The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1863-05-08
BY TELEGRAPH
EVENING PAPERS.
Withdrawal of Gen. Hooker's Army Across
the Fredericksburg Re-
occupied by the Rebeis-Sedgwick's
Loss 6,O00-From Gen. Stone
mans Command.


occupied by the Reoels-Sedgwick's
mans Command.
New YORK, May7.
The morning papers do not contain a line Of
news relative to army movements additional
to what was telegraphed yesterday. Nothing
relating to war matters was telegraphed from
Washington last night TO any quarters for pub
lication The World, however, prints the fol-
lowing:
We learn by special messenger that great
battle was fought on Tuesday, and that Gen.
Hooker with his army was driven back across
the Rappahannock. Gen. Lee was heavily re-
iniorced, and the last battle exceeded in
slaughter those of the previous days.
Nothing yet has been heard of Stoneman.
1t seems impossible to doubt that he and his
force will be captured
The Washington Republican of yesterday
states that Gen. Sedgwick moved against the
rear OF Lees right on Tuesday, pierced it, and
formed a junction with Hooker's army.
$50 A. M.-The Herald has just issued an
extra containing letter dated United States
Ford, May 9th, A. NJ, saying that yesterday
morning the trains were all ordered back TO
camp, and by dark all the wagons, extra Gals
sons, pack mules, &c., were at Falmouth
The wounded were hastily summoned to
Washington, leaving nothing on the other side
but infantry and artillery.
Rain fell in torrents sweeping away the
bridges and threatening pontoons, &c. The
river rose rapidly AID one pontoon bridge was
taken to lengthen the other. Pine boughs
were spread on the pontoons to prevent noise,
and at midnight the troops commenced falling
back. The first corps crossed and is now near
ly over. The third is in entertainments to COW
er tho retreat. 1t is hoped the army will es-
cape to this side before the rebels discover the
retreat, but cannonading has commenced quite
fiercely in front, and desperate battle is not
impossible. The roads are horrible and the
sick are lying in them, but ambulanceS are
coming up to remove them. There was no
fighting yesterday of any consequence. The
enemy evidently massed his army on our right
with the probable view of crossing above and
attacking us in our flank and rear, but the high
water will Illustrate that movement. Three
pontoon trains are down near Hamilton, and
it is feared the rebels will make demonstra-
ton across the river below Fredericksburg
A great number of wounded have fallen into
the hands of the enemy. Our dead on the
battle field of Sunday are still unbured, and
the wounded undoubtedly dying in great num-
bers. Gen. Hooker was much depressed last
night. He held a consultation with his Cen
erals, in which it was urged that longer stay
would be unsafe for the army. Rain is falling
heavily and the river is rising rapidly.
The Herald also has the following:
Falmouth 9Th, 10 Il. M.-Three bridges
were swept away on the railroad from Aqua
last night. Building parties were at work all
night and trains are running again. 1t is ru-
mored that rebel cavalry have crossed over
upon the Northern Neck, and are advancing
cautiously towards this place. force has
been sent to oppose them. Everything is quiz
ct on the other side The river has risen over
ten feet, md is still rapidly rising. Heavy
cannonading is heard in the direction of Unit
ed States Ford.
The Tribune's extra dated the 9th, says:
The Army of the Potomac recrossed the
Rappahannock at United States and Banks
Fords, and is marching back to its old Camp
along the Aqua railroad.
After the battle of Sunday, Hooker contin-
ued strengthening his line, although continu-
ally harrassed by the enemy. Our artillery
took a position commanding United States
Ford and the crossing was effected without
loss
The retreat of Hooker's army produced great
panic at Aqua Creek, and everything movea-
Bile was placed on boats. The order for a re-
treat was a surprise, as it was believed that
Gen. Hooker had determined to march out
and attack the rebels on front. The crossing
commenced at ten O'Clock Tuesday night, and
at 3 A. NJ. Wednesday all wagon and mule
trains and artillery had crossed, and infantry
was crossing at United States Ford, COUGHS
corps in advance. The retreat was covered by
Meade's 9Th corps.
Lees sharpshooters picked off artillery hors-
es and any mounted officers seen. The rebel
batteries occupied all advantageous positions,
and fired vigorously on Hooker's camp, but
disappeared as soon as our batteries opened
upon them.
Gen. Sedgwlck failed to join Hooker, and
being hard pressed, crossed the Rappahannock
to prevent annihilaton-his experiment cost
ing 5000 men. Sedgwick's repulse, added to
the weak counsels of Hooker's corps COM
manders shook Hooker's confidence. In ia
tai moment he gave the order to evacuate his
strong position and his fortified camp and to
retreat. The army is not panic stricken, but
is greatly demoralized at this inglorious re-
treat. There was no time from Friday morn
ing until Monday night, but what Hooker
could have attacked and defeated Lees army.
He lacked ability to give the order. At day
light on Monday the rebels shelled our trains
at United States Ford, which served to in
crease Hooker's fears, and the longer he de-
layed the less was he able TO advance.
The Tribune correspondent closes thus:
The army is safe, with 10000 fewer men in
its ranks and much larger number unfit for
duty. The heavy rain of Tuesday night and
Wednesday seriously impaired the health of
the men, who were without shelter. Tents
were left behind, and many lost their KNAPP
sacks in battle.
The New York Worlds extra has the fol-
lowing: Richmond papers of the 9Th state
that Stoneman has destroyed all the bridges
between Richmond and the Rappahannock,
torn up railroads. cut dewn telegraph wires,
and ventured within few miles of Richmond;
consequently no communication can be had
with Lees army. Official intelligence from
Stoneman states that after the above achieve
ments he deployed his immense cavalry force
many miles, forming line of observation TO
TO detect approaching rebel reinforcements.
The Tribune states that Gen. Whipple was
severely wounded.
1t also states, it is known at headquarters
that Gen. Stoneman destroyed the bridge on
the fredericksburg and Richmond railroad,
near Sections Junction, but the enemy, how
ever, received his reinforcement by way of
Gordonsville. Gen. Stoneman is now across
the Rappahannock, securing the country on
Gen. Hooker's right
A list of casualties show the following foot
ing: It'll Mass. regiment twenty wounded; I'd
X. l. two wounded; 9Th Maine fifteen wound
ed. Those arc additional to yesterdays re-
port.
In Mead's corps two officers and two men
wprp killed and sevpn otfiears and 1870 man