Columbia Democrat and Bloomsburg general advertiser. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1850-1866, 1863-05-23

selves. Our own men fought we'll. There
was no lack Of courage but an evident
feeling, apparently the result of having
: been 50 often whipped, or Of having wit.
messed the rout on the night previous,
that they were destined to be beaten, and
the only thing for them to do was to fire
and retreat. The enemy felt confident
that they were to be victorious, and our
own men had from some occasion, imbib.
ed the same impression. Our men showed
lack of earnestness and enthusiasm, but
no want Of courage. All that they needed
was the inspiration Of a series Of victories
to look back upon, and an earnestness and
confidence in the success of the cause for
which they were fighting. Thus ended
the Sabbath and another chapter in this
series of our disasters.
MONDAY,
Another day of misfortune, and the day
was hardly ushered in before the enemy in
force came down upon the detachments
which had been thought sufficient to hold
the works upon them, and after strongly
contesting the position they were compel
led to yield and fall back under the pro-
lection of the town. The enemy formed
their line of battle on the outskirts, and
within the town the two brigades ofGener-
! al Gibbon held them in check as long as
could be. Many wounded men here in the
hospitals, and the position was maintained
as long as possible, AT length the grouHd
was given up, the troops were withdrawn
the bridges taken up, and Fredericksburg
was given back to the enemy.
They were now at liberty TO turn their
attention 10 Scdgwick, ,and they lost no time
in concentrating their forces against him
They were to strong for him.
Alter most obstinate fight, in which
the enemy almost was successful in de-
stroying his bridges, and the possibility of
his escape, he made good his retreat alsc
to the bank of the Rappahannock. His
losses were appalling. He suffered ter.
ribly, and in their retreat there was much
confusion and disorder among the troops
a few at the first onset laid down their
and yielded themselves up prisoners with.
out freing musket, but generally the men
of this corps Displaced the greatest gallan-
try in fighting, and only yielded when
oyerpowered by superior numbers.
TUESDAY.
At this time the aspect Of affairs had
become exceedingly dark. The troops
were much dispirited, and although they
had held their position Oh Monday, the
prospect of meeting the combined forces
of the enemy with large reinforcements
which they were known to have received,
was exceedingly unpromising A severe
storm appeared also on Tuesday afternoon
swelling the Rappahannock 10 torrent
and threatening to carry away the bridges
Tuesday night the Army of the Kappa
hammock was withdrawn and cur entire
force brought again to this side of the r:v.
cr, with the exception of many dead ant
wounded, who were left behind to the ten
! der mercies of the enemy.
Thus ended tao nine days campaign on
the Ruppahannock. What was, it would
seem, the most difficult part Of the tasl
was accomplished most successfully, TIL,
army was concentrated in the rear of tn,
cncmy's works, and they were forced tt
come out Of them and give battle in th
open field. Strange to say, the army fail
ed to beat the enemy on comparativel,
equal ground and upon en- footing.
OUR LOSSES.
During these nine days our Losses cal
hardly fall short Of 5000 men. Posi-
bly, they will be more. d. w.
GooD,-During the Reign Of Terror tn
mob got hold of the Able Maury, ant