The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1882-07-22


Banks and Germania Fords, some distanc,
mp the river, and marched down the southern
side, had uncovered our ford and left as .
free passage. A pontoon bridge was quickly
thrown from BAN, 10 bank, and soon 5hs
tramp Of armed men and the rumble O
artillery awolle The echoes Of the hills On
each side. It was q calm, sweet evening OF
early spring as the last man crossed the line
that had separated the opposing armies ioI
months. The moon bad Just risen ANA tie
air was filed with that peculiar though
delicious fragrance which the haimy breath
of spring always imparts - the woods O.
Virginia. The oak leaves were about the
size OF squirrels caTs-cor0-planting time
the farmer-soldiers said-and the wcird
notes Of the whip-poor-wiu were the only
sounds that broke the silence III those dense
thicEets. No one could have imagined on
that calm and delightful evening that nearly
two hundred thousand men were Fastening
through the grim detles Of the forest 10 meet
IN a gigantic dcath-grappIe of four days
duration. As soon as our corps had crossed.
the head Of the column moved on towards
Fredericksburg. It's route lay through an
almost impenetrahIe forest over 4 dirt
road" called such by the Inhabitants Of the
country to distinguish it from the pike and
plank road
ItwaS N impressive scene--a night march
through IN enenly's country; perfect silence
Teigned, save the muilled tread of armed
masses Of men or the low rumble Of artil-
lery wheels; over all the spring moon cast
her beams upon each twig and branch,
and touched each gun barrel and button
with a streak Of silver. 1t was radiantlv
beautiful. SO on we trudged until we found
ourselves in an opening. in the centre Of
which was small white house that General
French appropriated. At the command we
halted, and soon each man was seeking on
the damp earth
TIRED NATURES SWEET REST0RER,n
and here we rested until morning The old
field IN which we were bivouacked was
surrounded by a dense. growth of pines
scrub-oall, sassafras. and dog-wood, with but
two openings made by the road where we
entered, and its exit towards another clear
ing about three hundred yards distant, on
the edge OF which second clearing stood
long two-story brick building, surmounted
by pent roof with huge chimneys, one at
each gable. A high porch extended the full
length Of the front, the roof Of which was
supported by about q half dozen long, slim
pillars considerably ont Of repair at base and
capital. 1t was the Charlottesville tavern.
or ordinary" in the vernacular Of that re-
gion, and was used as such for over an hun
dTed years, when it served as place OF rest
and refreshment to those citizens of Freder-
iclshurg who were travelling to and from
old Governor Sp0ttswood's gold mining dis
tTict some miles further on, in the vicinity
Of Mine Run, then rather thickIy-settled
country, now perfect wilderness. This
tavern was rather dilapidated affair, and
sadly in need Of Yankee thrift to make it
inhabitabIe. There were. no other teaemeuts
in the "villeo The house was Immediately
occupied by General Hooker as headquarters
for the army, and its lofty halls echoed with
the clanll Of sabre and jingle OF spur as
aides and orderlies tramped in and ont. Two.
the army arrived, and both remained until.
on SundaY, the Sd, the shells Of the ccnled-
crate batteries destroyed the house. severely
wounaing one Of the women, who was ten
derly cared for by our surgeons. During the
afternoon Of May our corps (Second) moved
forward along the road, striking the Orar ge
plank road where ii makes q curve past the
Charlottesville House, on into the woods
beyond, towards Fredericksburg. It was a
tedious, wearsome march, as cur front mad
70 be continually covered with artillery to
shell the woods at intervals, in order to de-
velop any force of the enemy that might be
in position, but none appearing, about dusk
we retraced our steps and reoccupied our
bivouac Of the day before.
The morning of May 2 was consumed by
the different corps getting in position, our
corps being in reserve. The remainder Of
the day was spent in playing cards, chatting,
smoking, and wondering why we did not
move "on 10 Richmond" All were in the
best OF spirits, fully believing that our move
ment thus far had been a complete surprise
TO the enemy. We were on the verge of a
fearful volcano, and were not aware of it.
About 4:30 p. N. HooIler's celebrated order
was read to US: The enemy must come out
Of his intrenchments to fight US, OF inglori-
ously fly" Cheers rent the sky. The brig
ade bands Immediately struck up that
inspiriting air-"Ain'tI glad am out of the
Wilderness"-when
Cr, CT IT,
came a deafening burst Of musketry, inter
mingled with the deep Giapason Of the can
mons roar, followed by the well known
blood-curdling yell Of the confederate in his
onward rush to the charge. That yell inga-
riably sent the blood to my heart; it is best
described as simply thrilling, and at this
distance Of time I can only lillen it to the
sound of an autumn gale rushing and wall
ing through the Ieadess branches Of forest
trees.
Instantly al was in confusion, men sprang
into line, orderlies and aides dashed hither
and thither giving and receiving orders, gen
erals and stats hastily mounted, batteries
whiried into position, and the corps was
under arms. All this time the din of mus
kerry, roar Of artillery, rumbling sound of
tramping feet, and yells and screams ap-
peared to be in the woods on our right; now