The Portland daily press., 1863-05-14

corps, which had been pushed far out on the
left, finding themselves outflanked marched
back and changing front met the pursuing reb-
els at the left. 1t was now s o'clock in the
evening. The enemy met everywhere stable
line of battle; several full batteries opened
from hill in rear of Berry's line; they were
checked at every point. Gen. Howard lost no
time in rallying and collecting the troops of
his command, and when the furious attack
was made upon Berry about midnight he
marched them forward to the support. At
that time the fire from all the batteries was a
splendid spectacle and must have been terrific
to foe attempting to approach in the face of
it. They were soon driven back, as they were
i'm every similar attempt, and there were sever
al during the night.
Before leaving that days account l cannot
fail to mention the death of Capt. Dessous,
one of Gen. Howard's aids de camp. He fell,
shot through the body, while bravely halting
and rallying one of the fleeing regiments. He
showed no regard for personal safety in his
zeal for the cause and was indefatigable in his
efforts to execute the orders and fulfil the de-
sires of his General.
Between two and three in the morning. Gen.
Hooker settled upon a Encouragement of his
lines, and the l1th corps took the extreme left
resting on the river The lst corps which had
crossed last, formed the right and also rested
on the river at United States Ford. Then
came the 5th, then the 3rd, the 18th and the
I'd which touched the right of the 1lth and
was mostly in reserve. The right of the 1lth
was now about three fourths OF mile from
Chancellorville, near the Ely's Ford road. On
Sunday morning the battle opened in front of
Meade 18th corps) one of his brigades went
into the woods and fought desperately. Ar
tillery cooperated from good position on the
right, and for a while the roar of battle was
L.. IL. Al a
ported Meade on his left, and in his entire d.
vision. They drove the rebels at every point,
and CAROLS brigade went through the
woods in the pursuit till they reached the rifle
pits which had been abandoned by the 1lth
corps the evening before. They could not re-
tain so advanced position, however, especial
ly as the rebels had made meanwhile an over
whelming onset upon what was now our CEN
ter, in front Of Chancelloryille. The 3rd corps
was driven from its position. Even the line of
Gen. Berry was compelled to yield, and the
brave and gallant General here gave of his life
for his country. The 18th corps also gave
way, and Chancellorville was given up the
Bird and 18th retiring under cover ofSumner's
old division of the2nd corps, now commanded
by Hancock.
Gen. Hooker kept his headquarters at Chan
cellorville, until the shot and shells flew about
him like a storm of enormous hail-stones.
These projectiles, unlike hail-stones however,
had fearful explosive quality and all carried a
destruction in their path which comparisons
fail TO convey to the mind. There were ladies
at the Chancellor house. They were taken
away by Lieut.. Col Dickinson OF Hookers staff
alter the firing became very hot One of the
ladies tainted. 1t was forlorn sight to see
that troupe passing through our lines at such
time. Soon after they left, the house, which
was large and elegant mansion, took fire and
burned to the ground.
Again our lines were reconstructed. The
fierceness of the fight was over before noon.
The 18th was put upon the left of the 1lth
corps sharing its line all the way. These two
corps now formed one side of triangle rest
ing upon the Rappahannock on the left. The
river was the base of the triangle - the foot
between Slocum and United States Ford, a.
bout mile and half. The other side of the
triangle was formed by the 1st and 5th corps
The 2nd and 3rd were accumulated at the an
gle, which was cleared ground about two
storied white house near which were Hooker's
headquarters, upon the Ely's Ford road not far
from where the United States Ford road talong
which lay the lst corps forms junction with
1t. Here was strong position for artillery,
and 1t was undoubtedly the key to the posi-
tion of the army as now located. This was
the position Monday and Tuesday.
On Monday night council of war was held
at Gen. Hooker's headquarters. 1t was deci-
ded to withdraw the army Tuesday night. l
shall be allowed TO say that this decision tcds
certainly not unanimous. Or Monday and
Tuesday the line of the 11th corps was sever
al times tried, but they held their position be-
hind the strong defenses which had been con-
structed of logs and earth, and easily repeled
every attempt of the enemy in that quarter.
Gen. Howard was several times target for
rebel sharpshooters, as he would not go out of
sight OF his front line. The horse of his Ad-
jutant General was shot under him as he rode
by the side Of the General on Tuesday.
On taking this line on the left Gen. How
ard obtained by request of Gen. Couch the
Gath New York regiment-one OF those which
followed him at Fair Oaks-and posted it in
the rear of Gilsa's brigade, which was the first
to break the Saturday before, with instructions
to shoot every man who ran back. The Gath
greeted the General with a cheer and he knew
that they would not only obey, orders. but
would never leave their position.
On Tuesday evening at 8 o'clock the army
was to begin the crossing; but the storm car
ried away the bridges, and it was 3 A. NJ. be-
fore the lth corps started. The l1th was the
last to leave its position. The 5th was drawn
up at the bridge head, to repel any attack
while the other troops were crossing. A kind
Providence prevented any disaster. In fact it is
thought that the rebels retreated the same night.
will not here discuss the wisdom ofthese pro-
ceedings. / trust we shall soon be in motion
again, and towards the rebel army, and that
the 18th corps will have an early opportunity
to win a more desirable reputation than it now
has-and this l confidently expect.