The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1863-05-15


This appeared inexplicable to both
Vyuyfs and men, and as the latter came
back slowly and in good order, frequent
mutterings were heard among them about
being "on the retreat again" But the
sequel proved that there was mind
over al, who directed what was best for them
The cause for this movement was the
fact that Gen. Hooker received informa-
ton from his headquarters that the en-
envy had thrown tile greater part of his
force over on this side of the Notifications,
and had also removed many of the guns
in the lower batteries, and placed them in
position at the upper end of the town
thus indicating an intention of making an
attack on us. He therefore suspended the
preliminary attack at once, which had
been arranged as prelude to important
operations elsewhere, and rightly surmised
that if the enemy did really mean to at
tack us, they would follow up our retire
ment At Up NJ. he remarked: 81 think
| can make them come out and fight me
on my own ground" In two hours the
assertion was proven. The enemy mis-
took our voluntary retirement for check,
and followed us rapidly as we fell back
Gen. Sykes division had got in their
old position, and pickets were thrown out
when the enemy again appeared in force
on the ridge, at the loot of which we lay.
Our men had stacked arms and were at
rest. The whole division, save the Duryea
Zouaves, were Icing at nearly right angles
with the road. The Zouaves were parallel
with the road. Quid as thought Gen.
Sykes brought his men into line, the Zou-
ayes on the left half wheeling into line of
battle like machine. The rebels paused
moment on the top Of the ridge, and, as
if to nerve them fol the onset, gave one
of their scattering, demoniac yells, and
then came down on the double quick
shooting, capturing and literally running
over the poor pickets, who scrambled be
hind all sorts of distinctions. But in an
instant more terrible crash resounded
from the Zouave end d the line, and down
the column rolled the most deafening roar
of musketry that in all my war experience
has ever met my ears 1t did not last,
apparently, two minutes, but its work was
effective.
This attack was very fierce, and being
so much nearer than the previous fir
ing had been, created considerable COM
motion around the Crossroads. 1t at
once brought General Hooker into the
saddle, for the first time during the day,
and things were speedily in shape. This
onslaught was for the purpose Of retaking
this very important point. The first thing
done was the massing of artillery near
the roads, and in fifteen minutes twenty
two guns were sending shell into the
woods, and the roar Of artillery became
ten times more deafening than that of the
musketry had been. The work was soon
done. The contest lasted three-quarters
OF an hour, and the enemy ANONYMOUSLY
retired.
Although this attack was so handsome
ly repulsed, it proved to be only prelimin-
airy to still greater operations. At 4:3O p.
NJ, Colonel Diven. who had cavalry Skin
mishers on the plank road, reported the
enemy advancing in force and driving in
his pickets. He was soon discovered de-
plOying to the right, and General Slocum
promptly met the move by sending in
Geary's division and Hampton's battery.
The attack proved to be only feeler,
however, and the next thing was devel-
opment still further on our right, which
was again check-mated by Gen. Williams,
who, with three batteries of artillery and
his own division, replied very effectively
to the enemy's fire, which was sometimes
brisk, but never heavy. Beyond this he
did not go, except to occasionally shell our
extreme right, under Gen. Howard, whose
troops were very placid, and the shells did
no damage
For 4 while there was a cessation of the
desultOry and spasmOdic firing, which had
been going on for two hours. But at 81
o'clock desperate charge was made for
our batteries commanding the plank road
The rebels advanced through the woods at
a rapid pace, and got within point-planll
canister range of our guns A column,
also, came up the road wildly. Geary
met them with great promltness, and
wheeling regiment into the road, dead
ly volley was poured into their advance.
At the same time Knapp and Hampton
double-shotted their guns with canister,
and for fifteen minutes there was another
fiery episode. Of coure the enemy were
severely repulsed, and with heavy loss.
Their killed ana wounded fell in the tim
Der in front of our batteries, and the leaves
and brush having been set on fire by shells,
the poor wretches are suffering a double
death.
After this hour there were no more viy-
orous attempts on the part of the enemy.
For an hour or more a sharp shelling was
kept up against our extreme left, occupied
by General Meade General COUGHS for
ces were deployed early in the afternoon,
and rendered effective assistance in sun
porting the centre. General Sickles' COL
umn acted as reserve.
The entire operations of the day indi.
cate that the enemy was engaged mainly
in feeling our lines, endeavoring to find a
weak point, and to ascertain the strength
of our position and forces, but he was re-
pulsed at every point, particularly in his
attempts to retake Charlottesville, and in
the insane charge upon our batteries.
Everything goes to show that Lee will
open the attack early this morning. 1T
is now three o'clock A. NJ, May O. Our
troops have been at work all night, and
the woods resound with the ring of axes.
Both parties are busy building earthworks
and abattis. Certain changes are being
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