The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1863-05-15
COMMUNICATIONS.
The Battle OF ChanceIIorviIIe.
sEpGwIcK's DIVERSION.

CAMP NEAR kELLY'S FORD, VA,
May Z, 1863
To the Editor Of the Press:
The army has second time re-crossed the
Rappahannock. This time the loss has not
been great Indeed l am inclined to think
that the rebels have had the worst of it. The
9th corps completed crossing the river in front
of Fredericksburg Saturday night Sunday
morning heavy artillery fire was opened up
on the heights in of Fredericksburg.
About noon the light division, Col Burnham
of the 9th Maine commanding, stormed the
heights Immediately in rear OF Fredercks-
burg, and carried them. Almost simultane
ously the 7th Maine and 33d New York took
the most commanding of the enemy's works
under terrific fire OF artillery and infantry.
They were quickly followed by the I'd brigade
(Verinonters). Eleven pieces of artillery and
number Of prisoners were taken. Nothing
could surpass the heroism and GOODNESS of our
troops, as they ascended and carried these
heigh S. 1t was one of those displays of dash
and heroism that people love TO chronicle.
The 9th and 1th Maine are complimented by
all for their gallantry. They have bravely up
held the credit OF the State
The 9th corps was now ordered TO cut its
way through the rebel army and join Gen.
Hooker at place some miles in the rear.
The heights which had cost SO much to gain
were almost Immediately abandoned, in the in
sane effort to drive $4,000 men with less than
conflict chhad just taken place. OF course
the head OF our column tBartletts brigade),
was driven back, and then we found that the
heights which we had so willingly abandoned
had been most willingly occupied by the enc
my, and that we were threatened in front and
rear. Lnngstreet in rear of our columns and
Stonewal jackson in front! Our corps was
drawn up in form of horse shoe, the open
side toward the river. 1t seemed impossible
TO escape from the snare in which we had been
caught.
Monday morning brigade of the enemy
was seen advancing from the very heights we
had left the night previous, to attack us. They
charged up a hill occupied by Capt. Jones'
company, of the 1th and three companies of
the 49th New York. Our gallant boys opened
upon them most terrific fire. As they came
up the hill their line grew more and more un-
steady until, as they came within about twen-
ty yards, our men charged upon them with
cheer and sent them back. This small detach-
ment repulsed the 55th and 18th Virginia, and
17th Mississippi regiments, and took the coiors
and most oil the men Of the 5Sth Virginia.
The prisoners taken exceeded our entire force
engaged. Lieuts. Webber and Small displayed
the utmost courage, rallying the men and
holding them in their position, when threat
ened with destruction.
Not satisfied with their repulse, toward night
the enemy renewed the attack upon our lines,
pIcssiiS US III every uiTeCiioll Two DIVISIONS
poured in upon the Sd brigade, opening their
artillery upon us at the same time. They sue
ceeded in turning our lett flank, and thus ex-
posing our front and left to infantry fire. and
the right to artillery. The men fell in every
direction, as our line slowly retired enabling
our artillery to get into position. The I'd bri-
gade came TO our assistance, and then in turn
the rebels retreated leaving 1900 prisoners in
our hands, with "a terrible loss of killed and
wounded. Our loss was heavy, but we held
our own, and were now able to re-cross the
river without let or hindrance. 1t of course
only requires common sense to see that our
generals mismanaged and that we were only
saved from instant destruction by the person
al courage, bravery and GOODNESS of the men
who compose the rank and file of the army
1t is unnecessary TO say that Col. Connor
managed bis little battalion OF the 7th Maine
with skill and courage, and that every officer
OF the battalion was at his post, and did his
duty most faithfully and energetically; but
the battalion in these two days has lost more
than half its numbers. INDEX