Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1863-05-11

The enemy had now learned With sufficient
certainty that large force was in their rear IN
the direction of Charlottesville, :lila tisat
Stoneman s cavalry was greatly endangerlng
their railroad communication, and thoy were
moving accordingly away from oedgW1ck to
ward the rear Of Hooker, between Ch2Ieeslors
vile and the Rapidan, by the, roaoss at the
South Of the plank road, which was Ia orr
possession. While leaving Sedgwlck front
the enemy made unusual demonstrations OF
camp fires, as if concentrating there and slml-
lar devices were resorted to on our oVn side. ~-
But neither deceived the other. for both were
moving away, and on our side a portion OF che
bndges were taken up Immediately, and the
Third corps moved all night toward the Cnl~
ted States Ford to Join with GeneraE Hooker
at Charlottesville
FR1DAY.-While the First and Third corps
were moving from the lett wing to laln Gene-
raj Hooker at Charlottesville, and while
jackson was taking circultous rou5e to reach
the rear Of General Hooker's line between
Charlottesville and the Rapldan, two divl-
sions-Svkess of the Fifth corps, and " IL
Gams Of the Twelfth pushed On nearer to the
rear Of Fredericksburg, skirmlshlng and 1ght-
ing with the enemy who showed sight res1s~
tance in that direction. The enrny were
thus driven before them for tour l1alles3 when
Gen Hooker for some reason, ordered them
to fall back and rejoin his lines at Chancellors--
vile. By night his army was ali concentrated
except the Sixth corps, and ready for a Tor
| ward movement t. fhe rear or s1GSssEerlekspurg
heiehts. The main body Of the enemy had
now moved away from their works at Freder-
icssburg. and were preparing to attack our
army on the right in direction from which,
If beaten, they could successfully retreat, and
from which it was hardly expected they would
meet u.s.
SaTuRDAY.-General Hooker occupied the
dav in awaiting the attack Of the enemy, which
was eyiden l. expected in front. The movements
Of the enemy seemed to indicate that they were
retreating, and as the main line OF their re-
treat vas Occupied by our forces, an attack to
| recover that line was confidently expected. - -
What was the surprise, then to lind StoneWall
Jackson, on Saturday afternoon. upon our ex-
treme right and rear, between Chancellorsyllle
and Germania Mills? A most furious and
DESPERATE attack was made, and the right Of
orr lines. which was held by the Eleventh
corps was almost Instantly broken, and the
panic-stricken men, in utter confusion, with
and without lnuskets hats and coats, rushed
headlong from under FIRE down the only road
which led to the bridges, and no power on
earth could have stopped or nreyented the
complete and disgraceful route OF the soldiers
who have hitherto shown better qualities un-
dar their former commander. Gen. Howard
conld have no control over the coWardly tugl
1iyes. who stopped not to look back until they
had reached the Rappahannock. So disgrace
f1l = nanic has not been seen III this army.
The Third corps under Gen slckles was
interposed in the breach thus made; and the
excellent GOODNESS of this officer, with the bet,
ter qualities which biz corps exhibited, saved
the further progress of the panic and the route,
and the evil was temporarily stayed But the
poison was infused; the other corps had wit