The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1895-12-26
AT MARYE'S HIGHTS.
How the Sixth Corps Behaved and What the
Blunders Were.


EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: Marve's
Nights. May 3, 1863 was a distinctive action
fought by part Of the Sixth Corps, assigned
TO assaulting and taking the position. which
was a strongly-fortified hill directly in rear
Of Fredericksburg.
The position was the key TO the part of the
encmy's line which extended from Banks's
Ford on their left to Hamilton's Crossing on
their right, some six miles, and was occupied
by Ewelfs Corps, JacksOn's old command
Marye's Nights was about the center of the
line, and had at its base n sunken road pro-
tected by stone wall. the rebels having dug
out the road so as to make complete cover
for their infantry. which consisted of Banks
daes Brigade Of the eth, 18th, DIST, and 9th
Miss.
Up the slopes they had dug rile-pits. while
surmounting the Nights were II pieces
Of artillery part of which were in a redoubt.
These pieces commanded the approaches to
the flights. On the road to IFS left were ar
tiliery posted under cover while in front fthe
Nights was a canal that the rebels had dam
med up so that it had flooded that position.
This obstruction was cut away by a detail
from Shaler's Brigade, under an annoving
fire. thus allowing the overflow TO pass AWAY.
These flights in the battle of Fredericks-
burg, Dec. IL, 1862 had been assaulted by the
Second Corps, troops that could not be ex-
celled, second TO none, with three distinctive
division charges, led by Hancock, Humphreys.
and Tyler, and each time were repulscd with
a total loss Of nearly 5, 900 killed and wounded.
AT the tiIHc Of the attack made bv the Sixth
Corps on the morning of May 3 1863. the
same troops occupied the rebel position. with
flns.s fsf
gade IN the attack of Dec. - did not fire
shot, being held in support of the guns on the
Hights), which had been sent before the at
tack to Banks's Ford. 1t was a very for
tunate thing for the enemy, for when the
Rights were taken il gave Wilcox the inside
track in falling back to establish a position
al Salem Church, where a severe action was
fought later IN the afternoon.
IL is now conceded that if vigorous nd
vance had been made after Marve's Hipbts
had been taken, Wilcox could have been cap
tured, and Salem Church or Nights secured
before the enemy. With this, perhaps the
Charlottesville campaign might have
changed 10 the disastrous defeat of Lee.
However, the plan of the Charlottesville
campaign was brilliant one in conception.
but most blunderingly executed Someone
was TO blame; not the grand old Army of the
Potomac, nor its old guard, the Sixth Corps.
The movement began the night of May 9.
1863, the Sixth Corps crossing at what was
known as Franklin Crossing five miles below
Fredericksburg. After considerable skir-
mishing the Bowling Green road was secured.
Our brigade (Shaler's) of Newton's Third
Division took the advance up this road in the
direction of Fredericksburg, with the Chas
seurs 1.-THE Goth n. Y. J, under the command Of
Col. Joe Hainblin, leading. At Deep Run
quite resistance was met with, but with
sudden dash the road was cleared
The 23d Pa, under Col. John Ely. then
took the advance, and just before daylight
entered Fredericksburg Lieut.-Col. John +.