The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1863-05-15
Crossed and Re-Crossed.

Crossed and Re-Crossed.
As we were going to press last week the
unwelcome telegram was received that Gen
Hookers army, after all the brilliant achieve
ments OF FIVE days, had sustained a reverse
and had been Withdrawn to the North side
of the Rappahannock to their old position.
This was sad news, particularly so as previous
reports had represented that the rebels had
been defeated and that the Union army was
progressing towards Richmond Not less
than 10000 of our brave soldiers were left
on the battle fields or in the hands Of an un
merciful enemy. This is one of the fortunes
of war-yesterday, jubilant and exulting in
the hope and belief of great victory and
an early peace-to-day, depressed, cast down,
and we'll nigh discouraged.
Let US look briefly at some of the circunl-
stances that turned an almost victory into a
repulse and hasty retreat: Gen Hooker d.
vided his army, part crossing below and a
part above Fredericksburg. This division
of the Union forces gave the enemy great
advantage, as will be seen. Gen Sedgwick's
portion of the army, with great bravery and
daring, stormed the nights of Fredericksburg,
and carried them at the point of the bayonet.
Leaving small force in the Notifications to
hold them, with the major part of his force
he pressed on towards Charlottesville to the
aid of the main army under Gen Hooker.
The rebel general Lee, finding his opponents
divided, hurled his entire army, first against
Hooker, then against Sedgwick, then back
against Hooker again. Thus Sedgwick, al
though successful in driving the enemy from
the flights, could not hold them against Lees
superior force, and was obliged to retreat
with great loss; and it was only by the most
terrible fighting that he was enabled to get
the main part of his force away.
After Sedgwick's force was defeated, and
the rebels had been greatly reinforced by
fresh troops from Richmond and the Carroll
mas, Gen Lee pressed the exhausted and not
reinforced columns of Gen Hooker SO hard
it is evident that in the last day or two's bat
ties the Union army was acting entirely on
the defensive, and undoubtedly got the worst
of the engagements.
Meantime heavy storm set in. The Rap
pahannock had already risen ten feet; bridges
were being carried off and it was feared the
pontoons would 60 also. The rebels had
thanked Gen Hooker, neatly cutting off COM
munication with his base of supplies his
ammunition was getting exhausted no rein
forcements came, save water, and that came
in flood Apprehending defeat and fore
seeing its consequences, he like a skilltul
general, withdrew his army from the tigh,
place it was in, laying pine boughs on the
pontoons to deaden the sound of the tramp
ing of his army. His retreat was success
fully accomplished as lar as the living were
but the killed and many of the
wounded were left to the tender mercies Of
The enemy.
Now it is over We presume very many be-
sides Gen Hooker can see where he misesd
it. Had the army not been divided, but
presented solid front to the enemy; had
Gen Stoneman with his 10000 cavalry coop
Grated with the main army instead of going
on wild goose chase down to Richmand.
which, though a wonderful achievement.
Vas entirel y barren of good results, as Gen
Lee received all the reinforcements he need
ed had Gen Stoneman's raid been made
few days sooner; had 10000 achievements
been sent up from Hentzelman at Wash
ington, Reyes at Yorktown, or Peck at Suf-
folk had the German troops received no
panic, but stood firm like Berry's men at
Charlottesville or the Vermont brigade at
Fredericksburg Nights; had there been no
severe storm had any one or all of these
happened we might have had glorious vic
tory instead of defeat to record.