Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1863-05-07
From the Richmond Enquirer, May Cd, 1863.
90 ErnrpR fR.@ ~ NINA m

miles below Fredericksburg, after brief but desperat
little engagement in which two Confederate regiment
opposed them until reed to retire. both sides
badly. The enemy DOW. occupies virtually tie sam
position before and about Fredericksburg be did jus
previous to the fight of last winter. Heavy caEnona
ding occurred Thursday evening, aud it believe
that hostites bad commenced in earnest although
have reliable intelligence to that effect Higher
the river the deoDsts atoms of the enemy were on YET
terday very decided, and gentleman from Gordonsv
informs us that fight was in progress between Ger
Fnzhugh Lees forces and heavy force OF the enem
Rapidan Station. From the Movements of the enem
it believed that it is his design to flank" Gordons
vile and destroy the iron bridges over Meore's cree
and the Riyanna river between that place ard Cba'
lottesville at all hazards; the coDsummaton Of whic
would greatly embaass the transportation oour troop
We have no particulars as to the reported fights.
The Confederate Forces IN F. eerlcksbur Capture
one of General Mohone's Companies-T The Fight Oh
Ihu,sday-C0pture of Ydnkees--AytaHery DueLs-
COnfederateS Surprised and CGPt"Ted-Stc't OF HI
Old Tricks, &c.
Correspondence OF the Richmond Erqarer.
ALsoP's FARM, MILES BELIw j
FRRDERIcKsBURG l o'clock, T. M, May l, '63.
was in the saddle yesterday from early dawn anti
near moonlight endeavoring to sift the grains OF trutt
from the Of false reports in circulation The re
suits of my Investigations that the Yankees on yes
terday did Dothng right of much importance
their operations being limited to throwing ad
dtiona forces including artillery, and to covering
preparatory TO fight The left wing of the Yankees
extends from Hazal Run to point just below Pratt's
house, and nearly opposite Hamlton's Crossing. Cur
troops occupy the line of the railway from and below
the crossing up to town.
Our forces still hold the town, there being no fort
Cd the part OF the enemy to take possession of it.
On left and above the town, say 20 miles, at Ger
mama and Elleys Fords the Yankees yesterday ef-
fected crossing, force estimated 30 900 strong
and moved upon and occupied Charlottesville about
three O'Clock yesterday afternoon their column bsiug
pushed as far IS Zoar Church, in Sposyvania, eight
miles above Fredericksburg the enemy feeling his way
very cautiously all the time and using artillery His
march thus far this route has been but feeby
tested. Ample preparations, however made to give
him warm rece ptiOn whenever he feels disposed to
move from his present position.
Our oss all told this wing yestt rday, in the Skin
mishpg not killed and six wound
ed, though a company from OF tLo res sGe1ts in
Gen. Mahone's brigade captured, while picket
Chancellorsville being 'prased. Capt Taylor,
A. a. q of Gen. Manones staff, also narrowl y escap
ed both death and capture lie had just ridden to the
post occupied by this captured picket. when he
called to halt AT perceiying the character OF
the troops he quickly turned bis horse and fed not,
however until three I ankee balls had been fired at
him in vain.
We have capur several prisoners on this wing,
who represents that the enemys force is forty thou
sand strong.
No crossings had been Effected ct the S. or Banks
FOrds though three army roads have been constructed
to the latter place, and redoubt thrown up in front
Of it.
Firing has been heard from above this morning, and
it is supposed diminishing is going
The picket lines at Fredericksburg are still kept
up by both sdes.
There was great cheering in font yesterday One
of the Yankee pckets hallootd across and said they
had taken Vicksburg This of course is part OF the
of lying in order to get the "best army on
the planet TO move"
Yesterday morning the Yankee batteries opened on
our right but after firing half hour or more ceased
uatil about P. NJ. From this hour until
nghtall a brisk artillery duel occurred or our
right. The batteries engaged side being Frys
OF Orange which was stationed at point about one
mile below Hamilton's Crossing, and Hardaways old
battery, and the Rockbrdge battery, posted the hill
Just above HamiIton's Crossing
Our shell fell thick an fast among the Yankees, and
believed to have done considerable execution The
Yankee batteries, which were posted Gray's and
Fitzaugh's FARMS did injury whatever though
their shell reached beyond Hamiltons Crossing.
One she'll from ou- side burst among some wagons
on Gray's blll and thereupon great scampering en-
sued.
a shell was also seen to explode in group ,f of
tcerS, near Pratt's, and such "skedGddlng
seen.
A Yankee battery was also seen to doublequick
away from It's dangerous position with wonderful ceer
ty during this FIRE.
There have been no demonstrations I'D to this hour
to-day This morning not single cannon has been
bred, AID no engagement with small arms, rot even
has taken place.
One report has it that the Yankees who crossed at
Bernsrds and PTatts have recrossd and taken up
their pontoons. Another statement n that the Yam
1ees are entrenching in front of Bernafds and
Pratts
From the movements on band should not be sur
0rised If the Yankees at Demands and Pratts have
crossed. Their tents however in large numbers are
visible the opposite shore. The belief now is that
he battle will be fought above fredericksburg, and in
he vicinity of Charlottesville. The crossing below
own is, in all probability, mere eint.
Everything betokens an early, heavy and decisive
light. The baggage has been sent rearwards The
hospital flags can be plainly seen. Our men in
their right positions, and the artillery is all up"
During the skrmshpg at Charlottesville yesterday,
Capt Pifer, of General Lees Body Guard, and Lieut.
w 6lthrOp, reported to have been wounded, and
ZONE four or FIVE men killed.
In the crossing at Pratts hear that the Major or
Lieut.. Colonel of the Sixth louisiana was wounded
and made prisoner and fourteen prvates besides
good number of the 18th Georgia. The crossing at
his point was hotly contested.
At Bernayd's, however, the Yankees got over hear,
and surprised the pickets part OF Col. McDOwells
regiment tie fault being, it is alleged il the captain
the picket who though often apprzad that
the Yankees were making great noise in front-the
fog being at the time too heavy to anythingfaied
to take any precautions and his men, VIXEN surprised,
we're found with unloaded guns.
The Yankees constructed their boats their side of
the river and threw them around by the OF oars,
so quickly that but little effective resistance could be
offered.
The balloons of the Yankees were up all day yester-
day, and again to-day. The fight will not occur, l
think, before Sunday. The country may rely that when
It does come, our able Generals, and brave reliant
army will be fully equal to the myrr dons of Fight
ng joe"
From above l learn that Stuart has been quite &C
ve and has taken hundred and sixty prisoners rep
resenting three different army corps
prisoner taken last night, says the enemy have al
eady crossed over forty thousand men.