Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-05-09
Federal guns opened on them with In
creasing vigor. The duel was fast and

Federal guns opened on them with In
creasing vigor. The duel was fast and
furious.
The Richmond. Fredericksburg and
Potomac Railroad. in its course north.
ward. soon after reaching Hamiltons
Crossing. bears to tho left and runs for
about two miles parallel with the river.
on high and wooded ground. The line
OF the road formed in general the line
of Lees defense. and here. in silence
and concealment, the troops OF jackson
and Hill awaited the Federal assault
The artillery of these generals was
held In check until the men In blue
came within 500 yards of the guns. and
then opened on them simultaneous
advancing lines there was. under these
vollfes. wavering and faltering. hut as
n rule the troops advanced steadily and
hrmly. and ere long, on the wooded
hills and along the railroad and beyond
tho fire of musketry. attested a severe
and stubborn encounter.
gap having occurred between the
Confederate brigade of Lane and
Archer. some Of Frankln's Regiments
pressed through and gained the wood
ed hills beyond the railroad. necessl-
tatnS the forming of new line of
battle by Archer's men. who. with
Ihomas's Brigade assailed the Federals
WIN intense vigor and turned them
back in flight. Gibbons and Meade's
commands also pushed their way be.
Nond the railroad, but were soon re-
pulsed and began to retire In con-
fusion. Some of Reynolds's Regiment
on approaching the railroad and see.
ing the Confederate position, became
panic stricken and began rapid re-
treat AS Berney's Division ap-
preached the line of fire, their ranks
were broken and thrown into confusion
by masses OF Reynoldss troops In
turnultuous Eight, who. TO borrow Cen
eral Berney's words: burst through
the right wing in 2ell-well retreat"
or these deinoralizcd and fugitive men,
General Stoneman declares: Every cf-
fort was made to rally them, but all
TO no purpose. Regardless of threat
and force, and deaf to all entreaties,
they sullcnly ami pcrsistently moved
TO the rear. and We're reformed near
tho bank Of the river
The scene Of the morning as the
splendid left wing OF Burnsidcs Army
marched TO meet the regiments of Jack
son and Hill vas all changed in the
afternoon. The cold front the ad.
rancing lines, the hutterinS standard
were all changed. and a motley dis
ordered mass rushed madiy for safety
towards The river. with thirty or more
Confederate guns pushing forward and
pouring shot and she'll after them.
NOT Sill. FEDERAL
ARTILLERY IN PANIC
Much Of :he Federal artillery, with
the troops supporting IL. did not par
ticipate in the panic, but continued 20
Are towards the hills with unyielding
'enacity of purpose. In doing SO they
met heavy FIRE from the Confederate
guns on the hills. and il was very ex-
citing at times TO see the falling horses
ana exploding timber chests which this
fire caused
r6c
evening disappeared beyond the Port
Royal Road, and some of them in the
caScrncss OF their flight after reaching
the river and making good their cs-
care over IL, cut the pontoon bridge
loose. and caused no little apprehen-
sion and dismay among their comrades
left on the Southern side OF the river.
lest an assault should be made on
them by the troops OF Jackson and
Hin before their means OF escape could
be replaced
The action OF this day having ended,
our commanding Officers had under
consideration the advisa bility OF
night attack on the demoralizcd Fed
erals. and word was passed around
among US as TO how the assault would
be conducted and with what weapons,
Every mans coat sleeve, II was de-
cided. was TO be removed from one
arm. which would enable us in the
darkness to distinguish friends from
foes. The martial genius OF Jackson
approved this night attack, we were
told bu; General Lee felt that IT would
sacrifice the lives of many females and
other noncombatants in Fredericks-
burg. and withheld the order.
BY me personally this memorable and
important engagement was more en-
toyed than any other OF the war. II
offered a clearer view OF the field of
battle than any other; no where else
could I see so many cannon p!tted
against each other In furious duel
and no where else did so many OF the
enemy appear advancing to the charge
and then retiring in tumultuous dis
order. No bullet, SO far az l recall.
whizzed near me. and no solid shot or
shell took effect in our ranks. Seated
OH my horse in the rear OF one or more
Of our guns. was not unlike the scrip
tUral horse that "smelleth the battle
from afar, the thunder OF the captains
and the shouting"
On high ground, near the railroad, not
far from Hamilton's Crossing, the de-
cisive point OF the battle on Lees right.
stands pyramidal pile of rough gran
lite blocks to mark II. / never see
IL from the window OF a passing car
without feeling stirring memories of
Gregg, Cobb. Coleman, Robinson and
other noble men whom l was want to
see, whose voices were hushed and
their eyes forever dimmed on this VIC
torious field G. w BEALE.