The Cadiz Democratic sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1854-1864, 1863-05-20
The Nine Days Campaign on the
Rappa hammock.

The Statesman says that the most
graphic and clear description of the
recent operations on the Rappahan-
mock that it has yet seen is given by a
correspondent of the New York World.
We condense it into as small a space
as possible. retaining its main features.
Some of the prominent obstacles
before our army on the Rappahannock
were these: A wide river and forty
miles of earthworks in front of the
enemy for their defense. Our base of
supplies was at Aqua landing, which
neceSsitated crossing in front Of the
enemy's works.
THE PLAN.
a portion of the army, about half
of it, was to cross the river near
Fredericksburg for two objects-frst,
to hold the enemy's forceat that point;
and second, to protect our ammunition
and supplies, while the other half OF
the army should make crossing above
the Notifications, and sweeping down
in the rear Of Fredericksburg, take a
strong position and hold it until rein.
forced by the other portions of the
army, and thus the whole army was tC
be concentrated in the rear of Freder.
icksburg.
MONDAY AND TUESDAY, April p \ 2S
On Monday, April 27, three corps,
the fifth, eleventh and twelfth, were
ordered to march with eight days
rations to Kelly's Ford, near the Orange
land Alexandria railroad.
General Slocuw, Of the Twelfth
corps, Was placed III command, and OF
Tuesday night the force intrusted with
the important part of executing the
flank movement had reached the point
at which they were ordered to cross
the Rappahannock. Tuesday night
also, three other corps, the first, third
and sixth, were sent to FrankIin's
crossing, three miles below Fredericks'
burg, to be ready to undertake the
crossing simultaneously with the othcl
corps at Kelly's Ford on Wednesda,
morning.
WEDNESDAY, April 30.
Both divisions of the army estab'
lished themselves on the west bank 0
the river without serious opposition
from the enemy. General Sedgwick
commanding the three corps Of the lef
wing, made no forward demonstration
except to attract the rebels and keeE
them from turning upon our troops
which were forcing their way towart
the rear of the enemy's works. OuI
men pushed on toward the Rapidan a
Germanla Mills, where they crossed
successfully, and made some progres.
before Wednesday night.
THURSDAY, April 80.
Sedgwick still threatened the enemy
and held them near Fredericksburg
while Slocum pressed on from the Rap
idan and took his position across thu
plank road (the enemy's line Of retrea
toward Gordonsville) at Chancellor
Vile. Couch's (Second Corps, which
had remained at Banks Ford, nov
moved up to the United States Ford
and crossed to join General Slocum
General Hooker alsorejoined, and tool
command of the four corps thus con
centrated in the rear of Fredericksbur;
and across the line of the enemy
retreat. 1t was now time for thi
detachment to take the defense an
hold their position until the other corp
should Join them, and, the army thu
united, be enabled to meet all tn
forces which the enemy might brin
against them. Thursday night ther
was sharp work on both sides to out
maneuver the other. The enemy ha
! now learned with sufficient certalnt
that large force was in their rear i
: the direction of Chancellorville, an
that Stoneman's cavalry was great
cndangering their railroad commun
cation, and they were moving accor(
= : ingly away from Sedwick toward tf
" rear Of Hooker, between Chancellorvil
!, and the Rapidan, by the roads at tE
! ! south of the plank road, which was
- our possession.
:, FRIDAY, May 1.
- While the First and Third corr
~ were moving from the left wing to jo