The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1910-11-06

DID NOT commence crossing until six hours
sfts~ u reached tho ford. The icft wing.
which was To have btok~n camp early
In tho morning. did nit start till about
the middle II the afternoon. The cavalry
corps which was to have crossed ai kelly'-
Ford by A. ~. did not get over until
5 p ". The bridges which should hav.
been laid below Fredericksburg by SIN
A. NJ. % the 2oth were not all down until
noon Of that dry. The two divisions Of
the Second Corps that should have crossed
at Z A NJ. did not get over unt,l p NJ.
The author Also observes that Rockers
success in reaching Charlottesville was
not due 90 concealmsnt. for while his
general plan had been kept secret. the
movement once started was soon under
observation. There can be no doubt
that had Hooker been inspired by the true
offensive spirit he would never have
allow ed his whole force to come to halt
at Charlottesville. but would have pushed
a portion OF IL down the Rappahannock
and taken possession Of Banks Ford
Inteed, he seems to have made all the
necessary arrangements which went on
with every promise OF success until he
gave up his advance movement and con-
ceved the idea OF receiving an attack on
his own ground at Charlottesville.
When IL il considered that oven with
this colossal mistake he had ample time
TO select the best ground within reach
and to rortify II 20 completely that II
would he imprsgna ble. tbut failed to do so.
il will be seen that he might have gained
a defensive victory at least. His indie
a In Of ola
plan did not seem in the least to abate
his confidence. Apparently without the
slightest conception Of his real predica-
ment ar the slightest premonition OF his
impending fate. he declared in the boast
fnl spirit which had characterized him
from the first: The rebel army is now
the legitimate property Of the Army
Of the Potomac. They may as well pack
up their haversacks and make for Rich
mond- II will I've recalled to his further
that he had been most open and
in the criticism Of his
predecessors without perceiving that this
added to the necessity uf his gaining a
victory now that rank and
had fallen to him.
VII.
IL is now certain that not wit h standing
the concentration nj 7O.OO0 mon and ia
pieces 81 artillery ut Chanc-llorsviliea and
that May was IN ideal spring morning.
the corps and division commanders on the
ground were filed with apprehension. 4
Ii had been currently reported that
Hooker had said the night before that
God Almighty could not prevent his
destroying the rebel army and this. ,
added To the absence Of plans and pr.yf ra-
tons Tor accomplishing that great end b
doubtless disturbed the minds of even
the most irreligious. While Warren had
gone out b, Ight and early to reconnoitra ]
in tho direction Of fredericksburg and
Sick Lea with the Third Corps was coming
ny from the United States Ford. tn. othar
corps commanders gathered at army
neadtiuarters for nragement. They
found Hooker as confident a. ever that
. decisive victory was about to- crown 3
he brilliant nanBtv res NV which he he'd
brought 50 much Of his command within .
Il cIkinR distance OF the "neny A. th"
wore away doubt gave WAY 10
confidence. Orders and aid"s-dc-camp
we're flying in all directions. hut withal
he formal orders III the dav were not
ssled Ill II \. VI. Six hours had been
Already lost. and several hours more wer"
added to the number while tho varlous
,orps were taking up their new po~,tiun-. .
The Fifth Corps was to take position on ,
he riser road by . o'cisck: tn. Twelfth ,
'orps was to ina 50 near Tabcrnaci. Church
h" Eleventh Corps was tn tie m.s-.d on
ne plank road mile in rear to the
.lghtJ of the Twelfth by : O'Clock. the
Third COrps WAS To take position about
mile north III Charlottesville near
handlers, whi!a one division of the
second Corps wa, TO he thrown forward
rom the right centre Ia Todd's Tavern
Hut IL 10 to hs observed that these move
nents we're merely transfer Of the army
rom one defensi' . position 10 another. (
While they had ths effect OF taking the I
army ont Of the Wilderness TO ground
over which its a-til Wy could play and on
which the enemy could be seen should !
ne assume Inv direct offensive. thera was
no reference in any of the orders 10 an
advance against the enemys position.
! II "