Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1863-05-07
PUBLISHED (pAILYl By
EDGAR SNOW DEN, JR.
n 0FFICE-No 1o4 King street, over
6 ona's formerly French's) Book Store.
WAR an THE RAPPAHANNOCK.

,;on As represented by the latest accounts. Is
tb;s, @ Gen. Sedgwick, moving from Fredericks
inrg after the storming of the heights, pressed
forward and Joined the main army at Chancel-
1orsv;]}e It is asserted and denied that Fred
ar,cksburg had been recaptl1red by the Confed
crates. On both Monday and Tuesday, thu
Confederates renewed the attack on General
Hooker's position, but were repulsed with
some loss. The fighting was severe on Mon
day, but on Tuesday was light, the Confede
rates being quickly repulsed
scThe most important feature Of the news is
1he reported success OF the cavalry expeditions
under Gems Stoneman and Averill, and the
severance ofthe railroad lines communication
with Richmond. The expedition was divided
into three columns That commanded by Gen.
Stoneman III person moved on the line of the
Richmond and Fredericksburg railroad, and
went within miles of Richmond. This column,
itissad destroyed all the railroad bridges, and
tore up several miles Of track. Another col
unn, under Gen. Averill pushed on to Gull
pepper Court House, out Of which it drove the
Confederate cavalry, who retreated over the
Rapldan and themselves burned the railroad
bridge there 4 third column, under General
Duford pushed directly on towards Gordons
vile, and cut the Central railroad between
Gordonsville and Richmond, and also between
Gordonsville and Charlottesville.
The Richmond papers Of Tuesday admit
that Stoneman' expedition had layed havoc
with the railroad at Hanover junction and 9TH
er points, destroying locomotives and other
property. and all the bridges to within q few
miles of Richmond They claim the battles Of
Saturday and Sunday as victories, but say that
their less in lilled and wounded has been very
heavy 4 despatch from Gen. Lee to JEFF
Davis SAYS that Gen. Paxton was killed, Gen.
StonewalI Jackson severely wounded, and Gems.
A. P Hill and Heth badly wounded On the
Federal side Brig. Gen. Whipple, who was
wounded in Saturday fight has since died.
The aggregate Confederate loss in the four
days fighting is believed to have been far great
er than the Federals The rain storm which
prevailed on Monday evening and yesterday
has probably put stop to active operations. "
The Washington Chronicle, Of this morn
ing, says It is reported that Gen. Hooker
has withdrawn part if not the whole of his
forces, in good order, and without loss, across
the Rappahannock. 1t is impossible to know
how much reliance to place upon this state
ment. It is not fully confirmed. But if it is
true, the movement is doubtless due to the
sudden and tremendous flood of rain which has
during tho last three days poured down inces
sanity upon the whole country between the
mountains and the sea. The rise Of the rivers
would be likely to interrupt our communlca-
tons and prevent the forwarding Of the sup
Plies necessary for so large an army. Though
THIS movement was entirely unexpected, we
are informed on the very best authority, that
me soldiers were never in better spirits or bet
}5cr satisfied with their achievements They
nave got the better OF the enemy in every en-
counter, and have taken many more prisoners
ana guns than they have lost. It is not one
5sI 5siI storm, nor many, that will conquer their
determination or cool their ardor in the great
''aEest they are engaged in. But if the ope~