Cedar Falls gazette. [volume] (Cedar Falls, Iowa) 1860-1895, 1863-05-15
THE WAR IN VIRGINIA.

that Hooker had been driven back to the
Rappahannock, and had crossed that stream
to save his army from total annihiation.--
This news was very depressing and Union
men felt decidedly gloomy. But the affair
now presents new face, and matters look
cheering and hopeful at the time Of our wri-
ting. Hooker did recross the Rappahannock,
but not because he was forced to do so. He
has managed the army with consummate tact,
and has proven himself to be the right man
in the right place. He recrossed to the
north Bank of the Rappahannock on Tuesday
night of last week, and on Friday again
crossed to the south bank of the same river,
only to find the enemy in hot retreat, leav.
ing his dead unburied and his wounded un-
provided for. The reason of this hasty re-
treat on the part of the rebels is accounted
for by the fact that Union force is advanc-
ing in from Fortress Monroe to attack Rich
mond. Dates of the 9th reported that the
rebel capital had been captured by our troops,
but reports of the 18th state that Lee arrived
just in time to save the city. Hooker at last
accounts was starting in pursuit of Lee, and
will receive the cooperation of Gen. Dix
who is advancing by way of the Peninsula
and We may certainly expect to hear of a
great battle having been fought near the reb.
el capital within avery short time. From
various accounts we compile some items Of
interest.
Our forces at Suffolk and the Peninsula
made demonstration towards Richmond
early last week. Lee was apprised that the
rebel capital must fall without prompt sup.
port from his army. Lee had already begun
to send troops to Richmond on Tuesday last
Lee or some one else, with good part oil
his forces, was well on his way to Richmond
on Thursday.
On Thursday morning Pleasanton's caval.
ry crossed the river and proceeded immedi.
ately to the front for the purpose of reconnoi.
tering the enemy's position. A two hour ride
bro't them to our old position about Chancel-
lorville. In the neighborhood no rebels
were discovered, except killed and wounded
These were disposed of properly, as rapidly
as possible.
"A considerable number Of stragglers and
skulkers from the rebel army, and some OF
our men came into our lines yesterday and
gave themselves up. The former protest
they have no feeling in this war, and are
willing to take the oath of allegiance. Some
Of these men saw columns of rebels retreat
ing, panic.stricken and in confusion, on
Wednesday night through terrible snow
Storm"
AT an early hour this morning, Gen.
Hooker completed crossing his entire army,
together with his artillery ard ample sup.
plies of ammunition and stores, sufficient to
last him eight days. As soon as he was
in motion, and deployed right and left in
search of the enemy, who, at latest dates,
had not been found in force.
The question, where have the rebels gone
is going around unanswered.
In the hotels to-day it is the opinion of
military men that they have fallen back in
two columns-one towards Richmond, and
the other towards Gordonsville, in hope of
concentrating with Longstreet's forces in
front of Richmond.
The next engagement will probably take
place near the Upper Pamunky river, With
er Hooker is moving as rapidly as possible
Many maintain that James River will be the
next line the rebels will defend.
1t is the report to-day that the army is in
motion south, and that skirmishing with
the rear guard of the enemy has commenced.
Sowing to the terrible condition of the
roads, the movements of the army must ne
cessarily be slow for a day or two; but the
coming week will probably witness the great.
est conflict on the continent. General
Hooker does not desire reinforccments, but
insists that the army he has already under
his command is as large as he can manage
"Hooker is in fine spirits and perfectly
well satisfied with his recent achievement
All who have arrived here from the army
unite in speaking of Hooker and recent op
erations in terms of the highest praise
Those who suppose that we have thus far
met with reverse on the Rappahannock, will
have to learn how sadly they are mistaken.
"The President and Halle k, who visited
| Hooker yesterday, have returned, and ths
former is said to be agreeably surprised will
the situation. Our killed, and wounded, ant
captured have been largely overstated here
| tofore. Almost continuous showers that are
falling create inconvenience to our army il
Virginia, but they will have good effec
in impeding the reconstruction of bridges
and railroad tracks which have been destroy
ed by Stoneman.
The Post says: We learn by special adj
vices from Washington that Gen. Halleck i.
about to take the field in person, not, it is un
derstood, with the purpose of relieving Gen
| Hooker of his command, but that he may b,
in the very presence of Transporting events
and the better able to influence their genera
directions. The authority upon which W.
have this information is usually we'll inform
ed. 1t is significant fact, and one tina
will increase the confidence of the country ir
Hooker, that he did not execute his late ret
rograde movement until he had planned the
present one and had become satisfied of its
superiority to any effort he could make al
Chancellorville, distracted as it had been by
| the unfortunate detection of the 18th corp:
| at the commencement of the struggle.
The Heralds Washington dispatch says
our loss in the recent battles is estimated a
| IL 900, and the rebels loss at 5000. It is
reported that Lee sent flag of truce to Gen
Hooker asking supplies for wounded FEEDER
al soldiers. stating that his army was def
Gent therein, and his communication cut off
1t is said medical and hospital supplies wer,
sent.
| Stoneman, on his return from his lat
| brilliant cavalry raid re, crossed the Kappa
hammock at Kelly's Ford, and has rcjolnct