The Burlington weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1860-1876, 1863-05-09
Details from Hooker.s Left wing.

Details from Hooker's Left Wing.
LEFT WING, ARMY OF THE POTOMAC,
May 2, 1663.-My last was to midnight
on Thursday, upon which day the enemy,
finding that the crossing 25 miles up the
Rappahannock, at Kelly's Ford, was not a
feint on our part, threw large force in the
direction of Charlottesville, ten miles
southwest of fredericksburg, where our
right wing had arrived the previous even
ing. The rebels have been moving grad
ually in that direction ever since, according
as our approaching lines reveal hourly adj
ditional strength. In ascartaining their
movements loves balloon has been of
great value. They have consumed the
woods surrounding Fredericksburg for
fuel during the past winter, leaving no OBJ
structions to sight but the unevenness of
ground, q disadvantage which does not
much interfere with the observations of the
4rOnaut. s
Wadworth's division of Reynolds corps,
Brooks division of SedgWicks corps. re-
manned during Thursday night on the OPP
posite side of the Rappahannock, where
they had effected a Judgment the day be-
fore, and the enemy, cautioned by the I'M
suspected withdrawal of Burnside last De-
cember, frequently approached our pickets
to ascertain if they still remained. Our left
wing, consisting of the two corps mention
ed above, Law inactive yesterday until late
in the Afternoon. gs1,.5lr
In expectance of the approaching fight,
the soldiers continued their usual game of
ball and quoits, played cards, cut hair, or
slept. Officers sat quite as unconcerned,
and many could be seen lying under their
little shelter tents, buried as deeply in a
novel as in past days of safety and sofas.-
A chaplain posted notice in brigade, in
viting the soldiers to meet him in prepara-
ton for the solemn events at hand. He
was attended by II. Not to be foiled, he in
duced a Colonel to form his regiment in
square for a discourse, and mounting a
cracker box, harangued earnestly to unlis-
tening ears. ~
Toward evening an order came from the
Commanding General on the right for
ga demonstrations Accordingly, troops
sprang to arms, and moved toward the
bridges, apparently with caution, behind
hills, but displaying themselves, as if un-
avoidably, in passing rayines. This, by
showing that we continued in heavy force
on our left, was toiprevent Mr.. Secesh from
weakening his right, and throwing more
troops in the direction in Charlottesville.
Mr.. Secesh was not affected by this. He,
too, made Demonstration
After nightfall he lit an unusual quanti-
ty of fires, to prove that he was in enor-
nous force. Thir morning the balloon
found but 1000 men opposite us. The rest
had joined the main body. The day COM
whizzing of shells, but these soon ceased.
Ten thousand men, behind the powerful
defences which baffled us last December,
were a match for &C, 900 assailants, and we
waited patiently for q further diminution
of his numbers, or news of disaster to his
main body before attacking. He did not
stir. s @ a H
Finally, towards noon, Wadsworth's di-
vision recrossed the river, withdrew the
moved over the meadows in sight Of the
enemy, up the Rappahannock toward
Banks Ford, miles distant. This osten-
tation had but little effect. Weakened as
we were, the enemy moved but about :, :
600 men, and remained in strength. The
day was beautiful. Bees buzzed. Pretty
villas in the suburbs of Fredericksburg
niticent plain below sparkled in the sun re-
splendent with the vivid green of Spring.
Nothing there suggested to an Impractical
eve aught inharmonious with the scene.
The experienced vision could only detect
in the lines of yellow earth far in the dis
lance the lurking spirit of evil.
Late in the afternoon, Gen. Hooker tele-
graphed from the right to his chief of staff,
Gen. Butterfeld, that the enemies of hui
man liberty appeared to be in retreat. This
being the case, an attack from our left
would be safe. Those remaining there
dare not long resist. A detachment from
our right would attack their rear. Butter
field thereupon ordered Sedgwick to drive
| in the ensmy's pickets, and cross over with
the remainder Of his corps, the divisions Of
! Howe and Newton.
| The duty of attacking the pickets was in.
trusted to the eight brigade of Howe's
division, so called from their supplies be.
ing carried on mules, instead of wagons
and thus easily and rapidly transported
1t was commanded by Col. Burnham, and
consisted of the 43d and 3lst New York, 9Th
Wisconsin, and 9th Maine. Proceeding
nearly half mile up ravine unseen
by the rebels, they surprised them by 9
flank attack on their left, in the Bowling
Green road, and a short exchange of shots
drove them away, with the loss on our side
of one killed and nine wounded. csc
BY 10 o'clock the whole corps had passed
the river, and soon after were wrapped in
their blankets and asleep behind theil
stacked muskets, resembling, in the bright
moonlight, long lines of enshrouded corp
ses. u si-.' f ai#at- 50, 10
| May 3.-As morning dawned sharp
| fire from our batteries was opened on the
heights behind Fredericksburg, without
reply from the rebels. Gen. Sedgwick has
moved his headquarters to Fredericksburg,
and our men nave TAKEN the nrSC llHe Ol
redoubts behind the city with great ease
| and little loss of life. At the extreme left,
on the plain bordering the river, the troops
stand quietly in line Of battle, while skir-
mishers cautiously advance to feel the en-
emy's strength:
Notwithstanding reports of his disaster
elsewhere, and that his shells are few and
far between, it necessary to approach those
! formidable works with caution. A sudden
fire. both front and enilading may be
opened at a moment when we little expect
it.-COr. N. Y. Tribune.