The daily Green Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1861-1865, 1863-05-08
The Re crossing of the Rappahannock

Inc he crossing OF the happanannocK.
We give below some items to fill up the gaps
in our previous dispatches, and show more clearly
the Potomac in re-crossng the Rappahannock.
The Iribune's extra dated the 9th, says:
The army of the Potomac re crossed the Rsp-
pahannock at the United States and Banks fords,
and is marching back to its old camp along the
Aqua railroad. 1885,. ia. W..
After the battle of Sunday, Hooker continued
strer gthening his line, although continually harass
ed by the enemy. r.asld fl.oI w.. u..rnu
Our artillery took position commanding United
States ford, and the crossing was there effected
without loss. ..' -. ....... A..
The Herald extra has the following WV @
t.7@ UNITED STATES FORD, May 6--8 A. M.
Yesterday morning the trains were all ordered
back to camp, and by dark the wagons, extra cas-
sons, pack-mules, etc., were at Falmouth. The
wounded were happily removed from the hospi-
tails and sent to Washington leaving nothing on
the other side except our infantry and artillery.
uAbout five O'Clock it commenced raining. The
water fell in torrents for over an hour, deluging
the roads, tearing up the corduroys, sweeping
away bridges and threatening the destruction Of
the pontoons. The river rose with great rapidity
and soon overfos ed the ends of the pontoons,
rendering crossing impracticable. The upper
pontoon was taken up and used in frightening out
the others, and after several hours very hard la
Dor the bridges were once more ready. fe5d'tEF
There was no fighting yesterday of any conse-
quence. The sharpshooters were quite active,
and the artillery opened occasionally, but results
were unimporiant. The enemy has evidently
massed his army on our right with view, it is be-
ieved, of crossing above and attacking US on the
flank and rear. The high water however, will
Illustrate that movement. 81 " 4s.Fut
= The river has risen overiten feet and is rapidly
rising.
Another correspondent, 1--WE presume the
Worlds, as that paper seems disposed to throw
the blame on Hooker) gives the following
Sedgwicks repulse, added to the weak counsels
of Hooker's corps commanders, shook Hooker's
confidence. In fatal moment he gave the order
to .evacuate his strong position and his fortified
camp, and to retreat -'l,.l. "a. q.,.u
The army is not panic stricken, but is greatly
demoralized at this ngorious retreat. r.,
There was no time from Friday morning until
Monday night but what Hooker could have at.
L'cKe0 anu aeIeaIeu Lee army. Ile laChe Y
ability to give the order. -
AT daylight Monday the rebels sheed oul
trains at United States ford, WI ich served to in
crease Hooker'S fears and the longer he delayed
the less able was he 10 advance.
1t is doubtless too soon to pass judgment on THU
movement of Hooker from first to last, hut We
cannot fol bear saying that be seems to have done
all that could be done to defeat Lees army |
is quite likely that the rapid rise of the river
threatening to cut them off from supplies and re.
Inducements, may have left him no choice bat t.
retreat or imperil his entire army in case 0
another unsuccessful battle. We shall soon know
more fully the reasons and the apparent necessit
for the final step we'll as the cause OF the fail
ure TO defeat Lees army. sa WI
..... j.