The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1904-04-14

,ied in force the nights south of the Rap
sahannock from Skenkers Greek to United
States Ford "a distance of about % miles ,
having continuous lines of infantry para
pets throughout. and his troops so disposed
rs TO be readily concentrated on any Civ
IN point. Interspersed along these lines of
ntrenchments We're battery-epaulements,
Idvantageously located, for sweeping the
lill-slopes and bottomland over which an
issailing force would have to march
the crests of the main hills
being from three-quarters of q
mile to a mile and half from
the rivers margin. (10) To gain the i'm
mediate banks opposite the center of the
tnemys line was, however, practicable in
everal places where the high ground on
The north side approached the stream and
enabled artillery to command it: but the
prospect of then gaining a footing on the
nights was, from past experience, hopeless.
The Confederate right flank was SO dis
posed that Lee was secure against attack
In that direction while above his left. at
United States Ford. the junction of the
Rapidan with the Rappahannock involved
the passage of the former also i'm any at
tempt TO turn that flank. Indeed. the ex-
ecution OF movement to turn the Con-
federate left by the Union army. at such
a distance from its base. and with heavy
pontoon and artillery trains, and i'm face of
means of information such as Lee had at
his command, seemed very unlikely. and
he gave himself very little concern about
IL.
HOOKER'S PLAN OF CAMPAIGN
Difficult as was the problem in all its
aspects, and debarred as Hooker was from
making direct attack. the most promising
enterprise was nevertheless an operation
against Lees left. This. after much cogi-
tation. Hooker resolved to execute, and he
formed very bold plan of operation He
determined TO make his main movement
against the enemys left by a strong col
umn, that by wide detoar up the Kappa
hammock TO kelly's Ford (21 miles above
Fredericksburg should pass round Lees
flank 10 charlottesville while he resolved
to mask this turning operation by forcing
the Rappahannock near FREDERICK ksburg
with considerable body. and ostentatious-
ly threatening direct attack lie expected
that the successful execution of the turn
Ing operation would have the effect to cause
Lee 10 abandon his defenses along the Rap
pahannock, when battle might be given
with great advantage. In cOoperation with
this attack, he prepared a powerful cav
airy column of 10000 sabers, destined to
operate simultaneously on Lees railroad
communication with Richmond
MARCH TO CHANCEILoRsyILLE.
The turning column was composed of
three corps-the Fifth (Meade,. the Eley-
enth tHowardl and the Twelfth tSlocuml
Marching on the morning of Monday, April
~. this force reached the vicinity OF
kellys Ford on the following day. Dur.
Ing the night of the 2Sth, and next morn.
ing, the passage of the Rappahannock was
made at Kelly's Ford OH canvas pon.
toon-bridge, laid with but slight opposi.
tlon from small observing force and the
three corps. being divided into two columns
moving on parallel roads, took up the line
OF march toward Chancellorsville to reaci
which 1t was necessary first to cross the
Rapidan. The right column (Eleyentl
and Twelfth Corps) struck the Rapida,
at Germanna Ford. (1D the left column
tFifth Corps) at Ely's Ford The stream
proved to be barely fordable; but celerit,
of movement being an object of the firs
Importance, it was Immediately resolved {,
cross the troops by wading-an arduou,
and somewhat dangerous fe-t; for th,
stream is rapid. and even at the fords came
up to the shoulder. The men, however
plunged in-the greater part stripping an.
carrying their clothes and cartridges -boxe
on their bayonets-and amid shouts an,
scenes of Homeric laughter and gayet
Waded through the water. which reache,