The Burlington weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1860-1876, 1863-05-09
Hooker Feels the Enemy.

Hooker Feels the Enemy.
r.HNcRLLoRsv1LLE, May About noon
~ dav the Fifth and Twelfth Corps, Gems.
Meade's and Slocum's, advanced by separ-
ate roads toward the City of Fredericks-
burg. Gen. Slocum's Corps moved to the
tight. and Meade's to the left; the second
division of this latter corps, under Gen.
sykes, leading the advance. In about an
hours time the heavy firing announced
that they had met the enemy. This con-
tinued for upward of three quarters of an
hour gradually extending to our right
wing. when orders We're sent by Gen Hook
or from his headquarters in the large brick
honse to which ] alluded in my last, and
which constitutes the town of Chancellors-
vile, for the two columns to fail back
The command was carried out in the most
systematic and regular manner. OF the
casualties up to that time 1 have only these
TO mention: Corporal Adams, CO. L, 18th
Regular Infantry; Sergeant Trecor, Co. +,
llth Regulars, slightly. SIS.
After the return of the two columns every
thing remained quiet until about four
o'clock, when the rebels attacked us in
force on our right, a mile or so from Cham
cellorsville, appearing in line of battle in an
open field fronting a dense wood. our
pickets retired before them slowly, and our
artillery opened vigorous fire of shell,
which induced them to manifest that pc
culiarity which nature seems to have
implanted in the bosoms of the chiv-
alry-a love of the sylvan shades. Hear
ing the loud report of our guns, rode from
headquarters of the 18th Coprs, where
happened to be at the time,to where the fir
ing was goiug on, and found Gen. Geary
of the Second Division of Slocums COM
mand, stoutly maintaining his position by
an effective use of artillery. With remark
able rapidity they commenced sheiling our
hoc IN &
where Gen. Howard was stationed, with the
l1th Corps. The General was making pre-
parations for the fight. Rifle pits were be-
ing quickly dug in the fields back ofhead
quarters, about 800 yards from the road,
and heavy lines of skirmishers lay upon
their faces waiting the attack. The artil-
lery practice grew morelively each moment
tween where / stood with the General and
staff and the wooded country about half q
mile back where their artillery was posted,
warned me, not unlike the gentleman who
went out to kiln bear, that the tracks were
getting rather fresh.
Shortly afterward an aid to Gen. Slocum,
Lieut.. Mosley, riding by, informed me that
the engagement was much hotter above.
and in company with him rode to the
headquarters Of the General, which the en-
emy's shell had reached, striking an angle
of the house. At this point met a portion
of the Sd Corps, Major Gen. Sickles, march
ing down to support Howard. Surrounded
by their stats, were Gen'ls SlOcum and
Williams, the Oldest Brigadier in the SER
vice, who seemed almost boiling over with
enthusiasm to advance his line. but Gen'l
Slocum reminded him of the orders of their
chief By this time the sun had set, the
pale twilight gathered round the field, and
the moon, almost full, looked down thro'
the smoky atmosphere; still the firing con-
l>no
and finally ceased at night, with pretty
sure prospect of beginning again on the
morrow. "
We are prepared at all points. The enc
my must advance to a defeat or retreat and
be annihilated-such is the opinion of our
Generals. Our men are in the best spirits;
j am no enthusiast, but speak only truth
gallantry. Gen. Hooker's plans are deep,
too deep, think for the Rebels, and must
result in u splendid victory. i add, with
regret, two more names to the list of casu-
alties; Lieu. Col. Morton, 133d New York,
wounded, but not seriously; Capt. Steinagel,
6sth New York, leg fractured. N. G. s.
The following letter was captured by Gen.
Pleasanton's cavalry-it isaspecimen brick:
HEADQR's OF STUART's CAVALRY.
DEAR SISTER: / am still clurks for the
Gen. he is very well pleased with me. it is
a great deal better than to be in the ranks.
we have been down to the fording of the
Rapidan. they are making a bridge at the
mill so that we can make a rode in the rear
of the yankees in order to capture theirsup-
plies it is nearly completed and as soon as
it is done that will be over next move. We
have about 4, 900 just as gay alloys that ever
were mounted and also a battery the oald
lst NJ. that never failed. We also have a
company of Jones's sharp shooters we Just
intend letting the yankees advance on to-
nlN,n ,1,yp,Cp md low,
will play on them while we intend getting
all their supplieswe stand in kneed of them
for over Fashions are getting very short
and we have to depend on the YANKEES for
sumpthing to eat the YANKEES have been
seen in large force on the other side of the
Rapadan by over scouts but think we
can lick them. We do not apprehend any
danger from them so tell mother and all Of
the neighbors to keep up their spirits and
not to be alarmed for we intend capturing
their intire army if nothing happens and
all things go right SO try and bare little
longer and we will have some coffey and
sugar and salt and 1 intend sending you
some of it for shure and also some of the
neighbors tell uncle John that was sorry
to hear that he had to have his leg taken off
but it cant be helped. So good bye for this
time affectionately your Bro.
Cor. N. Y. Tribune.
From the Army Of the Potomac.
HEAD QR's. ARMY OF THE Potomac
In the Field, near Charlottesville, Va.
Friday, May l, lS63-1O P. NJ.
Upon nv return from United States
Ford, this morning, the first news that
greeted my ears, was, the death Of that gal
liant and indomitable officer, Lieutenant
Colonel McVicar, commanding the 9th n.
Y. Cavalry. 1t occurred last night, dur
ing a brilliant and daring reconnaissance,
towards Spottsylvania Court House. The
affair was the boldest act of the advance
thus far, and as your correspondent, X;
W. B." accompanied the column, he will
detail the circumstances, as he personally
witnessed and participated in them. He
was warmly congratulated to-day, by the
officers and associates, for his plucky part
in the affair. The charge Of less than 200
of our men upon the whole of Fitz Hugh
Lees brigade, and the successful escape OF
our force was n tit and stirring event for
the opening of this grand battle.
The day opened with heavy mist over
hanging the country, particularly near the
riyor which WAS not rtira1v diSNolloJ ~,