Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1890-02-06
written for the NoRTHwEsr.l
The Battle Of the Wilderness.

tomac lay between the Rapidan and the Rap
pahanock Rivers, the infantry was posted
chiefly in the vicinity of the Culpepper court
house, the second corps near Stevensbough,
the sixth corps near Welford's Ford on Hazel
river, and the Fifth corps guarding the rail-
road from the Rappahanock river back to
Manassas junction. On April 25th the ninth
corps, under Gen. Burnside, began to relieve
the fifth corps from this duty, and until the
4th of May encamped along the railroad from
Manassas to Rappahanock station. The
cavalry guarded the fords crossing the Rapi-
dan and the railroad bridge. The army of
northern Virginia lay along its intrenched
portion on the Rapidan from Barnett's ford
about five miles above the railroad bridge,
down to Morton's ford, distance of twenty
miles, having an intrenched front on the riv-
er and the wilderness on his right flank not
far from his intrenchment on Mine Run.
According to the morning report of the
Both of IApril, 1864, the total number of Off
GERS and enlisted men present for duty was
SO, ,43S and 274 pieces of artillery. The army
of northern Virginia on the same date
mustered 6l, 1858 men and 224 pieces of artil-
lery.
On the 2nd of May the order for the move
ment of the Army of the Potomac was issued.
The movement began promptly at midnight
on the 3rd. The second corps, Gen. W. s.
Hancock commanding, crossed at Ey's
ford, and moved to Charlottesville, followed
by the reserve artillery. The fifth and sixth
corps crossed at Germanna ford, and moved
to wilderness tavern. The ninth corps, Gen.
A. E. Burnside commanding, began crossing
on the 9th, and the division of Gen. Ferron
(colored troops) the rear of the army crossed
on the 9th. This corps moved out the old
wilderness tavern road to the intersection
of the Germanna plank road by the orange
court house and Fredericksburgh pike. Al
daylight on the 9th the whole army was OF
the move; Gen. Crawford's division led the
column of the fifth corps. At 7:15 the enemy
under Gen. Ewell, were encountered ant
Gen. Mead directed Gen. Warren to at onct
attack the enemy with his whole force.
At 1880 a. M, Gen. Hancock was directed
to halt at Todd's tavern and await furthe
developments. Gen. Sedgwick with the sixtl
corps was directed to move out on the roat
that leaves the Germapna plank road a
Spottswood and enters the pike some tw,
miles from wilderness tavern.
When the head of Crawford's divisio,
reached the high open ground of Chewing
farm about mile from Parker's store, h
found our cavalry engaged and at once halte,
and took up a good position in high opel
ground from which good road run to Park
er's store and another to Tapp's farm on tn
plank road, about two miles east of Parker
store. Skirmishers were at once throw
forward and became engaged with the fanl
er's of Hills advance guard under kirkland
The cavalry and skirmish line were steadil
forced back before Hills advance. Betwee
and 10 o'clock the development of tn
enemy's forces was such that Gen. Hancoc
was directed to move up the Brock road t
the orange court house plank road and b
ready to move out of that road towar
Parker's store.
When Gen. Sedgwick arrived at the pih
road he encountered the nemy under Gel
Ewell, who at once gave battle. Gen. Jont
who had the advance, and was supported b
the brigades of Dole's and Battlss of Rade
division. Gen. Johnson's division, Stewart
Stafford's and Walkers brigade's were form
ing in the order named to the left of the pix
when about noon Gen. Griffin with the fir
division of the 9th corps advancing with gre
difficulty through the woods-Ayres brigat
on the right of the pike, Bartletts ar
Barnes brigades on the left-suddenly strut
Jones brigade, broke it and drove it bat
through the supporting lines, disorderir
Battles.
Here Gen. Jones was killed in despera
effort to rally his brigade. Daniels briga,
was at once sent to support Dole's al
Battle. Gen. Early's division was broug
up and formed ocross the pike and the alta,
of Gen. Griffin was repulsed with heavy los
Wright's division of the sixth corps was
have attacked in connection with Griffin
: but in forcing its way through the den
scrubby pine and tangled underground, b
came disordered and did not get in conta
with the enemy until late in the day. Ge
Griffin states in his report that not bell
; supported on his right, Ayres' brigade W
forced back across the pike and that caus
the falling back of the other brigades of |
division-the enemy following and captr
ing two of Grifin's guns on the pike.
Gen. Wadsworth's division of the 9Th cor
J supported by the Maryland brigade had a
vanced through the thick woods and den
thicket, passing through which, changed
/ direction so as to bring him on the field abe
the same time that Early's division was 9
vancing to attack with his left flank towa
! them. The brigades of Daniels and Cord
instantly took advantage to attack, a
Wadsworth's left being so entangled in
, woods as not to admit of ready handling,
line fell back quickly and in confusion, a
/. the enemy passing through the opening tt
!, made, took the Maryland brigade in flank
= we'll as the two brigades to the right, a
8 after sharp engagement forced them a
I to retire.
McChsndless' brigade of Crawford's
r vision advanced against Ewell's right abb
the same time, passing through the sal
kind of entangled wood found everywhere
v came in contact with Gordon's troops an
party Of his brigade became enveloped
: between Daniels and Gordon's briga,
had many killed and wounded,