New-York tribune., 1911-10-01
ess Marked the Beginning of the End for

Rapidan, two hundred feet wide. had been
reached and five bridges thrown across II.
HancocA. once more with the troops after
his wounds a Gettysburg, led his corps
over at Ely's Ford and out upon the field
Of Charlottesville
Warren conducted the 9Th Corps 70 The
south side Of the river al Germauna Ford
and marched 10 a little clapboarded build
ing known as wilderness Tavern. There
. they stopped 20 rest until the following
day. The next morning these corps were
TO advance through the Wild, tangled
growth Of the Wilderness TO Parker
Store and Shady Grove. while Sedgwick
advanced TO wilderness Tavern and Burn
side, who was proceeding by forced
marches from Manassas. came up. Grant
proposed. but Lee opposed.
No sooner had Grant shown disposition
TO move than the Confederate signal Of
fcers informed Lee. The Army Of North
ern Virginia was strung out along the
south bank Of the Rapidan for eighteen
or twenty miles. EHell commanded the
right wing while A. r Hiu directed the
left. Longstreet was IN reserve at Cor
louisville with two divisions. The for
IlllNAlIe WOIhS VI Al4if nun anu Ni''
gloomy thickets OF the Wilderness lay on
his right. Immediately he drew his forces
together He knew the hidden paths of the
wilderness as he knew the lines on his
hand. He had once fought and won in the
darkness Of the wild scrub growth which
covered the landscape. The Wilderness
should be HIS bulwark.
He marched his troops along the parallel
lines OF The orange Turnpike and the
Orange Plank Road-Ewell upon the for
mer. Hi upon the latter-and by nighttel
Of Nav they were half way through the
Wilderness and ready TO strike the right
flank Of the enemy in the morning.
Buovantly Lee breakfasted. Grant was
going 10 give him another opportunity to
repeat the SUCCESS of Chancellorsville.
His subordinates. partaking OF his spirits.
set forth with confidence upon their days
task
II is difficult 10 describe the battle Of the
wilderness. for there were few opportuni-
ties for the movement or troops in large
masses. for charges, for the development
Of plans The thckets Of stunted pine
sweet gum. scrub oak and cedar festooned
with trailing vines prevented. So thick. in
deed. was the chaparral that the move
ments Of friend and Zoe were concealed
with such thorouGhness that Union troops
approached so close to Lees lines without
discovery that they passed within sight oi
that general as he sat under tree, thus
giving the first intimation Of their proxinl-
ity It was a battle in which the soldiers
fought. bled and died by the thousand
hr
was likely to be found unexpectedly almost
anywhere.
Ewelrs force was the first TO draw blood.
The day had not proceeded far when he
came into contact with Warren's advance
guard The battle was en-. Warren was or
dercd 20 attack. and Hancock on the other
road IN frOnt OF Hin, was directed 10 hold
his troops where they were. al Todd's Tay-
, ern. The Confederates IN position had the
advantage in the tanglc OF dwarf trees and
bushes. trailing vines and briers. FOR they
could walt silently. fully apprsed OF the
progress 0f the Zoe by his noisy struggles
with the underground. Despite this fact
Narr.ns men drove come OF the Confed-
crates back In confusion All day long the
I troops at tins point fought back and forth
gainins momentary advantages OF which
they we're unable to reap the benefit. when
Sedgwick came up in the afternoon on War
ren's right he was not able to take posi-
ton without sharp fight
General Getty Of Ilancocks corps had
been able to establish himself on the
Orange Plank Road where the Brock Road
crosses b. Lonsstreet was expected, and
! Lee had cautioned not to bring on a general