Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1863-05-09
pRonI FREpEnIcKsBURG
ADDITIONAL PARTICULARS OF THE LATE
BATTLE.
FarprrIcKsES &C May 9Th, lss

.Rebelsn and a speedy march "on to Richmond" AT.
ter a series of engagements, the boodest and most
obdurately contested of the war; the memorable week
closes with another disastrous defeat of the mlnons
of oppression and another complete and glorious victory
won by the skill and vaor of Lee and bis General and
our brave army. Driven to the river and hemmed in
at all sides but that fndiug impossible to advance
or BIS way out after repeated efforts, during last
nigh. recrossed to the side of the river whence ne
started his army disprted shattered and demora zed
The triumph achieved is in proportion to the previous
and long preparation of the enemy his immense force,
supplied and equipped with all the enginery and para
phernalia Of war; and under leader who has displayed
no little generalship in his plan of the campaign
THE CROSSING AT UNITED STATES FORD
The enemy occupied all the night in recrossing his
army at United States Ford having been prevented by
the successful maneuyerng Of our troopsn making his
exit by any one of the ords above be had doubtless
anticipated dorg, if his Ovcrweening confidence had
permited him to think of such contingency. At an
early hour this morning the retreatng enemy were well
and rapidly Piled with shot and SHELL which was the
occasion of the heavy cannonadng in that quarter Of
the lines This morning portion Of the troops oppo-.
site Fredericksburg were moving pontOOns up the
river the same that had been used for crossing at this
pout which we're no doubt intended TO be used in IA
citatiug the retreat.
A SEVERE sToRM-FREsHEr IN THE RIVER.
Last evening, about s o'clock, heavy black clouds
and frequent showers ushered in the seVerest storm OF
the past twelve months. accompanied with frequent
lightning and the pealing of Heavens artillery, as If
angered at the sanguinary contest raging below The
whole face of the earth seemed drenched with water,
swelling ulets and creeks and the riverthe last in
dicating decided freshet which will be increased by
the heavy rains which fell during the entire afternoon
of to-day, and promise continue at intervals during
the night. But for Hookers timely retreat, this storm
would have been a valuable auxiliary in cutting eff hi
escape in every direction.
THE KILLED WOUNDED AND PRISONERS.
So constantly have troops been engaged in press
ing the enemy that it has yet been impossible to
tain anything like an estimate of our loss As Is
have already stated, it is serious, mostly, however, in
wounded the majority of cases being slight Hospitals
were erected for each division aud brigade at convent
emit distances from the army where the surgeons inde-
Eticable in their duties, gave immediate attention TO
the badly wounded who also receive due attention IRON
attentive nurses The slightly wounded were sent,
from dav to day. farther to the rear. Our loss in prs-
oners is considerable, though probably not onefh as
many as that of the enemy which cannot be much I'M
der 10000, with those taken since Monday, along all
portions of the lines. We have also captured many
valuable horses wagons, several batteries and large
quantities Of ammunition and small arms.
TIE RATTLE OF MLRYE's HuL-THE TROOPS ENGAGED.
Last night returned to Fredericksburg, which was
entirely desel ted by the Yankees early yesterday morn
inc the last taking up the pontoons behind them
thew recTossed the river. have already sent you
account of the assault on the Stone Wall and Mayres
MIN Sunday morning. and how a solitary brigade of
gallant Mssissppians, 1000 in number, under General
Barksdale with line Of nearly two miles to defend,
and without any support whatever were, alter most
dcsperate resistance overpowered by an overwhelming
force.
The capture of the heights, at the above point,
effected by between 20 and $4,000 men, composing tie
CORPS of Gen. sedgsick. Eight thousand of these
crossed the river Immediately in front of the town, az
ter two o'clock Sunday morning, and composed the I'd
Division Of ScdgWieks corps, commanded By General
Gibbons The remainder Of the troops participating in
the assault were of those who first crossed Wednesday
morning, below Deep Run, and occupied position on
the extreme left of their army, below the Bernard
House, Sunday morning, at daylight, portion OF tie
column of 600 advanced against tue Stone Wal and,
bepr repused three times fell back in confusion, and,
nndsr flag of truce, asked permission 10 bury their
dead or other pretext The remainder OF this column
attempted to flank cur left but failed, and retired
TIE ENEMY's FLANK.
The temporary cessation Of hostUes under the flag of
truce which was unwilngly granted by an inferior and
gallant officer at the Stone Wall without consulting
Ben Barksdae-enabled the enemy to perceive more
distinctly our small force and when the assault
mepced. the heavy column from below the a" Bernard
Uouse on the river south OF the town, advanced up
the Gordonsyile railroad cut in wes!wardy direction,
near Howison's MILL one half going around &arye
HEIGHTS to take the batteries above the Stone WALL tie
tber half coming around this side OF the heights and
g,rLing our ght at the stone Wall Being thus over
whelmed by large numbers the brigade still resisting,
did mot fall back except under positive orders, when
they retired over the heights formed again into line,
and checked the enemys advance Then the latter ex-
tended his lines up the plank road on the ght as lar
as the toll gate three miles west of town. which was
effected by column below the Stone Wall advancing up
the nlank road and forming junction with the right OF
the column which had taken the heights.
THE REcAPrURE OF MAPYE HEIGHTS.
Matters remained in this condition until eight nine
o'clock Monday morning, when Lawtons brigade oil
Farlys DIVISION by order of that officer, came down
over Marye Heights and recaptured the Stone Wall As
soon as the enemy had formed his line OF battle, Eal-
Ivs division with Barksdales brigade, formed into line
Confronting him. and forming junction with the lett
of NcTaNs and Andersons divisions that had been sent
to reinforce him, the whole line forming semi-crcle
cutting off the Yankee column from Fredericksburg, the
enemy being within this sem-crcle
About O'clock p. NJ. our line advanced to the at
tack. a severe engagement ensuing, which continued
about two hours.
THE PLIGHT ACROSS The RAPPAnAHNoCK.
The enemy, perceiving the danger of his position,
and being hard pressed reiterated to the river at Banks
Ford where he succeeded in recrossng about o'clock
Monday night with the loss Of eleven pieces of artil
lery about 450 prisoners and many killed and wounded
left on the field The remainder of the enemy in town
took advantage of the darkness and recossed the river
Monday night hurriedly many having secreted them
selves in cellars and other hiding places to avoid pur
suit and were captured by our troops Having placed
the river between them elves and their pursners they
octupied the next day uesdayin Smelling, with heavy
Pa rrott gnns, squads coming into or going out
of town.
THE "sIiUAsIoS" AT FREDERICKSBURG.
All has been quiet at tn point to-day and tonight,
General Barksdale and his brigade reoccupying the
L. L. thn Infhn