Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1863-05-14
FROM HOOkER,S ARMY
RESUME OF OPERATIONS.

hGO u G OC O1EhAxxUNS.
The following resume of the move
ments of Gen. HooKER's army, prelimina
ry to the conflict at Charlottesville and
about Fredericksburg, is compiled from
the correspondence of the New York pa.
pers. 1t will be of interest to our readers
and will enable them to comprehend more
clearly the somewhat confused reports by
telegraph:
THE FEINT DOWN THE RIVER.
On Monday, the Goth ult., the divisions
of Wadswort and Doubleday were sent
down the Rappahaunock (twenty miles,
to Port Conway, and ordered to build an
enormous number of fires at night in the
neighborhood, to give the idea that a
large force was there for the purpose of
crossing. The bait took. Stonewall
jackson hurried down the river with CO..
900 men to watch US, and there remained.
The bulk of Wadsworth's and Doubleday's
divisions were then withdrawn, but the
fires were assiduously kept up each night
by the rem ainder.
OF sTONEMAN's MOVEMENT.
A week before Stoneman was sent
twenty five miles above with cavalry
force, to break the Orange and Alexan-
dria, Virginia Central, and Richmond and
Fredericksburg railroads, in order to des.
troy the rebel communications.
In addition to tearing up rails and
blowing up bridges, he was also to attack
any cavalry force he might hear of in his
vicinity.
THE MOVEMENT OF OUR TROOPS.
On Monday, the 9th inst, the troops
commenced movement in force north
ward from Falmouth.
The following were the troops thus
thrown forward:
9TH Army CoRPs-Msjor General Geo
G. Meade.
11TH ARMY CoRPs- Major General O.
o. Howard.
18th ARMY CoRps-Msjor General Hen
cry W. Siocum.
These troops broke camp at Falmouth
The order to move was long waited for
and did not come till April 9th, at foul
O'Clock in the afternoon. 1t was to move
at five o'clock in the morning.
THK START.
The men bad breakfast at four O'CLOCK
in the morning. At twenty three min
utes past five, they took up their line o
march, ignorant of it's destination. The
day was rainy and cold, but the men buoy
ant beyond measure. The roads were al.
most impossible in many places but still
the nen kept on till ordered to pitch their
t,,, ,irrht
having marched twelve miles. Gen
Hooker passed through our lines late il
The afternoon and was welcomed with
deaiening cheers.
CONDITION OF THE TROOPS.
A. a proof of the condition OF thu
brga'iss, at roll call before starting, only
sixteen men, all accounted for by sur.
geotl's certfcat.s, Were absent.
HE Eleventh army corps, under Gen
Howard was in the advance, the whole
under the command OF the popular Gene,
ral of the Twelfth corps-Slocum.
Gen. WILLIAMS, commanding one of
the divisions of SLooUM's corps, takes
command of SLooUM's corps, and Gen.
RUGER ofsWisconsin commands WILLIAMS
division.
The next day the troops marched to
Grove church, about twelve miles. Day
rainy--roads bad. The pioneers worked
hard, making new roads in some places
and repairing others.
KELLY's FORD.
The event of this day was the building
of pontoon bridge across Kelly's Ford.
The engineer corps were at work all night,
and by morning substantial bridge was
formed, over which passed in safety III
fantry, cavalry and teams.
The bridge was crossed at five A. M. on
the Goth. Over the way is the town OF
Kellysville (north fork of the Rappahan-
nock), fourishing little place of some
six dwellings, quite large town for this
section
A fight was looked for at the fords; but
our cavalry rode down to the banks. and
the rebels very cautiously left them in our
possession, scampering to the adjacent
woods with wonderful CELEBRITY. The
Eleventh corps reached Kelly's Ford first,
and Col. Bushbeck's brigade was soon
over. The remainder OF the command
speedily followed, encamped in the mead
ows, and next day tell in behind the 18th.
which led the advance until Tonight,
while the 9th crossed later ia the day, and
by another route joined them at Chancel
lorville.
GIN. SLOVENIAN AGAIN.
At Kelly's Ford, Gen. Stoneman Joined
this force from Warrenton Junction,
where be had been for supplies, and tax
ing the advance, proceeded successfully
on his mission. Particulars regarding bis
movements have not yet reached Us. He
had been delayed ten days by the inces-
SAINT rains, bat it is believed, did not lose
the chance for effective co-operaiion with
Gen. Hooker's plane.
On Wednesday, Goth, the right wing
started from Kelly's crossing aud pushed
vigorously forward. Stuart shelled The
pickets thrown ont on the flank for few
moments, and then, Fastening round to
the front, skirmished briskly with the ad-
vance wherever the topography of the
country enabled him to make stand with
impunity; but the Sixth New York cav
airy gave him fair opportunity for facing
Us, and, lowering on his rear, picked up
his men here and there, sending them
back to the rear as evidence of the work
they were doing. Sometimes the Skin
mishing would De quite brisk. The car
bines would rattle merrily and the squad
ron charge calamity through the fields
after fleeing graybacks, to come upon
some terror-stricken household, whose Or
ly testimony was that :" the enemy was
f7in',n and, after an hours quiet march
ing, meet them again on the crest of hill
for another display of rapid travelling.