Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1863-01-24
THE WAR VIRGINIA,

THE WAR IN VIRGINIA.
Movement Against the Enemy's Rear
Plan of the Attack-Preparations for the
Crossing.
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE PoToAAC,
Jan. 20-The right and left wings Of the army are
in motion. We shall endeavor TO cross the river
about ten miles above Falmouth. All opera
tons below are mere feipts to deceive the enc
my. One corps OF infantry are TO proceed
down the river and feign crossing at several
points. Seddon's plantation, which described
In "a letter TINS morning, Is one of them. AyedL
crossing wtH be made below should certain enser-
gtncy drise.
Major Spaulding and Major Magruder are to
contruct the pontoons above. The 18th New
York Engineers and Regulars are also TO throw
over several bridges. One train OF pontoons
is to be held in reserve directly opposite Fred
ericksburg.
Saturday evening company OF the 18th
New York Engineers were busiiy employed in
throwing up artillery entertainments about ten
miles below here.
exhilerating effect upon the army. The SOL
dlers are hopeful.
Movements of the Army-The Rear of the
Enemy's Position to be Attacked-The
Troops in Excellent Spirits-The Prepa.
rntious for tho Movement-PIan of AT.
tack-PreparatIons for Crossing.
From n. Y. Tribune's Special Correspondent |
BANKS FORD OF THE RAPPAHANNoCE,
SiJ Miles Adore Falmouth, Va, Jaa- 2u-All
day and late into the night the artillery has
been rolling and rumbling forward and all
the highways and byways have been rendered
useful in hurrying rapidly onward the forces
destined for striking the ssgreat and mortal
blow'' " hich Gen. Burnside truly saws sis
due TO the country" For a few hours only
have the left and center grand divisions been
accp ulating their numbers in the vicinity of
this position, and every pasture and woodland
is now cleaning with bivouac fires. Many
thousand troops are now concentrated at this
point, where Gen. Burnside, having seized
upon the diversion Of the enemy TO another
quarter, has determined 10 push his army
across the Rappahannock and attack the ene-
my in the rear OF their tortifications at Ere der.
icksburg.
The result IS now trembling in the balance
The timely arrival of the pontoons, with the
friendly cooperation of all the other elemen ts
which are involved in the issue, we trust will
situation fills US with apprehensions for the
morrow. The poatoons already due have not
yet arrived, and a cold and pslting rain storm
eXcites the fear that destiny is not ia our favor
Great chances are to be rried tomorrow, and
we await the issue with the greatest eolicitude.
The movement which is Eow in progress was
ordered to commence on Sunday morning. L,
was postponed for some reason until Monday.
On Monday was again postponed until Tues
day, when at9 o'clock a.. N. Gen. Franklin q
grand division, the 9th army corps Gen. Smith
position, five miles below Falmouth, towards
Gen. Burnside's headquarters. Hookers cen.
ter grand division commenced its march at Ii
a. m, and being nearer the destination Of its
movement, preceded Franklin toward Banks,e
. Ford. To make the advance, those roads were
used which were sufficiently back from the
river 10 prevent the enemy from observing it.
The Warrenton turnpike was accordingly
reached, not by the direct route through Fai-
mouth, but by way Of Stoneman's Station and
roads which had been prepared by the assidu-
Gus and difficult labor of the Pioneer Corps
The battle which We look for On the morrow
will be the ultimate test Of the morale of the
army; but if we could infer anything from the
animated appearance of the men and the Ala
n
huzzas which arose from the various camps IA
their comrades marched through them toward
the scene of the conflict, and the endless artil-
lery train moved onward, we should not have
4 doubt bat thatthe army would show itself 70
he in the same good condition which il has
always exhibited in its past career.
The circular Of Gen Burnside has been read
TO the entire army. The army has received IL
ms pledge of success. The men have not re.
ceiyed its gratulatory illusions to the recent
victories In North Carolina, Tennessee, and
Arkansas, with critical inquiries about the
failure At Vicksburg, or the loss of cannon az
Murfreesboro but had rejoiced to take courage
from It's inspiriting utterances, and have faith
III the triumphant issue Of the imD ding move.
nent. Cheer on cheer has arisen from the army
on receiving the encouraging words OF Gen.
Burnside. i feel certain that whatever the
men have not fought well enough. If we cross
the river In the morning victory Is ours. II the
bridges are delayed and delays are suffered,
the enc my with their known rapidity will meet
us i'm strength and render success doubtful
We are impatiently and anxiously looking for
the arrival OF the pontoons. 1t was the original
intention that Hooker's grand division should
have crossed several miles above, at the United
States Ford. We believe the plan has been
changed, and both Hooker and Franklin are 70
throw their grand divisions across the river al
Banks Ford.
The locality chosen for the construction of
the bridges and the crossing OF the army is six
miles from Falmouth. The river makes horse
shoe bend at this place, and the pontoons are TO
be built at the heel of the horse shoe, below the
ford. One feature offers serious obsta TO
the success of the undertaking. From a hill
the Rebels with artillery can sweep the bridge.
Trayerses have, however, been Constructed,
and il is expected that the guns protected by
them will silence the batteries which the ene-
my may post upon this commanding position.
These traversss are being constructed by the
I3G;h New York Volunteers, who are now toll
ing faithfully in the rain and cold At midnight.
Opposite the place for the bridges is Rebel
rifle pit, which fortunately is but an extension
OF the line Of bridges, and is exposed to the fire
of the battery which is posted upon this bank
OF the river.
a brigade OF infantry, in command Of the
kal