The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1863-05-15
GENERAL HOOKER'S BATTLE.
!. THE HISTORY.
OPERATIONS OF FRIDAY, MAY 1,
THE MOVEMENT ON THE REAR.
In THE FIELD, NEAR CHANCELLoRvILLE,
Va, Friday Evening" May Ito P. NJ. )

the river, which was not entirely dispelled
until the sun was we'll up-say 8 O'Clock.
The morning was quiet-neither party
seemed ready for battle.
We brought up additional artillery dur
ing the night, as well as large ammunition
trains, and an allowance of six forage
wagons to each corps, which were ordered
to return in each case before any more
were allowed to pass the bridges. Major
Painter, of the quartermaster's department,
had charge of the ford, and regulated the
passage of wagons and artillery so that
there was no confusion, while the total
amount of transportation which reached
this side of the river was very small, and
not in the least cumbersome.
The Second army corps came up during
the night and encamped near the left OF
our position. The third corps lay between
Banks and United States fords during the
night, and reached the front about noon.
The troops marched rapidly, and with
great cheerfulness.
The great strategic Importance of this
position grows more and more apparent
every hour. We hold the Gordonsville
road securely. By going halfa mile to the
rear, we find a country road leading to
Spottsylvania Court House-four miles to
the rear is another. Their flank is thus
dangerously exposed, for if they retreat
they are harrassed by flank and rear; if
they fight, they must fight in an open field,
on equal terms, with perhaps great advan-
tages in our favor.
Evidences hourly accumulate of the fact
that the enemy is totally surprised at our
vigorous operations, and in a great meas
ure unprepared to meet us. That he is
very nervous is evident from the manner
in which he falls to digging rife-pits in
every convenient location. If any further
evidence of this fact were needed, it is
found in the capture at this point yester-
day, Of dispatch from Gen. Lee to an en-
gineer officer here, saying in substance
that he was very much surprised at this
movement, had not anticipated it and was
unprepared to give him Instructions. This
dispatch was dated April 20. One more
fact. McVicar captured in his charge
last night, a dispatch from Gen. Lee to
Fitzhugh Lee, ordering his cavalry brigade
to be at Spottsylvania Courthouse on
April 80. Thus Lee came in upon Nc
| Wears rear, who was also bound to SpOtt-
| sylvania.
Hostilties among the pickets were car
ried on during the night, with slight loss.
Watson's battery, in Meades front, thus
lost two men and eight horses. Our lines
were not developed last night, the troops
being massed in proper locations.
Right here let me, if can, give an idea
of our exact location On your maps you
will perceive Chancellorville, few miles
west of Fredericksburg, true style of
Virginia village, consisting of one house
and cross road; albeit, the house, in this
instance, is fine large structure, and will
accommodate great many wounded, to
which purpose it is already devoted. But
the cross roads is the matter of vital i'm
portance here. From this point the plank
road runs directly west to Culpepper, by
way OF Germania ford, or by turnpike by
way of Ely's ford. The GOrdonsville turn
pike DIVORCES to the left four miles in our
rear The plankrOad to Fredericksburg
runs nearly due east, making an elbow
bend to the south here, but regainng its
easterly direction within four miles. Nearly
east, or about east-nOrtheast, runs the old
tCrnpike to Fredericksburg, which inter-
sects the plankroad again about three
miles from here Near this intersection a
road bears to the left, and goes to Banks
ford, six miles, direction northeast. Uni
ted States ford lies nOrth-nOrthwest, and
the road thereto leaves the Ely's ford road
and bears to the right about one mile from
this point. This road winds through the
timber, and is very Indifferent at the best.
The forenoon was mainly occupied by
Gen. Hooker, his staff and able corps
IN
ing dispositions of the columns. At about
~ o'clock, Gen. Sykes division was sent
forward On the left, by the Banks ford
road, to make an attack, and compel the
enemy to develop his strength ON that
flank. He moved promptly into position,
with Weeds, now Watson'S regular bate
ry. The first gun was fired by the enemy
about twelve O'Clock. Heavy skirmishing
commenced, our men entering the field
with much enthusiasm.
The Eighth Pennsylvania cavalry Skin
mished in the very front for some time,
and sustained CALLING fire from the enc
my's infantry, but behaved with great in
trepidity. They charged and re-charged
upon the infantry, only to be in turn driv-
en- back. General Sykes threw forward
two companies of infantry, without KNAPP
sacks, on the double quick, who supported
the cavalry, and checked the further pur-
suit of the enemy. The action now be-
same quite general between the two forces,
each seeming to be about the same
strength. The rebel division thus enga.
ged was that of Anderson, part of Long
streets old corps, and consisting of the
brigades of Pasey, Malone and Wilcox
Sykes fought the latter brigade at Gaines
Mill. The rebels contested the ground
very vigorously, giving way only when
pressed very hard. Our troops fought for
fully an hour with great apirit and drove
the enemy from two successive and strong
positions upon ridges of land which run
parallel with the !. Rappahannock. The
distance thus gaiI 'uore mile,
and some fifty Eging
to Virginia Gred.
They cav " of
them
tio