Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1863-05-20
Gen. Anderson, with his three, ,brigades

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8 o'clock, a. m., and then calmly, waited
the approach Of "the best army on the plan,
et," assured that the three small brigades
then with him, numbering less than 5000
men, would give good account of them
selves to their friends and their country,
should; the Yankees have the temerity to
rush upon them in the strong position they
then occupied. Hooker advanced slowly
and cautiously, throwing forward q strong
force of cavalry, with several batteries OF
artillery, strongly supported by infantry,
while his, main body was collected in and
around Charlottesville. To fully under,
stand the subsequent movements of our own
army and that of Hooker, it may be neces'
sary to explain the position Of Chancellors-
yiBe and its.appseaches ~ ~ s.
charlottesville is not town, unless q
single large two story brick residence, for
merly kept as tavern, be such. This
building is situated on the Orange and
Fredericksburg plank road, Is miles above
Fredericksburg, and about four miles South
West of the Rapidan River, and just where
the main road from Elys Ford falls into the
plank road. At this point, also, the turn
pike diverges from the plank road, and, af'
ter passing for five miles. over succession
of hills, falls again into the plank road at
the crossing of the Old Mine Road, ten
miles above Fredericksburg, and FIVE miles
North East from Charlottesville, on the
Rappahannock, II miles below the couau.
ence of the Rapidaa is the United States
Ford from this ford, in Southerly direc'
tion, runs the Old Mine Road, which eros
ses at distance of FIVE miles from the river,
the plank road at point already described
ten miles above Fredericksburg, and five
miles below Charlottesville. One and a
half miles above Charlottesville the road
from Germanna falls into the plank road at
or near Wilderness Church. 1t was by this
latter road, and by the road from Ely'f
Ford, that Hooker made his advance upon
Charlottesville.
Let us now return to the operation Of our
army. During the day, Thursday, all was
quiet in front Of Early, and
it was even thought that a portion Of the
euemy's force had recrossed the river A
bout the middle Of the afternoon, the enc.
my's advance line of skirmishers had ad.
vanced down the turnpike, until having
fallen upon Mahoue's skirmishers, a brisk
firing began, which continued during the
afternoon, with little effect on either side,
the enemy being very reluctant to engage
US in our strong position, and our own force
being too weak to make an aggressive move.
ment.
Duringthe. night of Thursday Genersl
Lee ordered jackson, with A. P. Hills
and Rhodes formerly D. H. Hill's) divis.
ions to the support of Gen. Anderson, where
they arrived about 8 o'clock on Friday
This left Early alone with his
division on our right, and McLaws' divis-
sion, with Wilcox's brigade, of Audersou's
division, in front of Fredericksburg. As
soon as Gen: Jackson reached our position,
he ordered an advance upon the enemy
Wright's brigade iu advance upon the
plank road, supported by Posey-Mahone
in advance upon the turnpike, supported BY
Perry-Hills aud Rhodes divisions being
held as reserve, to be thrown upon any
point where the developments of the day
might demand. Soon after commencing
the movement, our advance line of skirm'
ishers became engaged with the enemy, and
hotly pursuing, drove them back until with
10 two miles of Charlottesville, where we
came upon the main body, strongly posted
in an admirable position along in line Of
heavy timber, in rear of a large clearing,
and supported by number Of cannon, which
we're planted by and in rear of a dwelling
and BARI on the plank road. Here the ac.
ton became general along our whole front,
extending from few hundred yards to the
left 'and South of the plank road, across
that road to the turnpike, and to the North
or right side of the latter road for nearly a
half mile. The troops mainly engaged at
this point were Wright's and Posey's brig.
ades on the plank road, aud Mahonc's and
Perry's on the turnpike.
After the firing had continued for up
wards Of an hour, without any decisive re-
suits, Gen. Jackson ordered Wright with
his brigade, to file off to the left of the
plank road, and passing we'll round to
the right flank and rear Of the euemy's po.
sition to fall upon him there while Posey
would continue to push him IN 'front.'
Wright passed to the left until reaching the
track of the Orange and fredericksburg
Railroad, (near completely he passed up
the road, keeping in front strong body of
until he reached Wilford's
iron furnace, two miles Southwest of
Charlottesville. Here he met General
Stewart, who Uniformed him that the enemy,
in considerable force, were posted in the
thick wood between the furnace and Chan.
cellorsville, aud about half a mile from the
furnace. Wright Immediately changed his
direction, and, beingprovided with guide
from General Stuart, advanced in. the di.
rection of Charlottesville, having now got
in rear of the force which was
disputing Posey's advance upon the plank
road Wright's advance soon became en-
gagged with the enemy in the thick woods,
and throwing forward his whole force, he
soon drove the enemy from the woods into