Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1863-05-06

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The day opened with q heavy mist
hanging over the country, particularly
near the river, which was not entirely
dispelled until the sun was nearly up
say 8 o'clock. The morning was quiet
neither party seemed to be ready for bat
tie.
We brought up additional artillery dur
ing the night as we'll as large ammunition
trains, and an allowance Of six forage
wagons to each corps, which were ordered
to return in each case before any more
we're allowed TO pass the bridges. Major
Painter, Of the Quartermasters Depart
ment had charge Of the Ford, and reguls-
ted the passage Of wagons and artillery so
that there was nc confusion, while the to-
tai amount Of transportation which reaeh-
ed this side Of the river was very small,
and not in the least cumbersome.
The Second Army Corps came up during
the night and encamped near the left Of
our position. The Third Corps lay be-
tween Banks and United States Fords
during the night, and reached the front
about noon. The troops marched rapidly,
and with great ch~eerfulness.
The great strategic Importance Of this
position grows more and more apparent
every hour. We hold the G%ordonsville
road securely. By going half & mile to
the rear, We find a country road leading
to Sp~ottsylvania Court house-four miles
to the rear is another. Their flank is thus
dangerously exposed, for IL they retreat
they are harassed by flank and rear if
they fight they must fight in an open field,
on equal terms, with perhaps great adyan-
tsge in our favor.
Evidences hourly accumulate Of the
fact that the enemy is totally surprised at
our vigorous operations, and in q great
measure u~nprepsred to meet US. That he
is very nervous is evident from the man
ner in which he falls to digging riAe-pits
in every convenient location. If any
further evidence Of this fact were needed,
it is found in the capture at this point,
yesterday, Of q dispatch from Gen. Lee to
an engineer officer here, saying in sub
stance that he was very much surprised at
this movement, had not anticipated it and
was unprepared to give him instructions.
This dispatch was dated April %. One
more fact: MoVicar captured, in his
charge, last night a dispatch from Gen
Lee to Fitzhugh Lee, ordering his cavalry
brigade to be at SpOttsylvania Court house
on April 80. Thus Lee came in upon Nc
Wears rear, who was also bound to
SpOttsylvanis.
Hostilities among the pickets we're car
ried on during the night, with slight loss.
Watson's battery, in Mesde's front, thus
lost two men and eight horses. Our lines
were not developed last night the troops
being massed in proper locations.
Right here let me, if l can, give an idea
Of our exact location. On your maps you
will perceive Charlottesville, a few miles
west of Fredericksburg, q true style of
Virginia village, consisting of n house
and a cross-rOads-albeit the house, in
this instance, is 8 fine large structure, and
will accommodate q great many wounded,
to which purpose it is already devoted.
But the crossroads is the matter Of vital
Importance here. From this point the
plank-road runs directly west to Culpep-
per, by the way Of Germanns Ford, or by
turnpike via Ely's Ford. The Gordonsville
turnpike DIVORCES to the left four miles in
our rear. The plank-rosd to Fredericks-
burgh runs nearly due east making an ell
bow bend TO the south here, but regaining
its easterly direction within four miles.
Nearly east, or about east-northeasL runs
the old turnpike to Fredericksburgh, which
intersects the plank-road again about
three miles from here. Near this intersec-
ton the road bears to the left and goes to
Banks Ford, six miles, in . northeaSterly
direction. United States Ford lies north
northwest and the road thereto leaves the
Ely's Ford road and bears to the right
about one mile from this point. This road
winds through the timber, and is very in
different at the best.
The forenoon was mainly occupied by
General Hooker, his staff, and able corps
commanders, in consultation, and in max
ing dispositions Of the columns. Atabout
twelve o'clock, General Sykes division
was sent forward on the left, by the Banks
Ford Road, to make an attack, and compel
the enemy to develop his strength on that
bank. He moved promptly into position,
with Weeds, now Watson's regular battery.
The first gun was fred by tie enemy, at
about twelve o'clock. Heavy skirmishing
commenced, our men entering the field with
much enthusiasm. The Eighth Pennsyl-
vania cavalry skirmished in the very front
for some time, and sustained q CALLING fire
from the enemy's infantry, but behaved
with great intrepidity. They charged and
re.eharged upon the infantry, only to be in
turn driven back. General Sykes then
threw forward two companies Of infantry,
knapssoks, on the double-quick.
who supported the cavalry and checked
the further pursuit by the enemy. The ac-
ton now became quite general between the
two forces, each seeming to be about
-. 49,. .N-..-EL Tka aah.T 1swa1s0w I
thus engaged was that Of Anderson, part
IF Longstreets old corps, and consisting
Of the brigades of Pasey, Malone and
Sykes fought the latter brigade
81 Gaines Min. The rebels contested the
ground very vigorously, giving way only
when pressed very hard. Our troops
for fully an hour with great spirit
and drove the enemy from two successive
md strong positions upon ridges Of land
which run parallel with the Rsppahsnnock.
The distance thus gained was nearly one |
mile, and some fifty prisoners, mostly be- |
to Virginia regiments, we're cap
They gave themselves up readily, |
many Of them msnifesting pleasure at their
About II O'Clock, just 81 Colonel
Chapman, commanding a brigade Of reg
liars, had expressed a desire to "take
ridge" an order was received by
General Sykes from General Hooker, to
the attack, and retire nearly to
his former position. This appeared mex
to both officers and men, and as
he latter came back slowly and in good
order, frequent mutterings were heard
Lmong them about "being on the retreat
But the sequel proved that there
vas a mind over ALL who directed what
vas best for them.
The cause for this movement was the
act that General Hooker had received in
ormation from his headquarters that the
'nemy had thrown the greater part Of his
orce over on this side Of the fOrtifcations
had also removed many OF the guns in
he lower batteries, and placed them in
at the upper end Of the town
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