Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1863-05-08

Rappahannock at Kellys Ford, those that had
crossed almost simultaneously below Frede-
ricksburg were Withdrawn, and subsequently
made the passage ofThe river at one or more
OF the upper fords, thus concentrating nearly
the whole Of the.army corps in position from
whence, by prompt advance, they might out
flank the Confederates and cut off their retreat
to Richmond. On the morning Of Saturday
last, five Of the seven army corps which had
crossed the Rappahannock at Kelly's and
United States Fords were supposed TO be at or
near Charlottesville, an insignificant village,
some ten miles west ana south Of Fredericks-
burg, or the other two corps, one--the lst--
was supposed to be below or opposite Frede-
rcksburg, and the other-the 6th--was on the
North bank OF the river, in the vicinity of the
United States Ford. Beyond skirmishing at
detached points there does not appear to have
been any serious fighting until the afternoon
Of Friday last, when three several engage
ments took place, in all of which it is claimed
that the Confederates were repulsed.
On Saturday it was supposed thata general
engagement commenced at or near Chancel-
lorsville, as heavy firing was heard in that d.
rection, and we have further confirmation Of
the fact from the Washington Star Of last even
ing, which states that the fighting at Chancel-
orsvlle was desperate on both sides, but that
the accounts were so contradictory that they
were withheld until the arrival of more salts
factory details. OF the death of general Ber-
ry, Of the second army corps, there is no doubt
whatever, as his body was brought to Wash
ngt0n yesterday afternoon. it was also re-
ported that Generals Slocum, Mead, Couch
and Sickles had been killed, but the story was
not credited. General Sickles, says the Star
was certainly alive on Sunday evening. The
town Of Fredericksburg was, however, occu-
pied by General Sedgwick, who is also said to
have carried the heights in the rear. Yester-
day we are told that the Confederates made a
desperate attempt TO retrieve the position at
fredericksburg, but were said to have been
rcpulsed.
1t is proper to state that the Washington
Chronicle and the Republican both claim VIC
tory for the Federal arms; but prospectively
rather than actually. The reports, moreover,
which they publish in an extra, are exceeding
" contradictory, and are wholly based upon
information derived from persons who left the
battlefield at o o'clock on Sunday morning,
and, as yet, lack official confirmation. II is,
moreover, quite certain that the battle was
subsequently renewed by Gen. Lee with great
apparent vigor and determination but the
result Of the last engagement has net yet been
made public.
WEDNESDAY, May 6.--We continue the mar
rative of the successive engagements that have
taken place in the rear Of Fredericksburg and
in the vicinity of Charlottesville, where the
main body Of the Federal army was posted
We have previously traced the PROCESS Of Ge-
neral Rockers movement up to noon on FRI
day, at which time--if we may credit the re-
ports of Northern correspondents--fvea army
corps were stationed between the Happahan-
mock and Chancellorsyille--te ten miles distant
from the riyer-as to ciectually flank the Con-
Ia IF l. lsei,s
and also to seriously menace their commune
cation with Gordonsyillo. It was also report
ed, that Of the two remaining corps, one
Sedgwicks--was opposite Fredericksburg
whilst the other--the 6th--also on the north
bank Of the Rappahannock, was at or near
United States Ford. By keeping in mind the
positions thus respectively occupied by the
Federal forces, the events which subsequently
took place, may be more clearly understood.
We stated yesterday that fighting had been
going on up to midday with varying but in
decisive results. Then followed a sudden ces-
sation of aostilities along the whole line
Subsequently, however, the engagement was
resumed with unexpected vigor on the part Of
the Confederates, who threw themselves with
great impetuosity upon the Eleventh Army
torps-Howard' s-whch constituted por-
ton Of Hooker's right wing, turned II, and
put it to utter rout. A second Bull Run was
promised" says the correspondent Of the
Philadelphia Inquirer. "The road was block
cd up Will infantry, artillery, pack-mules and
wagons mixed up in inoxtrica-
bic confusion, and all making rs rapid pro-
gress to the rear as possible-the Rebels, with
their unearthly yell, in hot pursuit, and shot
and shell raining down upon the retreating
column in perfect torrents. BY the efforts
Of various officers and the aid Of the Provost
Marshal General, "partial order was brought
out of chaos, and the fugitives, or such Of
them as could be rallied, were reformed in
line Of battle behind a nicely reconstructed
stockade fortihcauon,n whilst others were
brought to a halt some two miles in the rear
and placed in position, without reference to
what regiments they may have belonged"
The correspondent of the New J FORK Times,
in writing Of the above affair, asserts that it
was the division of Carl Shurz that was first
assailed, and which almost instantly gave
way that threats, entreaties, aud orders Of
commanders were of no avail that thousands
Of them threw down their arms and streamed
towards headquarters; that General Owens
division, disallected by the Generalization in
front of him, soon followed suit, and that, fl
nally, the brigades Of Bushbeck and Mclean,
after maintaining themselves as long us posi-
bic, "gave way, though in good order, before
superior numbers The further advance of
the victorious enemy was stayed at length, by
the Second division Of the Third Army Corps,
commanded by Major General Berry. Sicklos
and Slocum, who had been previously thrown
forward to make reconnaissance in heavy
force, were recalled. The division Of General
Williams, also in advance fell back only to
find portion Of their works in possession of
the enemy; whilst Sickles division was tenn
porarily cut Off from all communication with
the main body but the connection was re-
stored by a night attack, in which the Con-
loderates were forced back nearly half mile.
We now come 10 the operations Of Sunday
The disasters Of the preceding day rendered
another change in the Federal lines impera-
lively necessary, the object being to make such
disposition Of the Federal forces as would
throw the Coniederates from the position they
had won in General Rockers rear aud force
them 10 the front again. During the night the
latter were heavily reinforced, and carly on
Sunday morning the attack was recommended
the design Of the enemy being TO obtain pos
session Of the plank road near Chancellors-
vile. This point in the contest, we are told
twas not obtained by Linn save at our own
time, at his severe cost, and after one Of the
most desperate, tenacious and bloody conflicts
for Its short duration, Of the whole war. ~
After holding the position for three hours, the
Federal troops fell back to the vicinity Of the
Chancellor House in good order, where the
contest was continued for an hour or more
a. ~