The Portland daily press., 1863-05-06

Inc Campaign IN virginia.
The fate of the nation is to be decided in
Virginia. Richmond Is nothing; Gen. Lees
army is everything. While we wait for more
definite tidings from the Rappahannock, let
us try to trace briefly the movements prece-
ding the grand battle, in which Gen. Hooker
hoped to annihilate the rebel Army of Virginia
The materials furnished by correspondents OF
the New York and Philadelphia press are now
amply sufficient
Two weeks ago Gen. Stoneman was sent up
the Rappahannock, with strong force Of cav
airy, to effect diversion on the right. II is
supposed to have been Gen. Rockers inten-
ton at that time TO have crossed the river be-
low Fredericksburg. The rebel cavalry under
Stuart moved westward to Culpepper, and re-
NAMED In observation. There was no move
2 and the cavalry of the two armies remained in
position near the line Of the Orange and Alex
andria railway. W Ea u
On Monday, Goth April, two divisions were
sent 20 miles down the Rappahannock to Port
Conway, where they built an immense number
VI uICS utkut 6itCi uiSuts AuO uuih VI ehO wv
divisions was soon recalled; but the fires were
kept up. Gen. Hooker had changed his plan,
and determined to cross above Falmouth, and
was accordingly making these demonstrations
below. Stonewall Jackson went down the
river with 10000 men, it is estimated, TO watch
the movements on the north bank.
At last on Monday, the 9th April, three of
seven infantry corps of the Army Of the Poto-
mac were put in motion for the real place of
CT ossing. Gen. Towards 18th corps was one of
these; General Slocum of the 18th was In COM
mand. They reached Kelly's ford, Is miles above
Fredericksburg, Tuesday evening. General
Howard crossed that night General Slocum
followed early next morning Stoneman's cav
airy Joined the expedition; General Meade
brought up the rear with the 9Th infantry
corps, and moved eastward to Ellis ford of
the Rapidan. By night the troops were all on
the south bank Of the second river, which
joins the Rappahannock below Kelly's ford
Slocum, Howard and Stoneman having cross
ed without serious opposition at Germania,
above Ellis ford.
Early Thursday morning, General Meade
pushed forward to Charlottesville, ten miles
southwest OF Fredericksburg, where he was
Joined in the course of the day by Slocum and
Howard. The cavalry threatened the Rich
mond and Fredericksburg railway. 1t was
be lieved that the rebel cavalry were cut of
from their army. The 2d-infantry corps, un-
der Couch. was at Banks's ford, five miles
bove Fredericksburg, to which point Sickles
Sd corps was marching. These two corns
joined the three already occupying Chancel-
lorviIle on Friday.
Meanwhile the two remaining corps, Rey-
nolds' and Sedgwick's had successfully occu-
pied the attention Of the enemy in front.
Bridges were thrown across the river at points
one and four miles below fredericksburg Tues
day night, and a crossing was effected We'd
nesday morning with little loss. On Thurs
day they held undisturbed possession of the
right bank of the river, but on Thursday Rey-
nolds' LIST corps also was ordered TO Banks's
ford, where 1t seems to have been held in re-
serve.
The great battle has been fought since then.
The reports received hitherto indicate that the
enemy was compelled TO leave his intrench-
ments 80 bare that Sedgwick's solitary corps
was able to occupy them, and to fight the de-
cisive battle in the open plain, his communica-
tons severed, the river behind and nearly the
whole Of the army of the Potomac before him.
II he Is beaten under these circumstances, the
army of Virginia will be destroyed, and God
grant that it may. Up to Sunday forenoon,
the most desperate efforts had failed to force
the Union lines. Lees whole army had been
brought up TO retake their lost line of com
munications, and Sedgwick had appeared In
his rear, on the heights above Fredericksburg.
Whether ultimately successful or not, General
Hooker has executed the most brilliant man
euver which has been conceived since the war
began, and we may and must hope for a con-
clusion worthy Of so splendid an initiative