Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-05-09
JACKSON, HILL, STUART,
IN MEMORABLE BATTLE
survivors OF Famous Conflict at Fred.
ericksburg Tells OF Parts They
Played.
STORY TOLD BY EYEWITNESS
Stirring Recital Of Engagement in
Which Flower of Union Forces
Was Put to Flight-Lee Decides
Against Night Attack.

.SupeI io-+f' 1907, TO an observer on
the heights on either side OF the Rap
pahannock River near that city, much
resembled two battles waged at the
same time. The smoke and noise OF
one or these contests was in the city
itself and on the Marye Heights above
1t; che smoke and thunder OF the
other were four miles below on the
Hamilton crest and the plain below it.
IT fell to my lot to witness the last
named part of this terrific conflict of
arms, and here record my impression
and recollections of 1t:
The cavalry brigade OF General ".
II. r. Lee was encamped near Lloyds, in
Essex Count. when, on the llth OF
December. they set out. with well-iillcd
haversacks and cartridge boxes, for the
held of this great battle. They reached
the vicinity of MassaponaN run in the
afternoon of the 18th. and halted for
the night. Their bivouacs were made
near the Port Royal Road. on either
side OF which grew a row Of cedar
trees. The branches cut from these
trees afforded many of the cavalrymen
SOFT and sprinSy mattresses, as IL were,
on which their blankets were spread,
and which, raising them above tho
two or three inches of snow which
had fallen during their march. gave
them coy and comfortable couches for
slumber for the night
ROAR OF ARTILLERY
IS HEARD ny MARCHERs
The march during -''h I, of this
day to many had be - lied and
to others solemnized "a luminous
roar OF artillery in t.,-~dIrection OF
Fredericksburg. and all felt assured
inst terrific battle had been begun
be wcen the armies Of Burnside and
Lee. The morale of the Southern army
at this time was superb. and the cav
airy were full OF hope and cnthu.
siasm al the infantry. our march this
day was full OF eager expectancy and
assured confidence in coming vic
tory, and in this state of feeling our
tired bodies sank TO sleep at night
fall.
On the morning OF the 18th, at a
very early hour. ere the horses and
men had time TO be fcu. we were
mounted and proceeded in an exceed
ingly dense fog along the Port Royal
Road TO one Of the "Smithfeld" or A.
Demands large fields on the side next
TO the river. and into this we entered
and formed in companies behind one
of Major Pelhams Napoleons. We had
not yet gotten into position before this
gun opened the battle for the day II
was quickly perceived that wee had
gotten into lions mouth. becauae of
the close proximity OF heavy masses OF
Federal Infantry and four batteries,
which began TO return Pelham's fire.
Very serious fears were felt that our
J.
dangerous position. and that the Fed
oral cannoneerr. by getting our range.
would cut deadly swaths through our
ranks Two circumstances saved us:
one was the intrepid hardihood OF Pei.
ham, with mis- one gun and Its raj hid
fire. and the other the tortuitous fog.
which wrapped US from View in its
dense and friendly folds.
When Pelham withdrew his CUR
across the road and sought a position
on higher ground we followed and
formed n line beyond the hill in his
directed against this hill. and shot and
she'll passed over us with uncomfort-
able frequency and nearness of ap-
preach The fog was now lifting. and
the sun breaking through the mist
hogan TO shine on the dark lines OF the
Federal troops and their bright mus
kets.
SOLDIERS OF UNION
IN FORMIDABLE ARRAY
The soldiers of the Union presented
an imposing and formidable array.
Near where the Port Royal Road in
tersected the gently rising plain they
were arranged in three separate lines,
and moved forward with we'll dressed
ranHs their banners floating in the air
and fiNty OF more pieces ot artillery
Numbering on their tanks. Extending
down the Port ROYAL road on their left
was Doubleday's Division, disposed. as
IL were. TO protect them from attack
on that flank.
1t is quite probable the pick and
mower OF Burnside's army marched in
this magnificent battle array. Frank
lin'j grand division of veterans was
there. the corps commanded by Smith
and Reynolds were there: there Meade
led his fine division in the center, and
Birney followed him with mis-: Glib
hons held position OH the right, and
Stoncman co-operated at the head OF a
corps. Generals Daniel Sickles and Toe
Hooker mingled with other brave and
distinguished general officers, as this
Warlike host moved towards the wood
ed heights, mile or more distant.
Assisting this formidable movement
We're numerous heavy field guns plant
ed at various commanding points on
the Stafford hills beyond the Kappa
hammock, which hurled their mssils
in various directions, where the Con
federates we're supposed TO Turk in
readiness to meet this threatening and
powerful demonstration.
1t is not easy TO overestimate the i'm
portance which the Federal comman-
der-in chief and many of his subordi-
nate commanders attached to this at
tack on the Hamilton Heights or "A part
OF the general plan of the battle Of
fredericksburg. If these hills were
dent Lee could not retain his position
on Marye Heights, and his army would
be forced to a perilous retreat In his
general order he said: Holding these
two heights. with the heights near
Hamilton's. will. we hope, compel the
enemy to evacuate the whole ridge be-
tween these points" Lee, on his part,
fully appreciated the strategic import
ance of these heights. and Jackson's
Corps and d. H. HIS Division had
been FASTENED to assist In their de-
tense. Opportunity enough they
coached the ground in good time to be
Sf service at the critical moment of
need While the Federal regiments
land batteries were advancing, Lee rode
to that part of his lines which they
threatened, and held an interview with
Jackson, Stuart and A. p. Hill. w f.
Dunaway, captain and adjutant at the
time, of the Fortyseventh Virginia
one Of A. P. Hills regiments. says: Be
fore the battle began General Lee, in
speeding the disposition of his forces
rode up to where we stood. and, dis
mounting from Traveller, handed the
bride to an orderly" His eagle eye
surveyed the masses Of his approaching