The Sun.
London, England, 1863-05-18 00:00:00

S ON THE
'S,-

THE GREG'

.T B.

.TTL:

The following details of the great battles fought
upon the Rappahannock are extracted from the
papers received by the Persia :
(From the New York Times.)
Headquarters, Army of the Potomac, in the Field,
near Chancelloreville, Virginia, May 1, 10p.m.
The day opened with a heavy mist hanging over the
country, particularly near the river, which was not entirely
dispelled until the sun was well up—say, 8 o'clock. The
incrning was quiet; neither party seemed to be ready for
battle.

We brought up additional artillery during the night, as
well as large ammunition trains, and an allowance of six
forage waggons to each corps, which were ordered to return
in each case before any more were allowed to pass the
bridges. Major Painter of the Quartermaster's Depart-
ment, had charge of the ford, and regulated the passage of
waggons and artillery, so that there was no confusion ;
while the total amount of transportation which reached this
side of the river was very small, and not in the least cum•
ber some.
The Second Army Corps camp up during the night and
encamped near the left of our position. The Third Corps
lay between Banks and -United Suites Fords during the
night, and reached the front about noon. The troops
marched rapidly and with great cheerfulness.
The great strategic importance of this position grows
more and more apparent every hour. We hold the Gordons-
ville-road securely. By going half a mile to the rear we
find a country road leading to Spottsylvania Courthouse;
four miles to the rear is another. Their flank is thus dan-
gerously exposed, for if they retreat they are harassed by
flank and rear ; if they fight, they must fight in an open
field, on equal terms, with, perhaps great advantages in our
favour.

Evidences hourly accumulate of the fact that the enemy
is totally surprised at our vigorous operations, and in a
great measure unprepared
to meet us. That he is very ner-
vous is evident from the manner in which he falls to dig-
ging rifle pits in every convenient location. If any further
Evidence of this fact were needed, it is found in the capture
at this point, yesterday, of a despatch from General Lee to
an English officer here, saying, in substance, that he was
very much surprised at this movement, had not anticipated
it, and was unprepared to give him instructions. This des-
patch was dated April 29. One more fact. M.'Vicar captured
in his charge last night a despatch from General Lee to
Fitzhugh Lee, ordering his cavalry brigade to be at Spott-
sylvThnia Court-house on April 21). Thna T.ao octane in ur.n
APVicar's rear, who was also bound to Spottsylvania.
Hostilities among the pickets were carried on during the
night, with slight loss. Watson's battery, in Meade's front,
thus lost two men and eight horses. Our lines were not de-
veloped last night, the troops being massed in proper loca-
tions,

Here let me, if I can, give an idea of our exact location.
On your maps you will perceive Chancellorsville, a few
miles west of Fredericksburg, a true style of Virginia
vil-
lage, consisting of one house and a crossroad—albeit the
house in this instance is a fine large structure, and will ac •
commodate a great many wounded, to which purpose it is
already devoted. But the crossroad is the matter of vital
importance here. From this point the plank-road runs
directly west to Culpepper, by way of Germanna Ford, or
by turnpike via Ely's Ford. The Gordonsville turnpike
diverges to the left four miles in our rear. The plank-
road to Fredericksburg runs nearly due east, making an
elbow bend to the south here, but regaining its easterly
direction within four miles. Nearly east, or about east-
north-east, runs the old turnpike to Fredericksburg, which
intersects the plank-road again about three miles from here.
Near this intersection a road bears to the left, and goes to
Banks's Ford, six miles, direction north-east. United States
Ford lies north-north-west, and t he road thereto leaves the
Ely's Ford-road and bears to the right about one mile from
this point. This road winds through the timber, and is
very indifferent at the best.
The forenoon was mainly occupied by General Hooker,
his Staff, and able corps commanders in consultation, and
in making dispositions of the columns. At about 12 o'clock
General Sykes's division was sent forward on the left, by
the Bank's Ford-road, to make an attack, and compel the
enemy to develope his strength on that bank. He moved
promptly into position, with Weed's, now Watson's regular
battery. The first gun was fired by the enemy about 12
o'clock. Heavy skirmishing commenced, our men entering
the field with much enthusiasm. The Bth Pennsylvania
Cavalry skirmished in the very front for some time, and
sustained a galling fire from the enemy's infantry, but be-
haved with great intrepidity. They charged and recharged
upon the infantry, only to be in turn driven back. General
Sykes then threw forward two companies of infantry, with-
out knapsacks, on the double-quick, who supported the
cavalry, and checked the further pursuit of the enemy. The
action now became quite general between the twoforces, eash
seeming to be about the same strength. The rebel division
thus engaged was that of Anderson, part of Longstreet's old
corps, and consisting of the brigades of Pasey, Mahone, and
Wilcox. Sykes fought the latter brigade at Gaines's Mill.
The rebels contested the ground very vigorously, giving way
only when pressed very hard. Our troops fought for fully
an hour with great spirit, and drove the enemy from two
suxessive and strong positions upon ridges of land n hich
run parallel with the Rappahannock. The distance thus
gained was nearly one mile, and some 50 prisoners, mostly
belonging to Virginia regiments, were captured. They gave
themselves up readily, many of them manifesting pleasure j
at their position. About half-past 1 o'clock, just as Colonel
Chapman, commanding a brigade of regulars, had expressed
a desire to " take another ridge," an order was received by
Gen. Sykes from Gen. Hooker to suspend the attack, and
take nearly to his former position, This appeared inex-
plicable to both officers and men, and as the latter came
back slowly and in good order, frequent mutterings were
heard among them about being on the retreat again. But
the sequel proved there was a mind over all who directed
what was best for them.
The cause for this movement was the fact that General
Hooker had received information from headquarters that
the enemy had thrown the greater part of his force over on
this side of the fortifications, and had also removed many
of the guns in the lower batteries and placed them in posi-
tion at the upper end of the town, thus indicating an
intention of making an attack on us. He therefore sus-
pended this preliminary attack at once, which had been
arranged as a prelude to important operations elsewhere,
and rightly surmised that if the enemy did really mean to
attack us they would follow up our retirement. At 2 p.m.
he remarked, "I think I can make them come out and fight
me on my own ground." In two hours the assertion was
proved. The enemy mistook our voluntary retirement for
a check, and followed us rapidly as we fell back.
General Sykes's division had got in their old position, and
pickets thrown out, when the enemy again appeared in force
on the ridge at the foot of which we lay. Our men had
stacked arms, and were at rest. The whole division,
save the Duryea Zouaves, were lying at nearly right
angles witria the read. The Zouaves were parallel with the
road. Quick as thought General Sykes brought his men
into line, the Zouaves on the left half-wheeling into line of
battle like a machine. The rebels paused a moment on
the top of the ridge, and, as if to nerve them for the
onset, gave one of their scattering, demoniac yells, and
then came down on the double-quick, shooting, capturing,
and literally running over our poor pickets, who scrambled
behind all sorts of obstructions. But in an instant more a
terrible crash resounded from the Zouave end of the line.
and down the column rolled the most deafening roar of
musketry that in all my war experience has ever met my
ears. It did not last, apparently, two minutes ; but its
work was done.
This attack was very fierce, and, being so' much near
than the previous firing had been, created considerable com-
motion around the cross-roads. It at once brought Gen,
Hooker into the saddle for the first time during the day,
and things were speedily in shape. This onslaught
hwaafit
for
e
the purpose of retaking
this very important point. T
thing done was the massing of artillery near the roads, and
in 15 minutes 22 guns were sending shell into the woods
and the roar of artillery became ten times more deafening
than that of the musketry had been. The work was soon
dote. The contest lasted three-quarters of an hour, and the
enemy ignominiously retired.
n
Ano ugh this attack was so handsomely repulsed, it
proved to be only preliminary to still greater operations. At
4 30 p.m. Coi.
plank 'road, reported the enemy Di°oll, Who had cavalry skirmishers on the
driving in his pickets. advancing in force and
to the right, and General Slocum as soon discovered deploying
by sending in Geary'a divisinand promptly met the move
illaraowever, and the next
pton's battery. The
attack proved to be only a feeler,
thing was a development still further
was again checkmated by General W"iir right, which
three batteries of artillery and his own r li'
very effectively to the enemy's fire, which was.on, repliedwho,•with
brisk but never healey. Beyond this he did not 6°got
, timnet
es
to occasionally shell our extreme right, under Generale
Howard; but his troops were very placid, and the shells did
Lo damage.

For a while there was a cessation of the desultory and
spasmodic firing, which had been going on for two h s
But at half-past 6 o'clock a desperate charge Was made for
our batteries commanding the plank-road. The rebels ad-
ranced through the woods at a rapid pace, and got within
point-blank canister range of our guns. A column, also,
came up the road wildly. Geary met them with great
promptness, and wheeling a regiment into the road, a deadly
volley was poured into their advance. At the same time
Knapp and Hampton double shotted their guns with canis-
ter, and for 15 minutes there was another fiery episode. Of
course the enemy were severely repulsed, and with heavy
loss. Their killed and wounded fell in the timber in front
of our batteries, and the leaves and brush having been set
on fire by our shells, the poor wretches are suffering a
double death.
After this hour there were no more vigorous attempts on
the part of the enemy. For an hour or more a sharp shell-
ing was kept up against our extreme left, occupied by Gen.
Meade.eade. Gen. Couch's forces were deployed early in the
f
ternoon, and rendered effective assistance in supporting the
eelkll:e. Gen. Sickle's column acted as a reserve.
ilk_
(a/entire operations of the day indicate that the enemy
was gated mainly in feeling our lines, endeavouring to
find a weak Point, and to ascertain the strength of our posi-
tion and forces, but hewas repulsed at every point, particu-