New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1866-03-07

driven from their positions. The throwing Of the
bridges was resumed and they were soon afterWard
finished
No more difficult feat has been performed during the
war; than the throwing OF the bridges in the face OF the
enemy by thes" brave men, and take pleasure in
ferring TO the reports Of Gen. Woodbury. and Lieut.
Comstook for more detailed account Of this gallant
work.
1t was near nightfaIl; one Brigade Of Frankn's
Division crossed the south side drove the enemy
pickets from the houses the bridge head and How
ards Division together with Brigade from the Ninth
Corps both OF Gen. Summers command. crossed over
on The upper and middle bridges and after sharp
ehrmlshlng, occupied the town before daylight on The
morning of tie l2th.
During this dag (the l2h,) Summers and Frankn's
commands crossed and took position on the south
bank. and Gen. Hooker's Grand Division was held in
readiness to support either the night or left or 10 press
the enemy in case the other commands succeeded in
moving him.
The line AS now established was as follows Second
Corps held the and right OF the town; Ninth
Corps the left OF the Second Corps. and con-
nectcd with Gen. franklins right at Deep Run. the
whole of this force being nearly parallel 10 the river
The Sixth Corps formed the left Of the Ninth
Corps nearly parallel with the Old Richmond Road.
and the First Corps the left Of the Sixth nearly at
right angles with IT, its left resting the river The
plain below the town is interrupted by hedges and
bitches TO considerable extent, which gives good
covering TO an enemy making it difficult to maneuyer
upon.
The old Richmond road spoken Of above runs from
the town in line nearly parallel with the river TO
point near the MattnponaX where IT turns TO the south
in Of the town. and then occupied by the
enemy in force. In order TO pass down this road 1t
necessary 10 occupy the extreme right of this crest
which was designated on the map then in use by the
army as "HamihOH's."
BY night Of the l2'h the troops were all in position
and visited the different commands, with view TO
determining as 10 future movements. The delay In
LAYING the bridges had rendered change in the
plan Of attack necessary and the orders already issued
10 be superseded 10y new ones 10 was after md
night when returned from visiting tie different com
mn M q 1
following orders
Major Gen FRANKLIN commanding Len Grand Dtiii0E
Gen Haide will carry this dispatch you, and remain
that Won keep your whole comusnd in position rapid
down the old Richmond road and you will send
seize 81 possible the nights Capt Ham on this side
Of the Maaponax taking TO keep It well supported aud
Division more, be moved from Cen Sumner command
up the plank road 10 10 intersection with the telegraph road
there they viii divide with view TO eizing the hghts
boih o those roads, Holding those TWO hsh'' WAN me
b gifts Cllt. Hamtons, will, he hopes, compel tie
enemy tyscuae the whole rdge between these po.us
make these moves by columns distant from each other with
view Of avoiding the possibility Of collision Of our own
os Two Of Gen iancocts Divisions nIe in your rear at
tue bridges, and viii remain there a, supporis
Ci~s Of distractions given 20 Gems Sumner and Hooker
will be forwarded TO you by an orderly very soon.
iou will keep your whole command in readiness to move
Tie waiehwofd which, if possible should be given every
company wih be scott have the honor to De- GENERAL
very rel eeiiuly' your obed,ent se5v,nt, c,,-,.,s
Hpons Army or THE Po1oNAo, Dec. 10 io62-e a %.
Major Gen. L. v susNER Conmaadihg Right Grand Diri'
Tie General commanding directs that you extend tie len Of
your command 20 Dep River connecting win Gen fisnt-
ill., extending your night a. far a. your Judgment may die
tate. IL ssO dlec tLs' you py'h column Of division OF
ing The nights IN the rear Of The town The latter movement
should be- well covered by skrher aud supported a. 20
keep It. line Of retreat open COPY Of instructions svsn 10
Gen Franklin VIII be- sem t. you very Soon you VII p 90
avail, them prrni headquarers, where be he Gen
ea comnGndingl will meet you Great car, should be iseH
20 prevent collision Of or own oTces during the Ia The
un,chword for the d1y viii be scott" The column for
movruen up the Telegraph and Talk road, ~l BE- got Ia
fe sdess 10 but wl not move iii the General
uandiug communicate with you. have the honor 70 be,
General very respectfully Yer oeedien, ,sT, 5 e
HEADQu4RTERs AEnI or TnT oToxAc.t
December 3D. 1877 ~. I
Meor. Cos JostPH uooKER Commanding Cosfr Diniion.
Tie Genera commando directs that you place Gen But
,ebds Corn and Whfpes Division IN position 70 rross ~
,onept notice n the thfee urreT hrd.,s iu ,upyof Of
the other troops over the nF'f and The tWo remaining III
lower ford in support of Gen Franklin The G,.fa' CON
manding ID meet you ~ ll'ad1ufrvf utLi1ss Houfcl
very soon Copios nstrucons Gru. sumner aid G.n
FralIn il be- sent 90 you have tie honor 20 be- Gen
erai very repeatedly your oesdn ,sry.hi
II should be mentioned that on TIE evening Of the
l2th ordered Gen. StOuemau. with two divisions II
bis Corpf 20 % point near tie lower bndsof, as sup
ports for Gen. Frunkliu.
Tho forces nov under the command Of Gen. Franklin
consisted Of about Co. go men. shown by the nom
ing reports, and was composed as follow;
Sixth Corpe...-...--.-- -....-.-.. .NutO men.
Third CoTps-two Divisions ........ 1000 men.
Ninth Corps--Iurns Division 900 men.
Gen. Sumner had about q coo men, comprising he
owr Grand Division except BGrlss DitiAion of the
Ninth Corps.
two Of Gen. Stoneman's divisions having reported to
Gen Franklin.
Positive information had reached that the enemy
had built new road In Of the ridge crest from
near Hamitop's 70 The Telegraph road. along winch
ad they communicated from one part Of their line Ia
The other decided II POSSIBLE 10 seize point on this
road near Hamilton. which would hot only divide the
enepys forces BY breaking their hnc but would place
our forces In position 10 enable IA to move IN rear oi
the crest and either force Its evacuation or tie cnplu
lnt ION Of the forces occupying H.
Ii was my intention, IN case thls point had been
rained to push Gem. Sumner and Hooker against the
ef, If the crest and prevent al least the removal 81 the
artillery Of the enemy In case they attempted re
treat Tho above orders were prepared IN accoid@hee
II win be- seen that Gen. Franklin was directed 70
seize ii possible, the nights near Capt Hanlitons
and 10 send column Of attack for that purpose,
pos,d OF division al least, IN the lead wen sup
norted ard 10 keep his whole command In readiness TO
move down the old Richmond roed. The object oi TIM
order Is clear $1,000
II was necessary TO seize this hight In order to en-
able the remainder Of his forces 10 move down the Old
Richmond Road. with view Of getting In rear Of the
,nemys line the crest. He was ordered 10 seize
these nights II possible. and to do at sent bin
copy of the order 20 Gen Sumner, IN which II Will
he seen that direct Gen. Summers column not Ia
move mill be received orders from me- while he,
G;en. Franklin) was ordered TO move al The
movements were not intended TO be simultaneous. In
fact 1 did no, intend 10 move Gen. Sumner until
learned that Franklin was about 10 gam the nights
near Hamitons which then supposed he was entirely
able TO do sent the order TO Gen. Franklin by Gen
las A. Hnrdie member Of my staff 1t reached him
~,7..,O A. m cannot possibly give Il more intelligent
rcrnuut of the movements OF Gen Franklins command
HAT DAY than by copying into this report the DIS
natcles Of Gen Hardie, which are as follows:
D.c,ub.r u mOs neral M.sdes division ia TO male
v.rrt from or le but l. Just reported that n.
.tirislrIs are sancing indicating attack upon