Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1863-05-11
THE LATEST.
FREpERIcKsBURC

THE LATEST
FREDERICKSBURG, May 9th.
The Washington Chronicle of the 9th has been re-
ceived from which send you the following summary
the MILITIA CALLED OUT TO "sUPREss THE REBELLION"
Lincoln has issued proclamation under late act of
Congress calling the militia to aid in suppressing the
rebellion. ALI abe-bodied male citizens and foreigners
between the ages of 20 and 40 years. who have declared
under oath their intention TO become citizens de-
cared to constitute the National forces No plea of alien
age will be allowed those who have declared their in-
tention to become citizens who may be found in the
United States during the continuance of the rebellion
at after sixy-hve days from the date of the procla
nation.
The Chronicle says that the preparations for enforce
ment of the enrolment bill are nearly complete.
OFFICIAL DESPATCH FloM HE GOVERNMENT"
An official despatch received at Harrisburg, the Sth,
from the Secretary of War, SantoD says: The Pres-
dent and Generalin Chief have Just returned from the
army of the Potomac. The principal operations of
General Hooker failed but there has been serious
disaster to the organization and efficiency Of the srmy
IL is occupying its former position the Kappa
hammock having recrossed the river without any loss
in the movement Not more than one-third of Hook
er's force was engaged Stoneman's operations have
been a brilliant part of his force advanced
to within two miles of Richmond and the enemys COM
munications have been cut in every direction. The
Army Of the Potomac will speedily resume offensive
operations.
YANKEE ACCOUNT OF IHE BATTLES on MARYE,s HEIGHTS
despatch from Falmouth, Va, to the New York
Times, dated the 9Th, says two terrible battles we're
fought the 4h Fredericksburg by the 9th corps
Gen. SedgWick with fearful carnage on both sides
Monday morning the rebels suddenly appeared on the hills
10 the left Of fredericksburg and got in the rear of the
corps Most Of the ambuances, supply trains, mules
and soldiers in the vicinity captured serious
l,l,.1 a..
without ascertainng whether there any rebels on
the heights to the left of the city. The whole corps
coming down Immediately, formed into line of battle
aud marched after the corps-the only way Of retreat
being Banks Ford, five miles above. SadgWi;k being
sgnsled the condition OF affairs from the Stafford side
turned about formed line Of battle holding the rebels
in check and working down towards the Ford. About
the middle Of the day the rebels attacked US and
CALAMITY rep-cd Howe's division taking 800 prisoners
For time it feared the corps could not reach the
Ford and would be captured; but connection
made by noon, and Sodgwick sent for supplies
Meanwhile the wounded in the city we're carried
the river About 81 o'clock the rebels attacked
Us two ways, the Union forces arlayed in two Lines of
battle consisting of Howes Division and the I'd Diyis-
ion of the I'd ECorps Mill's brigade boe the blunt
Of the charge, repulsng the enemy handsomely. A
counter charge made, but the rebels being reinfor
ced we we're unable TO drive them The goth New York
behaved very disgracefuy and falling back, brought
cross fire on the 33d.
The other lines of battle were now attacked By over
whelming numbers and compelled to fall back to the
river. The siege guns on the Stafford side opened a
rapid fire the enemy from behind while the battle
ged but the she II failed to reach them far had the
rebels advanced in driving forces. Our guns made
terrible havoc among the enemy, as they repeatedly
charged on them in solid column.
Many valuable officers were killed or wounded. The
Vermont brigade suffered very severely, as did many
other commands
SPECIMENS OF YANKEE BoMBAsr.
second despatch, of the 9Th, SAYS the 9th corps
succeeded in reaching the Stafford side Of the river that
morning. The rebels had succeeded in getting on three
sides Of the corps and made hercuean efforts to sur
round it. but foled. The corps suffered severely
and pror to this disaster, the finest in the army
nephew OF Vice President Hamn was killed Mon
day night.
Companies ard @, of the 43d New York, we're cap.
tured wc picket and all of the picket line of the
Flying Division. The AID has only about 200 men left
Experienced witnesses of the panoramic contest at
Fredericksburg agree in their estimate that Sedgwcks
$1,000 fought at least twice the number of rebels"
Adyices from the upper fords say Sickles' BiIneys
Berrys aud Whppes Divisions covered themselves with
glory The sad losses have sustained fell principally
those brave organizations" The LIST and % brgades
of Brooks Division are badly cut up. The 62l New
York lost heavily. Had forces not been so outnum
bered We should have administered a terrible punish
ment to the rebels when they attacked and drove US TO
on the higher ground. We had such long line, how
ever Defend that the various regiments had to be
shifted from point to point to resist fresh attacks of the
enemy.
We captured large number of prisoners, though
compelled to leave most of our wounded on the field
We certainly killed the Colonel Lieutenant Colonel and
Major of the 9th Louisiana
The rebels were moved down by whole regiments
when they charged batteries Not a gun was
taken, though many charges we're made on them.
sEcAPITULArroS OF LOSSES.
The corps retiring across the river in good order,
saved their camp equipage, mule trains, &c, except
few gobbled up in the momentary panic which ensued
when the enemy appeared in the above Fredercks
burg Grihs DIVISION Meades corps reported to have
lost in killed and wounded, 1888; Sykes division eight
officers and IA men Sickles' corps grand total of
654 men and officers; Brney'5 division $40; Han.
cocks DIVISION % corps LIST brigade 1884, I'd brigade
l76; Sd brigade 2SS, 4th brigade 297; Gen. Couch
was slightly wounded. The Chronicle publshec list of
wounded officers and men, which occupies little under
three columns.
NARROW ESCAPE OF GEN. HOOKER.
A New York correspondent says, Gen. Hooker was
standing upon the porch Of brick house at Chan
celorsville leaning against Of the pillars, when
shell struck it. SCATTERING it to pieces He was thrown
down aud stunned, but unhurt otherwise. He on
the field through the battle in the hottest of the 6gh
encouraging his men,
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC
The Chronicle says To-day 1000 copies Of the
Chronicle will 60 the Army Of the Potomac In view
of the fact il addresses congrauliton to the soldiers
1t ackpowe 1ges that when Hooker recrossed the Rap
pahannock the feeling at the North of disap.
Monument The rebels we're drawn out of their en-.
trenchmsnts and compelled TO fight, and there was
every reason to expect their capture. As the reason of
his failure it says Hooker under estimated the rebel
force The rebels heavily reinforced and not q
soldier was left in Petersburg or Richmond, hardly;
. Il
fredericksburg Against these odds Hooker could not
accomplished the task he bad proposed to himself