The National tribune., 1908-12-31

RAPPAHANN
nected the troops in the works on the
left bank with the main army by a
pontoon bridge. H1lPs Corps was in
good Winter cantonments on the lett
of the railroad, and as near the river
as suitable camping places could be
found for the men. Ewel1 was in SINH
lar Winter quarters on the right of the
railroad, with the cavalry guarding the
fanks. The works at Rappahannock
Station were supported by batteries of
eight guns on the other side Of the riy-
er, which commanded the approaches
to the bridge. The earthworks OF the
ete-de-pont itself had four pieces OF
artillery mounted. Garrisoning the tete-
de-pont was the duty Of EwelPs Corps.
which his divisions took turns in per-
forming. For a period Johnson's Divi-
sion, marching from Culpeper, would
occupy the works, when 1t would be
| relieved by Earlys Division coming
from Brandy Station. when Johnson's
Division would retire to its comfortable
cantonments again. EwelPs other divi-
sion, Rodes's, was at Kelly's Ford. Kel-
| Iy's Ford and Rappahannock Station
were the only two practical crossings
Immediately in front Of Meade, and he
moved his army straight upon them.
and had the good fortune 10 catch Lee
mapping. LEG fpPCdio ~ nave SOOAA
strangely ignorant of the fact that early
on the morning Of Nov. I Sedgwick
arrived at Warrenton with the Sixth
Corps, and marched on Fayetteville,
with the other corps getting in motion
to either follow him or the Third Corps.
which went from Auburn down the
railroad some distance and then struck
or for KeIly's Ford.
Keny's Ford.
The advance was one Of the finest
instances of the perfect drill and dis
cipline of the Army of the Potomac In
its history. The distance that the corps
had to march was about 16 miles, but
noon of Nov. 8, as Meade had ordered.
Birney's Division, under Ward, Of the
Third Corps, was the first to arrive
within striking distance Of Kelly's Ford,
and t was quickly and skilfully pre-
pared for the blow. The advance was
put under the charge Of Gen. Regis De
Trobriand. Rodes had the difficult task
tack in force, and neither he nor his
superior officers. not even Lee, had any
idea that one would be made at that
point. There were four crossings of
the river in that neighborhood, with
Wheatley's and Norman's Fords above
Kelly's Ford, and Stevens Ford below
1t, near the mouth of Mountain Run.
These three were so difficult Of cross
ing that Rodes guarded them with some
mere outposts Of his division, which
was in a mass mile from Kelly's
Ford. This crossing was where the
Rappahannock swept around in an OK
bow to the northeast, caroming against
the granite hills and leaving a consid-
cradle expanse OF level open ground on
the right bank. Near the ford ran q
line of infantry works to cover q bat
talon of men. Nearly mile farther
back. where the ground rose, there was
a regiment, the 18th N. c.. In reserve
with battery Of artillery. On the left
bank of the river the ground was rough,
rocky and covered with trees. Our
cavalry had been holding this to OBJ
serve the enemy beyond. The Cd N. c.,
of Ramseur's Brigade, held the light
works near the Siver, and also fur
nishea outposts Tor the other fords.
The higher ground and the trees
screened from the enemy's observation
the advance of the Union troops in
force, and allowed Birney to complete
his preparations for attack Jithout
giving them warning.
Gen. De Trobrinnd's Account.
In his -Four Years with the Army of
the Potomac" Gen. Regis De Trobriand
gives this account of the success Of the
operation:
.'At Kelly's Ford the obstacles were
to my brigade, which, for that occa-
sion, was reinforced by the Goth Ind.
and the I'd battalion of Sharpshooters
We arrived on the wooded nights (which
commanded the river without giving
the alarm to the enemy. 1t was not
until they saw us descending to the river
banks that they ran to throw them
selves into the intrenchments which
defended the ford, at the same time
advancing a battery, but Gen. Birney
had already put some guns in position
above a bend in the river, which took
it while in motion. and compelled it to
turn away from them. Then it present.
ed it's side to some other guns in posi-
ton on my right, which were only
awaiting this opportunity to open fire.
Assaulted from both sides at once. it
was soon reduced to silence and COM
PEELED to retire.
During the cannonade had thrown
forward the sharpshooterS commanded
by Col Tripp to the edge Of the river,
and behind them my other regiments.
whom I held massed in rear Of a roll
in the ground near by. Col. Trfpp had
improvised some protection for two or
three of his companies on the most ele-
yated part of the bank, from which they
kept up so deadly a fire on tn opposite
intrenchments that the eneE. did not
dare to show himself, excepS OCCASION
ally for a chance shot. PrOfiting by
this advantage, the rest of the battalion
entered resolutely into the water. This
was the signal 7 pushed forward be-
hind them, followed by the 40th N. Y,
the Goth Ind, the Sd and 5th Mich. and
the 10th Pa. Even before had
reached the opposite bank my skir-
mishers, led by Lieuts. Aschmann and |
Garrison, had carried the first line of
rifle pits, and planted their flags on the |
parapets The second line did not hold |
out long; then. without stopping. we
advanced on the village on the run.
The enemy. who did not expect US there |
so soon, offered little resistance and
with good grace
'They were principally North Caro-