New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1863-05-05
ADVANCE on THE POTOMAC ARMY
THE ENEMY IN RETREAT.
Left Wing Behind Fredericksburg
FIRST LINE REDouBTS CARRIED
ADVANCE ON THE SECOND.
-,...z-. -...- .-f-zr. "-.'- g.
Concentration Of the Rebels on Our
Right Wing.
Heavy Firing Heard Toward Chancellor
vile.
The Rebels Forced to Fight on Gen.
Rockers Ground.
eTONEMAN'S CAVALRY SUCCESSFUL
sToNEMAN's CAVALRY SUCCESSFUL
The Rebel Horsemen Routed.
TIE RAILROADS TO RICHMOND BROKEN
From Our Special Correspondents
LKYT Wise, AMY or tn,

LEFT Wine, AMY or TH1 PorosLC,
May 2. 1863
Ny last was to midnight on Thursday. upon which
day toe enemy finding that the crossing IS miles up
the Rsppabanpock, at Kelys Ford, was not & feiu'
Oh our part threw large force in the direction Of
charlottesville ten miles southwest Of Frsdercks-
turg, where cur right wing had arrived the previous
evening The Rebels have been moving gradually
10 that direction ever since, according as our sp-
rroacbing lines reveal hourly additional strength.
In sscertainng their movements loves balloon has
been Of great value. They have consumed the
woods surrounding fredericksburg for fuel during
The past Winter, leaving no obstruciions TO eight
hut the unevenness of ground, disadvantage which
does not much interfere with the observations Of the
seronaut.
Wsdsworth's Division Of Reynolds corps, and
Brooks's division Of Ssdgwiek's corps remained dur
ing Thursday night on the opposite side Of the Rap.
yabannock, where they had effected u lodgment the
Cav before, and the enemy. cautioned by the
pec,ed Withdrawal of Burnside last d 'ember, fire.
cuen,ly approached cur pickets TO ascertsined il
they still remained. Our left wing, consisting Of
tie two corps mentioned above, lay inactive yester
Gay until late in the afternoon.
In expectance of the approaching fight, the col
ers continued their usual games Of ball and Quoits
played cards, cut hair or slept. Officers sat quite
e. unconcerned and many could be seen lying under
their little shelter tents, buried as deeply IN novel
CT in past days Of safety and sofas. chaplain
posted notice In brigade, inviting the soldiers 10
meet him in preparation for the solemn events at
land, lie was attended by IL. Not to be ioilsd,
be induced Colonel TO form his regiment 10 square
for discourse and mounting . cracker box, har
ARMED earnestly TO christening ears
Toward evening an order came from the Com
handing General on the rigbtfor "a demonstration
Accordingly. troops sprans to arms, and moved TO-
ward the bridges apparently With caution, behind
bills, but displaying themselves, az If unavodaoly
In passing ravines. This, by showing thai we con
tnued in heavy force our left was to prevent Mr.
secesh from weakening hs right, and throwing more
,roops in the direction Of Charlottesville. Mr.
Seeesb was not affected by this. He, too, made 9
demonstration"
After nightfaI he lit an unusual quantity OF hres
10 prove that be was III enormous force. This morn
ING the balloon found bot 900 men opposite Us
TIE rest had Joined the main body. The day com
nenced with little picket firing and whining O.
,hells. but these soon ceased. Ten thousand men
behind the powerful defepses which badled us las
December, were match for 10000 assaIants snt
we waited patiently for still fctQi- diminuton o.
bis numbers, OF news Of disaster to bis main body
before attacking He did not STIR
Finally. toward noon, Wadsworth's division re-
erossed the river, withdrew the bridges. and the
whole of Reynolds's corps moved over the meadows
IN sight Of the enemy, up the Rappshannoek TOWARD
Bauiss Ford, seven miles distant. This ostentatioI
tsd bu, little effect. Weakened as we were, the
enemy moved bu, sbou! 1900 men, and remained il
strength The day was beautiful. Bees buzzed
prs,ty Willis in the suburbs Of fredericksburg nestled
In bossorning trees and the magnificent plain below
tparkled IN the sun respenden with the vivid greer
q Spring Nothing there suggested to an unprac
sieed eye aught inharmonous with the scene. Int
experienced vpion only could detect in the lines
yellow earth far In the distance the lurking spirit
evil.
Late in the afternoon Gen. Hooker autographed
from the right 10 BIZ; chief Of staff Gen. Buterfeld
that the enemies Of luman liberty appeared TO be II
retreat. TIM being the case, an attack from ou
left would be safe. Those remaining there dare mo-
long resist. detachment from our right would at
tack their rear Butter6eld !bereupon ordered Sedg
vleE 10 drive In the epemys piekets, and Cross ove
with the remainder Of his corps, the divisions o.
Howe and Newton
The duty OF attacking the picke,s was in,rusted
70 the I" light brigade Of Howes divi,ion, 50 calico
from their supplies being carried on mules, insieat
Of in wagons, AND being thus easily and raIidly
transported. IT was commanded by COL Burnnam
and consisted Of the i3d and 3lst New. York, 5,l
Wisconsin, and 9th Maine. Proceeding half mile
Up rsvine unseen by the Rebels, they surprise.
them by flank attack on their left, in the Bowln,
Green road, and after o abort exchange Of shot
drove them sway, with the loss on our side Of on
killed and nine wounded.
BY 10 o'clock the whole corps had passed tn
nver, and som after wrapped in their blanket
and asleep behind their stacked muskes, resembling
In the bright moonlight, long lines of enshroude,
eorpses. Below is q list Of casualties:
s Henry Volkmsn, Co. y, 3lst New.York.
WOUNDED.
Flint Lieut. John McMprtrie 5h Wis., shoulder and spin
Berg MAJOR Robert CTozier, Slit ~ T., thigh, slight
fstrck Oibney, Co. b, 3a N. Y, lower jaw.
Clss Miller Co y, 3lst " Y, arm, slight
Chaa SeyuCUfvCo, ID, 3lst ~ Y, both calves