The Republican journal., 1882-02-23
Sketches of Army Life.

CHANCFLLORSNHLE.

NUMBER EIGHT.
CHANCELLORSyILLE.
General Hooker superseded General Burnside
in the command of the Army of the Potomac
early in the spring of 1868, and quickly the army
responded to the genius of its new commander
At that time Hooker was the favorite with the
army; there was something magnetic in the
brilliant and reckless daring of the man, and he
possessed the wonderful genius of mpartng
his own enthusiasm and daring to every man in
his command, and when it was known that he
was to be our leader new inspiration seemed
to be given unto US all. We had all admired
General Burnside, and had thought that his
failures We're largely due to the fact that he did
not have the hearty support of his corps COM
manders; that they had taken advantage of his
noble, manly nature, to work his ruin; and we
knew that Joe Hooker was not that kind of a
fellow; that no corps commanders would trife
with him; that he would deliberately shoot any
man who would dare to disoDey him, whether
he wore the coarse uniform of private soldci
or the golden straps of Major General. The
whole army seemed to be invigorated with
new life. Excellent rations We're issued to the
men. There was drill and discipline and the
tall, erect figure Of ''Fiehtng joe became
familiar sight to the soldiers eyes as he daily
dashed here and there through the various
corps of the army. Every man was hopeful,
and we used to boast around our camp fires,
that we would handle the .(ohnnirs without
gloves when the spring cam oaign opened.
The Army of the Potomac at that time must
have numbered l25000 men. and it is very
doubtful if it was ever in better fighting trim
than when it marched for Charlottesville. \
short time before the army marched our regi-
ment was vaccinated, and by some bunder of
the Medical Director the small poX was intro
duced, and there We're several eases of this
dreaded disease in its most violent form. ON
this account, and to our great disgust, we We're
detached from the brigade and cncamped ON
what was known as Quarantine hill, and We're
not permitted to advance with the army; but as
the battle opened we We're detailed to guard a
telegraph line running from Falmouth to Hook
ers headquarterS-our rcgimental line extend
ing, think, from Falmouth to where the line
was carried across the rver-and We're situated
i'll such position that we could learn much OF
the stuatiOn although the columns uf troops
were concealed from our view by the forest
trees.
A BATTLE WON.
Hooker's advance was made in secrecy and
with great rapidty. 10 one knew where the
blow was to fall. For once the newspaper cor
| respondents ''Were at sea" and consequently
II, /
not publish the coming campaign in advance to
| the rebels. rs had been their custom. Our army
| was separated from the rebels by only a narrow
| river, and the movement was made 50 quietly
| that they did not know we had broken camp. \
| portion of the army, under the command of
| General >cdYWick, moved down the river below
| the city. where the troops of Franklin had
| crossed at the battle of Fredericksburg. where
they successfully effected crossing. The rebels
| received the impression that the whole army
| was to cross below the city. and hurried rein
| torccment> there and failed to guard the fordS
| above, but the remainder of the army number
! ing nearly 100000 men. were rapidly marching
| up the river and crossed the several fori1-tht
| last corps having crossed before tha rebels knew
VI Otti N'tN dl''' ~ - " Cl''A Pli wv MOI ll9
of April 10Th, Il hol>eman dashed through the
| streets of Fredericksburg With the startling in-
| formation that the | Mon army had crossed the
| river above the city, The bells Were tollrd ant
| great alarm prevailed. General Iiooker'> head
| quarters We're at charlottesville, ten mile,
from Fredericksburg. and his line of battle was
| formed in most advantageous position. The
| whole army was clatru With their remarkable
| success. The river had been crossed without
| opposition, they Wrre entrenchpd on chosen
ground and General Lee must either fight them
| there or retreat to Richmond without struggle
| General Hooker issued All address to his men
| congratulatng them OH the successes they hat
so easily gained; all Were happy. But as thes,
hours passed General Lee was not inactive; he
| had been surprised and outgrneracd thus far
| but hcrorally he worked to repair the disaster
| He had some advantages yet He was familiar
| with the country where the battle to b1
! fought, he could move his troops along these IA
milia.' roads. and conceal them in the forests
until he had massed them in one place, and then
| hurl them all upon the weakest place in our pN
| tended line: and this we shall soon see he turn
| ed to Il good account
|