Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1863-05-27
For the Standard.
NEAR FREDERICKSBURG, CANp 9D INf.,|
Nav 12k2

NEAR FREDERICKSBURG, CAnp aD ISi.,
May 9, 1868.
1t will be almost impossible for. me to give you
anything like systematic account of the campaign
just ended, which has cast new lustre on our al
ready glori6ed arms. The opportunities of SUBJ
ordinate line officer to get accurate accounts of the
disposition of the different brgades and divisions,
and the plan of battle, are few He is only posted
on the disposition of his Own division, and often he
does not even know Of its position; so, in giving
you an account of the campaign, will confine my
self to our own brigade only, and name only those
other troops that occupied places that sure Of
On Tuesday, the 9th of April, We were on
picket duty below Massaponix creek, above which
the enemy crossed. We had been on duty FIVE
days, and were regaling ourselves shad and her.
rings that were caught by thousands in the runs
and creeks on our side of the river We did have
an idea that the enemy intended crossing, and that
idea was conveyed to us in rather curious way,
that has been characteristic of Southern women
ever since the war began. The river on the other
side is dotted with the fine mansions of wealthy
families; the females Of these families, in many
cases. have remained on the premises, and of course
OUT eyes were often turned in that direction. The
Yankee pickets watch these houses with rigid Wig
ilance, and the ladies are not allowed to hold any
converse whatever with this side of tue river, nor
even approach it without they are accompanied by
some one of Lincoln's minions. But notwithstand-
ing their vigilance, we have he'd many sly wave
Of the handkerchief, and other evidence of their
hearty good will. At one house, where some three
or four females resided, early on Tuesday evening,
two ladies crept down to the river and made signs
to us; they crossed two white sticks and pointed
up the river, and then hastily left for the house
when We pointed to the approaching cavalry picket.
told it to my comrades, but they laughed at me,
thinking was either trying to impose on them, or
my mind had conjured up the sign. But, before
the dawn of day, while the river was obscured by
heavy fog my translatien Of the sign was verified.
ShSfp cracks from rifles were first heard about
O'Clock, and by dawn it had increased to volleys,
and about 8 o'clock we heard the we'll KIN own Yam
kee cheer, and we knew the enemy had effected
landing, ard our troops had fallen back to our for
ticatons. We remained on post being below the
line Of the Yankees operations with only the creek
between us and the left flank Of the enemy. Their
pickets then began to fire at u.s. which We of course
returned, and desultory firing was then kept up
between US all day. They even assembled the up
per stories of the houses on the river bank, and
fired at us, but failed to dslodge from pits,
or drive US from the river We remained at our
posts till Thursday evening" when we were relieved
and ordered to our position in the line of battle
fronting the enemy, who had crossed. During
Wednesday and Thursday, heavy artillery firing
was kept up incessantly and thought could hear
occasional volleys of musketry but have been un-
able to learn that any infantry fighting occurred
during tine two days. The enemy appeared to be
feeling for our position.
In the meantime, the enemy had crossed heavy
force at o ford of the Rappahannock, some fifteen
miles above Fredericksburg driven Gen. Po-
sey's brigade Of MissIssippians back, and were
threatening the left flank of our position 1t was
also ascertained that only small portion Of Hook
army had crossed here under the guns of their
batteries the Stafford Heights, and that his main
| army was at our left flank. Our whole corps
(Jacksons) received marching orders. and left at
| 3 o'clock on Friday morning. Barksdales brigade
of Mississippans were left here to guard our fert
hcations. While We were gone, they were attacked
by heavy force of the enemy and driven back, but
the enemy afterwards repulsed with great loss
by EwelPs division, who were in striking distance
| and our breastxorks recovered. The enemy then
recrossed, but lost nearly brigade Of prisoners.
By II o'clock Friday, we had arrived some
miles above Fredericksburg, where Anaerson's d.
vision, who had been guarding the different fords
enemy were just in front of us in unknown force
But We had "Old Jack " along. and he determined
to attack the enemy. Lines of battle were formed
| sharp shooters thrown out the command forward
ordered and very soon we had tho satisfaction of
seeing the Yankees running. The sharp shooters
were actively engaged all day, but our line which
was in advance, did not get siry gle shot and only
once had q glimpse of . Yankee line We took
some one hundred prisoners and perhaps killed and
wounded as many more.
The enemy gradually retreated up the Orange
Court House and Fredericksburg plank road until
they arrived in the vicinity Of Charlottesville, q
place. so far as could see, that consisted of one
large brick tavern. Here the enemy had massed
his forces and determined to give us battle. His
front and right flank were covered with an almost
impenetrable wilderness of scrub oak, while deep
swamp was in his immediate 'front.' He occupied
the elevated lands beyond Our line approached
their position till within about 600 yasds, when
night coming on, we were ordered to Lie down on
our arms and sleep, while. I" Old Jack" and daddy
Lee' put their heads together and thought of the
morrow. Picket firing was kept up all night, in
terarged with occasional report from artillery
and though the balls would sometimes whistle in
dangerous proximity to our heads, yet think l
slept as sweety in that thcket as ever did in my
mothers arms.
By daylight on Saturday morning. we were call
cd to attention aud moved by the left flank from the
! front of the enemy's position. We crossed the
plankroad, made half circle Of ten miles, and by
10 O'clock were in the immediate rear of the enemy
afdony about threemles from where We ss:arted from
in the morning The enemy had not observed the
movement, and the 10000 who occupied this rear
position received the frit notification, when the
signal guns fired for us to advance. Our first on
slaught was terrific. With wild cheers We rushed
madly on and the first line of the enemy broke at
the first discharge Of our musketry. They fired
but few rounds, and then deserted the breastworks
which we had approached in rear, and fed to the
thick woods that hid their centre. We captured s
pieces of artillery at this point Desultory fighting
took place along our new formed lines till late
hour that night but being in the second line of bat
tie could not see or learn its results. It was du
ring this night that jackson lost his arm. He had
gone to the front to reeonnoiter, with his staff
He was nistook for Yankee cavalry, and whole
brigade fred volley at his devoted head. This &C.
lid he fnf(B ha IN
volve on the gallant Jeb Stewart and right honora-
bly, he filled it. We lost perhaps, 500 killed and
wounded in the Satu sys fight while that of the
enemy exceeded thou sand with host of prisoners
Again we lay in line of battle to sleep the night
away, but this sime on q field our vAlor had won
The next mornings sun ushered: in the bloodiest
battle of this war. The mist mad scarce melted
y know how the batleline was formed as the dispo-