, 1863-05-05
FROM THE ARMY OF THE
POTOMAC,
The Kappahannock Crossed Mt
-Four Points.
TIE F0RDS CONNECTED AND
BRIDGES SAFELY LAID,
The Whole Army in Motion.

ing to kel}y@s Ford, distant from the line Of
Aqua Greek md Fredericksburg railroad
about twep'ytiy miles. The 11th corps be-
ing IN the advance, reached kelly's Ford at
II O'Clock on Tuesday morning.
THE CROSSING OF KEnY's FORD.
A brigade from this corps, commanded by
Colonel Bu5chbeck, had been guarding the
tord ever since the adrance Of the cavalry two
weeks ago. The position had been well re-
connoitered and hence immediate preparations
were made for laying the poontoo1s, which,
strange as it may seem to " "strategists," were
In the right place at the right time. The en-
gineering was directed By Capt. Comstock OF
bridges and the crossing were superintended
By Mnj. Gen. Howard in person.
The position is an admirable one for the ex-
ercise ofa little strategy. Marsh Run empties
into the river just below the fords, after steal
ing its way round high bluff, The pontoon
bluff; in seventeen boats, 225 men from the
I'D Pennsylvania volunteers and the 154th
New York regiments suddenly darted from the
shadow Of the hill, and pushed vigorously
across the river and seized the bank. The
rebel pickets, about twenty in number, at
tempted to fire, but their powder being wet,
succeeded only in Swapping few caps at the
men in the boats.
skirn,ishere were dep1oyed to the right, left
and front, but the enemy was nowhere to be
1tuuu. 1uc Ql LUG TWO regiments
crossed In boats, while the bridge building
was pushed forward with most commcnda-
BILE yEor. Early in the evening tue Eleventh
corps commenced crossing, and the Twelfth
biyouacked on the commanding bluffs that
surround the ford.
sToSEMAN's CAVALRY CROSSING TIE RIVER.
On Tuesday morning, long before the dav
had dawned, the tramp Of feet was again heard
on the floating way, and, when the gray light
OF morning rose on the scene, long black lines
were projecting themselves in r:adia from the
pontoon lnnnehing, and the plain beyond the
river was soon covered with moving misses
Of men.
At six o'clock General Stonemau's cavalry
corps arrived ut the bridge and commenced
corps, Tie Twelfth having already crossed.
Ihe wagon trains were all sent back from
Ke1ly's Ford and parked near Banks Ford,
andto those who study the direction Of strAws,
it was evident that a connection would be
forced from Banks Ford to the troops from
kelly's Ford From II o'clock till / irregular
| firing was heard in the direction of Germania
on the Rapidan, aud it is supposed that The
enemy vas there erdeayoring to check the
| rapid march of the National troops, though
nothing Trustworthy has Jet reached us.
| CROSSING On BRIDGES BELOW FHEpER1cK5-
BURG.
At II O'Clock on Tuesday, the camps Of the
First Corps. Maj. Gen. REYNOLDS; the Third,
Maj. Gen sickles, and the Sixth, Maj. Gen.
sedgwick, were abandoned. and the troops
Put in motion When daylight broke on
Wednesday morning, National brigades had
surprised, surrounded and captured the enc.
n,y's pickets and reserves, and the astonshed
rebels beheld two bridges connecting the hos
tile shores Of the Rappahannock, four miles
below Fredericksburg.
AS ut kclly's Ford, SO here, there Was no
waiting for pontooIs; everything WAS in
readiness, and SO skillfully and quietly was
the launching Of the boats and the crossing
Of the men conducted, that the first notice
the rebel ou1poste had Of what was going on,
va Vas thc approach Of tile boats Tiled With men.
They tired volley At random, which wounded
some twenty men of the 119th PENNSYLVANIA
volunteers. that regiment having tlea,iyancc.
Col. E1makcr is reported severely wounded
Tie success Of the expedition In boats was
20 complete rs to prevent an alarm. The lay
ing Of the bridges, though in the very face Of
the enemy, was, therefore, carried to compile
tion without his knowledge.
LAYING BRIDGES.
The hazy atmosphere Of the night was most
favorable for the work. Though one could
see perfectly well for the space If twenty feet
around, objects more distant were wholly uu-
distinguishable through the mist, Two
bridges were laid near the same crossins-onc
BY a detachment Of regulars, and the other by
volunteers: 4 pleasant rivalry sprung up,
aud the volunteer boys carried away the Ian.
re1s, by completing their bridge thirty min
% nfes III advance Of the regulars. After this
third bridge was constructed.
4 sufficient force to hold the bridges was
marched over and placed in position, after
which the crossing ceased for the day The
several commands on this side were adyanta-
gconsly posted to await further orders. The
time, purport and execution Of these orders
will appear at the close Of this drama.
RESISTANCE OF THE REBELS.
Two miles further down the river General
Reynolds with the first corps constructed q
bridge in the face Of t1e cnenly's rifle pits.
and effected crossing. The resistance was
stubborn but Of short duration. The fire Of
the artillery vas too rapid and sevcrc for the
works and fled, leaving in the hands Of d party
who crossed in boats eighty-scycn prisoners
from the 18th Georgia and 9TH Louisiana. at-
tached to Jackson's command. The prison.
ers report Jackson rs commanding the right
wing Of the rebel army.
TWO FoRDs CONNECTED.
Yesterday the I'd, Couch's corps, took DO
Eitlon In the rear Of Banks Ford, with full
facilities for crossing his own corps and as
many as might be ordered TO follow him. a
good road was constructed between Banks
and United States Forde, and only orders
were needed to put in harmonious motion all
the departments Of his great army.
TWO CORPS ACROSS THE RAPlDAs.
Later intelligence brings in the cheering
news Tint the 1lth and 18th corps crossed the
Rapidian at Gcrnlania at three o'clock yester-
day, and that Gen. Meade, with the 5th corps,
crossed 1t point lower down at five O'Clock.
The enemy was everywhere taken by surprise,
and nearly every picket force was captured.
From 600 to sou prisoners and wounded had
been taken up to four o'clock, and the COM
mand was moving down in fine order, buoyant
f1cy1o oy,I ,{}r7,-r
line Of march is in the direction Of Chancellor
vile, south Of Fredericksburg.
sToSEMAS's OPERATIONS,
sweeping down in wide circle, determined,
with skill, energy and dash, to retrieve the
iquidated lAurels OF the past fortnIrht. Tia
delayed, and finally failed In his expedition to
an extent that would hare defeated the entire
plan ofopcrstion, but for the double resources
Of the Commanding General.
What the infantry has now accomplished
stoneman should have done with his caralry
ten days ago, By bold dash across the rivers,
and sweep to the epemy's rear. If 1t SO be,
that hc now covers over the disgrace Of tho
PAST two weeks, by brilliant success in
he may regain the confidence Of his friends;
if not, his reputation and his career as com
mander Of cavalry be at an end
HOOKER srpERHTESDNG.
With the reins Of his command well in his
hand, Gen. Hooker rode along the entire lines,
witnessing the crossing ut kelly's Ford.
Then and there, and donttless not until then,
ne gare to his corps commanders the plan Of
Inc pendtng Increment. Up to the time Of |
crossing the river, the several corps moved |
like men ofWnr sailing under scaled orders: |
when AZ were we'll out to sea, Hooker himself |
broke the seal.
From kelly's to United States, nnd thence !
to Banks' Ford, the commander rode thronch |
every portion and department Of the army.
gave his orders aud saw that no scapeeoat- ii
the shape Of tardy poltroons, luke1arm OIL
Gers or defective ammunition stood ready ca |
par'soncd to flee to the mountains Of public |
opinion with excuses for anticipating Eiilure. |
Before night came General Hooker Knew tho |
roughly what was transpiring on both sides
Of the Rappahannock.
Though no proclamation has been issued |
to that effect, it is quite certain thar the head
quarters of the army Is in the saddle The
Army Of the Potomac, which has long been
accustomed to hare its headquarters follow
afar of, Was yesterday electrified with the
change. How movement thus auspiciously
begun, will end, We soon shall see.
Copperhcads I'm Office.
The strangest thing connected with the
Government at Washington Is the persistence
with which the members Of the Cabinet cling