The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1863-05-15
THE FIGHTING AT FTEDER-
lCKSBURG.
Correspondence of the New York Herald.

Monday Morning, May 4. O'clock.
The going down of the sun on Saturday
found our troops of the left scattering out on
both sides of the river, some two miles below
the city. The Flying Division had advanced
to the old Richmond road General Burk's
command lay back, nearer to the river Gene
raj HOwe's and General NewtOns forces were
on the plain opposite To mention where the
other troops were would not be prudent.
Under cover OF night Gems. Howe and New
ton crossing over the river. Gen. Newtons
division is now temporarily commanded by
Gen. Wheaton, he having assumed command
of Gen. Sedgwick's CORPSE About two O'Clock
in the morning orders came to move at once
on the enemy. The greater portion of the
forces moved quietly up the Richmond road
and winding down through the gully just be-
low the city reached the outskirts of Freder
icksburg, between four and five o'clock. Gems.
How and Newton's divisions were in advance,
then followed the Flying Division or Light
Brigade" and Gen. Brooks forces were extern
ded on the extreme left. Meantime companies
of the 50th New York Engineers had construc-
ted pOntOOn bridges directly across to the city,
both above and below the Lacy House, and the
AID New York, 10Th and both Massachusetts,
59th New York and the 127th Pennsylvania,
constituting HaIrs-Danas old brigade. I'd
COrps-tOgether with three other regiments,
including the I'd New York and 10Th MassachU
sets, crossed on the upper bridge and deploy-
ed out along the bank above the city.
Batteries were also brought up and
planted close to the city: among them
Harness. Martins, Battery b, ID Rhode Island
Lieut.. Brown; Battery &, Sth Rhode Island,
Capt Adams, and Battery ID, I'd Artillery. The
1st Maryland and ''TeXamers Pennsylvania
battery were posted on the plain further below,
where they could deliver 4 fire either up or
down the range of hills. The object of this
movement to the city was to storm the first
line of rebel earthworks above, which General
Sumner attempted in vain to take last Decem-
Der, losing 1000 men in the effort. Nor did
the idea OF again charging against those for
Hlidabie Entertainments appear SO insane to the
troops as one might think. So buOyant and
hopeful were the boys that they felt as ii they
could go anywhere and surmount any and cv-
cry obstacle. The reader will remember that
this line of earthwOrks is about one-third OF 4
mile from the city, extending close along the
monument erected to Mary, the mother OF
Washington, which is erected on Il sort OF nat
ural bluff. Beneath runs the famous stone
wall and a road leading off in the direction OF
Richmond. Between this road and the city is
| an open plain commanded by the rebel works.
Across this plain and over the stone wall the
charging column had to advance before reach
ing the fortified bluff
About D. O'Clock in the morning CochraneS
old brigade (NewtOn's division). now COM
manded by Col. Shaler, and led by him in
person, charged over the plain, and succeeded
in nearly reaching the stone wall, but were
obliged to fall back The 62d New York. it is
said, endeavored to storm the works before
this hour OF the morning. The rebels kept up
4 constant fire of musketry from behind earth
works, buildings and rifle-pts, while the guns
from above raincd down Il perfect storm OF
grape and canister on the troops. Gen. Brooks
division, which Was on the extreme left SUI
Tered least, though fired at the most, owing to
the fact OF most of the enemyS missiles pass
ing over the heads Of the troops. 1t was now
II o'clock. continuous fighting had been going
on for full six hours, and the rebels still
held their works. General Sedgwicl now
determined on having the Light Brigade"
charge the heights. Colonel Burnham COM
handing moved his forces along under
the projection of abandoned earthwOrks and
the hillside formed by the sloping down oftEe
plain near the city, until he had arrived direct
iy in front of the most formidable position
known rs the slaughter PEN" Knapsacks
and any article of clothing which might i'm
pcde their rapid movement were cast aside by
| the men, and they were deployed cut in the
following order; One half of the 9th Wiscon-
sin, Colonel Allen, as Skirmish line: 3lst New
York, Colonel Jones Oh the left: 9th Maine,
Lieutenant Colonel Harris commanding, and
the remaining portion OF the fifth in the rear
OF, and supporting the 31st at the same time
At the same time a force consisting of the 43d
New York and 6lst Pennsylvania, and one or
two other regiments were sent up the road at
the right of the stone wall. Going on to the
regiments of the Light Brigade, prepared for
charge, were the 36th New York and 9TH Mas
sachusetts, and still further on other regi-
mentS.
AT twenty minutes past seven the lion-heart-
ed men rose from their feet Every one of the
thousand spectators on the hills in the rear
held their breath in terrible suspense expecting
to see them all the next moment PROSTATE in
the dust. Forward :" cried the General, and
they dashed forward on the open plain when
instantly there was poured upon them a most
terrific discharge of grape and canister Many
lay dead, but not one taltered. Full 400 yards
must be passed over before gaining the stone
WALL As they press forward, delivering the
battle-cheer, which is heard above the roar of
the artillery, the rebel guns farther to the
left are turned upon them. But they talter
not moment more they have reached the
stone WALL scaled its sides, are Chamber
ing the green bank of the bluff, and precisely
as the city clock struck, they rushed over the
embrasure of the rebel guns and the heights
are ours. The enemy, with the exception OF
the cannoniers, fled in wild confusion, secreting
themselves in the houses, woods. and wher-
ever place OF cOncealment was afforded. The
guns captured proved to be the Washington
Artillery. the battery so highly comp!imented.
by Gen. Lee in his report of the last battle OF
Fredericksburg, and which has figured more
or less since the outbreak OF the reDelnon