The Smoky Hill and Republican union. [volume] (Junction City, Kan.) 1861-1864, 1863-05-09

FREDERICKSBURG CAPTURED!
HOOKER VICTORIOUS!
Rebel Batteries Captured
HOOKER SELECTS HIS OWN GROUND.
Our Men in Splendid Fighting Trim.
The New York Times correspondence,
dated on the field, near Charlottesville,
ten p. m, May 1st, states the I'd army
corps took position on the night previous
on the left corps, and reached the front
about noon. The position they occupied
is thus described: We hold the Gordons-
vile road securely. A country road leading
to Spottsylvauia Court House, and another
road. four miles in the rear. The enemy's
flank is thus dangerously exposed, and il
thew fight it must be in the open field.
A dispatch was received yesterday from
General Lee to an engineer officer, dated
the 29th. Lee says he is much surprised
at this movement, as he had not anticipated
it, and was not prepared to give instruc'
tions.
| About noon . movement was made to
endeavor to bring out the enemy and COM
pel him to develop his strength. Our men
entered the field with much enthusiasm.
Only one regiment of cavalry at FIRST
charged on the rebel infantry, the latter
driving them back, when a small force Of
infantry, supported by cavalry, checked the
rebels. One division under Sykes and a
rebel division under Anderson then became
engaged. Our troops drove the rebels from
two bridges parallel with the Rapapahan.
mock, gain mile and fifty-e,ght prisoners,
when Hooker ordered them to retire, not
wishing to bring on general engagement.
The rebels mistook our retiring for check
and followed rapidly. On the top of the
first ridge the rebels halted a moment and
gave . yell, and then came down on the
double quick, but we're met by Sykes di-
vision of regulars, who poured in a terrible
fire of artillery at short range. The con.
test last three quarters of an hour and
extended across the roads. There were
twenty-five of our guns shelled the woods
effectually, and the rebels ignominiously
retired During the afternoon the rebels
made several attempts on our line, but we're
repulsed. At $50 p. N. they made des-
perate charge to capture our battery COM
manding the plank road to Fredericksburg,
but were handsomely repulsed by Geary,
assisted by Knapp's and Hampton's batter.
les, who double shotted their guns with
grape and canister. During the night both
ours and the rebel forces built earthworks
and abattis, and the battle on Saturday it
was surely thought would be opened by the
rebels.
The Tribune has issued the following
extra: Our news by mail from the Kappa
hammock is up to Sunday morning. At
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 feel
ing its way to the second line. The river
was crossed and the redoubt carried with
great ease and very slight loss of lie. The
rebels had marched away in the direction
of Charlottesville to attack our right wing
there posted, leaving at first 10000, but
subsequently not more than 5000 or 900
men in the works, as ascertained by re-
connoisance from loves balloon. a great
portion of Falmouth batteries were engaged
on Saturday with the rebel batteries, firing
across the river and in the city.
The firing of both musketry and cannon
on our right in the direction of Chancellors-
vile was very heavy. The enemy has been
forced to fight on ground Of Hooksr's OVID
choosing, as he bad promised the soldiers.
1t was believed in both wings that Stone
mans expedition to cut the railroad between
the rebels and Richmond, had proved sue
cessful, thus cutting off the only path of
retreat. So con6den: was Hooker at Fal-
mouth of success, that in conformity with
bis orders, force had already commenced
to rebuild the bridge over the Rapahannock.
Our troops are in the finest spirits and
everything looks propitious.
FROM FORT LYON.-Thc Denver Com
monwealth publishes letter from Fort
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