The independent. [volume] (Oskaloosa, Kan.) 1860-1874, 1864-05-21
Saturday,, May 2l, 1861.


The First Battles.
We condense from the best source.
Of information the following summary
of the great battles Of May 4th 5th and
9Th. al the opening Of the campaign BY
Grant against Lee:
At very early hour on Wednesday
morning our forces commescsd crossing
the Rapidan At Ely's and Germania
Forda. much to the surprise of the rebels,
who only succeeded 10 bringing forward
forces sufficient to skirmish during the
day. and no heavy fighting occurred
That night our army encamPed in the
wilderness near the old ChancelIorsville
battle field. Burnside's reserves did
not cross over and come up until the
next day.
Lee was not slow to meet this move.
lie broke up camp on the Rapidan.
where he was strongly entrenehed. and
marched with celerity 10 intercep,
Grants flank movement. His plan ap-
pears 10 have been to crush our army
before it was fully concentrated. This
he attempted on Thursday. aud the
dense woods aided him greatly BY con
cealing his movements and enabling
him to concentrate his forces at any civ.
en- point for attack or assault.
Our army was put in motion at 8
o'clock. A. NJ. in the following order
Gen. Hancocks' corps was to march
upon Chancellorsville, south wes.wardly
on the Pan.unky road to Grove Church,
Gen. Warren's from old WILDERNESS,
Tavern TO Parker's Store, on the Orange
Court House plank road. Sedgwick'.
corps was to follow Warreu's.
Gen. Sheridan was to concentrate the
whole cavalry corps at P,ney Branch
Church. few miles south Of Chsucel.
lorsvills. and start upon general hun,
after Stuars's cavalry. tl.s main body ol
which was reported to BE- concentrating
for fight.
1t was soon ascertained that the reb.
els were prepared to dispute our further
progress in heavy force. Grant and
Meade came up and ordered the line Of
battle formed.
A series Of ridges we're occupied 70,
this purpose. Gen. Warren had the
center. Sedg"ick the right. and Han.
cock the left. Warren and Sedgwict
were ready BY II O'Clock, and the for.
mer sent forward Bartle,'s brigade and
Ayers regulars to End the enemy whom
they confronted in strong force three.
fourths Of mile in advance Of our line
and hsd severe fight, the two brigade.
holding their own against greatly supe.
Tior numbers for atoat an hour, when
the rebels succeeded in fanking Ayers
which compelled our men to fall back
Two pieces of artillery were left behind
IN consequence of the killing of the
horses. Sweixer's and Wsdsvor,h'.
br'sades we're ordered up to relieve the
others. and held the rebels At bay 70,
an hour whea the enemy retired. Ou,
loss here in killed. wounded and miss.
ing about 600.
Hancock. meantime. being somewha,
advanced. left gap between his righ,
and Wsrren's left. Lee seised this op-
portuniiy 70 cut Hancock of. and massed
the weight Of his army for this purpose
About 8 o'clock. p. N. his movements
we're noted. and Getiy's division from
Sedgwick's corps was ordered in to gil
up the dangerous gap. Hancock at the
same time sent forward Motifs division
Tor the same purpose. and the two divis-
ions met jus. in time to form for the re
eePtiou Of the enemy. Grant ordered
them to attack the enemy TO give Han
cock time to come up with the rest Of
his men. All this Was done successfully,
The enemy threw immense masses Of
men upon our lines. bat were repulsed
OF held at bay until darkness put On end
to the conflict. We held our own and
little more. and were prepared for an
early and advantageous attack in the
morning. We Lost. in ell. sbou. 1000
men here. among the number Gen.
Hayes. valiant and brave officer.
During the day Lee also tried 70 get
between Sedgwick and Burnside. who
was YET sfisciisg his crossing at Germs
mia Ford. but kiled. Oar men every
where behaved admirably. and Lee was
completely bafied in every one Of his
maneuyers. Hence. We were subssan-
TALLY victorious at all points. Orders