The Portland daily press., 1863-05-14
Dowd .alls - :Chancellorville
Position Saturday Morning, May Q.

Dowd :alPs - :Chancellorville
Position Saturday Morning, May q.
corps was therefore SO disposed as to front in
three directlons-one third lacng like the rest
of the army, one-third having its line nearly
perpendicular 10 this and to the plank road,
and the remainder of the line, situated ON the
extreme right, being almost perpendicular to
that portion upon its immediate left, and in
tended TO meet the enemy should he succeed
in marching entirely around the army, and
make the attack from the old turnpike, or still
further to our right by coming through the
woods. The first front was tried on Friday
evening, but then Gen. Howard had a strong
position for artillery, and very little impression
was made. Rifle pits had been extended along
our entire front, and every eligible position
for artillery was occupied. There was mod
crate elevation in the center of the opening
and in the vicinity of Dowdal's Tavern (Gen.
Howard's headquarters), where second line
Of rifle pits was made to be held by the re-
serve brigade, and here the reserve artillery
was located. Gen. Hooker often expressed
his confidence that he could hold this position,
even if driven from his front lines The great
extent of the front allowed only one brigade
to be held in reserve.
In the afternoon our scouts reported that
the rebels were marching towards the right
across the plank road ut right angles. Word
also came from headquarters OF the army, that
the enemy was moving towards Gordonsville.
Slocum and Sckles thereupon moved upon
their rear and right flank and met with con-
siderable resistance. Sickles lay next to the
l1th corps on its left, but when he advanced
bore to the left, leaving gap. He sent TO
Gen. Howard asking for support, saying he
had found portion of the enemy entrenched
and was going TO attack them. Gen. Howard
sent him word that he wonld support him, and
sent staff officer to ascertain the exact local
ity OF Gen. Sickles' line of battle in order to
join it upon the right. At this time he re-
ceived an order from Gen. Hooker. to send
brigade to Gen. Sickles. He had only the re-
serve. Bolan's brigade, and that the best of
bis corps, consisting partly of Ohio and Mas
sachusetts troops, under a most brave and
thorough officer.
There was no alternative, and Gen. Howard
conducted the brigade to its position in per-
son, taking some prisoners on the way.
Gen. Howard galloped back to his head
quarters with the greatest speed; and it was
fortunate that he made no delay, for within
five minutes after his return couple of shots
from two of CTR rifled cannon located on the
right, upon the old turnpike, announced the
enemy in that vicinity. Soon a terrific storm
of musketry confirmed the belief that the
rebels had attacked our right flank. The
General and staff were in The saddle and gal
loping to the point of attack without mo-
ment's delay; but before the General got there
the right brigade (German) had given way
and was pouring back in utter rout. As he
went along Gen. Howard changed the direc-
ton If brigade, so that it would face the en-
emy coming from the right. He also sent di-
rections to the artillery, which now opened
most destructive fire upon the impetuous foe.
But nou he found it necessary TO use every
effort, both in person and by employing staff
officers, to rally the broken regiments. A
panic had seized the brigade second from the
right tMcLean's, American). A few shells
striking among them, the overwhelming charge
of the rebels, accompanied by their triumph
ant yes, the rushing back OF the routed troops,
all so sudden and bewildering, seemed to turn
the heads of many Of the officers as well as
men.
Gen. Devens, who commanded the division
first attacked, was badly wounded while en-
deavorng to rally his command. The panic
was communicated to the division of Major
Gen. Schur 1.-THE two rifled cannon contrib
uting TO the same end, as the shot came tear
ing through one of his regiments in retreat.
Gen. Schurz had received his instructions
how and where TO form in case OF an attack
upon the right Only two of his regiments,
however, fell back fighting and in order
Three regiments under Col. Bushbeck, and
located on the left of the line, held their po-
sition brayely, and fought till they were COM
pletely out0anked. They held their ground
SO well, although compelled to take the out
side of their deiences 1.-THE enemy coming op-
posite to their proper front that some of our
artillery was enabled to bring a most destruct-
i've fire upon the rebels as they came tumbling
and rushing furiously on.
The artillery held to the last, and indeed
some pieces were lost by the killing of the
horses.
Every effort was made to rally the troops all
the way along, and especially when any pos
sible position presented itself, such as fence
or thick woods. All was in vain, and when
Col. Bushbeck had been forced to retire, Gen
Howard then passed to the rear of Berry's di-
vision, and there first succeeded in halting and
rallying the corps. Gen. Hooker had located
Gen. Berry in the rear in order to prevent the
further advance of the enemy. His veteran
troops stood firmly.
About the time the retreating and compound
masses OF the 11th corps passsd the line Of
Gen. Berry, the other two divisions of Sickles'