The National tribune., 1884-11-13

~ u
began TO cross. The Fifth Corps, under
Gen. Meade, followed. The troops pushed
on to the II ,pidan, crossing it at Germania
Ford, coming suddenly upon the Conieder-
aies. who were building a bridge and VINO
ran into mill The I'd Mass. and Sd Wis.
wheeled into line and charged upon them,
compelling them to suTrea6er. The bridge
was quickly completed. and al day break on
the morning OF the last day IF April we see
the three corps on the south bank OF the
Rapidan.
1t was noon when Gen. Lee heard of It.
Nor dad he know what to make of il. Down
the river opposite Port Royal was evidently
large force ready TO cross on the pontoons
already laid. From his headquarters he
could look over Fredericksburg and see a
large body of troops on the Falmouth Hills
getting ready to lay pontoons across the
river Up stream nearly % miles the roads
were swarming with Union troops.
What was Gen. Hooker going to do? All
through the Winter Gen. Lee had been max
ing the front side of his house stronger day
by day, but now large Union force was
knocking at the side door.
All o'clock Confederate courier fell into
the hands of Gen. Pleasouton. He was rid
ing hard with dispatch from Gen. Lee to
Gen. Anderson, commanding the Confederate
troops up the river. The ink was hardly
dry. 81 have just received" it read,
"reliable information that the enemy has
crossed the river IN force. Why have you
not kept me informed ? / wish to see you at
nv headquarters as soon as possible"
Gen Hooker, by sending the First Corps
down the river; by keeping Gen. Sedgwick
with large force opposite Fredericksburg; !;
by marching rapidly with the main body of
his army up the Rappahannock (for the Sec
.ond and Third Corps were following), and by
crossing that river and the Rapidan, had not
only deceived Gen. Lee. but had performed
one of the most brilliant strategic move
ments of the war.
sToNEMAN's MOVEMENT.
An important feature of the plan was the
movement of the cavalry. Gen. Stoneman
was on the Upper Rappahann0ck near kel-
ley's Ford. He was 10 cross, divide his force,
send part of it southwest to destroy the rail-
road and canal leading west from Richmond
and the Confederate supplies stored in that
direction guarded by Fitz Lees Division.
The canal viadact across the Rivanna River
was TO be blown up.
The main movement, however, was to be
the destruction of the railroad leading from
Fredericksburg to Richmond, over which
Lee received his supplies. With this de-
stroyed, il was expected that the Confed-
crates would be compelled to evacuate
Fredericksburg
"Your watchword should be fight! fight!
fight" said Hooker IN his instructions
Fitz-Hugh Lee was on the south bank of
the Rapidan with 1900 Confederate cavalry,
but the Union cavalry had no difficulty in
crossing Raccoon Ford and advancing to
Louisa Court house.
The Virginia Central Railroad, which runs
from the Shenandoah Valley to Richmond,
was torn up, but the destruction had no
effect upon Lee Col. Wyndham, with
regiment, reached the canal, intending to
destroy the squeduct over the Rivanna River,
but found that be had no means of blowing
it up. The whole expedition was lament
able failure.
CRANcELLoRsVILLE
It is not collection of residences but only
o single farmhouse, with broad piazza,
surrounded by barns. sheds and corn-ricks-
the home of Mr. Chancellor, where Gen.
Hooker establishes his headquarters.
Standing on the piazza and looking south
you see level field, with woods beyond.
Southwest, half mile, are the ruins of
once stately home" Fairview."
The gentlemen of Old England who set
tied in Virginia 200 years ago, gave pleas
ant names to their homes. Still further to-
ward the southwest i Hazel Grove"
II you would 60 to Fredericksburg from
Charlottesville You can have the choice of
two roads part of the way-the turnpike,
which is the shortest, and the plank road,
which joins the turnpike between Taber-
nacle Church and Salem Church. 1t is three
Al
III we go due north one mile from Salem
Church we come to the Rappahsnnock, and
If the water is not too high may cross it at
Banks's Ford If we go due north from
Charlottesville, we must travel three miles
before reaching the river at United States
Ford. Going west from Charlottesville
two miles, we come to DowdalI's Tavern, on
the south side of the road. North of it, and
few rods farther west, is Wilderness Church
and a farm house.
The turnpike runs along swell of land
the watershed between the he.Rappahannoek
and the head waters of the Ny River, which
runs southeast. A very large portion of the
country is covered with a dense forest with
paths and unfrequenied roads winding
through it This is the ground and position
reached by Gen. Hooker April 26.
THE FIRST MISTAKE
The best men and greatest men make
mistakes The movement to Chancellors-
vile has been splendidly accomplished.
Gen. Hooker has $4,000 men. and Gen.
Sickles with the Third corps-15 600 men
Is making haste 10 join him.
Gen. Andersons Division of Confederates
is the only force in position to oppose him.
Anderson is at Tabernacle Church, and sets
his men instantly at work building breast
works.
Gen. Lee is in Fredericksburg. Jackson
is down the river almost to Port Royal The
Confederate army is widely scattered. Lee
does not know what to make of Hookers
movement. He sees q large body of Union
troops still on the Falmouth Hills, under
Sedgwick, who is getting ready 10 cross
where Fanklin's Division crossed in Deem
Der. If Gen. Hooker were TO advance at
once be could brush Anderson away before
Lee could join him, forcing him back into
fredericksburg, and compel Lee 10 fight at
q disadvantage OF abandon all his fortifica-
tions aud leave the place which be has held
securely during the Winter. Such move
ment would open Bankss Ford and bring
Hooker several miles nearer Sedgwick 1t
is a great opportunity, 10 be improved on the
instant; but he waits the arrival of Sickles,
and the golden moment goes by.
LEE COsiPREHENDs THE MOVEMENT.
Sedgwicl1s cannon have been laundering,
his engineers have been prepari to lay
ranufoona hnf little traureSS nj