The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1863-05-04
FROM FREDERICKSBURG.
IRON OUR OWN coRRESPONDENr.l
ALsoP's CRossIHe, Nav

ALs0P's CROSSING, May =, 1908.
Your Fredericksburg correspondent" q
novice in war correspondence is almost
rsSea al the inaccuracy and imperfection of
romors reaching him from the widely separat-
ed points of conflict. Ubiquity being impoRsi-
HE, end all writing useless, unless near enough
to reach the cars in time, l eau give you
mainly reports, whose accuracy will endea-
vor to sift and ascertain.
Att. this morning the roar of artillery from
above, apparently at or behind Banks's ford,
was echoed from batteries on the river near
HamitOn's Crofsing. Before going to the lat
ter point and listening to "the music of its
roar on both sides Of me, let me give you
Yesterdays news. l learned that the heavy
eannonsding yesterday afternoon occurred
about miles above Fredericksburg on the
Plank road There was little fighting beyond
snrmshing, the enemy keeping close in the
ing Ths fighting Wednesday hear was done
msinly by the 5th and 9Th Louisiana, and the
18th Georgia. 1t Vas 1t. Col. Henley, of the
oh, who was taken prisoner, with 81 of his
regiment killed, wounded and missing
They attacked the enemy near Pratt's
house. The 5.h Louisiana held the river road
opposite Bernards. An officer told me he
thought there were Z 900 Yankees ON this side
On the bank of the river, who are making
earthworis, and had two cannon at least across,
% Thursday some half dozen of the 9th Lou.
na lslans were killed by the premature explosion
oI one OF our own shells
wounded soldier who left the fight carly
yeeterday afternoon tells mo that Anderson's 9
alvision engaged the enemy and drove them
back. A prisoner told him only one corps had
come over. ] hear since that four are on this
eide Tho enemy were easily driven back at
nret, but being reinforced by division of reg
nlafs they fought better, but wore driven
tnfee miles. Rhodss's mon reinforced Ander.
con q 1t was not general fight. The woods
arc exlenslvo and there IL little cleared land.
IL occurred near wooden church, where the
Ilver road enters the Plank read, about seven
miise above Fredericksburg. The enemy eeem
aisPosed to come in behind Marye's hill this
ios A M-Gsn. Early opened on the Yankee
nsuer'eo ,rs on this side and across the river
me attiiisry duel was severe for some time.
Uoe ar'iileryman On our side, q Virginian, had
nie ieg shot Oh, and three others were wound
CO. Ihe enemy first moved down the river
AMel the heavy fire above had. continued
forces at double quick no the river. and With.
u,sW y, nea,iy oil their pickets, leaving one only
"a ~ yards. Before that they were thick and
9'ose simost - In line of battle. From above
neaf Lee drove the enemy i've miles. VIII
90! brigade leh B2nks's ford and were sent
gu! q ekirmishsre, but could mot catch up
wMn the Yankees, who were demoYalized and
thenssted rapidly beyond Decker's, two miles
turned TO Banks's ford, where the euemy had
,1ppearsd 70 be preparing TO cross on pontoon
Sndgss. The YANKEES crossed at United
H'stes S'; ford by permission, suppose. Two
pIiRades, FeaIheystones and another. retired
oa !neir approach. A German Major came over