The National tribune., 1884-11-13
LEE FEELS OF TILE POSITION.

LEE FEELS OF THE POSITION.
The Union troops for the most part were
covered by woods. To find out just where
they were Gen. Lee sent Wrights and Stu
arts Brigades forward. They attacked the
outposts of the Twelfth Corps and drove
Aiem in. The Confederate artillery opened
fire, and the Union batteries replied. The
pickets kept up raftling fire. Gen. Lee
saw that Gen. Hooker occupied a very strong
position, which he WAS making still stronger
by breastworks and fallen trees. The Union
artillery was planted to sweep every road
and field. But he must attack or fall back
toward Richmond.
sTUART's REcoNNAIssANCE.
Gen. Stuart, commanding the Confederate
cavalry, was riding everywhere through the
woods, examining the Union lines. He was
familiar with all the roads and paths.
Through the Winter the cavalry had ridden
many times through the wilderness. He
saw where the pickets of the Eleventh Corps
were stationed Gen. Howard had
formed his brigades: that the best point to
get at the Union army was on its right flank
and rear.
Gen. Lee and Gen. Jackson passed the
night beneath the pine trees near Tabernacle
Church. They were up very early and were
sitting On two cracker boxes which the
Union troops left behind when they fell
back to Charlottesville when Stuart ar
rived from his reconnaissance They had q
map which showed all the roads and paths
Gen Stuart pointed out the position of the
Eleventh Corps.
Z" suggest that we make the march and
attack their right flank" said Jackson.
{" With what force ?n Lee asked.
My Corps"
"What shall I have to prevent Hooker
from pressing towards Fredericksburg
Anderson's and McLaws's Divisions"
Gen. Lee reflected. 1t would be bold,
audacious movement His army was al
ready divided, and this would divide it
again. But Hooker was so strongly in
trenched from Charlottesville to the river
that to attack in front would result in terri
BILE loss, and quite likely be a repulse. If
Jackson would make the march secretly and
strike blow where it was not expected,
there would be less less of life with better
prospect of success.
You may make the movement"
Let there be no cheering, no noise, no
loud talking" said Jackson to his officers,
who repeated the order to the men.
Rode's Division led the advance, and A. P.
to the left from the plank road, near the
house of Mr. Aldrich. The mud is deep,
and the men follow old paths through the
woods to Mr. Wolford' S iron furnace turning
southwest, then northwest, making zig-zag
march to reach the old Wilderness Tavern,
two miles west of Gen. Hooker's Right Wing.
Gen. Stuart posts his cavalry along the roads
and paths to screen the movement But the
Union pickets hear the tramping of feet and
the rumbling of wheels.
THE MOVEMENT DISCOVERED.
"a column of the enemy is moving west
ward" was the message sent from Gen. Biz
ney at 8 o'clock.
He was at Hazel Grove, and could zee the
troops, cannon, wagons and amhulances
streaming along the road. 1t was the head
of Jackson's troops.
What was the meaning of it? Gen. Hooker
saw what it might be-a movement of Jack
son to gain his ri"ht flank. He ssent this
dispatch to Howard and Slocum: The dis
position you have made of your corps has
been with a view to front attack by the
enemy. Ifhe should throw himselfupon your
flank, he Hookerl wishes you to examine the
ground and determine upon the position you
will take in that event. the right of your
line does not appear strong enough. No arti-
fcial defenses worth naming have been
thrown up. We have good reason to sup
pose that the enemy is moving to our right.
Please advance your piekets for purposes of
observation, as far as may be safe. in order
TO obtain timely information of their ap-
proach.n
Gen. Howard saw the Confederates and
sent this dispatch at 1890: " From Gen.
Devens's headquarters we can observe q
column of infantry moving westward on the
road about one and half miles south of
this. l am taking measures to resist an at
tack from the west"
Gen. Siekles beheld the Confederate col
umn-men, cannon, wagons and ambulances
along the road; ordered Capt.
Clark's battery to open fire. The shells
made commotion among the Confederates,
who soon abandoned the road, taking wood
path instead.
Gen. Hooker, to make the Right Wing Sc
cure, ordered Gen. Siekles to send brigade
to strengthen the Eleventh Corps, and Gen.
Graham with battery marched up the
turnpike towards Danville. Gen. Howard
was confident that the Eleventh Corps was
strong enough to resist any attack which
might be made upon it, and Gen. Graham
marched back again.
This is the position of the two armies at
noon, May 2, 1868,
To be coatinued1