The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1884-05-22
OLD BATTLEFIELDS.
Veterans Excursion TO Fredericksburg,
Charlottesville and Wilderness.
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by "cdrlcon."l
The Ist corps excursion from Washington to
che scene of the battles Of Fredericksburg,
Charlottesville and the Wilderness, last
week proved a great SUCCESS The party in
Guided, among other distinguished guests,
Major General John c. Robinson, General
Abner Doubleday, u. S. A.; Generel John New
ton u. 6. A.:.Gencral Rosecrans, General James
Longs.reet General H. J. Hunt II. s. a; Cen
eral McCuicheon, Hon. James Bedford, J. III.
Stine historian; General IL w. Slocum, and
General William C. Oates, Of Alabama
The excursion was under the charge of
Major J. I'll. Slime, and left Washington early
Thursday morning for Fredericksburg. Reach
ing a side-track below that town, and about
half mile above Hamiton's Crossing, we left
the train aud found ourselves on the spot
where General Gibbons attack was made.
Walking down the track till we came to the
point where the tangent changes to a curve,
We are AT the extreme left OF the position oe-
cupied by Meade in the battle Of December II,
1862. Leaving the track and facing southwest
q few steps brings US 10 the foot OF a slope-the
tongue OF land or terrace between the Kappa
hammock and MgsSaponax. 1t was on this
terrace that Jackson, holding the extreme
right of Lees line was posted-the extreme
right. with the exception of portion Of Stu
arts horse artillery, under Pelham, which was
stationed east of the road leading to Bowling
Green.
Ascending the slope, the company came to
the right Of the woods, alcng which are the
excavations and embankments where Jackscn's
cannon were planted-all plainly marked to-
day. Bushes are growing where the heavier
pieces poured the iron hail upon the Union
lines; but the old paths where the wagons
ruIlbled. where the ambulances creaked and
groanad loaded with wounded men, are still
TO be seen. Here General Doubleday explained
the Union position.
DoUBLEDAY's EXPLANATION OF TIE FIELD.
Following General Doubleday in his eIplana-
tion, we see his OWE division of the LIST corps
extending from Meade's position, IL quarter
OF a circle, TO the river-his troops by the river
facing east, those next In line southeast, then
brigade facing south, his batteries pouring hot
fire on Pelham. who is III position 10 enfiiace
Aeades line. During the morning Reynolds,
commanding the corps. informed Meade that he
was TO move 10 Haniiitons Crossing. Hamil-
tons CrOssingi" was Meade's exclamation of
surprise. Yes, and you VIII be supported by
Gibbon"
Meade obeyed the order, hut Gibbon, instead
of supporting Meade, had quite as much ss
he could attend 20 on his own account. Meade
charged mp TO the railroad-across il, breaking
the first Confederate line, driving it mp the
slope and into the woods, but, not being sup
ported, was driven with heavy loss, and the
movement was an utter failure.
Captain u. ID. Cnrriden, who was q private
81 the 9TH Pennsylvania Reserves, took up the
narrative at this point, locating the position CT
tbe division before charging about $50 yards
north Of the railroad. They had driven the
Confederate Ekirnishers, when the cry ran
along the line, /" Let Us charge,"
That IL right. ChaTge." said Meade. The
troops went up the slope and into the woods,
where they saw second line too heavy 70
break, and Meade ordered them back.
THE CONFEDERATE AccoUET.
In response TO the call Of General Newton,
6enerai Oates member Of Congress from Ala
bsEa. said that he commanded a regiment IN
Trimbies brigade-the 18th Alabama. He held
the extreme right Of the line, which was about
thirty feet north Of a fence which runs down
10 the railroad near where the curve of the
track begins. Inake this definite for the benefit
Ct those who may visit the field.
The Confederate front line was held by A. P
Hiii. Two hundred yards in rear was Ewell's
division. In rear Of that was the StcnewallD
division, and IN rear of that D. ii. Hill's-four
Enes massed IN divisions.
The charge Of Meade was mainly against
Arci:ers brigade, when Trimble's brigade ad-
vSnaed.
81 remember said General Oates, that
General Gregg, of South Carolina, was stand
ing by g tree, wounded MORALLY. he vas
too weak 70 speak, but waved Us forward
down the slcpe 70 the railroad, where we cap
tUrc1 nearly 100 prisoners. Some Of our men
were SO eiSted that they wanted to rush across
tie field and capture the batteries, which they
could see in front OF them. The Union bat
series opened, and body OF troops was bearing
down upon Us"
"Itwss Birney's brigade, remarked Double
day.
i ssw," continued General Oates, "that we
would have 20 fall back. and we did go; for it
WAS warm place. with twenty cannon pouring
their fire iato US"
sACKEoKs PLAN WHICH LEE coUETEEnAKDED.
AT night" said General Oates, IAN order
came for the men 70 fix bsyonets, and when
the line On the left moved they also were TO
Er0ve. The whole commaDd before midnight
zaoVec down the hill, halted, Laid down, waited,
and then returned TO their first positions"
General Oates afterwards Learned that Jack
son intended 10 move with his whole line and
make q ght attack with the bsyonet beiiey-
ing thst ne could sweep Franklin's whole CON-
nRnd into the river; but when General Lee
le1rned OF the intended movement he forbade
IL as being too hazardous
UNION AETILLERY.
General Ayres now explained the position O.
his GDi0nA batteries. He was in command OF
the artillery on the left and had 130 guns In
position. When the Condolences advanced
and followed Meade in his retreat, Ayre.
spe0eo With thirty pieces, which quickly put
stop 10 the movement
Tie reason why Gibbon did not Erpport
Meade was because he had al that he coald d.
70 hold his position without attempting x
drive Jackson.
BANQUET.
Returning 20 Fredericksburg the sxc1rsion
tstz were welcomed by the entire population
Carriages were provided for the generals and
the ladies' Of the party, and the entire company
Eas escorted 10 the Opera House by band
The ladies Of The town were holding grand
fair IN the Opera House, but they cheerfulIy
esde place FOR tables and supplied bounti
fSl Tepast FOX the company. II was feast O
welcome.
After the banquet came loyal and f-sterna
speeches - Judge Goolrick welcoming tb,
guests, and Commissioner Lorine, 81 the Agri
sUltursl Department responding. Then FOL
lowed speeches from Generals Longstreet and
Eosccrans and Congressman Bedford tCcIol
Herbert Ala and Cutcheon IMich.)
A NOTABLE oUARTETTE
II was q notable cusrtette that was seated a
She tables-Longstreet Rosecrans, Doubleda,
and Newton, al of the West Point class Of ~
Never IN their iolliest osys were they NOR
hilarious than when thus seated together. thei
fEces besninz with goodwill for al the world
no matter whether it were Dixie" or thi
% Red White and Blue" which the bent
played, everybody cheered and everybody ssi,
whist delightful occasioni"
RARYK's HEIGHTS.
- l. a. 4 A