Posted on 05/08/2023 4:41:42 AM PDT by Homer_J_Simpson
Our intelligence this morning puts beyond doubt the fact that Gen. HOOKER'S army has again retired to the north side of the Rappahannock. From various sources we collect the following facts in regard to the movement.
There was no fighting on Tuesday of any consequence, and the rumors to that effect were founded on a misapprehension.
The sharpshooters were quite active, and the artillery opened occasionally, but results were unimportant. The enemy had evidently massed his army on our right.
About 5 o'clock in the morning it commenced raining. The water fell in torrents over an hour, deluging the roads, tearing up the corduroys, sweeping away bridges, and threatening the destruction of the pontoons. The river rose with great rapidity, and soon overflowed the ends of the pontoons, rendering crossing impracticable. The upper pontoon was taken up, and used in lengthening out the others, and after several hours of very hard labor the bridges were once more ready. It was soon evident that Gen. HOOKER, seeing his position was rendered temporarily untenable by the storm, had determined to cross over again to this of the Rappahannock. On Tuesday the order was given to retreat. New roads were cut. The trains and reserve artillery were sent back, and the evacuation was commenced.
Pine boughs were spread upon the pontoons to prevent the noise of crossing, and at 10 o'clock Tuesday night the troops commenced falling back. The First Corps (COUCH's) was the first to cross. The Fifth (MEADE's) Corps remained in the intrenchments to cover the retreat. The Sixth Corps also recrossed the United States Ford, and are marching back to Falmouth. At 3 o'clock on Wednesday morning wagon and mule trains and the artillery had all passed, and the infantry was crossing on two bridges at United States Ford.
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From Hooker’s Army: Abandonment of the South Side of the Rappahannock – 2-5
Important Rebel Accounts: Extracts from the Richmond Papers to the 5th – 5-6
Important from Fortress Monroe: Arrival of Exchanged Prisoners from Richmond – 6
Affairs at Suffolk: Retreat of the Rebels Beyond the Blackwater – 7
Later from New-Orleans: Important Order Issued by Gen. Banks – 7
Important from the Mississippi: Capture of Grand Gulf by Our Forces – 7
News from Washington: Our Special Washington Dispatches – 7-8
The Army of the Potomac: list of Casualties – 8-10
Mr. Adams and Neutral Commerce – 10
Editorial: The Discomfiture of Gen. Hooker – 10-11
Editorial: England and America – 11
Editorial: The Louisiana Campaign – 11-12
Stoneman’s Cavalry Raid – 12
When I went to high school this battle was discussed in my 11th grade “social studies” class.
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