The daily Green Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1861-1865, 1863-05-02
REPORTED BATTLE OVER THE RIVER
/" Fighting JOe'' Victorious

New York, May l. The Tribune's bulletin
announces the arrival of d special correspondent
with news of the advance of Gen. Hooker ar
my. The Rappahannock crossed in four pla-
ces the enemy confounded capture of their
pickets and reserves ; 400 prisoners taken. Par
ticulars in evenings Tribune.
The Tribuaes account from the Army of the
Potomac states in effect as follows
Monday morning, the 18th, 18th and 9Th
corps moved to Kelly's ford, the former in ad
vance, reaching there at i O'Clock Tuesday
morning. A brigade from this corps had been
guarding the two fords two weeks. Pontoons
were ready. The crossing was superintendent by
Gen. Howard. The first to cross in pontoon
boats we're 255 men from the 73d Pennsylvania
and l54th New York. The rebel pickets, 20 in
number, attempted to fire, but their powder be-
ing wet, they only snapped a few caps. Skin
mishes deployed to the right, left and front, but
no enemy was to be found.
The bridge building was pushed forward and
early in the evening the lth corps commenced
crossing and the 18th biyouackeo on the bluffs
surrounding the ford. Next morning the 18th
corps crossed, followed by the 5th corps, and ii.
nally Stoneman's cavalry corps, which reached
the bridge at 6 A. NJ
The wagon trains were all packed near Bank s
Ford and it was evident that a connection would
be forced from Banks Ford to the troops at
Kelley's Ford.
From IL to ! O'Clock irregular firing was
heard in the direction of Germania, on the Rap
ldan, and it was supposed that the enemy were
trying to check the rapid march of our troops.
AT IL O'Clock Tuesday, the 1st, Sd and 9Th
corps broke camp, and when daylight broke
Wednesday morning the pickets and reserves
were captured and tive bridges crossed the Rap
pahannock four miles below fredericksburg
Some twenty men of the 10th Pennsylvania
Regiment who before the bridges were built led
the advance in boats, were wounded Colonel
Ellmason reported severely, by an irregular vol
ley frem the rebel pickets. With this excep-
tion none of the enemy knew of the movement.
The third bridge was subsequently construct
cd. A sufficient force was stationed to hold the
bridges crossed while the several commands on
this side were advantageously posted to await
orders. Two miles further down Gen. Reynolds
first corps constructed bridge in the face of
the enemy's rife pits and effected crossing.
Resistance was stubborn and short. The fire
of the artillery was too severe for the enemy,
who fed leaving in the hands of the party who
crossed in boats eighty-seven prisoners from the
18th Georgia and 9th Louisiana regiments, at
tached to Jackson's command. They report
Jackson as commanding the right wing of the
rebel army.
The I'd Corps, Gen. Couch, was in position in
the rear of Banks Ford, with full facilities for
crossing. A good ROAD has been constructed be-
tween Banks and United States Fords, and
only orders are needed to put all the depart
ments of the army in motion.
The Irtbune's report estimates the number of
prisonirs taken at from 500 to 500.
The corps which crossed at Germania, Oh
Kelly Ford, was moving in fine order towards
Chanceorville, south Of fredericksburg
Stonemon's full corps of cavalry was moving
down in a wide circle to retrieve the lost laurels
of the past fortnight.
Gen. Hooker intends crossing at Kelley's,
United States and Banks Fords, and then give
his corps commanders plan of his movements
His headquarters arc now in the saddle.
WASHINGTON, April 30. From the best at
tainable inform alton, from persons arriving from
the Rappahannock, it appeais that some i'm
portant movements took place yesterday, We'd
nesday There was no fighting of any mpor-
lance. The force crossed at Kelly 8 Ford. Pom
toon bridges were lad two and three miles be-