The Burlington weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1860-1876, 1863-05-09

bow bend to the south of here, but regain
ing its easterly direction within four miles.
Nearly east, or about ast-northeast, runs
tho old turnpike to fredericksburg, which
intersects the plank road 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 frefn
this point. This road wind through the
timber, and is very Indifferent at the best.
The forenoon was mainly occupied by
Gen. Hooker, his staff, andable corps COM
manders, in consultation, and in making
dispositions of the columns. At about II
o'clock, Gen. Sykes division was sent for
ward on the left, by the Banks Ford road,
to make an attack, and compel the enemy
to develop his strength on that bank. He
moved promptly into position, with Weeds,
now Watson's, regular battery. The first
gun was fired by the enemy, about II
O'Clock. Heavy skirmishing commenced,
our men entering the field with much en-
thusiasm. Tho Sth Pennsylvania cavalry
skirmished in the very front for some time,
and sustained a Calling fire from the enc
my's infantry, but behaved with great in,
upon the infantry, only to be in turn driven
back. Gen. Sykes then threw forward two
companies of infantry, without knapsaclSs,
on the double quick, who supported the
cavalry and checked the further pursuit Of
the enemy. The action now became quite
general between the two forces, each SEEM
ing to be about the same strength. The
rebel division thus engaged was that of
Anderson, part OF Longstreet's old corps,
consisting of the brigades of Pasey, Maho-
nv and Wilcox. Sykes fought the latter
brigade at Gaines Mill. The rebels con-
tested the ground very vigorously, giving
way only when pressed very hard. Our
troops fought for full al hour with great
spirit, and drove the enemy from two sue
ccssiye and strong positions upon ridges of
land which run parallel with the Rappahan
mock. The distance thus gained was nearly
one mile, and some fifty prisoners, mostly
belonging to Virginia regiments, were cap
t,red. They CAV themselves up readily,
many of them manifesting pleasure at their
position. About half past one o clock, just
as Col. Chapman, commanding brigade
of regulars, had expressed desire to 'ttake
another rid &C." an order was received by
Gen. Sykes from Gen. Hooker, to suspend
the attack, and retire nearly to his former
position. This appeared inexplicaple to
both officers and men, and as the latter
came slowly back and in good order, fire.
quent Inutterings were heard among them
about being con the retreat again." But
the sequal proved there was mind over
them.
The cause for this movement was the fact
that Gen. Hooker had received information
from his headquarters that the enemy had
thrown the greater part of his force on this
side of the Notifications, and had also re-
moved many Of the guns in the lower bat
teries, and placed them in position at the
upper end Of the town-thus indicating an
intention Of making an attack on us. He,
a. III 1isp,i, or.y az.
tack at once, which had been arranged as a
prelude to important operations elsewhere,
and rightly slrmised that if the enemy did
really mean to attack us they would follow
Up our retirement. At 2. NJ, he remark
ed: 81 think can make them come out
and fight me on my own ground" In two
hours the assertion was proven. The enc
my mistook our voluntary retirement for
a check, and followed us rapidly as we fell
back.
Gen. Sykes division had got in their old
position, and pickets thrown out, when the
enemy again appeared in force on the ridge,
at the foot of which we lay. Our men had
stacked arms and were at rest. The whole
division, save the Duryea Zouaves, were
lying at nearly right angles with the road.
The Zouaves were parallel with the road.
Quick as thought Gen. Sykes brought his
men into line, the Zouaves on the left half
wheeling into line of battle like a machine.
The rebels paused O moment on the top OF
the ridge, and, as if to nerve themselves for
the onsent, gave one of their scattering, de-
moniac yells, and then came down on the
Notwithstanding capturing and lit
orally running over our pickets, Who Scram-
bled behind all sorts of Instructions. But
in an instant more q terrible crash resOun-
ded from the Iouave end of the line, and
down the column rolled the most deafen-
ing roar of musketry that in all my expe-
rience has ever met my ears. 1t did not
last, apparently, two minutes, but its work
was effective. sL5s.
This attack was very fierce, and being so
much nearer than the previous firing had
| beeu. created considerable conmotion
around the crossroads. 1t at once brought
Cen. Hooker into the saddle for the first
time during the day, and things were speed
ily in shape. This onslaught was for the
purpose Of re-taking this very important
point. The first thing done was the mass
| ing of artillery near the roads, and in fif-
teen minutes twenty-five guns were send
| ing shell into the woods, and the roar OF ar
tillery became ten times more deafening
| than that of the musketry had been. The
| work was soon done. The contest lasted
three-t,uarters of an hour, and the enemy
| ignominiously retired.
| Although this attack was SO handsomely
repulsed, it proved to be only preliminary
to still greater operations. At 4:3O p. m.
Col. Diyen, who had cavalry sk1rmlshers
on the plank road, reported the enemy ad-
vancing in force and driving in his pick
cts. He was soon discovered deploying tc
the right, and Gen. Slocum promptly mel
the move by sending in Geary's division
and Hampton's battery, The attack prov
ed to be only feeler, however,, ana ine
on our right. which was again checkmated
by Gen. Williams who with three batter