back to between this and Richmond.