Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1863-05-14

t s. We learn, By special messenger, tia
D q great battle Wa- fought on Tue-day, 40
r Hooker with his army was driven hacl
across the Rappahannock. Lee wa heav
lily reinforced, end the last battle exceeds
in slaughter those of previous days.
i, Nothing yet has been heard OF Stone
man. 1t seems impossible 10 doubt tha
, he and his force will be captured"
New York. May 7, $50 a. Nth
Herald has just issued the following in 81
extra:
g. United States Ford, May 6, s A. NJ
Yesterday morning our trains were all or
dered back to camp, and by dark all tn,
whole extra caissons, pack mules, &c.
, were at Falmouth. The wounded were
hastily removed from Hospitals aud sem
to Washington, leaving nothing on ths
other side except infantry and artillery.
About five O'Clock it commenced rain
ing, deluging the roads, tearing up the
corduroys, sweeping away the bridges and
threatening the destruction of the pom
toons"
The river rose with great rapidity and
soon overtiowed the ends of the pontoons,
rendering crossing impracticable. The
upper pontoon was taken up and used in
lengthening out the Others, and after sew
eral hours very hard labor the brio yes
were once more made ready. Pine boughs
were spread upon the pontoons to prevent
the noise OF crossing, about midnight the
troops commenced falling back.
The first corps was the first to cross and
is now nearly all over, The third corps
remains liz entertainments to cover the re-
treat. 1t is thought that the army will
reach this side before the enemy discover
the retreat, but cannonading has COM
menced quite fiercely at the front and a
desperate battle is not an improbable
event
We can doubtless return across the
river without serious loss, but if discover
ed Ia our attempt the struggle will be
fierce
If unmolested the troops can get over
by noon. The roads are in a terrible con-
dltion, almost as bad as when Burnside
foundered here last winter.
Our sick are lying in the roads but
ambnlances ere coming up to remove
them.
There was no fighting yesterday of any
consequence. Sbarpshooters were quite
active and artillery opened occasionally,
but the results were unimportant.
The enemy evidently massed his army
on our right, with view it is believed of
crossing above and attacking Us on the
flank and rear. The high water, however,
will Illustrate that movement. Three
pontoon trains are down near Hamilton's
crossing, and some fears have been enter
tanned that the rebels would make a
demonstration across the river below
Fredericksburg.
Great numbers of our wounded have
fallen into the hands of the enemy. Our
dead on the battlefield of Sunday are
still unburied, and the wounded are IN
doubtedly dying in great numbers for
want of attention.
DR.. johnson, Medical Inspector of the
corps of surgeons, and take charge of our
wounded. He will probably be sent
across as soon as practicable.
Hooker is very much depressed. Last
night he held consultation with his COM
handing Generals, in which it was urged
that longer stay in its present position
would prove unsafe for the army. A hasty
return to our camp was deemed lmpera.
tive.
The rain is falling heavily and the river
rising with great rapidity.
New York, May 7.
A Tribune extra, has news from its
army correspondent dated May 9th, which
states that the army of the Potomac re.
crossed the Rsppahannock at U. S. and
Banks fords and is marching back to the
old camp along the Acquia railroad.
Sedgwick was overwhelmed by num-
bers and hardly able to escape from Fred
ericksburg. The Heights are re-occupied by
thousand men. He savedhis artillery and
trains.
Our crossing at c. S. ford was effected
without loss.
On Tuesday, the 9th corps recently en-
gagged at Chancellorville crossed and is
marching back to Falmouth. Hooker's re-
treat caused great panic at Acquia Greek.
The crossing commenced on Tuesday night
covered by Meade and the 5th corps.
Lees sharpshooters picked off artillery
horses and mounted officers. The rebel
batteries occupied all the advantageous
positions, and fired vigorously on Hook
er's camp.
A consultation of the corps command
ers decided that the enemy was too pow
ertul. Sedgwick failed to join Hooker,
and, being hard pressed, crossed the river
to prevent humiliation, the experiment
costing 1000 men. This, added to the
counsels of the corps commanders, shook
Rockers confidence, and he ordered an
evacuation of his strong position. The
army was greatly demoralized by this in
glorious retreat. There was no time from
Friday morning to Monday night but
Hooker could have attacked and defeated
Lee, but he lacked the ability to give the
order.
The Tribune closes by saying the army
is safe less 10000 men and much larger
number unfit for duty.
The W0rld's extra has sthe following
Richmond papers of the 9th state that
Stoneman's cavalry destroyed bridges be-
tween Richmond and the Rappahannock.
tore up the railroad, cut the telegraph
and ventured within few miles Of Rich
mond consequently no communication
can be had with Lees army.
Official intelligence from Stoneman
states that after the above be deployed
his immense force, forming a line of obser-
walton to detect rebel reinforcements
Hooker was forced bask in consequence
of the superior numbers and generalship
of Lee.
1t is rumored that Lee has massed his
army on our right, and Hooker will change
| his base. Hooker is much disheartened,
but there is hope yet.
New York, May 7.-Yesterday's Wash.