North Branch democrat. [volume] (Tunkhannock, Pa.) 1854-1867, 1863-05-13
:" ar News
FROM THE ARMY OF THE Porou,c
General Hooker's Retreat.

From the correspondence Of the n. Y Tines(RenT
The fighting on Sunday was don, pr,nc-
pally by the Third and Twelfth corps. and
French'S division of the Second CorpsIwitb
the aid of Tyler's brigade of the Fifth Corn,
1t was believed by many high in comman6
that at some period of the fighting Gen.
Hooker would throw a portion of his army
unengaged on the right of the left flank of
the enemy and completely rout him. They
looked for this in vain. The enemy, failnc
to turn the right flank and cut off Hooker:s
tine Of communication via Banks Ford: with.
drew to the left flank, where Hooker moved
out Of their reach behind an entrenched lino
Sunday afternoon and Monday having pass.
ed without battle, the defensive attitude
began to work its effect upon the troops and.
all thought of making an aggressive move
ment was 5anshed from their minds. Their
conversation turned upon the strength Of
their position and the safety of the army.
The advantage thus lost was felt by the com.
maniing General, and this, added to the re.
verse Of Sedgwick, and the advice of some of
his corps commanders, induced him to re.
cross the river and commence the campaign
anew.
Early on Tuesday all the pioneers and men
with extra tools, were employed on the roads
leading from the army back to the United.
States Ford. Old roads were repaired. and
new ones cut through the woods The ar.
rangements for the withdrawal of the army
were extensive and perfect. The trains and
artillery commenced moving toward the river
carly in the evening. Rain was falling rapid
ly. and the night was quite dark The cross.
ing was commenced at 10 O'Clock, and at
three O'Clock on Wednesday morning all they'
wagon and mule trains, and the artillery had
passed the bridges and the crossing of the in
iantry commenced.
The 81 corps, commanded by Gen. Couch,
led the advance. Gen. Meade's 5tb corns
70 med tie rear guard with Sykes division os
regulars TO cover the retreat. There was not
the slightest confusion in the movements of
the several corps. Etch m lrcl II in the road
and at the time designated and in good order
I he enemy was not aware Of the movement
until it wass 20 late to interfere. The artillery
massed on hill that Commanded the an.
lIcachcs to the bridges. and wonld have.
made short work with the colums of an an
proachn1 enemy. General Hooker Ecrossed
the river on Tuesday evening, and pitched
his headquarters on commanding grounds,
from which he could watch the progress of
the crossing.
The heavy rain on Tuesday afternoon and
night had caused the ryer to rise SO rapid
ly that the ends of the bridges were fode
to such an extent as to make 1t impossible
to cross. Two hours were consumed in
laying additional spans, SO as to lengthen
the bridges and raise the ends above the
water. 1t finally became necessary to take
up one of the three bridges in order to pro-
cure matrial to lengthen the other two.
Notwithstanding these delays good order
was preserved throughout, and the whole
army, with all the trains, supplies, hospitals,
and prisoners, crossed in safety, and marched
away towards the Acqua railroad.
AT day light this IN Irllng sharp clnnonad-
ing was heard at Banks Ford, which contin-
ued during half an hour. 1t is reported to
have been an unsuccessful attempt of the.
enemy to destroy Sedgwick's trains, which
were parked on plain below the ford.
The panic at Acqula creek, caused by the
repulsc of Sedgwick's command, had subsided.
this morning and the stores which had been,
hastily placed on board the transports ara be-
ing removed to the landing.
The enemy against occupies fredericksburg
and the heights, and the situation is subsLan-
TALLY as 1t was before the opening of the
cOmpalgn.
In the hottest OF the fight on Sun lav, bat
terry attached to the Sd corps had all its hor-.
>es Killed and only one man, sergant, re
maned with the battery and continued to,
tipe one of the guns. General Meagher COM
manding the Irish brigade, seeing the SIT
uation, ordered one of his regiments to "haIl
away the guns" The order was promptly
obeyed, and five guns we've dragged from the
clutches of the enemy. The other five
lad been removed by another detaca-
ment.
The losses in Sedgwick 8 command are es-
timated at 5000 killed, wouned and missing.
The losses in the six corps, Immediately
under IL po&er fromcarefuI returns, are esti-
mateu 10 De O,UUU. 1t Is known that the los-'
seS Of the enemy are much heavier.
An officer who went within their lines with
flag of truce on Tuesday evening, reported
that the rebel officers claimed to have defeated
, our army, brt acknpwle lga1 that their loss
was far heavier than those of the national
forces.
GEN. STONEMAN'S RAID RICH
MOND
The Harris Light Cavalry Inside of the For
tificatiOns of Richmont i Safe Return to
Yorktown.
WAsHINGTon, May 8.-The following de-
spatch was received at the headquarters Of
the army this afternoon:
YORKTOWN May Z, 1868
10 Major General Holeck:
Col. kilpatrick with his repiment the