The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1904-03-31

it into execution. When, however, on the
morning of the 18th, the commanders Of
the two bodies on the left aud right, Gems
Franklin and Sumner, received their in
structions, it was found that having
framed one plan of battle, Gen. Burnside
had determined to fight on another.
must add that the dispositions were such
that it would be difficult to imagine any
worse suited to the circumstances.
Franklin, in place Of an effective attack,
was directed to make partial operation
OF the nature of reconnaissance in force,
sending lone division, at least, to seize,
if possible, the nights near Hamilton
Crossing, and taking care to keep it well
while he was to hold the rest Of his COM
mand lin position for rapid movement
down the old Richmond road.(23) Gen.
Summers instructions were of like tenor:
he was to form a column of q division
for the purpose of pushing in the direction
of the telegraph and plankroads, for the
purpose of Selling the nights in rear of the
town." and hold another division in readi-
ness to support in advance Of this move
ment."(2D
Gen. Burnside's plan thus contemplated
two isolated attacks by fractional forces.
each OF one or at most two divisions, one
on the right and the other on the left.
Such partial attacks seldom sue
coed, and directed against such q citadel
of strength as the Confederate position
at Fredericksburg, such feeble sallies were
simply ludicrOus. Not man in the ranks
but felt the hopelessness of the undertak-
ing. (25)
The morning of the 18th found the sun
struggling with a thick haze that envel-
oped fredericksburg and overhung the
circumjacent valley, delaying operation for
Cnmn hours (CGl Rnf fov1 r1o III n'olno1z
the lifting fog revealed the left of the
army, under Franklin, spread out on the
plain, and showed the cleaning bayonets
Of column advancing to the attack.
shall first detail the operations ON the left
and then return to Summers force, which
remained yet in the town.
MEADE's ADVANCE.
In obedience to his instructions, Frank
lin. threw forward Meade's Division, sup
ported by Gibbons Division on the right,
with Doubleday's in reserve for any emer-
gency. Meade advanced across the plain,
but had not proceeded far before he was
compelled to stop and silence a battery
that Stuart had posted on the Port Royal
road, and which had flank fire on his
left. This done, he pushed on, his line
preceded by a cloud of skirmishers, and
his batteries vigorously Smelling the nights
and woods in his front. This caused con-
SIucIdDIc lOSS 10 I'LL, WHO ueiu JACKSON 8
advanced line;(2O but the Confederates
concealed in the woods made no reply
from artillery or infantry, until Meade ar
rived within pointblank range, when, sud
denly opening, shell and canister were
poured in from the long silent Confederate
batteries. Yet this did not stay him; and
the line advanced so boldly that the three
Confederate batteries posted in advance
of the railroad had to be hastily with
drawn.
The division of Hill which held Jack
sons advanced line was thus disposed:
the brigades Of Archer, Lane, and Pender
from right to left, with Gregg's in rear
of the interval between Archer and Lane,
and ThOmas's in rear of that between
Lane and Fender. Meade pushed forward
his line impetuously, drove back Lane
through the woods, and then, wedging in
between Lane and the brigade on his
right (Arcler's) swept back the right flank
of the one and the left flank of the other,
capturing above 200 prisoners and several
standards, crossed the railroad, pushed up
the crest, and reached Gregg's position on
new military road which Lee had made
for the purpose Of establishing direct con-
nection between his two wings, and be-
hind which Jackson's second line was
posted.(2S
And now was seen the farcical charac-
ter Of Burnside's order of attack, by
which a single division of 5000 men was
assigned the work of $1,000. For, in as
saults of this kind, there comes q moment
OF supreme Importance, when the attack
ing column, having carried the enemy's
first line, must assure its victory by a de-
cisiye blow, or be driven back by the hos
tile reserves and lose the fruit Of all it's
toll. In this moment Of intoxication and
peril, the attacking line, confused and dis
integrated by its advance, must be in
instantly supported by fresh body, to
consolidate and crown the victory, or else
the enemy rallies and repels the victors.
MEADE SHATTERED AT SECOND LINE
Such was precisely the result that hap
pened to Meade; for no sooner had he pen
etrated to the military road behind which
the Confederate second line lay, than he
was met by a fire for which he was not
at all prepared. "The advancing columns
Of the enemy" says Gen. Hill, (29), "had
encountered an obstacle in the military
road which they little expected-Gregg' s
Brigade of South Carolinians stood in the
way" 1t appears that the advancing Fed
erals were mistaken for body Of Confed-
crate troops, and Gregg would not allow
his men to open on them. When their true
character was revealed, the brigade poured
whitening fire into the faces Of Meade's
men; and, At that moment Early's Diyi-
siOn-one Of the two divisions of Jackson's
second line-swept forward at the double