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FROM THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC: A Stirring and Significant Address from Gen. Hooker; The Operations Thus Far Brilliantly Successful (5/3/1863)
New York Times - Times Machine ^ | 5/3/1863

Posted on 05/03/2023 4:51:24 AM PDT by Homer_J_Simpson

TWO MILES BELOW FREDERICKSBURGH, Thursday, April 30 -- 11 o'clock A.M.

The following inspiring address is being read to to the various troops, amid tremendous cheering and other demonstrations of delight:

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, NEAR FALMOUTH, VA., April 30, 1863.

It is with heartfelt satisfaction that the General Commanding announces to the army that the operations of the last three days have determined that our enemy must ingloriously fly, or come out from behind their defences and give us battle on our own ground, where certain destruction awaits him.

The operations of the Fifth, Eleventh and Twelfth Corps have been a series of splendid successes.

By command of Maj.-Gen. HOOKER.

S. WILLIAMS, Adjutant-General.

I learn from Gen. SEDGWICK's quarters that this success of the corps consists in the fact of their having succeeded in getting in the rear of the enemy's works. Heaven grant that it may be so, and give to us a glorious victory. The steady rain which set in yesterday afternoon and continued all night, served to dampen our ardor to some extent; but this announcement of the success on the right has changed the aspect of affairs, and I never have witnessed such enthusiasm and elan as prevails at this moment. Scattering over the plain, in every direction, can be seen regiment after regiment, cheering vociferously, and tossing their hats in the air, while the bands discourse national airs.

Brig.-Gen. PRATT, Commander of the "Light Division," whose resignation was accepted several days since, but who remained to participate in the coming fray, took his departure this morning, having been summoned home by urgent business.

The following is his farewell address

HEADQUARTERS LIGHT DIVISION, SIXTH CORPS, NEAR FALMOUTH, VA., April 30, 1863.

The General commanding the Light Division, announces to his troops that his

(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...


TOPICS: History
KEYWORDS: civilwar
Free Republic University, Department of History presents U.S. History, 1861-1865: Seminar and Discussion Forum
The American Civil War, as seen through news reports of the time and later historical accounts

First session: November 21, 2015. Last date to add: May 2025.
Reading: Self-assigned. Recommendations made and welcomed.

Posting history, in reverse order

https://www.freerepublic.com/tag/by:homerjsimpson/index?tab=articles

To add this class to or drop it from your schedule notify Admissions and Records (Attn: Homer_J_Simpson) by reply or freepmail.

Link to previous New York Times thread

https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/4150031/posts

1 posted on 05/03/2023 4:51:24 AM PDT by Homer_J_Simpson
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To: Homer_J_Simpson
1

0503-nytimesa

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0503-nytimesb

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0503-nytimesc

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0503-nytimesd

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0503-nytimese

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2 posted on 05/03/2023 4:52:44 AM PDT by Homer_J_Simpson ("Every nation gets the government that it deserves." - Joseph de Maistre (1753-1821))
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To: chajin; henkster; CougarGA7; BroJoeK; central_va; Larry Lucido; wagglebee; Colonel_Flagg; Amagi; ...

From the Army of the Potomac: A Stirring and Significant Address from Gen. Hooker – 2-3
Arrival of Prisoners in Washington – 3
The War in Western Virginia: Or Forces Under Gen. Mulligan Defeated at Fairmount – 3-4
From New-Orleans: The Reported Successes of Gen. Banks Confirmed – 4
The Siege of Vicksburgh: An Explanation – 4-5
Rebel Barbarity: Treatment of a Prisoner Captured by Van Dorn’s Command – 5
News from Washington: Our Special Washington Dispatches – 5-6
Editorial: Military Movements – The Activity of Our Armies – 6
The Rebels in West Virginia – 6
Editorial: Record of Valor – 6-7
Able Criticism After a Well-Known Style – 7
Gen. Banks in Louisiana – 7
Defunct Serpents – 7
McClellan’s Campaigns – 7


3 posted on 05/03/2023 4:53:29 AM PDT by Homer_J_Simpson ("Every nation gets the government that it deserves." - Joseph de Maistre (1753-1821))
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To: Homer_J_Simpson
Something big happening near Chancellorsville, not over with just yet.
At Fredericksburg there was a second, related battle, the war's 194th, Union victory:

Virginia 1861 - 1863 Engagements to date

DateEngagementMilitary UnitsLossesVictor
May 18-19Sewell's Point, VAUnion naval squadron vs Confederate shore artillery10 totalinconclusive
May 29- June 1Aquila Creek, VAUnion naval squadron vs Confederate shore artillery10 totalinconclusive
June 1Fairfax Court House, VAdetachments from CSA & USA armies8 on each side, 1 each killedinconclusive
June 1Arlington Mills, VAdetachments from USA ( ~200 McDowell) & CSA (~9 Bonham) armiesUnion 2-total (1 killed); CSA 1 woundedinconclusive
June 10Big Bethel, VAUnion (Butler) -3,500, CSA (Magruder) -1,400Union 71-total (18-killed); CSA: 10-total (1-killed)CSA (CSA outnumbered)
June 15Hooe's Ferry (near Mathias Point) VAUnion schooner Christina Keen; CSA Farmer's Fork Graysnone -- Christina Keen captured and burnedCSA
June 17Vienna, VADetachments from both Union & CSA armiesUnion: 12-total (8 killed); CSA: none reportedCSA
June 27Matthias' Point, VAUnion gunboats ~50 vs. Confed garrison ~500Union: 1-killed, 4-wounded; CSA noneCSA
July 18Blackburn's Ford, VA (pre-Manassas)Union Department of NE Virginia (McDowell, Richardson) -3,000 vs. Confederate Army of VA (Beauregard, Longstreet) -5,100Union: 83-total; CSA 70-total CSA
July 21Bull Run/Manassas, VAUnion Department of NE Virginia (McDowell, Patterson) -54,000 (18,000 engaged) vs. Confederate Army of VA (Beauregard, Longstreet) -34,000 (18,000 engaged)Union: 2,708-total (481-killed); CSA 1,897-total (387-killed) CSA
Aug 7CSA burned Hampton, VAUnion (Butler) vs. Confederate Cavalry (Magruder)Union unknown; Confederates unknownCSA
Aug 8skirmish at Lovettsville, VA Union vs. Confederate Union unknown; Confederates 6-totalUSA
Aug 25Mason's Hill, VAUnion (Lowe's observation balloon) vs. Confederate Army NVA (Longstreet, Stuart)Union unknown; Confederates unknownUSA
Aug 31Munson's Hill, VAUnion Army of the Potomac vs. Confederate Dept of Northern VAUnion 5-total; Confederates unknownUSA
Sep 3Bailey's Cross Roads, VAUnion & Confederat detachmentsUnion 8-total; Confederates noneCSA
Sep 11Lewinsville, VA (McLean, Fairfax County) Union 79th NY Highlanders (Stephens ~1,800) & Confederate 1st & 13th VA (JEB Stuart ~400)Union 12-total (3-killed); Confederates noneCSA (CSA outnumbered)
Oct 21Ball's Bluff, VAUnion MA, NY, MI, MN & CA Infantry, RI Artillery (Stone -1,720) & Confederate VA & MS Infantry, VA cavalry & artillery (Evans -1,709)Union 1,002-total, including Lt. Oliver Wendell Holmes (223-killed including US Senator Edward Baker R-OR)), Confederates 155-total (36-killed) CSA
Nov 26Skirmish at Hunter's Mills, VAUnion 3rd PA Cavalry (Bell ~94) & Confederate 1st NC Cavalry (Ransome ~120)Union 33-total (1-killed), Confederates unknown 0? CSA
Dec 20Drainsville, VAUnion Pennsylvania Volunteers (Ord ~5,000) & Confederate VA, KY & NC Volunteers (Stuart ~4,000)Union 71-total (?-killed), Confederates 230-total (?-killed) USA (1st larger Union victory in VA)
Jan 3, 1862Cockpit Point, VAUnion gun boats (Wyman ) & Confederate shore battery (French ~50)noneInconclusive
Mar 8-9Hampton Roads, VAUnion Navy (Marsten, Worden, USS Monitor +11 ships) & Confederate Navy (Buchanan, Jones CSS Virginia +5 ships)Union 369 total (261 killed, 7 ships sunk), Confederate 24 total (7- killed)Inconclusive (Strategic USA)
Mar 23Kernstown, VAUnion Army of Potomac V Corps (Kimball ~9,000) & Confederate Stonewall Division (Jackson ~4,200)Union 590 total (118-killed), Confederate 718 total (80- killed)USA tactical, CSA strategoc
April 5 - May 4Yorktown, VAUnion Army of the Potomac (McClellan ~103,000) & Confederate Army (Magruder, JE Johnson ~72,000)Union 182-total (unkn-killed), Confederate 300-total (unkn killed)Inconclusive, Confederates retreated
May 5Williamsburg, VAUnion Army of the Potomac (McClellan ~41,000), Confederate Army of Northern VA (JE Johnston, Longstreet ~32,000)Union 2,283-total (~342-KIA), Confederates 1,682-total (~252 kia)Inconclusive (Confederates withdrew)
May 7Eltham's Landing, VAUnion Army of the Potomac (Franklin ~11,300), Confederate Army of Northern VA (GW Smith ~11,000)Union 194-total (~29 killed), Confederates 48-total (~7-killed)Inconclusive (Confederates withdrew)
May 8McDowell, VAUnion OH & WVA infantry (Milroy, Schenck ~6,500), Confederate Virginia Infantry (Stonewall Jackson, E Johnson ~9,000)Union 259-total (~28 killed), Confederates 532-total (~146-killed)CSA
May 15Fort Darling, VAUnion VA River Squadron (Rogers 5-river warships), Confederate fort (Farrand, Mahone -fort artillery)Union 27-total (14-killed), Confederates 15-total (7-killed)CSA
May 23Front Royal, VAUnion Dept of Shenandoah (Kenly ~1,063), Confederate Army of the Valley (Stonewall Jackson ~3,0000)Union 773-total (83-killed), Confederates 36-total (unkwn-killed)CSA
May 25Winchester, VAUnion Dept of Shenandoah (Banks ~6,500), Confederate Army of the Valley (Stonewall Jackson ~16,0000)Union 2,019-total (62-killed), Confederates 397-total (68-killed)CSA
May 27Hanover Court House, VAUnion V-Corps (Porter ~12,000), Confederate NC Infantry (Branch ~4,0000)Union 397-total (62-killed), Confederates 930-total (70-killed)USA
May 31 - June 1Seven Pines / Fair Oaks, VAUnion Army of the Potomac (McClellan ~34,000), Confederate Army of Northern VA (JE Johnston ~39,000)Union 5,431-total (790-killed), Confederates 6,134-total (980-killed)Inconclusive (both sides claimed victory)
June 6Good's Farm, Harrisonburg, VAUnion PA Inf, NJ Cav, Confederate Steuart's VA Inf (Ashby+)UnknownCSA
June 8Cross Keys, VAUnion Mountain Dept, (Fremont ~11,500), Confederate Army of the Valley (Ewell ~5,800)Union 684-total (114-killed), Confederates 287-total (42-killed)CSA (CSA outnumbered)
June 9Port Republic, VAUnion Dept of Rappahonnock (Tyler ~3,500), Confederate Army of the Valley (Stonewall Jackson ~6,000)Union 1,002-total (150?-killed), Confederates 816-total (122?-killed)CSA (CSA outnumbered)
June 25 - Jul 1Seven Days, near Richmond, VAUnion Army of Potomac (McClellan ~115,000), Confederate Army of N VA (Lee ~92,000)Union ~18,000-total (2,100-killed), Confederates ~19,000-total, (~3,200-killed)CSA (CSA outnumbered)
July 3Evelington Heights, VAUnion Army of Potomac, Confederate Army of N VA -- monor skirmishno casualties reportedUSA
Aug 9Cedar Mountain, VAUnion Army of VA (Banks -8,030, Confederate Army of NVA ("Stonewall" Jackson -16,868)Union 2,353-total (314-killed), Confederates ~1,338-total (231-killed)CSA
Aug 23-25Rappahannock Station, VAUnion Army of VA brigades (Pope), Confederate Army of N. VA brigades (Longstreet)Union ~180-total, Confederates ~90-total Inconclusive or CSA Victory?
Aug 26-27Manassas Station, VAUnion Army of VA (Taylor-killed, Pope), Confederate Army of N. VA (Stonewall Jackson, Ewell)Union ~450-total, Confederates ~173-total CSA
Aug 28Thoroughfare Gap, VAUnion Army of VA, (Ricketts -5,000), Confederate Army of N. VA (Longstreet -28,000)Union ~50-total, Confederates ~50-total CSA
Aug 28-302nd Bull Run, Manassas, VAUnion Army of VA, (Pope ~62,000), Confederate Army of N. VA (Lee -51,000)Union ~14,462-total (1,747-killed), Confederates ~7,298-total (1,096-killed)CSA (CSA outnumbered)
Sep 1Chantilly, VAUnion Army of the Potomac, (Kearny+, Stevens+ ~6,000), Confederate Army of N VA (Stonewall Jackson, JEB Stuart -20,000)Union 1300-total (195-killed?), Confederates 800 total (120=killed?)CSA
Sep 12-15Harper's Ferry, VAUnion Army of the Potomac (Miles+, White ~14,000), Confederate Army of N VA (Stonewall Jackson, AP Hill ~25,000)Union 12,636-total (44-killed), Confederates 286-total (39-killed) CSA (fort held)
Sep 20Blackford's Ford, Sheppardstown, VAUnion Army of the Potomac (Porter, ~2,000), Confederate Army of the N VA (Pendleton, AP Hill ~2,000)Union 363-total (55?-killed), Confederates 298-total (45?-killed) CSA
Oct 31-Nov 2Unison, Loudoun County VAUnion Army of the Potomac, (McClellan, divisions), Confederate Army of Northern VA (Stuert, brigade)Union 12-total (2?-killed), Confederates 18-total (3?-killed)inconclusive
Dec 13Fredericksburg, VAUnion Army of the Potomac (Burnside ~122,000), Confederate Army of Northern VA (RE Lee ~78,500)Union 12,653-total (1,284-killed), Confederates 5,377-total (608-killed)CSA (CSA outnumbered)
Mar 17,1863Kelly's Ford, VAUnion Cavalry, Army of the Potomac (Averell ~2,100), Confederate Cavalry, Army of North VA (Fitzhugh Lee ~800)Union 78-total (6-killed), Confederates 133-total (11-killed)CSA (CSA outnumbered)
Apr 11-May 4Suffolk I, VAUnion Dep of VA (Peck 17,000), Confederate Army of N VA (Longstreet 20,000)Union 260-total (44-killed), Confederates 900-total (75?-killed)USA? (Confederates withdrew)
Apr 19Suffolk II, VAUnion Dep of VA (Peck 17,000), Confederate Army of N VA (Longstreet 20,000)Union 17-total (6-killed), Confederates 148-total (1-killed)USA
May 3Fredericksburg II, VAUnion Army the Potomac (Sedjwick ~27,100), Confederate Army of N VA (Early, ~12,000)Union 1,100-total (165?-killed), Confederates 700-total (105?-killed)USA

Summary of Civil War Engagements as of May 3, 1863:
Engagements in Confederate states:

StateUnion VictoriesConfederate VictoriesInconclusiveTotal Engagements
South Carolina2215
Virginia10281250
North Carolina81110
Florida2002
Louisiana6107
Tennessee97117
Arkansas81211
Georgia1102
Mississippi4408
Texas0101
Alabama1001
Total Engagements in CSA524718117

Engagements in Union states/territories:

StateUnion VictoriesConfederate VictoriesInconclusiveTotal Engagements
Maryland3014
West Virginia93214
Missouri1413128
New Mexico58013
Kentucky56213
Oklahoma1304
Total Engagements in Union3833677
Total Engagements to date908024194

Total casualties at Fredericksburg II were around 1,800 including ~270 killed in action.

4 posted on 05/03/2023 5:05:51 AM PDT by BroJoeK (future DDG 134 -- we remember)
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