Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1881-03-09
probably try the same strategy against
Gen. Hooker.

II
off the reconnoitrng parties OF the
enemy-its destination undreamed oil
by the Federal army, now engrossed
by Lees attack n front. Hour after
hour the march continued without ces
satlon; the troops penetrating with
difficulty the wild country through
which they moved; the artillery slowly
toillng on through the narrow road
over which the heavy engines OF wal
had never before moved. Jackson rode
at the head OF his column, and Gen.
Stuart with his cavalry continued to
protect the front aud flank from obser-
walton. Reaching the Brock road, rug
ming, as we have said, from Spottsyl"
vania Court, House to Ely's Ford, and
crossing the right flank of the enemy,
Jackson continued to follow it until be
attained the point where 1t intersects
the Orange plank road, not far from the
plank road to .Germanna Ford, and
about three miles from Chancellors-
vile.
At this point Gen. Fitz Lee, com-
mandIng the cavalry under Gen. Stuart.
informed Jackson that, by ascending
an elevation near at hand, he could oh
tain a good view Of the positions ol the
enemy, who, taking him for simple
cavalry videttee, would pay no atten-
ton to him. He accordingly proceeded
to the point indicated, and from which
the Federal cavalry had been driven.
A single glance showed him the posi-
ton OF the Federal line of battle. h
was not yet sufficiently on the enemy
flank, aud turning 10 one OF his aides
he SAID, briefly, Tell my column to
aross that road He referred te the
Orange plank road, aud Fastening back,
placed himself again at the head OF tie
troops, who continued 10 move By the
Brock road. and advanced without de-
lay to the old turnpike.
The movement had thus far been a
complete success. Jackson had reach-
ed without discovery position where
be could attack the enemy in flank and
reverse, aud orders were instantly Is
sued to prepare the troops for action.
Those who saw him at this moment
declare that he had never exhibited
greater animation and ardor. The
troops moved rapidly to their positions.
and line Of battle was promptly formedi
Rodes' division 10 front, on the left Of
the turnpike A. P. HllPs two hun
dred yards in rear OF the first line; and
Colston's at the same distance in rear
| of the second, This disposition Of the
forces was subsequently modified, how
ever, 10 consequence of the dense un'
dergrowth, which rendered it almost
impossible for the troops TO move for
ward in extended line Of battle, and
Rodes only advanced IN line, the two
o.her divisions, with the artillery, mov-
ing in column along the road. The
only artillery which was in front and
ready for action at the opening of the
engagement, was a section Of the
Stuart Horse Artillery, under Capt
Brealhed, and these pieces moved in
front of Rodes, having been ordered by
Cen. Stuart to keep few yards IN rear
of the skirmlsbers. which were thrown
forward about four hundred yards in ad-
vance.
II the reader has understood eur
verbal chart OF the country, he will per-
ceiye that the enemy was now taken at
fatal disadvantage. The old turnpike
ran straight into the fark and rear OF
the Federal right wing, and Jackson's
design was 10 advance rapidly on the
line of this road, extend his line of bat
tie we'll to the left, and swinging round
with his left, cut ef' the enemy'S re-
treat 10 the fords of the Rappahannock,
and capture them. This strange wilder
ness of impenetrable Tickets and nar'
row roads presented almost insupcrable
obstacles to the success Of such an un-
dertaking; but such was the confidence
of the Confederate commander in his
veteran corps, trained 10 overcome all
difficulties upon many battle-6elds, that
he looked forward to victory as within
his grasp.
The Federal lines extended across
the old turnpike, close now to his front;
behind these, below MelzI Chancellor
tn, Y occupied strong earth works, pro-
tecting the flank Of their right wing;
and on the ridge at Charlottesville,
their spaulements were mounted with
rifed artillery. ready to sweep the np-
proaches from every quarter. Gen.
Hooker had been joined at this time by
the lst & Sd Corps. of Gen. SedgwicRS
column, and had six army corps at
Chancellorsvile. The force Of Gen.
Lee, in the absence Of LoEgstreet. was
about IS 900 men in all-and of these
Jackson had taken $4,000 to make his
attack upon the Federal right. lGen.
Lees numbers are not .understated
here; and the force under Jackson is
exactly stated, on the authority of Col.
A. s. Pendleton, his Assistant Adju-
tant General, an officer of very high
character and intelligence.l
Jackson had moved so skillfully aud
silently that up 10 the moment Of at
tack the enemy did notso much as sus-
pect bis presence, Immediately in
front of him was Sigel's llth Corpse,
C commanded on this day by Sen How
ard; and Fate decreed that his force
should receive the last charge Of Jack