The National tribune., 1904-04-21

When daybreak, however, came, and the
Confederate skirmishers advanced, il WAS
found that the army had, during the night,
Withdrawn across the Rappahannock.
Hooker had determined, on Monday
night. to recross the river; but when the
question was submitted to the Judgment
of his corps commanders, it was found that
a majority of those present were in favor
Of all advance rather than a withdrawal.
Hooker, however, had lost all stomach for
fight. Accordingly OH Tuesday, the engi-
neers were instructed to prepare a new
line near the river to cover the crossing.
and for this purpose they constructed a
continuous cover and abatis, from the Rap
pahannOck at Scott's Dam around to the
mouth of Hunting Creek OH the Rapidan.
distance of three miles. During the af-
ternoOn heavy rain set in which lasted
til! late at night.
The movement to recross was begun by
the artillery at dark of Tuesday, and was
suddenly interrupted by a rise in the Rap
pahannOck so great as to submerge the
banks at the end of the bridges, which the
current threatened to sweep away-a con-
summation most devoutly wished by many
of the leading officers of the army, who
were bitterly opposed to recrossing the
river. But fate willed otherwise, and in
the midst of night as gloomy as the
mood of the army, the troops filed across
to the north bank.
TIE RESPECTIVE LOSSES.
The losses in the battle of Chancelors-
vile can be stated with accuracy On the
side of the Confederates. they made an ag
gregate of 1O.2S1. (54l On the Union side
they were 1877 (55l killed, wounded and
missing. The army left behind it's killed.
its wounded. II pieces of artillery, and
10000 stand of arms.
sToNEMAN's RAID.
1t remains now to glance moment at
the operations of the cavalry column un-
der StOneman. AS this was q powerful
corps, numbering some 10000 sabers, and
as it's movement was intended to precede
by a fortnight the commencement of opera
tions by the army, very important results
were expected from it. But the cavalry
was delayed long time by the swollen con-
dtiOn of the upper RappahannOck, SO that
it did not cross till the time the infantry
made the passage, April 90. Hooker then
divided the command into two columns,
sending one. under Gen. Averell to move
to Louisa Courthouse. threaten Gordons-
force, while the other. under Gen. Buford.
should break up the Richmond & Fred
ericksburg Railroad, destroying its bridges,
etc.
The only mounted force the Confeder-
ates could oppose to these columns was
small brigade of two regiments under Gen
W. II. +. Lee. (56) That officer fell back
before the Union cavalry, which advanced
on Louisa Courthouse, and proceeded to
DESTROY the Virginia Central Road Stone
man divided Buford's force into six bodies.
throwing them out i'm all directions but
the important line of communications by
the Fredericksburg & Richmond Railroad
was not struck till the Sd of May. and the
damage done it was very slight 60 This
is sufficiently shown b1@the fact that on
the 9th the cars conveyed to Richmond the
Confederate wounded and the Union pris-
oners (3S) captured IN the battle of Chan
cellorsville. The rail- had. undoubtedly,
the effect to alarm the country through
which the columns moved, and much prop
erty was destroyed: Int it's military re-
suit. az bearing on the main operation, was
quite insignificant.