The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1863-05-15

Our new line now assumed The shape OF
a triangle, prolonged q. the apex, the
right OF the line being somewhat longer
than the left. As the portion Of the Zoe
on the right was new, time was Necessary
TO fortify and eBirerch 1t and the work
was carried on vigorously by the Fifth
and First army corps. L
II was very evident at daylight this
morning that the day would bring forth a
terrible battle. We knew that the enemy
had been reinforcing his line all night at
the expense undoubtedly Of the strength
Of his force on our left. Ills intention
was evidently, to 6ght for the possession
Of the plank road, which il was perfectly
apparent he must have, as that portion Of
It which we then held was subject to the
enemy's assaults in front and on both
tanks.
But the possession OF this road was not
obtained by the enemy save at our own
time, at his severest cost, and after one
OF the most desperate, tenacious and
bloody conflicts, for its short duration, Of
the whole war. At s O'Clock A. NJ. The |
rebels could be plainly seen up The plank |
road, about mile and a half from the |
Chancellor House, which Gen. Hooker
still retained as his headquarters, through
a she'll had gone through il Che evening
before, and another had cut down Tree
directly in front oft.
| Our line OF battle was formed with Gen
Berry's gallant division on the right, Gen.
Birney next on the left, Gen. Whipple and
Gen. Williams supporting. Ats54 A. NJ.
the advance became engaged in the ra-
vine, just beyond the ridge where Capt.
Bests guns had made their terrific on
slaught the night before, and where .hey
still frowne6 upon the enemy and threat
ened his destruction.
The rattle OF musketry soon became q
long continued crash, and in few mo.
ments, as battalion after battalion became
engaged, The roar surpassed all conception
and indicated that the fight would be one
of the most terrible nature. Gen. Berry's
division which had checked the enemy.
advance the night before, engaged him
again, and if it were possible for them tc
add more laurels TO their fame then they
did il thrice over again. The enemy ad
vanced'his infantry in overwhelming mum
bers and seemed determined TO crush oul
forces. But the brave men OF Sickles ant
Slocum, who fought their columns will
. desperate gallantry, held the rebels in
= check and inflicted dreadful, slaughter
among them.
d Gen. French's division was sent in o.
:. the right flank OF our line at about 7 A. N
u and in short time horde OF ragged
0 steamipg rebels running down the road
indicated that that portion OF the enemy
line had been crushed. At 8 O'Clock, A
| NJ, Gen. French sent his compliments I,
E Gen. Hooker, with the information tha
he had charged the euemy and wa,
driving him before him.
.Sickles maintained the attack upon his lin,
with great endurance. The enemy seemed
determined to crush him with the i'm
mensity Of his forces, and, as subsequently
= shown from the statements Of prisoners
n FIVE whole divisions Of the rebel arm,
Q were precipita,ed upon this portion OF tn
line, for from these FIVE divisions we too
II during the day an aggregate Of over tw
"a thousand prisoners.
. The exploits of our gallant troops
those dark, tangled, gloomy woods ma
never be broughtto light; but they woul
J. fill hundred volumes. II was delt
J. erate, desperate hand 20 hand conflict an
Q the carnage was perfectly ffightfuI. Coo
d | officers say shat the dead and Wounds
d of the enemy covered the ground in heaps
n and that the rebels seemed utterly regard
i less Of their lives, and literally threw
s themselves upon the muzzies Of our guns
Many desperate charges were made du
ring the fight, particularly by Berry's di
vision. Motifs brigade made fifteen dis
. tinct charges, and captured seuen stands @
10 colors The Seventh New Jersey, Co
N Francine, alone capturing four stands
colors and FIVE hundred prisoners.
n, Gen. Couch:s Second Army Corp
70 though only in part present, did excellel
a work. II was Gen. French who charge
and drove the enemy on the flank, an
/. II was the indomitable Hancock who ga
;. lantly went 10 the relief of the hare
!. pressed Sickles. The engagement laste
:" without the slightest intermission fror
81 A. NJ. 10 8:35 A. NJ, when there was
% temporary cessation or our part occs
8 stoned by getting out Of ammunition. W
ID held our position for nearly an hour wit
y the bayonet, and then being resuppliet
an order was given to fall back TO th
70 vicinity Of the Chancellor House, whic
N we did in good order. Here the coutes
10 was maintained for an hour or more, nc
Ia so severely as before. but with great havo
- - to the enemy and considerable loss I
ourselves.
y The vicinity Of the Chancellor Hous
g. was now the theatre Of the fight, and m
10 visits to that spot became less frequent
Gen. Hooker maintained his head quarter
there until 10 A. NJ, when il was set c
r. fire by the enemy's shell's, and is now
rs ruins. Chancelorville is no longer in Q,
q istence, having perished in the flames, b
W Chancelloryille is in history, never to
II effaced.
at Our new line was now SO far establisht
ht as to render it safe 10 withdraw all OF
le forces on that front, which was according
done, and a; 1880 A. M. the muskeIr
r. firing ceased.
~ The engagement had lasted six hour
to but had been the most terrific Of the wa
b. Our artillery had literally slaughtered Il
's enemy, and many Of the companies hi