The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1863-05-15
THE GREAT BATTLE OF SUNDAY,
THE OPERATIONS AT CHANCEL-
LORVILLE.

HEADQUARTERS IN TIE FIELD NEAR CHAN-l
CELLoRvILLE, Va, May 8, 1866 p. NJ.
Another bloody day has been added to the
calender of this rebellion. Another terrible
battle has been fought and more fields GRIM
soned with human blood. A few more such
days as this will find no armies left on either
side to fight battles.
My last letter brought up the situation to
Saturday morning. 1t was then certainly cx-
pected that the enemy would begin the attack
as soon as it was day, and our dispositions
were made accordingly. But the attack did
not begin. Events proved that the enemy did
design to attack, but he chose to make the at
tack in a manner and at point different from
what was generally anticipated by us on Sat-
urday morning Daylight grew broader and
yet no guns. Finally, about o'clock, brass
Napoleon, looking down the plank road in
front of the Chancellor House. saw a regiment
come into the road in column and attempt to
deploy. One or two doses of canister caused
them to deplOy rather irregularly, and more
like skirmishers on the retreat.
Soon after General Hooker and staff began
an inspection of our lines, which occupied full
two hours. Every portion was visited, and the
work Of the night was closely inspected. On
the extreme left new lines were chosen, and
the engineer officers soon marked out the line
and character of the defences to be erected
When the inspection closed, the Entertainments
were pronounced to be of the very best charac-
ter, especially those on the right, where the
columns Of Generals Slocum and Howard were
posted.
There had been only slight disturbances dur
ing the night, as both forces had been busy
with their axes rather than with their muskets
From General Towards front came report
that the enemy was engaged all night in cut
ting road past his picket line to the right.
How much attention was paid to this fact at
the time. l do not know, but subsequent events
proved that it was very significant.
The day continued TO pass in q very dull
manner for day of battle, and only here and
there was there anything more, even, than deS-
ultory skirmishing and picket firing.
About > o'clock the pickets on the right OF
Gen. SlOcum'S front reported that from a GER
tain position wagons had been seen moving in
a westerly direction nearly all day. 1t was at
once surmised that this might be a retreat, but
subsequent events proved that it was part OF
an affair OfaltOgether another nature To as
certain, however, what it really was General
Sickles who was still in reserve, was ordered
to make reconnaissance in heavy force in that
direction. This was done with great prompt
ness, and the divisions of Generals Birney and
Whipple, with General Barlowis brigade, from
Towards corps, were pushed out to the front,
Berdans brigade o, sharpshOoterS having the
advance, and supporting RandOlph's battery.
Our troops moved rapidly and soon became
more or less engaged, especially with the artil-
lery and the sharpshOOters as skirmisherS. Ber-
dan soon sent in some sixty prisoners, belong
ing to the Twenty-third Georgia, including one
Major two Captains and three Lieutenants.
Being upon the ground l examined these prls-
Oners, and soon found that the wagon train
which had been seen moving during the day
was composed mainly of ordnance wagons and
ambulances. and that StOnewall jackson and
staff were at the head Of Il column OF troops
which the wagons followed.
Nothing more was needed to convince us
that this daring opponent was executing an
other of his sudden movements, and it was at
once resolved to checkmate him. General
Sickels was ordered to push on, and General
Williams division of SlOcum's column was Or
dered to cooperate. Birney pushed ahead with
great vigor, and with RandOlph's battery soon
sent to the rear as prisoners of war the entire
remnant of the Twenty-Third Georgia giment
numbering over four hundred officers and men.
The column of the enemy which had been
moving up this road was now literally cut III
two, and General Williams had commenced
flank movement on the enemys right, which
promised the NEST suspicious results.
But at o'clock terrific crash OF musketry
ON our extreme right, announced that Jackson
had commenced his operations. This had been
antici ated, but it was supposed that after his
column was cut, the corps of Gen. Howard,
Qomerly Gen. Sigel's) with its supports, would
be sufficient to resist his approach and finding
that he was himself assailed in the rear, he
would turn about and retreat to escape capture.
&But to the disgrace of the 18th corps be it
said, that the division of Gen. Schurz, which
was the first assailed, almost instantly gave
way. Threats, entreaties and orders OF com
manders were of no avail. Thousands ofthese
towards threw down their guns and soon
streamed down the road toward headquarters:
The enemy pressed this advantage. General
Devens' division, disaffected by the demorali-
cation of the forces in front of him, soon fol-
lowed suit, and the brave General was Tor the
second time severely wounded in the foot