Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1863-05-18


to state here that the plank road and turn
pike run parallel-the latter nearest the riv-
er, and not more than to of a mile apart
from Charlottesville to the Old Mine road,
crossing where they unite, and continue to
Fredericksburg, eight mil es, one road. Just .
as Mahone'S brigade commenced the move
ment, company of one of his regiments.
which was on picket at the point where the
Ely's Ford and United States Ford reads fork,
three fourth of mile East Of Chantellors-
vile, were rushed upon in the gray twilight
of misty morning by body of Yankee cav
airy and the whole of them captured. There
was no fighting at this point Thursday.
Gen. Posey also lost few men, who were
captured during Wednesday night while at
work building bridge acress the Rapidan
at Germanna.
Gen. Anderson, with his three brigades,
reached the Old Mine road crossing about
eight o'clock a. NJ, and then calmly awaited
the approach of : the best army on the pla-
net" assured that the three small brigades
] then with him, numbering less than 5000
men, would give 3 good account of them
selves to their friends and the country should
the Yankees have the temerity to rush upon
them in the strong position they then occu-
pied. Hooker advanced slowly and cautious
ly, throwing forward strong force of caval
ry, with several batteries of artillery. strong
ly supported by infantry, yhile his main
body was collected in and around Chancel-
orsville To fully understand the subse-
euent movements of our own army and that
of Hooker, it may be necessary to explain
the position of Charlottesville and it's ap-
proaches.
I Charlottesville is not town, unless sim
rr1a I.rro tIUo ctcru hriol- roc;dapoa f,r,,orl,,
kept as a tavern, be such. This building is
situated on the Orange and Fredericksburg
plank road, Is miles above fredericksburg,
and about four miles south west of the Rap.
idan river and just where the main road
: from Ely's Ford falls into the plank road
At this point, also, the turnpike diverges
from the plank road, and, after passing for
five miles over succession of hills, falls
again into the plank road at the crossing of
the Old Mine road, ten miles above Freder-
: icksburg, five miles north east from Chancel
lorsville, on the Rappahannock, Il miles be-
i low the confluence with the Rapidan is the
United States Ford from this ford, in a
southernly direction, runs the Old Mine road
! which crosses at distance of five miles from
the river the plank road at the point already
q described, ten niles above Fredericksburg,
: and five miles below Chancelorsvlle One
| anu nan niles aUOVe CuanCoIlOTSVlIle the
road from Germanna falls into the plank road
: at or near Wilderness Church. 1t was by
e this latter road, and by the road from Ely's
= Ford that Hooker made his advance upon
e Charlottesville.
- Let US now return to the operation of our
army. During the day Thursday all was
:, comparatively quiet in front of Early, and it
:, ,, was even thought that portion of the enc
-, hoI
- the middle Of the afternoon, the enemy's adj
~ vance line of skirmishers had advanced dowr
. the turnpike, until having fallen upon Ma
. homes skirmishers, brisk firing began
=, which continued during the afternoon with
;, little effect on either side, the enemy beine
- very reluctant to engage us III our stron,
!, position and our own force being too weak t.
- make an aggressive movement.
as During the night of Thursday, General Lei
ordered Jackson, with A. P. Hills anc
at Rhodes Qormerly D. Fl. Hilrs) division te
IS. the support Of General Andeson, where they
IS arrived about o'clock on Friday morning
Is This left Early alone with his division OF
IN our right, and McLaw's division, with Will
a. cox's brigade of Anderson's division, in from
90 of Fredericksburg. As soon as Genera
nd jackson reached our position, he ordered al
in advance upon the eenemy-Wright's brigad
ed in advance upon the plank road, suporte
no by Posey-Mahone in advance upon tn
lie turn pike, supported by Perry-Hilrs an
all Rhodes division being held as reserve to b
est thrown npon any point where the develop
nd ments of the day might demand. Soon afte
cir commencing the movement our advanc
ING line of skirmishers became engaged with th
IN enemy, and hotly pursuing drove them bac
IA until within two miles of Chancellorsvill
b a where we came upon the main body, strony
Ter. ly posted in admirable position along line
t of heavy timber, in rear of large clearing, an
for. supported by number of cannon, whic
,es were planted by and in rear of dwelling ar
AN barn on the plank road. Here the actio