The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1884-05-22
THE NATIONAL TRIBUNE: wAsHNeToN c. THURSDAY

Not stopping here, let us go on to Dowdall's
Tavern,-two miles, nearly house on the
south side of the road, with "a lovely view
southwest west and northwest In the door
yard Howard pitched his tent. In those cleared
fields west of the unpretending Wilderness
Church and the farmhouse, Schurz and Stein
wehrs men encamped. Riding half a mile we
come to the little house owned by Mr.. Tulley,
plain Virginia farmer, who takes a seat in
our carriage and rides with us. He was
Jackson's guide in his celebrated flank move
ment.
WHAT JACKSON SAW.
1--WE rode up that hill over there, and jack
son took out his glass, looked over here and
saw the Union troops cooking their supper,
their arms stacked, the soldiers having good
time," said Mr.. Tulley.
Jackson was intending to attack the 18th
corps in front, bat seeing its position he made
another detour and reached the old Wilderness
Tavern, due west of Howard. Devens was on
the extreme left, facing south, and Schurz and
Stenwehr in his rear. Howard had no line
of pickets out. There was vidette on the
plank road, in Jackson's path, who was killed.
A second vidette, at the point where Jackson
turned to strike his blow escaped, came in and
reported that a column of Confederates was
massing by the Wilderness Tavern. He was
not believed. Hooker had reported Jackson as
retreating towards Gordonsville. At the Will
derness Tavern Jackson deployed his lines to
fall like thunderbolt upon Howard. He had
marched about fourteen miles and 8 o'clock
Saturday was ready to strike.
No need that should repeat what every
body knows-how jackson burst out OF the
woods.
General Robinson, member of Congress from
Ohio who commanded an Ohio regiment IN the
18th corps pointed out the posi- ton of the
70 De han rs,a -.fayc IN
Dowdall's yard. Shortly before the attack,
Howard had gone out upon his front towards
Sic1les. Colonel ]. c. Lee commanding 55th
Ohio, had twice sent to Howard that the enemy
was massing in the woods on the flank; but the
report was discredited, for the mistake made by
Hooker that Jackson was retreating to Gordons-
vile had been widespread. No one dreamed
of being attacked. Rabbits came bounding
from the woods. Then came the Confederate
line like tidal-wave, sweeping all before it.
There was yolley from Colston's hne-scat-
tering shots from Union guns
The soldiers of the 18th corps have been greatly
blamed for not rallying-for running; but no
one, examining the positions -the circumstances,
will blame them. They had no time to rally.
it would be just as reasonable to talk OF turn
ing back the waters of a bursting dam as to
expect men who were eating supper, thinking
the enemy was retreating, TO rally against such
an overwhelming force.
General Robinson's regiment was near the
Wilderness Church, 100 rods or more in rear of
steinwehr, the artillery little further in
rear. Robinson had time to come into position
and was the first organized resistance TO Jack
son.
Visitors to the field will find the positions In
the field north of Dowdalps. The position oc-
cupied by Howard Is not more than two miles
from the center OF the 9Th corps position in the
battle of the Wilderness the following year
80 near do these two great conflicts lie TO each
other.
WHERE JACKSON FELL.
By the side of the road, half mile west of
Fairview, a rock has been placed TO indicate
the locality where jackson was wounded. 1t
Is not claimed that it stands upon the precise
spot for the exact locality never viii be known,
nor will it ever be known whether he was
wounded by his own men or by the Union
troops. He was between the lines, and both were
firing. The Union fire was especially severe,
killing one of the men who bore him away.
WHERE BERRY FELL.
little farther east, by the roadside, is the
spot where General berry fell-the Union off
Ger from Maine who had developed remarkable
ability, and who gave great promise of future
usefulness.
YAIRyIEw.
Riding into the field south Of the road we
| find the position, still plainly marked, where
thirty cannon, pointing west, poured shells aud
canister upon Jackson and Lees united corps
as they pressed on towards Charlottesville.
/ Genearl Slocum, who held the line with the
18th corps next east Of the 18th corps, points
cut the positions.
| Little by little the Union line Tas beaten
| back to Charlottesville whence Hooker re-
treated due north half mile.
| Turning up the road leading TO United States
| Ford, We reach the last Union position, still
| plainly marked, where Lee was repulsed
! DIR. Stearns, now of Washington, who was an
officer in Whipples division, located the line
and also the spot where Whipple fell, brought
| down by q sharpshootsr who had climbed q
tree
Gathered around she porch of the Chancel
! iorsville house, the veterans Of both armies
narrate the events Of the battle, Confederate
officers admitting that If Hooker had taker
the aggressive from his last position it would
| have gone hard with Lee. The Confederates
had struck great blow, won great success
| but bad welded their utmost strength.
/ But the 1eorGJs of the Union army 0as gone
Hooker had two corps that had scarcely fired
| q musket, but Hooker had lost his self-posses
sion and could not recover it.
EPoTTsYLvANIA.
Leaving Fredericksburg, the party rode irsi
10 Todd's Tavern, where the battle of Spottsyl
vsnia in 1854 properly began, although it Il
four miles from where the great struggle tool
place.
In the movement from the Wilderness. Greg.
and Merritt, with their divisions of cavalry
were sent to secure epottsylysnia and the road
west of It.
The road which Grant wished particularly t.
hold was the Catharpin road, which runs from
Todd's Tavern west to Shady Grove Church
but Fitz Lee was there first. When Gran
and Meade, whom / accompanied reached
Todds Tavern ct l q. m. on the morning O
May 8, in advance of the infantry-the 5tl
corps, led by General j. G. Robinson division
the cannon of the horse artillery under GregG
were flashing just west of the tavern towards
Shady Grove, while towards SpottsylYania til,
artillery under Merritt were laundering
General Robinson arrived and passed on toward
Spottsylyania. Merritt could not force bach
the Confederate cavalry in the thick woods
Robinson deployed his line, swept them back
moved on 10 the farm of Mr. Alsop, where h
encountered Anderson's division, which, by
shorter road than that over which Robinson
marched, had secured position on an eleva
ton called Laurel Hill. In the fight whicl
followed General Robinson WAS wounded il
the thigh, necessitating amputation. Twent,
years have passed, and now, hobbling on tw
crutches, he visits the spot once more, pointin
out the positions of his brigsdes at the opeuin,
Of the terrific struggle which lasted weel
around Spottsylvsnia Court-hous
WHERE sEDGwIcK FELL.
AT the junction Of two roads on the farm Q
Mr.. SpindleT, one mile northwest of thsacourt
| haf. uyaN 70 y he -V,t.a e.,