Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1863-05-22
For the Standard.
NEAR FREDERICKSBURG, CAMP 2D INF.,
Nav @ 1863.

|
| anything like systematic account Of the campaign
| just ended which has cast new lustre on our al
ready gorifed arms. The opportunities OF sub
ordinate line officer to get accurate accounts of the
deposition of the different brigades and divisions,
and the plan of battle, are few. He is only posted
on the disposition Of his DIVISION and often he
does not even know of its position; so, in giving
you an account of the campaign, will conine my
self to our own brigade only, and name only those
other troops that occupied places that am sure Of
On Tuesday, the 9th of April, we were on
picket duty below Massaponix creek, above which
the enemy crossed. We had been on duty five
days, and were RECALLING ourselves on s6ad and her.
rings that were caught by thousands in the runs
and creeks our side of the river. We did have
an idea that the enemy intended crossing, and that
idea was conveyed to US in "a rather curious way,
that bas been characteristic Of Southern women
ever since the war began. The river on the other
side is dotted with the fine mansions OF wealthy
families; the females of these families, in many
cases, have remained on the premises and of course
our eyes were often turned in that direction. The
Yankee pickets watch these houses with rigid Wig
llance, and the ladies not allowed to hold any
converse whatever with this side of the river, nor
even approach it without they are accompanied by
some one of Lincoln's minions. But notwithstand-
ing their vigilance, we have had many q sly wave
OF the handkerchief and other evidence of their
hearty good will. At one house, where some three
or four females resided, early on Tuesday evening,
two ladies crept down to the river, and made signs
to US they crossed two white sticks and pointed
up the river, and the hastily left for the house
when we pointed to the approaching cavalry picket
told it to my comrades, but they laughed at me,
thinking was either trying to impose on them, or
my mind had conjured up the sign But before
the dawn Of day. while the river was obscured by
heavy fog, my translator OF the sign was verified
Sharp cracks from rites were first heard about 8
o'clock, and by dat.. it had increased to volleys,
and about o'clock we heard the we'll known Yam
kee cheer, and we knew the enemy had effected a
landing and our troops had fallen back to our for
tltications. We remained on post, being below the
line Of the Yankees operations With only the creek
between us and the left flank of the enemy. Their
pickets then began to fire at u.s. which of course
returned and a desutory firing was then kept up
between us all day. They even assembled the up
per stories of the houses the river bank and
fired at US, but failed to dislodge from pits
or drive us from the river. We remained at our
posts till Thursday evening" when We were relieved
and ordered to our position in the line Of battle
fronting the enemy, who had crossed. During
wednesday and Thursday, heavy artillery firing
was kept up incessantly, and thought could hear
occasional volleys Of musketry, but have been un-
able to learn that any infantry fighting occurred
during the two days. The enemy appeared to be
feeling for our position.
In the meantime, the enemy had crossed heavy
force at ford of the Rappahannock, some fifteen
miles above Fredericksburg-had driven Gen. Po-
sey's brigade of Mississppians back, and were
threatening the left flank of our position. 1t
also ascertained that only small portion of Hook
er's army had crossed here under the guns of their
batteries the Stafford Heights and that his main
army was at our left flank. Our whole corps
(Jsekson's) received marching orders, and left at
o'clock on Friday morning. Barksdale's brigade
of Mssssippians were left here to guard our forti-
fcatiOns. While We were gone, they were attacked
by heavy force Of the enemy and driven back, but
fha affarur rarHcr nlca1x flo-,
by Ewelrs division, who were in striking distance
and our breastworks recovered. The enemy then
recrossed, but lost nearly brigade Of prisoners
By IL o'clock Friday, we had arrived some
miles above Fredericksburg where Anderson's d.
vision, who had been guarding the different fords
of the Rappahannock, mad made a stand The
enemy were just in front OF us in unknown force
But we had " Old Jack" along and he determined
to attack tie enemy. Lines Of battle were formed
sharp shooters thrown out the command forward
ordered, and very soon We had the satisfaction of
seeing the Yankees running. The sharp shooters
were actively engaged all day. but our line, which
was in advance did not get single shot, and only
once had glimpse of Yankee line. We took
some one hundred prisoners and perhaps killed and
| wounded as many more
The enemy gradually retreated up the Orange
Court House and Fredericksburg plank road, until
they arrived in the vicinity Of Charlottesville, q
place. So far l could see, that consisted Of one
| large brick tavern. Here the enemy had massed
his forces and determined to give US battle. His
| front and right flank were covered with an almost
mpenetrable wilderness of scrub Oak, while deep
| swamp was in his immediate 'front.' He occupied
| the elevated lands beyond Our line approached
| their position till within about 600 yards, when
| night coming on, We were ordered to lie down on
| our arms and sleep, while " Old Jack" and daddy
Lee" put their heads together and thought of the
| morrow. Picket firing was kept up all night in
terlarged with occasional report from artlIlery
| Al LII,
| dangerous proximity to our heads, yet | think
slept as sweetly in that thicket ever did in nv
mothers arms
By daylight on Saturday morning. we were call
ed TO attention and moved by the left flank from the
front of the enemy's position. We crossed the
plsnkroad, made half circle of ten miles, and by
II o'clock, were in the mned ate of the enemy
and only about three miles from where started from
| in the morning. The enemy had not observed the
movement and the $4,000 who occupied this rear
position received the first notification, when the
signal guns fired for US to advance. Our first on.
slaught was terrific. With wild cheers we rushed
madly. on, and the first line of the enemy broke at
the first discharge of our musketry. They fred
but few rounds, and then deserted the breastwo
which we had approached in rear, and fed to the
thick woods that hid thoir contrs-- We captured 6
pieces fartllery at this point Desultory sighting
took place along our new formed haes till a late
hour that night but being in the second line of bat
tie could not see OF learn its results. 1t WIS du
ring this night that Jackson lost his arm He had
gone to the front to reconnoiter, With lis staff
He was u:istook for Yankee cavalry, and whole
brigade fired volley at his devoted head. This &C
cideat caused the command for tae next day to de
volve on the gallant Jeb Stewart, and right honora
bly, he filled it We lost Pc rhaps, 900 killed and
wounded in the Saturdays light, while that of th,
enemy exceeded thousand With host of prisoners
Again we lay in line of battle, to sleep the nigh
away, but this time on a iield our valor had won.
The next mOrpiLgs sun ushered in the bloodies
battle of this war. The mist had scarce melte
away before the dogs Of war were let loose. hard
ly know how the battle line was formed as the dspo
sltions were made while we we're sleeping We wer
in the second line. l think A. P E1l's division wa
in the first and Trimbles diVsio in the third. w