Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1863-05-07
The Situation on the Rappahannock.

The Situation on the Rappahannock.
The eyes Of the whole country are now
turned to the Army of the Potomac. Gen.
Hooker commenced moving his army, with
tho exception Of one corps left at Falmouth
as reserve, on Monday, the 9th Of April.
The army crossed the Rappahannock at
four places. The enemy were confounded.
Their pickets and reserves were captured,
and 400 prisoners taken.
The llth, 18th and 5th corps reached
Kelly's Ford on Tuesday morning, and
crossed Immediately on pontoons, superin
tended by Gen. Howard.
Stoncman's corps Of cavalry crossed nett
morning.
FROM IL A. NJ to P. n. irregular firing
was heard in the direction OF 0ermania, on
the Rapidan, supposed to be the enemy try.
ing to check the rapid march of our troops.
At noon Tuesday the LIST, Sd and 9th corps
broke their camps, and at daylight Wednes
day the enemy's picket reserves were cap.
tured, and two bridges built four miles be.
how Fredericksburg. A third bridge was
constructed, and force sufficient to hold
the bridge was crossed.
Two miles further down Reynolds first
corps constructed a bridge in face ot the
enemy's rife pits, and affected crossing.
The resistance was stubborn but short.
Our artillery fire was too severe for the enc.
my, who fled, leaving 81 prisoners FROM the
18th Georgia and Goth Louisiana regiments.
They report Jackson in command Of the
right wing. ..
Couchs I'd division was In the rear of
Banks Ford, with full facilities for crossing.
Good roads have been constructed between
Banks and United States Fords.
The corps which crossed at Kelly's Ford
moved in the direction of Charlottesville,
South of Fredericksburg. Gen. Hooker's
headquarters are said to be in the saddle.
LATER.
Dispatches to the n. Y. Tribune state
that on Thursday morning there were three
corps across the Rapidan, marching straight
on the rear of Fredericksburg, by way Of
Charlottesville, village II miles distant
from that city, and three more at Banks
Ford. with road to U. s. Ford open and
established with advancing
six corps in position to move
directly upon the rebel line of communica.
tion, and the 7th corps still with formid
able display of force threatening to cross
below and assail the other flank of the ene-
my.
Gen. Stoneman with his cavalry is in the
rear of any position in which Lee can pos
sibly have fallen back, and it is thought
that we shall next hear that both the Vir-.
gin!a Central and Richmond aud Fredericks.
burg Railroads are severed
The llth corps, Gen. Howard, was the
first to cross at Kclly's Ford. Our 25th
Regiment is in this corps. 1t was followed
by the 18th, under Gen. Slocum. After
crossing these corps moved in advance, pre-.
ceded by the 9th New York cavalry and
42d Massachusetts infantry as skirmishers.
About three miles from the Rappahannock
these forces encountered the enemy, drove
him before them, and captured q number
Of prisoners.
Still later advices state that Ston eman
has cut tho nailroad
A battle is imminent, perhaps already
fought. Our army is in the most cheerful
and hopeful spirit
We will have further details of General
Hooker movements before going to press,
md will give them to our readers.