May 11, 1863, The Charleston Mercury
A week has passed since the defeat of HOOKER, and, as yet, no full or consecutive account of it has been obtained. The main facts, however, are now known. The Richmond Examiner thus briefly sketches the movements of the two armies:
Hooker’s first object in crossing the Rappahannock above the town was to get in the rear of Fredericksburg. His second aim was to prevent a flank attack on the left by the Confederates, who, he supposed, would march up the bank of the river to cut his army at the fords. Hence, he determined to cross the Rappahannock above the confluence with the Rapidan, to march through a portion of Culpeper, and passing the latter river at Germanna and Ely, to keep his communication behind him, the Rappahannock on his left flank, and the Confederate army and Fredericksburg always in front of him. On Tuesday week his troops were drawn up in full array on the hills of Stafford, in view of the town, pontoons were thrown over, and a strong detachment sent across at Deep Run. This first step was a mere feint to distract the attention. Next day his army disappeared, and the detachment was withdrawn, while the main body passed the rivers above in the order stated. Still believing that Lee’s onset would be made close to the river, and on his left flank, he rapidly strengthened that part of his line with field works, and then swung the rest forward to Chancellorsville.
It appears, however, from the despatches of the Confederate General, that his ways were not as the ways of Hooker, nor was his attack made in the manner which Hooker had decided he should make it. The Confederate operations were aimed at the right wing – that reaching to Spotsylvania Court House – of the Federals. General Jackson did flank them, after all, but it was the right flank – that nearest Richmond – not the left, which Hooker had carefully guarded with a river and field works. [continue reading…]