The Portland daily press., 1863-05-08

river and had turned his flank And, indeed,
we have not only material proof of this-such
as that, when we were across the Rapidan the
enemy was yet picketing the Rappahannock-
but we have documentary evidence OF 1t IN
letter from Gen. Lee himself which was found
in the house at Chancelorville.
This letter, signed by Gen. Taylor, Lees
chief of the staff, was written to the rebel Of
ficer commanding the post at Chancellorville,
and was dated from Lees headquarters at 420
O'Clock L. NJ. of the day our troops arrived.
1t stated in substance that the General had at
that moment heard that The Federal force
tcas across Ellis Ford 1--WE had been across
eighteen hours that Gen. anderson twho
commanded at United States Ford with cou-
pie of brigales) kneic nothing Of our arrirdt
and asked him to come doun Immediately
and consult nth the Commanding GenerdU
On Thursday night we were massed in the
vicinity of Chancellorville, simply covering
the approaches.
On Friday morning, Gen. Hooker began the
strategic disposition of his force. As the ar
my has since been engaged all along this line,
and as the disposition has since then, been al
| tered, there can be no objection to state that
| it formed a line of battle of triangular or
redan shape, resting with its wings respective
ly on the Rappahannock between Banks and
| United States fords and Harts creek, having
| its apex at Chancellorville.
The day was occupied with operations along
the skirmish line, and reconnaissance for the
purpose of feeling the enemy.
The military situation on Saturday morning
was as follows: Our main force held the posi-
tion at Chancelloryile, confronting the main
rebel army massed opposite. Howard's corps
had the extreme right-then a division of
Sickes' corps = then Slocum - then Couch
then Meade on the left, Humphreys division
of Meades corps holding the extreme of the
left. Working parties had been employed
during the whole night in throwing up breast
| works, and the woods resounded with the
strokes of thousand ax-men telling trees for
the purpose of constructing abattis. The reb-
els were heard not half mile distant at work
with the same view, and in the morning both
armies were well entrenched.
So much for the right Another, though
minor force, was working on the left, indepen-
dent Y, yet with its definite strategic bearings
on the main operation. This subordinate op-
Grafton was at Fredericksburg. Balloon recon-
noissances showed clearly that the enemy had
taken their main force from the nights of
| Fredericksburg and the line down the Kappa
hammock, and massed it at Chancellorville.
They also removed the greater bulk of their
artillery with the same end; and Gen. Sedg-
wick, who commanded the left, thought him
self strong enough to carry the nights. The
Commanding General assented.
Still another cooperative role was assigned
the powerful cavalry expedition under Gen.
Stoneman. This was nothing less than to cut
| the railroad bridges that cross the two afiiu-
ents of the Pamunkey-namely, the North
and South Anna-less than twenty miles from
Richmond. The bridge over the North Anna
is a hundred and fifty feet long and eighty
| feet high, and cannot possibly be reconstructed
in less than fortnight.
SATURDAYS BATTLE.
| Early on Saturday morning the rebels adj
vanced a column directly upon Chancellorville,
but an enfilading fire from the batteries plant
ed to sweep the road, checked them. All
through Friday night Howard heard the sound
of axes in the wood in front of him. The pick
cts in front of Slocum's corps through Satur-
day had seen large teams OF wagons moving
southwest. Was it the enemy in retreat, or
was it movement to check the advance of our
right?
Birney's and Whipple's brigades of Sickles'
corps, and Barlows OF Howards, were order
ed to advance to ascertain what was going on.
They drove in the rebel pickets, captured sixty,
and ascertained that Stonewall jackson with
heavy train of artillery and thirty or forty
| thousand infantry was passing up to our right
| by new road cut during the night.
Gen. Sickles was ordered to push on and cut
the rebel line. Gen. Williams, of Slocum's
column, was also ordered forward.
The five brgades move across the open field
aud disappear in the woods. The other brig
AIDES of Howard, out on the extreme right,
stand securely as they think behind the works
which they have thrown up.
Suddenly there is crash behind them-a
belching of flame and smoke the roar of can
non and rattle of musketry. Stonewall Jack
son has passed along the entire front of our
line and gone out mile or two beyond. He
then turned square round, and, instead of NOV
| northeast. He comes upon Howard like
thunder bolt. He is between Howard and the
Rapdan. Schurz's brigade, without standing
an instant, gives way. The men are panic
stricken. throw down their arms and rush pell
nell toward Chanceorville, running through
Devens' division. All threats, all efforts TO
rally them are unavaing.
Gen. Howard and all his officers put them
selves in the way of the fugitives, but the pam
ic is on the poor towards and they fly like
frightened sheep.
But just behind Chancellorville is division
which has not yet turned its back ingloriously
upon the rebels-Berrys division of the Third
Corps-Hooker's own children who were with
him on the peninsula
1t advanced, took possession of ridge of
land a short distance west of Chancellorville,
when all the available batteries were immedi-
ately put in position, and held it. Sickles and
Williams, who were pushing on so gloriously,
we're of necessity recalled.
1t was a critical moment; all the energy,
nerve and perseverance of the commanders
were needed. Capt. Best opened with twenty
pieces of artillery at close range, throwing in
grape and canister. Pleasanton brought up
twelve pieces belonging to the fleeing corps
and joined in the resistance.
The rebels by this sudden onslaught got pos
session of twelve of Schurz's pieces of artillery.
Hooker ordered night attack to recover
what was lost in position. At II o'clock, by
the light of the full moon, Birney, Whipple
: and Ward, under cover of a terrific cannonade,
fell like tigers upon Jackson, drove him back
half mile, recovered portion of the artillery
{ reform his line.
SUNDAYS BATTLE.