STAYING JACKSON’S ADVANCE, SATURDAY EVENING, MAY 2, WITH ARTILLERY PLACED
ACROSS THE PLANK ROAD.
closely, yelling and firing nntil the double-quick step bronght ns to onr main column on the march, about a mile distant. Several of the enemy’s scouts penetrated almost to the ford and threw up rockets to mark our position. The enemy’s artillery responded to the signal, shelling both troops and bridges, but with little injury. During the night we recrossed the river, and took position to meet the enemy should they, as expected at the time, cross to the north side to renew their attack. . . .
THE CONFEDEBATE SIDE.
STONEWALL JACKSON’S LAST BATTLE.
BY THE REV. JAMES POWER SMITH, CAPTAIN AND ASSISTANT ADJUTANT-GENERAL,
C. S. A.
Aide-de-camp to General Jackson at tlie Battle of Cliancellorsville.
AT daybreak on the morning of the 29th of -tX April, 1863, sleeping in onr tents at corps headquarters, near Hamilton’s Crossing, we were aroused by Major Samuel Hale, of Early’s staff, with the stirring news that Federal troops were crossing the Rappahannock on pontoons under cover of a heavy fog. General Jaekson had spent the night at Mr. Yerby’s hospitable mansion near by, where Mrs. Jackson [his second wife] had brought her infant child for the father to see. He was at once informed of the news, and promptly issued to his division commanders orders to prepare for action. At his direction I rode a mile across the fields to army headquarters, and, finding General Robert E. Lee still slumbering quietly, at the suggestion of Colonel Venable, whom I found stirring, I entered the general’s tent and awoke Mm. Turning his feet out of his cot, he sat upon its side as I gave him the tidings from the front. Expressing no surprise, he playfully said : “Well, I thought I heard firing, and was beginning to think it was time some of you young fellows were
then on the staff of Sedgwick, while carrying a message for this purpose, was captured and taken to Richmond. The 4th of May dragged wearily, skirmishing continued all day, the weather was hot, Sedgwick’s position was most critical, and the keenest anxiety was felt. Lee was in onr front with a force much larger than Sedgwick’s then available command of about eighteen thousand men, and an attack was momentarily expected, but fortunately Lee consumed the whole day in establishing his lines. The greatest vigilance and activity were exercised by our men in throwing up rifle-pits. Hooker sent word to Sedgwick to look well to the safety of his corps, and either to fall back upon Fredericksburg or recross at Banks’s Ford; he also added that he could do nothing to relieve him. Sedgwick accordingly intrusted Newton with the arrangements for the withdrawal. Newton quickly made himself acquainted with the roads leading to Banks’s Ford and succeeded in establishing communication with General Henry W. Benham, who was in charge of the pontoons at that place.
At 6 o’clock in the evening the enemy attacked Brooks and Howe on the center and left, with the design of cutting off the corps from Banks’s Ford. Howe not only maintained his position until nightfall, but also made several counter-charges, capturing several hundred prisoners. Brooks also held on until dark, but in retiring was closely pursued by the enemy. The whole corps then successfully fell back to Banks’s Ford, and the long and painful suspense of the day was over. The picket line in front and on the left of Salem ridge was withdrawn by General David A. Russell in person. I had been directed to assist him. That sterling soldier, dismounted, moved along the line saying, “Quietly, men, quietly; don’t make any noise”; but the jingle of the canteens and other unavoidable sounds on the evening air revealed the movement to the vigilant enemy, and they followed
THE WILDERNESS CHURCH (IN THE LEFT MIDDLE-GROUND) AND HAWKINS’S FARM (ON THE RIGHT) AS SEEN FROM THE PLANK ROAD IN FRONT OF DOWDALL’S TAVERN.
eagerly listened for. No sound would have been more welcome. But after 10 o’clock Sunday morning axes and spades were used at Chancellorsville more than the guns. The feeling became widely prevalent that the Sixth Corps would be compelled to take care of itself. At first it was cautiously whispered that Hooker had failed, and soon the worst was surmised, and it was concluded that no help could be: expected from him. His dash, promptness, and confidence as a division and corps commander were gone.
Lee that night withdrew his troops, flushed with their brilliant success, from the front of Hooker, with the exception of Jackson’s corps, and marched against Sedgwick. Still Hooker remained inactive ; with a force greatly in excess of the enemy in his front, he made no effort to relieve Sedgwick from his perilous position. Works were thrown up by the enemy along the Salem Church ridge, and they extended their right until on Monday morning Marye’s Heights and Fredericksburg, won at so great a sacrifice, were again theirs.
Sedgwick’s position, as finally established, was in the shape of a horseshoe, both flanks resting on the river, the line covering Banks’s Ford. His line of battle was between five and six miles in length. Frequent attempts had been made, during Sunday morning, to communicate with Banks’s Ford and to direct the laying of pontoon-bridges, but for some time roving bodies of cavalry frustrated this. The late Colonel Henry W. Farrar,
ing the pursuit, which was continued for three or four miles until we reached Salem Church, an unpretentious red-brick structure situated on a ridge covered with dense woods and undergrowth. Today it bears many scars of the contest waged around it.
At this point the enemy were in position with four fresh brigades withdrawn from Hooker’s front, and prepared to contest any farther advance. Lee had met with such complete success in his attack upon Hooker that he felt he could well spare these troops and not suffer. Brooks on the left of the road and Newton on the right quickly formed their commands and made several gallant assaults. The fight was very severe in the thick woods, and for a time was waged with varying success. The crest of the woods and a little school-house near the church were gained, and once it was thought they could be held, but the enemy, in superior numbers, pressed on, and the ground and the church were left in their possession. The contest did not last long, but nearly 1500 were killed and wounded. Bartlett’s brigade, numbering less than 1500, lost 580 officers and men. That night the soldiers slept on their arms.
It was understood throughout the Sixth Corps that as soon as it should become engaged with the enemy Hooker would immediately attack in his front, and prevent any reinforcements from being sent against Sedgwick. All during that Sabbath day and the next the sound of Hooker’s guns was
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