Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1864-05-11
Meade Withstands a most Furious Attack
THE LOSSES HEAVY, ETC. =

| the order TO advance was given, and at once
the whole of the Army of the Potomac was
on the move for the several Fords ON the
Rapidan
General Wilson'S Cavalry Division forded
the river at Germania Ford aud Gen. Gregg 5
Division at Ely Ford, eight miles below,
at day break. The few mounted pickets of
the enemy that were watching the two
points, scampered off before them. Double
pont0on bridges were at once thrown across
the river, and the infantry that had march
ed to the Fords during the night commenced
| crossing over at about A. NJ Gen Han
| cock 5 corps and the Reserve Artillery eros
sed at Ely ; Ford, and General Warren s at
Gernanla Ford. Sedgwick' 5 corps follow
ed the latter. The passage of the river
continued all day at both points. Nearly
all the troops safely crossed on Wednesday,
and the trains during the night following.
Gen. Hancock encamped on the Chancel-
! lprville battle. ground Gen Warren at
the wilderness tavern, and Gen Sedgwick
at the tavern and Germania ford Both
Gen. Grant and Gen. Meade's headquar-
| ters We're at Germania ford for the night
Not shot was fired during the crossing.
immediately after reaching the south bank
Gen. Wilson and Gen. Gregg's cavalry
pushed forward, the former to Parker s
store and the latter some distance beyond
Chancellorville. They discovered nothing
| of the enemy but weak parties of cavalry,
developing the fact that there was no strong
rebel force south of US About a dozen
prisoners were taken by our cavalry, among
whom were several couriers One of the
latter had dispatch from Gen. Rhodes to
General Ewell informing him that the Yam
KEGS had crossed in force at Germania and
Ely tords. Nothing was known of the en-
emys movements Oh Wednesday night, but
no doubt existed that Lee was concentrating.
The movement of Wednesday was made In
fine order and with creditable precision.
There was. very little Struggling, notwith-
standing the hard work during the night
and day. The troops were in tie best Of
spirits. Gen Burnside was expected TO be
up on THURSDAY afternoon.
THURSDAY, MAY 5-As expected last
night, the army came up with the enemy
to-day. A battle has been fought between
parts Of it and the whole rebel army, but as
at Gettysburg, the bloody scenes of this day
were only Il prelude to the bloodiest work,
and it is to be hoped more auspicious re-
suits viii follow tomorrow Reveille was
sounded at 3 a. NJ, and the whole army was
again in motion. At daylight according TO
the order of the day, Gen. Hancock s corps
was to march from Charlottesville south
westwardly on the Pamunky road to Grove
Church. Gen. Warren, from the old VIII
derness tavern, TO Packer Store on the
Orange Court Plank Road Sedgwick's
corps was 10 follow behind Warren. Gen
Sheridan was TO concentrate the whole cav
airy corps at Piney Branch Church I few
miles south of Charlottesville and start
upon 4 general hunt after Stuart Cavalry,
the main body OF which was reported to be
concentrated The different bodies had
been in motion but short time, when, at
about s o clock reports came in from both
the Turnpike and Plank roads running par
allel from this vicinity to Orange Court
House, that the enemy were advancing with
infantry and artillery towards us, from near
Old and New FerdIerville The evidence
accumulated III the course of the next two
honrs; that strong rebel columns were NOV
ing upon US from the directions mentioned
Generals Grant and Meade came up from
Germania Ford, and orders were issued to
halt the various columns of infantry. con
cenrate and form them for battle at this
point several miles west of Charlottesville
a commanding ridge, running from the
northwest to the southeast, across both
roads over which the enemy were advanc-
ing. about half mile to the west of this
point, offered fine position for the fOrma-
this purpose: Sedgwick was ordered to
take the right, Warren the center, and
Hancock was expected to come UP on the
left. Warren and SedSwick got into line
about eleven o clobk, and soon after skir-
mishing was heard In the front. About
noon General Warren was ordered to push
Griffin division forward 10 the right and
left of the turnpike and ascertain what the
enemy were about. Bartlett s brigade NOV
ed up to the left and Ayers regulars to the
right of the road, Sweitzer's following, in
reserve. After advancing about three-quar-
tiers of mile, they suddenly found them
rebel position, on a thickly wooded ridge.
A severe fight ensued Our two brieades
held their ground, against evidently greater
numbers, for nearly an hour, but the enemy
succeeded in overlapping Ayers regular
brigade and forcing it back precipitately
The flank of Bartlett}s brigade being expos
ed, it was also soon forced back for some
distance. Two pieces of the Third Massa-
chusetts Battery had 10 be left behind in
consequence of the killing of nearly all the
horses, and fell into the hands of the enemy.
Sweitzer's brigade and Wadsworth s. of
Robertson's Division were ordered forward,
and relieved the two brigades. The enemy
soon attacked those, but were held at bay.
Brisk musketry and artillery firing were
kept up for an hour longer. when the enemy
were driven off from that part of our line.
Our loss in this affair was quite severe.
Ayres and Bartlett's brigades, principally,
suffered. No definite figures can now be
given, but the total viii probably not exceed
six hundred in killed, wounded and missing.
Among the wounded are Gen Bartlett.
slightly Col Given, 1lSth Pennsykania
Col Gurney 9th Massachusetts,; Col LON