Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1863-05-08
THE BATTLES AT CHANCELLORSvILLE
AND FREDERICKSBURG.
INTERESTING DETAILS OF THE ENGAGEMENT
DESPERATE FIGsTING-IMMENsE SLAUGHTER OF YAM
KEES-LAEGE NUABER OF PRISONERS TAKEN-"WE
HAVE ACHIEVED A GLORIOUS SUCCESS"
ESPECIAL CORRESPONDENCE OF TIE WMGl
NEAR FREDERICKSBURG !

by the heavy and rapid cannonadng which began early
in the morning, returned to Fredericksburg, where
arrived about 10 o'clock this morning, Here began
to record the of the day. and had not been en-
gagged at it for more than onehaf threequarers OF
an hour, when was interrupted by sharp skirmishing
on the right Of Fredericksburg between "Hazel Run
and the town. which proved subsequently, 2 be the pre-
lude to the battle fought upon the heights this morning
THE EXEMr's ADVANCE AT FREDERICKSBURG.
Going out to ascertain the situation of affairs, found
that our pickes had received orders to fall back
from the river TO the heights this side of town at the
first demonstration of the enemy in 'front.' and that the
latter had thrown pontoon bridges across the river and
were crossing Proceeding towards the river and re-
turning about o'clock, on my way to the heights
where our men we're posted, discovered brigade of
Yankees advancing towards our works, though from
the darkness which prevailed the column could scarcely
be distinguished. Afer.eludng them and succeeding,
by circuitous route in reaching our works, went
down to the Stone Wall, situated on the right of the
road Just before il Fredericksburg he position
occupied by Cobb's brigade the 18th of December)
and awaited the coming of daylight. At the first grey
streaks of dawn the enemy discovered drawn up
in line of battle on this side of the canal, which they
had crossed in the darkness, and their skrmishers
thrown out and confronting ours Barksdales Missis-
sippaus occupied the position behind the Stone Wall
and some distance 10 the right and left bu; without any
support in the rear Presently the enemy began to
advance 10 the attack, and the lines OF skrmish-
ers were soon sharply engaged. Finding the Min
ME balls whstliDg rather uncomiortably around
him. your correspondent withdrew to a position
in less dangerous proximity. Presently the main
bodv adv tnced in beautiful order, and when within
nroDer distance were greeted WIKI vol!ey from our
men behind the Stone Wall which caused them 10 turn
and flee in every direction. About forty or tty fell a.
the first fire. They rallied aud again advanced to the
attack delivered their fire and again fed before the
fire from our men This was repeated third time.
p,ocsrss OF THE NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. FIGHTING.
Meantime the batteries of the enemy on the heights
tho other side of the ver opened iurousy on u.s. and
were repled to by two batteries OF the Washington ar
tillcry planted on the heights to our right The enemy
fred nccs anty from at least twenty 10 and IL pounder
Nspoeon and PARROT guns soon getting the Iarge and
throwing nearly every shot and Shell into posi ton.
Tho contest continued with muskCtr aud aiding
until nearly / o'clock when numerous column adj
vo,cad and succeeded in thanking our right on the
wall and getting ia our rear. Notwithstanding this,
our men fought them, frequently locking bayonets
and with their muskets dubbed. Having no support
and outuunbered by at least 20 to and having done
3, that so small body could do against such oyerwhel
ming odds, our men cll back and retired The enemy
a. the same time made charge IN true Confederate
style. ON battery Of the Washington Artillery, and
aiera severe fight the guns succeeded in cap'u
ring five or six pieces
SLAUGHTER OF TIE YANKEEs-InE Confederate Loss
Here oraip we were compelled to succumb 10 the
nocer OF overwhelming numbers The enemy took
nearly all our wounded, and all but two companies Of
A single regiment prisoners, about two hundred in all
from the pest data to be obtained now. NotSithsand
ing all this we piled that ground with Yankee sain
aud the bones of hundreds were LEFT TO bleach on the
heights and the plain below"
All hut seven OF the first company of the Washington
Arery were taken prisoners in charge taeir bat
terry including Capt Squras, Lieut. GalbraIh and others
hose names have not yet ascefiaiaed EyacGatiDg
the works on the heights, our men we're rallied and
formed into line again about mile Distant and mere re-
sisted the advancing enemy, driving them back
During the night before the fight, Yankee eros ed
the river and deserted TO our SIDE lie turned bis blue
uniform inside out and worked faithfully at Of the
guns of the captured battery during the fight, until,
finding his whlom associates thick and fast around
him. fed as rapidly as his legs could carry him.
Our loss in Killed and wounded, far as can now be
ascerained is covered by about l0O That of the
nv notwithstanding their success Was heavy and little
less than that on the spot on the 18th December
On the right extending TO Hamitons Crossing, there
was also some fighting but not general The whole line
from Fredericksburg to Hamltons is uuder command OF
Gen Early, with small force.
HooSERs STRATEGY.
II il said that Hooker the opposite side during
this engagement lie succeededn ehecng this cherish
cd obiset-Ohe capture OF the Marye heights) by Il
sbrewd y7se de gucrre On Wednesday evening and
night he sent an immense column OF men up the river
az IL intending TO reinforce his army above but sent
them back again during the night Had our small force
defending the Marye heights been supported at all the
enemy would never have succeeded in breaking our
Cd loct nigl hp,r a.,
they had fallen back to the river; again that McLaws
came down from above last night with Semmes' and
KershaHs brgades as reinforcements and them on
the plank road up which they were advancing, and cut
them up severely, driving them back We expect to
cover the p0iton during the day. mast refer to this
affair in future letter.
THE FIGHT AT zoAR CHURCH.
But the great bulk of both armies up the river on
this side in the vicinity of Charlottesville and there
has been decided the issue of the fight After being
driven back Thursday evening at Zoar Church. I miles
above town, by portion Of McLaws and henderson's
Divisions the enemy made stand about miles further
our troops pursuing. In this brief engagement, of
which have already written you, we lost valuable
officer in Colonel W. N. Slaughter, of the 5lst Georgia
Regiment aud Lieutenant Colonel Ball, wounded. The
regiment was drawn up in line of battle the enemy
throwing shells Colonel S. at the head of his col
umn in reclining position and was rising TO bis feet,
his right hand resting on his knee when she'll struck
him. cutting eff the right above the olbow and Que
leg above the knee He was fully conscious Of bis
situation and gave directions to the disposition OF
his remains. He prominent citizen of Southwest.
ern Georgia, and gallant officer. General SemTies'
horse was shot from under him. Captain Waddel of
Petersburg and Lieut. Carter, of the Sd Virginia Cav.
airy killed. the former by piece Of shell driving his
sword and scabbard through both thighs The enemy
carried of of their dead, but left them scattered
here and there-hOrid looking creatures. The ground
vas strew with their knapsaek oVercoats &c, which
A. Ii,osf Oh themselves nf in tho
THE BATTLE AT CHANCELLORsvILLE
On Saturday morning heavy and rapid cannonading
showed that our army confronting the enemy, who
had made stand about nine miles above Fredericks-
burg resr Charlottesville. Heavy skirmishing soon
continuing at intervals until four O'clock
P. NJ when general engagement with musketry and |
cannonading ensued on the right, lasting about two
hours The firing gradually ceasiDg, heavy column of
was thrown from our lines which culm-
Id u, .hnr rannral Gnht rnht