Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1863-05-08


was a succession Of desperate hand-to-hand
conflicts, and the carnage was frightful
Knapps battery opened. The Goth Pennsyl-
vania from Berry's division Of Sckles' corps,
were sent out as skitmishers, and the rebels
fell back. In the afternoon the rebels ad-
vanced in the center. Gearv's division, in
Slocum's corps was sent forward and sharp
contest ensued. 1t was the beginning of the
battle all before was preliminary Kane's
brigade Of the division broke, and the whole
division came back in disorder. The rebels
advanced confident OF success, but an euflad
ing fire from the batteries, planted to sweep
the road, checked them. All through Friday
night Gen. Howard heard the sound Of axes
In the woods in front Of him. The pickets in
front Of Slocum's corps through Saturday had
seen large trains Of wagons moving south
west Was it the enemy in retreat or a
movement to check the advance Of our right,
Brney's and Whipples btigados aud Bar
lows were ordered to advance to see what
was going on. They drove in the rebel pick
cts, cspturod sixty and ascertained that Stone
wall Jackson, with heavy train of artillery
and $4,000 or 10000 infantry, was passing
up towards our right by new road cut dur
ing the night. Gen. Sickles was ordered to
push on and cut the rebel line. Gen. Will
lams Of Slocum's column was also ordered
forward. The column fell upon the enemy
and captured 400 prisoners.
Stand now at Charlottesville and take
another look at the forces. You ale still
looking south the Ave brigades move across
the open field and disappear in the woods.
The other brigades Of Howard on the right,
stanI aaguralV tbfuL bahtuI ha
works which they are throwing up Sudden
ly there Is crash behnu them, belching Of
flame and smoke, the roar of cannon and rat
tie OF muskctry. Stonewall Jackson has
passed along the eaure front OF our line and
gone out n mile or two beyond Howard
turned square round, - instead Of moving
southwes. marches rapidly north. He comes
upon Howard like thunderbolt He is be-
tween Hooker and the Rapidau. Schurz'
brigade, without standing an instant, gave
way. The men are panic stricken, throw
down their arms and rush pel-mell towards
Charlottesville, running through Desens
division. All threats, all efforts TO rally them
are 1nnvailing. Gen. Howard and all his
staf-ofIicors put themselves in the way, but
the panic is on the poor towards and they fly
like frightened sheep But just behind Chan
cellorsyille is division which has not yet
turned its back ingloriously upon the rebels,
-Berty's division Of the Sd corps, Hooker
own children, who were with him on the
peninsula. 1t advanced, took possession Of a
ridge Of land a short distance west Of Chan
celorsyile, when all the available batteries
were Immediately put in position, and held it,
Sickles and Williams, who we're pushing on
30 gloriously, were of necessity recall
ed. 1t was a critical moment.
All the energy, nerve and perseverance oil
the commanders we're needed Capt Best
opened with 20 pieces of artillery at close
range, throwing in grape and canister
Pleasanton brought up II pieces belonging
to the fleeing corps and joined in the resist
ance. The rebels 10y this sudden onslaught
got possession OF II of Schurz' pieces Of ar
tillery. Hooker ordered a night attack to
recover what was lost in position. AT eleven
o'clock, by the light of the full moon, Biz
ney, Whpple and Ward under cover of
the terrific cannonade, fell like Tigers upon
Jackson drove him back a half mile, recov-
cred a portion of the artillery which had been
lost, and enabled Hooker to reform his lines
On Sunday morning, Reynolds (frst) corps
which had arrived from below during the
night, was placed on the extreme right, about
u Wlie IN rear Vi tue lotllluH bCCupltu ny
Howard, the day before Meade was sent
over from the extreme left and placed next IN
line and entertainments were thrown up
Howard with great exertion had reorganlzeC
his corps and was placed in Meades forme
position-the extreme left. Again, lool
/ south west. In the front line is Berry OF
the right, then nearer to you Brney, Whip
/ pie and Williams 1t is hardly light
I a.,
during the night. beyond the hill whert
Best has his 20 pieces Of artillery, is a rayine
down that comes the rebel column Their
Berry with the men who have faced the foe
score of times, met hun once more. Tn
weather-b beaten veterans have become accus
toned to thick fights. They are ready 70
the contest. 1t is a terrible shock. Berr
is first engaged, but in few minutes the en-
tire force of Sckes and Slocum are at it,
From five till seven it is one unbroken shee
of dame-one continuous roar Of thunder AM
ioll of musketry. Jackson hurs his men up
on the line again and again, but they are turn
ed back as the ocean pillows from the rock
shore. 1t is in thick woods.
The conflict is close, almost hand to hand
Our line has the advantage in position. Who'll
regiments of rebels melt away before the ten
flnc uIe Whlch bldIte lfOm our lnes. IN
carnage among them is irghtlul, surpassin
even that at Malvern Hills or that at Au'ie
tam, where, after the battle in the road, the
/ lay like the ties of a railway.
The rebels fought with desperation. The
J came up recklessly to the muzzles Of our gun
to be cut'down like grain before the reape
Lofts brigade captured seven stand Of color,
The 9TH New Jersey captured four colors an
800 prisoners. Sickles was hard PRESSED
but Hancock came 20 his relief. Jackson, ur
daunted by tn terrific slaughter among hi
troops, massed them for a decisive onset, an
Sickles WAS forced to yield. He fell bac
slowly to the Chancellor House. There b
fought again, holding his ground. Sickle
had been advanced beyond the rest Of the lin,
Meanwhile French h swept round upo
the enemys left flank and had driven hii
back, completely routing him.
The rebel troops in front of him becam
panic stricken and fled, as the Germans ha
on Saturday. For six hours the battle rage
Y with terrible fury. 1t closed at ] l ooloe
: Sunday forenoon
In the centre we had yielded the grounC
while on the right the enemy had been dri'
en-. Jackson's coup de etat had failed and
{ had suffered terrible slaughter
On Sunday night Hooker was entrenche
in position where he could not be Aanke,
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