The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1863-05-19

which he succeeded in making his way during the
nlght-not, however, without serious loss in
killed, wounded and prisoners. Gen. Hoke. of
the North Carolina Brigade, in Earlys Division,
was wounded in this charge. Whilst this was
going on, Barksdale's men were holding the stone
wall, Mary's hill and the heights commanding the
plank road, SO to prevent a movement on our
| rear from Fredericksburg. But this was hardly
necessary. Yankee desire for a general advance
had been satisfied, and by nightfall the Yankees
had begun to prepare for the third and last time
to evacuate Fredericksburg by day-break our
plckets were in the town, which is once again in
the hands of Barksdales men.
Though the enemy at Charlottesville did not
recross the river at the United States Ford until
Wednesday, there was no general engagement
after Sunday-only some occasional skirmishing
and teints of attack to up their retreat
the river. Hooker, though having the choice of
position, did not act Extensively after crossing, but
fortified and threw himself on the defensive, thus
forcing our men to contend against him in this
fight against vastly superior numbers, aided by
breastWorks, Notifications and Instructions of all
sorts. But they of little avail; Jackson turn
ed their flank and fell upon their rear And
Jacksons boys did their work with all their. might
and main. They charged faster over the field
than they marched to it, and their cheering as
they drove the enemy before them broke upon the
air with fne inspiring effect, and told too plainly
that were in earnest and were fighting
| for home, for woman, manhood and independence.
} In such a cause it than base not to
strike heavy blows for freedom and the right.
Hooker expected success. He had planned
we'll; but General Lee has proved himself more
than match for him, and his splendid army now
lies part dead on the south side of the Kappa
hammock, part wounded on its north bank, and
some here, too, and large part of the advance is
already in Richmond Hooker had drawn every
|
with eight days rations- e., eight days hard
tack: three days cooked meat and eight days cat
tie in a herd and eight days coffee Hooker
made his men a speech, telling them he had advan-
tage of position and bound to go forward; all
that he asked of them was to fight. He had sum
moned every man from the fortifcations, and had
uncovered Washington, and must have put into
the fight, from first to last, not under one
hundred and fifty thousand
The bravery, forttude aud endurance of our
men in all of these engagements cannot be too
highly praised or too gratefully remembered by tue
country. 1t would seem inriduous to make speci-
al illusions where all fought well, but it is due
to candor and truth to say that the troops of Nc
Laws and Anderson oftener engaged than
any other troops they being engaged in fighting
and marching almost without ntermasion for rest
or refreshmcnt, from Thursday night until Tues
day morning, period of four days and nights
While to D. H. Hills old division, commanded by
General Rhodes, and Trimbe's division, led by
General Colston, Early's division, led by Early
himself, and A. p Hilps men, under their favor
ite leader, the country is indebted.
The cavalry, too, claim share of this glorious
work, for while the Infantry were thus being en-
gagged, one brigade under Fitzhugh Lee met the
enemy near Spotsylvania Court House and sue
ceeded in whipping and driving back to Chanccll-
orsyille certainly two brigades of cavalry, and,
perhaps, four, killing the Colonel of the Sixth New
York Cavalry and two captains, and taking some
sixty prisoners
The battle field, which reaches from Fredericks
burg to point above Wilderness, some twelve
miles up from town, and out to the river, with the
exception of about two miles between Salem and
Zoar churches, attests the skiful aiming and
deadly destruction of our artillery. The Yankee
dead and wounded are strewn over the entire coun-
trv. Yet had it not have been one of the most |
thickly wooded sections of land in Virginia the
Yankee loss would have been far greater
Over this same field of battle are scattered, in
immense quantities. blankets, overcoats, canteens,
knapsacks haversacks, cartridge boxes, and any
quantity of rifles, muskets, and various other
equipments Of the soldier. Our boys, however,
found but little to eat. The Yankees had well
nigh devoured the commissariat, still, a good
quantity of hard tack, with some good cooked
meats and coffee, were found in the Yankee haver
sacks We also captured some freshly slaughter
ed meaIS anu SOule COTH dDu all VI dlO
quite valuable and just the articles we needed.
Fredericksburg, on this occasion, did not suffer
severely as she did before, though the Yankees
managed to steal good deal. Private houses, L
believe, were in no instapce entered, where the
families were present, and the town was not shell
ed nor were any citizens arrested or carried off in
the town. A few were arrested outside, but In
every instance believe they were rescned by our
own soldiery.
Hooker commanded 10 person at the Chancell- |
orsyille fight, and occupied position near that
place during the fight. Hooker has made good
fight. He has maneuvred WE'LL and done better
than any other Yankee generalj but Hooker is not
the equal of our commandcr-in-chief Gen. Lee, /
during the fight, has displayed the highest quail |
ties of an able and successful commander. To |
him the country is Indebted for the most wonder
ful qualities of the soldier aud tactcian. He has
SO maneuvred and combined to surround the
Yankees twice, and drive them back 10 the river,
when they supposed, on both occasions, that they !
had gotten into his rear, and were about to sur
prise him, whilst Gen. Jackson has outdone him
self, and exhibited the highest characteristics OF
strategst and skillful general. fully confirming all
his past renown, and adding new laurels to the
many already won in the service Of his country.
Our losses are fully 5000, whilst that of the
Yankees are confessed to be fully $4,000, and
about thirty pieces of artillery We have eaptur-
ed very near 900 prisoners, and have lost sup
pose, about 900 prisoners: These results of the