Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1863-05-13

Ford, force of about a hundred and fifty
rebel prisones was discovered building a
bridge. These, by well executed ma
noevre, were all captured.
MOVEMENTS IN cHANcELLoRvILLE.
While this was going on at Germans
Ford, Meade's troops were crossing al
Ely's Ford. Both columns now moved
as ordered. for Chancellorville at the
junction of the Gordonville turnpike with
the Culpepper and Orange Courthouse
plank accommodation being kept
up between the two movable columns by
n squadron of Pleasanton's cavalry. Thi.
naneuvre having uncovered United
States Ford (which lies between Kelly
Ford and Falmouth-twelve miles from
the latter Coughs corps, which had. for
three days, been lying at that point, was
passed over the Rappahannock by pom
toon bride on Thursday, without any
opposition This force also converged to-
ward Chanceliorville and on Thursday
night four army corps-namely, Howard 5
Stevens, Meade's and Coughs were mass
ed at that point. That same night Gen.
! Hooker and staff reached GordOnsville
and established his Headquarters in the
only house there.
LEES SURPRISE.
When we were across the Rapidan the
enemy was yet picketing the Rappahan-
mock, and of Lees surprise we have evil
dence in letter from Gen. Lee himself.
which was found in the honse at Chan
cellorsville.
This letter; signed by Gen. Taylor, Lees
Chief of staff, was written to the rebel
officer commanding the post at Chancel-
lorville, and was dated from Lees hsad-
quarters at 400 o'clock p. m, of the day
we arrived. It is stated, in substance
that the "GsIlerel had at that moment kecatf
that tie Federal force ,oas across Ely's Ford'
1--WE had been across eighteen hours)-
''tkat Gen. anderson" (who commanded at
United States Ford with Il couple of
bridges) "kae,g nothing Of oar arricai'
asked him to "coms dozen i,cncdiateiy a"i
consult a0ih tie Comma,dhg GeHerai!'
THURSDAY AND FRIDAY.
On Thursday night we were massed in
the vicinity of Chancelorsville, simply
covering the approaches.
On Friday morning, Gen. Hooker began
the strategic disposition of his force
As the enemy has since been eng ged
Will US ali llllS llHCs anu ds the ulS-
position has, since then, been altered,
there can be no objection to state that ii
formed line of battle of triangular Or
redan shape, resting with its wings re-
spectively on the Rappahannock between
Banks and United States fords and Hart's
Creek, not having its apex at Chancellors-
vile. The day was occupied with opeF-
ations along the skirmish line, and recon
noissances for the purpose of feeling the
enemy.
At noon on Friday, Sykes division of
Mead's corps, occupying the extreme left,
was sent out on a reconnaissance on the
Banks Ford road. They pushed the en-
emy steadily for an hour, gaining a mile
of ground, which was in itself important
as giving US possession of two successive
heights, from which the enemy would an
noy us with artillery. This accomplished,
the order was given to fall back.
In like manner a portion of Slocum's
command was thrown out about three
miles on the Fredericksburg plank road,
and other advances of the same kind
were made on the right.
These 'feelers" had the obvious pur-
pose of causing the enemy to deyeloy his
force but they had also another purpose,
not so obvious, namely: that of topo-
graphical survey, as existing maps are
enormously defective.
SATURDAY.
The n ilitary situation on Saturday
morning, therefore, stands as follows -
Our main force holds the position at
Charlottesville, confronting the main
rebel army now massed opposite u.s.
Howard's corps has the extreme right
then a division of Sickles' corps-then
Slocum-then Couch-then Meade on the
left, Humphreys division of Mead's corps
holding the extreme of the left. Work
ing parties have been employed during
the whole night in throwing up breast
works.
ON THE LEFT.
So much for the Right. Another, tho
minor force, is working on the left, inde
pendently, yet with its definite strategic
bearings on the main operation. This
subordinate operation is at Fredericks-
burgh. Balloon reconnoisances show clear
ly that the enemy have taken their main
force from the heights of Fredericksburg
and the line down the Rappahannock,
and massed it against us at Chancellor
vile. They have also removed the great
er bulk of their artillery with the same
end and Gen. Sedgwick. who commands
the left, thinks himself strong enough 10
carry the heights The Commanding
General assents, if there be good prospect
of success.
DoINGS OF SATURDAY.
In the morning, attention was aroused
by sharp rattle of musketry coming
from column of rebels coming up by the
main Fredericksburg plank road. directly
in front of US. Knap's battery, however,
which was planted directly in front of the
position, opened upon them, and after a
few rounds caused them to retire.
Immediately afterwards battery OPEN
ed from the hight which have mention
ed as having been gained by Sykes, yes
terday, and then abandoned by US. The
position was rather upwards of a mile
distant from the cleared space, and its
object was to damage our ammunition
train which was visible to the rebels from
the tops of trees on the height. One of
our batteries was, however, Immediately
opened in reply. The third shot blew up
one of the caissons and subsequent shot
blew up another, and this settled their
account.
HoWARD's CORPS BREAKS.
At 1 the rebels are moving down in
force on the plank road, were he had a
little before made the reconnaissance
Geary's division of Slocum' corps was
sent in on the double quick into the woods.
A sharp contest ensues. and in few MIN
utes they come back in disorder. A por
ton of Kane's brigade, composed of raw
troops, had broken, and thrown the col
umn into disorder.
An Aid from Slocum comes TO ask Gen.
Hooker if he can have achievements.
''No he must hold his own. Howard will,
of course, support him from the right
Let Geary's division, however, be thrown
to the ight of the road, so that the artil-
lery may be able TO sweep the enemy on
the left" This treatment presently re-
paired the damage, and checked the hope