The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1863-05-08

Tue Ioth georgia ana Otn LOUISIANA, attach
en to Jacksons command. The prisoners
report Jackson as commanding the right wing
OF the rebel army.
OFFICIAL CONGRATULATIONS.
CAMP NEAR FALMOUTH, April 30.-Gen-
era Orders, No. 41:-lt is with heartfelt
satisfaction the commanding general an
nounces to the army that the operations of
the last three days have determined that our
enemy must either ingloriously fly or come
out from behind his dsfences and give US
battle on our ground. where certain destruc-
ton awaits him. The operations of the fifth
eleventh and twelfth corps have been a sue
cession of splendid achievements.
By command of Major General Hooker,
S. WILLIAMS, Assistant Adjutant General
CHEERING CONDITION OF OUR TROOPS.
The following statement is derived from a
gentleman who left the Rappahannock on
Saturday, 1t is already known that our
troops have crossed over with less opposi-
ton than was anticipated. The enemy mass
ed considerable force on their front on
Thursday and at night there was some ar
tillery practice between our own and the
rebel guns at long range. As soon as the
rebels learned On Wednesday that our fol ces
had crossed above, they commenced moving
troops cut to intercept our advance, and con-
tinued it all night and the next day. Trains
have been running constantly with troops
from Richmond and the enemy had all of
their available force around Fredericksburg
FIGHTING IN TIE REAR Of FREDERICKSBURG
ON FRIDAY.
Gen Hookers forces which crossed at the
upper fords of the Rappahannock, were con-
centrated at Charlottesville, about ten miles
in the rear of Fredericksburg, on Thursday,
and there was considerable heavy skirnish-
ing on that cay. On Friday there were
from their fortified positions and attempting
TO break Gen Hookers lines.
the forenoon was mainly occupied by Gen
Hooker, his staff. and the able corps COM
nianders, in consultation, and in making
dispositions OF the columns. At about -
O'Clock Gen Sykes division was sent forward
on the left, by the Bank Ford road, to make
al attack and compel the enemy TO develop
his strength on that bank. He moved
promptly into position. with Weeds, now
"atson's, regular battery. The first gun
was fired by the enemy, about - o'clock.
Heavy skirmishing commenced, our men
entering the field with much enthusiasm.
The 9Th PENNSYLVANIA cavalry skirInished in
the very front for some time, and sustained a
CALLING i,e from the enemv's infantry. but
behaved with great intrep:dlty. They charg-
ed and re-charged upon the infantry, only 10
be in turn driven back. Gen Sykes then
threw forward two companies Of infantry,
without knapsacks. on the dou ble-quick, no
supported the cavalry and checked the fur
Their pursuit Ct The enemy. The rebels con-
teste the ground very vigorously, giving
way only when pressed very hard OuG
troops fought for fully an hour with great
spirit, and drove the enemy from TWO success
>iee and strong positions upon ridges Of land
which run parallel with the R4ppahannock.
The distance thus gained was nearly one
mile. and some fifty prisoners, mostly belong
ing TO Virginia regiments, were captureG.
Our troops then fell back by order Of Gen
Hooker. The enemy misunderstood tie
uiON C!ucIl aug ltIiONc UD SlUSSiN-
The enemy appeared in force again on thu
ridge from which they had been driven and
rushed down with fierce yell, when they
were received with a concentrated fire OF
musketry and artillery, and after hot fight
Of three quarters of an hour. retreated IN
haste. The enemy made several other dasheS
at different parts of Gen Hooker line, and
at about e O'Clock made desperate charge
for our batteries, commanding the Hank road
20 Fredericksburg. They were repulsed with
neavy loss, and their killed and wounded iell
IL the timber in front Of our batteries. and
the leaves and brush having been SET on fire
~ shells, the poor wretches suffered a double
death.
Our losses on Friday are not known. We
mad about one hundred killed and wounded
N Gen Sykes fight early in the afternoon.
Capt Marsh OF the Eth regulars was killed :
Capt Overton, Of Gen Sykes staff. was
wounded, not dangerously: Lieut. Wells,
18th regulars, wounded: Lieut. Col Walker,
assistant adjutant general to Gen Couch, was
wounded by piece Of shell in the arm, not
SERIOUSLY.
ShN \
The Tribune has news from the Rappahan-
mock by mail up to Sunday morning. A.
that time our left wing was in possession OF
Fredericksburg. and Of the first line OF re
doubts on the hill behind it, and was feeling
its way to the second line. The river was
crossed and the redoubts were carried with
great care and with very slight loss OF life
The rebels had marched away In the direction
Of Charlottesville. ten miles above Freder-
ickshur2, to attack our right wing there posted.
leaving at first only 10000 men. and subse-
quentlv not more than 5000 to 1000 men in
their works, as was aScertalned by reconnois-
sance from Loves balloon. 4 grea,
portion of our Falmouth batteries were en-
gagged on Sunday with the rebe! batteries,
firing across the river and city. The firing.
both o. musketry and cannonading. on tho
right, in the direction of Charlottesville.
was very heavy. The enemy had been forced
to fight on the ground of Gen Hookers
choosing. as he promised his soldiers in the
general order published Sunday morning
should be the case.
1t was believed in both wings that Gen
Stoneman's expedition to cut the railroads
between the rebels al Richmond had proved
successful, thus cutting off the only path OF
retreat. So confident was Gen Hooker al
Falmouth of success. that in conformity with
his orders force had already commenced to
rebuild a bridge over the Rappahannock
rhe'troops are in the finest spirits, and every
thing looks prcpitious.
The New York Herald has an extra giving
dates up to II a. m. Sunday, with the impcr-
tant statement that the rebel stores neal