The Portland daily press., 1863-05-08
The Battle of ChanceIIorriIle.

The Battle of ChancellOrviIle.
The following account of General Hooker's
advance is drawn chiefly from the columns of
the New York Tribune and Times:
PRELIMINARY MOVEMENTS.
The two feints at Port Royal and Kelly's
Ford, made at nearly the same time two weeks
ago, seem to have puzzled and deceived the
rebels completely as to the proposed move
ment. Gen. Hooker, however, carried out his
whole plan by means of feint on a grand
scale, and undoubtedly placed his army on the
other side of the Rappahannock before Lee at
all understood whether he meant to cross
above or below Fredericksburg.
Three corps, the 1lth, under Major Gen.
Howard, the 18th, under Major Gen. Slocum,
and the 9Th, under Major Gen. Meade, marched
from Falmouth on Monday, arriving at Kelys
Ford, about twenty-seven miles distant, on
Tuesday. The rebel pckets were surprised,
bridge thrown across the Rappahannock, and
the 1lth Corps was over the river before dark.
The 18th Corps made the passage during the
night, Stoneman's Cavalry Corps came up and
crossed at the next morning, and the 9th
Corps followed Immediately after. The cav
airy instantly dashed forward, aiming for the
rebel line of communication between Freder
icksburg and Richmond The 11th and 18th
Corps moved without delay on Germania,
twelve miles distant. and crossed the Rapi-
dan at that point at o'clock on Wednesday
afternoon. The 9th Corps passed the same
river at Ellis Ford, eight miles further down,
at 5, neither column having met any consider
able resistance.
Meantime the 1st Corps, under Major Gen.
Reynolds, the Sd Corps under Major Gen.
Sickles, and the 9th Corps, under Major Gen.
Sedgwick, starting at noon on Tuesday, moved
down the Rappahannock, and in the course of
the night the Sd and 9th Corps bridged the
-. IL. II.
threw across sufficient detachments to hold
the opposite heads Of the bridges. The 1st
Corps succeeded in the same attempt two
miles further down, being opposed by the
rebel sharpshooters in rifle pits, but silencing
them with artillery.
Thus far, it is to be noticed that but one d-
vision each of the Sd and 9th Corps, had been
sent across the river - the remaining four d-
visions stayed on the other side. But they
were not idle. They were put in motion on
our side of the river, and in plain view of the
enemy were marched along the crest of the
ridge and down, as though to the crossing.
But instead OF crossing, they were quietly
drawn up back through gully, round the rear
of the ridge, and round again on its top. They
made the appearance of at least hundred
thousand men, and must have presented the
appearance of a Btdssing on our side prepara-
tory to a passage of the river under cover of
the night. The same "circusing" was per-
formed by the artillery, the same by the wagon
trains.
The effect on the rebels was prompt. Two
hours afterward their columns began moving
up the Bowling Green road from down the
river, where considerable force, including
the whole Of Jackson's corps, had been posted
as corps OF observation.
When these movements had been accom-
plished the three corps that crossed at Kel
ly's Ford being already on the march for the
t1a. sl...l 4.
ed Banks Ford, eight miles above Fredericks-
burg, on Wednesday morning, opened a road
between there and United States Ford, four
miles beyond, at the junction of the Rapidan
and Rappahannock, and without crossing in
force lay In position for movement the mo-
ment they were needed.
During Wednesday, then, the 18th, 10Th and
9Th corps reached and crossed the Rapidan,
the I'd occupied Banks Ford, the Sd and 9th
lay two miles below Fredericksburg, and the
LIST four miles below, threatening move
ment on that flank Also The enemy might
well be at loss to know which side the
blow was about to fall. His pickets had been
surrounded and captured at all points, and
the whole operation had been silently and
suddenly effected and the real movement skill
fully disguised.
On Thursday morning the scene changes
The movement down the river was feint
Late Wednesday night the Sd corps, which
was at the two-mile bridge, marched straight
up the river again and Joined the I'd at Banks
Ford; and early Thursday morning the lst
corps followed in its path, and also halted at
the same ford. So that on Thursday morning
there are three corps across the Rapidan,
marching straight on the rear of Fredericks-
burg by way of Chancellorville, a village
twelve miles distant from that city, and three
more at Banks Ford, with the road to Uni
ted States Ford open, and communications es-
tablished with the advancing coumns-all six
in position to move directly upon the rebel
line of communication, aud the 9th corps still
with formidable display of force threatening
TO cross below and assail the other flank of the
enemy. Thursday night four army corps
namely, Howard's, Socums', Meade's and
COUGHS were massed at Chanceorville.
That same night Gen. Hooker and staff estab-
lished his headquarters in the only house
there.
THE POSITION.
Chancellorville consists of one large brick
house, occupied by lady of the name of
Chancellor. aad kept as a tavern. From this
point the plank-road runs directly west to
Culpepper, by the way of Germania Ford, or
by turnpike via Ellis Ford. The Gordonsville
turnpike diverges to the left four miles in our
rear. The plank-road to Fredericksburg runs
nearly due east, making an elbow bend to the
south here, but regaining its easterly direction
within four miles. Nearly east, or about east
northeast. runs the old turnpike to Fredericks-
burg, which intersects the plank-road again
about three miles from here. Near this inter
section road bears to the left, and goes to
Banks Ford six miles, to the northeast. Uni
ted States Ford lies north-northwest, and the
road thereto leaves the Ellis Ford road and
bears to the right about one mile from this
point. This road winds through the timber
and is very Indifferent at the best. BY going
half mile to the rear, we find country road
leading to Spottsylvania Court house; -four
miles to the rear is another The country
around Chancellorville is densely wooded and
the ground uneven At the junction of the
roads there is clearing in the direction o
Fredericksburg. The hills become quite alb
rupt, but southwark are less elevated.
Lees surprise must have been great wher
he heard thaethe Union army was across the