Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1863-05-07
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mshers the retreat.
Soon after Gen. Hooker and staff began inspection of
our lines which occupied full two hours Every portion
was visited and the work of the night closely in
spccted On the extreme left lines chosen and
the engineer officers marked out the lines and character
Of the defences erected When the inspection closed
the eDrenchments be of the very
character especially those the right where the columns
of Slocum and Howard we're posted.
There had been only slight disturbances during the night
both forces had been busy with their rather than
their muskets. From Gen Howard's front report
that the enemy engaged all night 10 cutting road
past his picket line to the right How much attention
paid to this fact the time do not know but subsequent
events proved that it was very significant.
The day continued to pass 10 very dull manner for day
OF battle and only here and there there any thing
even than desutory skirmishing and picket firing M
About o'clock the pickets the right Of Gen. so-
Gums front reported that from certain position wagons
had been moving in westerly direction nearly all
day Ii at surmsed that this might be retreat
but subsequent events proved that it part of affair
of altogether another nature. To ascertain however,
what it really Gen Sckes, who still in reserve,
ordered to make Reconnaissance in heavy force in
that direction This done with great prouptnes and
the divisions of Gems Birney and Whppe, with Gen. Bar
lows brigade from Howard's corps pushed out to
the 'front.' Berdans brigade of sharpshooers having the
advance and supporting Randolphs battery Our troops
moved rapidly End became less engaged
pecay with the artillery and the sharpshooters sk
mishers Berdan sent in sixty prisoners, be-
longing to the Twenythrd Georgia. including major
two captains, and three lieutenants Being upon the
ground examined these prisoners and found that
the wagon train which had moving during the
day composed mainly of ordnance wagons and ambu
lan that's lack StaN
head of column of troops which the wagons followed.
Nothing needed to that this daring
opponent executing another of his sudden
and it at resolved to checkmate him. Genera
Sickles ordered to push on, and Gen. Wiams divi-
sion of Socums column ordered to cooperate. Br
ney pushed ahead with great vgor and with Randophs
battery sent to the prisoners Of the
tire remnant Of the Twenty third Georgia regiment
berng onr hundred officers and The column Of The
enemy which had been moving up this road was now lite
rally cut in two, and Gen Williams had commenced flank
the enemys right which promised the most
auspicious results.
But at five o'clock terrific crash Of musketry on our
treme right announced that jackson had commenced his
operations This had been anticipated but it suppos
ed that alter his column cut the corps of Gen. How
ard, Formerly Gen. Sgels with its supports, would be
sufficient to resist his approach and, finding that he
himself assaed in the he would turn about and
treat to escape capture.
But to the disgrace If tho Eleventh Corps be it said
the division of Gen Schurz, which the first asssled
almost instantly gave way. Threats entreates, and
ders commanders of avail Thousaads Of these
towards threw down their guns and streamed down
the road toward headquarters The enemy pressed his
advantage Gen Devenss division unaffected by the de-
morazaon Of the forces in front of him, followed
suit, and the brave General for the second time
verey wounded in the foot while endeavorng to rally his
men, Gen Howard with all bis daring and resolution and
vgo could not stem the tide Of the retrestng and
ard poltroons The bngades of Coils Busbbeck and Nc
Lean only remained fighting, and maintained themselves
noby long possible But they too gave way though
in good ORDER before vastly superior numbers.
Gen Hooker now sent to the aid of Gen. Howard the
choicest division of his army-the creation of his
hsndthe famous second division of the Third Corps
manded by Major Gen. Berry Capt Best moved his
batteries ridge running the road and after
short but sangunay contest the further advance Of the
enemy was stayed
OF this disaster compelled the recall Of Sckles
and Slocum who had been pursuing their work with re-
msrkable vgor Gen. Wilamss division returned only to
find portion of their works filed with the enemy Sick
less division could not communicate with the of the
army by the way they advanced and only at great
risk by any other route.
This was the position at dark and it did not look very
promising But our energetic commander more than
equal to the emergency.
New dispositions to repair this disaster at
resolved upon. Communication at had with
Gems Brney and Whpple and night attack ordered to
restore the connection Of the lines Gen Wards brigade
of Gen Brney DIVISION made the attack at eleven oceck
at night aided by Capt Beats guns massed on the ridge
in front of the enemy. Birneys position the
treme left Of this line Of battle but Wards terrific
attack entirely successful communication was re-
stored and in charge made by the brigade portion Of
the artillery lost by Howard gaantly retakeu by Gen.
Hobart Ward.
This night attack the most grand and terrific thing
Of the The shone bright, and enemy could
be at good musket range The air very still, and
the and reverberaon Of the musketry and artillery
past all conception. Malvern Hill was a skrmish com
pared with this in the degree Of slaughter But IT
successful the enemy driven back nearly half
mile and tired slept their arms That
nights work was ended.
THE GREAT BATTLE OF SUNDAY
Now come to Sunday. 1t perfectly evident from
the position of affairs Saturday night that there mus,
be change Of lines, which would throw the enemy
out OF our rear aud into front again 1t will be seen
by what sklfu generalship the enemy was fought and
checked 'front.' and flank, and rear while this was ben,
done.
Gen Reynolds First Army Corps arrived ut United
States Ford Saturday afternoon 1t was Immediately pu