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

.viction that Lee was Withdrawing, Sickles
was sent out with two divisions to recon-
hotter and attack him. (21) At about 3
through the w Wilderness a0f for a mile and
half, or two miles, reached the road on
which Jackson had moved, struck the rear
oners. Elated By his Success, the result Of
which he communicated to Hooker. Gen.
Sickles asked for reenforcements; and, at
his request, Pleasonton's cavalry and two
brigades Of infantry were sent him. As
Twelfth Corps, and the other from the
Eleventh Corps, (22) holding the right of
the general line, it is hardly to be sup
posed that Hooker would have made the
detachment had he thought that flank was
to be attacked.
While this manuver. under a false lead.
was going on, Jackson was getting into
position for his meditated blow. lie had
already reached the Orange plankroad, on
which the Union line was drawn, and near
the point at which it is crossed by the road
from Germanna Ford; but, ascending n
hill in the vicinity, he saw that disposition
of the Union force by which its right flank
was thrown sharply back in crotchet, ex-
tending northward and at right angles
with the general line. which ran east and
west. He, therefore, perceived that he
would have to move further to his left and
further to the north, and, in order to strike
the rear of Hooker's defensive position,
would have to reach the old turnpike which
runs parallel with and north Of the plank
road. (23) Turning, therefore, after n
rapid accommodating glance. to one of his
Aids, he instantly said, ''Tell my column
to cross that road"(24) (meaning, thereby.
the plankroad. SO as to move up and strike
the old turnpike).
JACKSON ROUTED HOWARD
Reaching the turnpike about 5 o'clock.
Jackson saw the Union line reverse, and
had only to advance in order to crown his
perilOus operation with complete success.
The right of the Union line was, as before
stated, held by the Eleventh Corps, under
Gen. Howard; (25) and, while the ma jor
part of this corps formed line of battle
along the plankroad, and faced southwark,
the extreme right brigade (26) was re
fused" and made to face westward, from
which direction, toward 9 o'clock, Jack
son burst out with resistless impetuosity.
The dispositions to meet such an attack
were utterly inadequate. The right br-
forced back; and the next brigade to the
left (Mclean's), surprised on it's flank.
broke and fled. The route of retreat of
these troops, and that of some artillery
caissons that were at the same time gal
Hoped of the ground, was down the road on
which the entire balance of the corps was
posted; SO that the confused mass over
ran the next division (27) to the left, which
was compelled to give way before the
enemy even reached its position. (2S)
Bushbeck, holding with his brigade the
extreme left of the Eleventh Corps, made
good fight. and only retired after both
his TANKS We're turned, and then in good
order. (29) But the result was, that the
whole corps was soon in utter rout 1t
4 do, RI ht,f
Jackson had seized the breastworks, had
taken the whole line in reverse pushed for
ward to within half mile of headquar-
tiers, and now proceeded to make prepare
tions for following up his success by
blow that should be decisive.
ABLE RESISTANCE OF COL. MILES.
The situation at this moment was ex-
tremely critical, for the Eleventh Corps
having been brushed away, it was abso-
lutely necessary to form new line,
and it was difficult to see whence the
troops were to be drawn; for just at that
moment Lee was making a vigorous front
attack ON HOoker's left and center, formed
by COUGHS and Slocum's Corps. Han
cocks front especially was assailed with
great impetuOsity; but the attacking col
umn was held in check in the most intrepid
manner by Hancock's skirmish line under
Col. Miles. (S0)
PANIC CHEERS OF THE vICTORs.
The open plain around Charlottesville
now presented such spectacle as simoom
sweeping over the desert might make.
Through the dusk Of nightfall, rushing
whirlwind Of men and artillery and wagons
swept down the road. and past headquar-
tsrs, and on toward the fords Of the Rap
pahannock; and Il was in vain that the
stan opposed their persons and drawn sa-
bere to the panic-stricken fugitives. But
ho paH hot OF
onton, who had gone out with his cavalry
to reinforce Sickles, was returning, and
on learning the giving way of the right
wing, he moved forward rapidly, sent his
horsemcn on the charge into the woods,