New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1863-05-08
Tavern, and this division alone checked the advance
of the enemy and forced him TO retire.

On Saturday night and SUNDAY tue PrlnciPai atta0A
was made on this line forced by Blocum and Sckles
Gen. Hancocks division of COUGHS Corps held the
road, leading from Fredericksburg to Chancelors-
vile.
ATS o'clock Gen. French relieved Gen. Bery's
division, and pushed the enemy beyond all his rifle
pits by bayonet charge, after firing ten rounds OF
ammunition. Tyler's brigade Of Humphreys di-
vision 5th Corps was sent to protect the right flank.
French sent word back that he had driven the enemy
beyond their Notifications, and asked for supports,
but none were sent him. In danger Of being at
tackled on either flank he withdrew to the original
line occupied by Berrys division. AT this time the
9Th Corps and the LIST Corps were on the right OF
French forming the extreme right Of the line OF bat
tls The Ilth Corps, burning with anxiety for an
opportunity to retrieve their honor was also IN re-
serve avoiding the approaches to the river by way
of SCOTS Dam.
The fighting on Sunday. therefore, was done prin-
cipaly by the Sd and 18th Corps, and French's d.
vision Of the Cd Corps with the aid of Tyers brig
ade of the 9Th Corps. 1t was believed by many
high in command that at some period of the fighting
Gen. Hooker wonld throw portion of the army I'M
engaged on the right of the left flank of the enemy
and completely rout him. They looked for this in
vain.
The enemy failing to turn the right flank and cut
Of Hooker's line Of communication via Bsnkss
Ford, withdrew TO the left flank, where Hooker
moved out of their reach behind an intrenched line
Sunday AFTERNOON and Monday having passed
without battle the defensive attitude began to
work its effect upon the morale of the troops, and
all thought of making an aggressive movement was
banished from their minds. Their conversation
turned upon the strength of their position and the
safety Of the army. The advantage thus lost was
felt by the commanding General, and this, added to
the reverse of Sedgwick, and the advice of Of
his corps commanders, induced him to recross the
river aud commence the campaign anew.
Early on Tuesday all the pioneers and men with
extra tools were employed on the roads leading
from the army back to United States Ford. Old
roads were repaired and ones cut through the
woods. The arrangements for the Withdrawal of
the army were extensive and perfect. The trains
and artillery commenced moving toward the river
early in the evening. Rain was falling rapidly, and
the night was quite dark. The crossing WAS oom-
menced at 10 O'clock and at o'clock on Wednesday
morning all the wagon and mule trains and the ar
tillery had passed the bridges, and the crossing of
the infantry commenced.
The Cd Corps, commanded by Gen. Couch, led the
advance. Gen. Mcade's 9Th Corps formed ths rear
guard, with Sykes's Division Of regulars 10 cover
the retreat. There WAS not the slightest confusion
in the movements Of the several corps Each
marched in the road aud at the time designated and
in good order The enemy was not aware Of the
movement until it was too, late to interfere. The
artillery was massed on q hill that commanded the
approaches TO the bridges, and would have made
short work with the columns Of an approaching
enemy.
Gen. Hooker crossed the river on Tuesday even
ing, and pitched his headquarters on commanding
grounds, from which he could watch the progress Of
the crossing.
The heavy rain on Tuesday afternoon and night
had caused the river rise rapidly that the ends Of
the bridges were flowed TO such extent to MAX
it impossible to cross. Two hours we're consumed
in laying additional spans, so as to lengthen the
bridges and raise the ends above tho water. II
finally became necessary TO take up one Of the
three bridges in order to procure material to enghen
the other two. Notwithstanding these delays good
order was preserved throughout, and the whole
army, with Ill the trains supplies, hospitals and
prisoners, crossed in safety and marched away to.
wards the Acquis Railroad.
At daylight this morning sharp cannonadng was
heard at Banks's Ford, which continued during half
al hour. 1t is reported to have been unsuccess-
ful attempt Of the enemy 10 destroy sedgwick's
trans which were parked on plain below the ford.
The panic at Acquia Creek caused by the repulse
of Sedgwick's command had subsidized this morning,
and the stores which had been hastily placed on
board the transports are being removed To the land
ing.
The enemy again occupies Fredericksburg and the
nights and the situation is substantially as II was
before the opening Of the campaign.
When the Eleventh Corps became diserganized
on Saturday, q private in the Doth Wisconsin was
detached from the regiment and continued TO dodge
the enemy, and travelled through the woods until
be arrived at Fredericksburg, where he joined
Sedgwicks command. He borrowed muskct aud
aided 10 the capture of the place. When the enemy
fell back, the solitary soldier moved forward along
the river road, though mostly in the woods, and
reioned his command near SCOTS Dam, on Monday
evening lie saw no enemy save when in battle,
and was neither at Fredericksburg nor at Chance-
loryiIle challenged by the National pickets.
In the hottest Of the fight on Sunday, battery
attached to the Sd Corps had all its horses killed.
and only one man, u sergernt, remained with the
battery and continued fire one of the guns.
Gen Meagher, commanding the Irish Brigade, see
ING the situation, ordered one of bis regiments to
"hsul away the guns." The order was promptly
obeyed, aud five guns were dragged from the
clutches of the enemy. The other five had been
removed by another detachment.
The Rebel prisoners reported that jackson ordered
to be shot all straggle who refused to reoin their
.o.;..a.,o ,.ro,o,,iv aud continue In the fight He