Federal Advance. Flank movement of Confederates. Attack on Federal
right rear. Jackson wounded. Battle of Chancellorsville. Jackson's
death.
About this time the Federals made demonstration at Kelley's Ford, some
miles above Fredericksburg. The two armies had been lying on opposite
sides of this river, since the battle of Fredericksburg in December.
Gen. Joe Hooker was now in command of the Federal army, and on the
28th of April a small part of his army crossed the river a little
below Fredericksburg, thus indicating an intended advance from that
direction. This, however, as were other demonstrations, was for the
purpose of drawing attention from his real course of approach, which
soon developed to be by way of the United States and other fords of
the Rappahannock, fifteen and twenty miles above Fredericksburg, where
he crossed his army and was bearing down by way of Chancellorsville
upon Lee's left and rear. Here the Federals encountered Anderson's and
McLaw's divisions, and thinking it an advance by Lee took a formidable
defensive position, extending his lines from the Furnace and Tabernacle
Church to Chancellorsville, thence behind Mineral Spring Run to and
beyond the old Mine Road.
This strong position and the superior numbers of the Federals put the
consideration of a front attack out of the question, but the emergency
was great and had to be met; but how? Longstreet's corps was away
and the inadequacy of numbers was great and conditions serious. But
Jackson, as usual, cut the gordian knot. In answer to the query of
Lee, as to what should be done, he replied, "Outflank them." This
was accepted as the best solution, and Jackson was entrusted with
this important task. On the morning of May 1st he set out with his
old division commanded by General Colston, A. P. Hill's and Rodes'
divisions. This was a great risk for Lee to divide his army in the
front of his advancing antagonist for this great flank movement. It
was contrary to the principles of strategy for Jackson to take his
corps of 26,000 men, leaving Lee with about 18,000 men an easy prey,
to be crushed by Hooker, who could then turn upon Jackson with his
entire army; but Hooker did not know conditions or did not avail of the
opportunity thus presented. He also certainly blundered in failing to
properly protect his right wing, but for this failure of Hooker success
would hardly have attended Jackson's move. The disparity in numbers and
position in favor of the Federals was too great.
Our course was up the old turnpike to within a mile or two of
Chancellorsville, thence directly to the left over a country road,
passing along the immediate rear of Anderson's division, then in line
of battle and now receiving shots from the advancing Federals, thence
to the left by the old Furnace, moving in great haste. We thus made the
impression on the Federals that it was the beginning of a precipitate
retreat. Thus encouraged the enemy made an overwhelming assault upon
Anderson, pressed him back and captured some of Jackson's ammunition
train; but on we sped, soon turning to the right, making our course due
north. The day was excessively hot and many fell by the way from heat
and exhaustion. We reached and crossed the Orange Plank Road leading
to Chancellorsville, then the Culpeper Plank Road; next we reached a
county road and formed line of battle across this road about 5 o'clock
in the afternoon, facing Chancellorsville to the southeast. We were
now in the rear of the enemy's right. Our advance began between five
and six o'clock. We soon struck Howard's corps, which gave way in
precipitous rout. Fresh troops and impediments were utterly unable
to stop or seriously impede our onward sweep. We captured prisoners,
artillery and small arms on the way, but steadily continued the pursuit
until darkness and the deep tangled undergrowth put an end to further
advance.
We were now within a mile of Chancellorsville. A skirmish line was
thrown out and moved forward to within less than half a mile of the
enemy's position. Our brigade and others followed in formation of
two columns occupying the respective sides of the Plank Road, and a
column of artillery occupied the middle, with the third brigade at
the head of one of the columns. Our skirmish line extended across our
front a hundred yards ahead. The enemy was in his strong position
awaiting attack. Like the calm before the storm, quiet and stillness
now reigned, except with the ever vigilant Jackson. Intent on
investigating conditions in his front he passed through our skirmish
line accompanied by his staff, and after making reconnoissance returned
to another point toward the Confederate skirmish line. This surprise
brought a fire from the skirmish line and then from the enemy, who
thought it an attack. Hence he opened fire upon us with a fury that was
hardly surpassed, if equalled, during the war. Shot, shell, grape and
cannister tore through the ranks of men and artillery horses. Minnie
balls came like hail in a spring storm. Exploding shells would kill
some and wound many. Solid shot would plough through the ranks, leaving
a line of dead and dying. Grape and cannister would slay and wound
groups and squads, while minnies did an effective but indiscriminate
work of destruction. Caissons of ammunition were blown up by exploding
shells, adding to the work of destruction. Added to this was the
plunging and leaping of wounded artillery horses, thus increasing the
peril to life. The horribleness of that dark night is indescribable.
It was not a battle, but a firing by the Federals. The Confederates
could do nothing but protect themselves as best they could by lying
upon the ground. They were not in formation to engage in battle, nor
could they withdraw; because to arise was to be cut down like grass
before the mower's scythe. This may be figurative, but there is no
question but many lives were saved by lying upon the ground until the
end.
Jackson had been wounded and in the midst of this fusillade litter
bearers had placed him upon a litter and one at each of the four
corners raised him to their shoulders and started from the field. Soon
one of the bearers was stricken down, causing Jackson to fall heavily
to the ground. His wounds were not thought to be serious, the bone of
the left arm a few inches below the shoulder and the cutting of the
artery in the arm being the principal injury. This occurred on Saturday
night, May 1, and before dawn of the following day, amputation of
the arm was performed and the patient revived and gave every evidence
of recovery, but finally pneumonia supervened, and on the following
Sunday the great Chieftain, at the age of thirty-seven, triumphantly
passed into the Great Beyond. Great gloom was cast over the whole army
and the people of the South. When he was wounded all watched with
deep anxiety and prayerful hearts for his restoration the sick bed of
this illustrious patient, and when the end came grief was sincere and
profound. He left as a heritage to his country an unblemished life of
Christian devotion, pure patriotism and great deeds. Jackson will ever
live in the hearts of his people.
After the fusillade of that night--May the first--the troops were
removed a little farther to the rear and formed into line of battle,
and thus went into bivouac for the balance of the night. By 10 o'clock
on the following morning the advance on the enemy's strong position
began. Jackson's old division constituted a part of the front line.
We passed through thick undergrowth until we reached the crest of a
low ridge. At this point and in our front the undergrowth had been cut
away and the enemy was posted behind well-constructed breast works of
logs, stone and earth on the face of a corresponding but higher ridge.
Between these positions a sluggish streamlet formed a bog about fifty
or more yards wide, and extending a long distance across our front to
the right and to the left. This bog had been well studded with tough
white oak saplings which had been felled, leaving them uncut from the
stump, and so crossed and piled as to make, when added to the bog
itself, the mud and slush of which was one or more feet deep, an almost
impenetrable obstruction. From higher grounds, back of his lines, the
enemy threw shell, solid shot, grape and cannister into our position
with great fury, but being fairly well protected by the crest of the
ridge our casualties were not very great.
Before our advance Lieut. Walter S. Preston was sitting near me,
leaning against a small sapling. We saw a solid six-pound shot rolling
slowly down the hill toward us and before Preston could get entirely
out of its way, it brushed by his shoulder. It did not strike him,
but the concussion and force was so much greater than thought and the
effect so much more serious that he was disabled for a long time.
Here, too, Major Walker of the 10th Virginia Regiment, my personal
friend and with whom I was conversing at the time, while sitting
on a stump, was struck by a shell and instantly killed. Many other
casualties at this point occurred in my company and regiment, but I
do not recall the names. The advance was now ordered, and inasmuch as
no troops could have stood and exchanged shots with the Federals, his
artillery and infantry being so well protected by breastworks, there
was nothing that promised success but to charge down the decline and
across this formidable bog and onto the enemy in his stronghold. This
was done with great gallantry by the entire Confederate lines, led by
Gen. J. E. B. Stuart in person, he now being in immediate command of
Jackson's corps, the latter and A. P. Hill, next in rank, both having
been wounded and disabled. We received the fusillade of infantry and
artillery fire, so furious that it seemed that but few would be left to
tell the tale. But little firing was done by the Confederates, as rapid
movement so necessary prevented.
Our progress across the bog was unavoidably slower, but we soon emerged
therefrom and ascended the slope in fine mood for effective work, drove
the enemy from his line of works and in turn as he retreated in great
haste across the plateau inflicted heavy damage upon him, strewing the
field with his dead and dying. He, however, returned with fresh lines
to retake the works, but was repulsed with loss. By this time, however,
the Confederate line some distance to our left gave way, and the enemy
in strong force penetrated through the gap to the left rear of our
position and opened a vigorous fire upon us. Being thus assailed in
front and rear, we were ordered to relinquish the costly position we
had gained and again recross the bog and ascend the incline under a
galling fire from two directions. Our damage, of course, was heavy, but
the spirit of our army was undaunted. The broken part of our lines were
soon restored with fresh troops and we again returned to the charge.
This time we knew it could be done and with swiftness and determination
swept down to and across the bog and on the works, and again returned
kind for kind with good interest on our retreating foe, who soon again
with fresh lines made a beautiful and gallant effort to retake the
works, advancing his rapidly melting lines to within a short distance.
But the fire upon him was so destructive that he was compelled to
retire, and our part of the Confederate line prematurely advanced in
pursuit; but when we reached the highest part of the plateau, we
met such a storm of shot, shell, grape, cannister and minnies from
different directions, we being the only part of the lines exposed, that
we were compelled to return to the works.
Our whole lines were now lined up and again advanced. Our part of the
line again met the enemy's fire on the plateau and here, as before, we
met a brave and stubborn resistance which continued for some time. Our
own, as well as many of the enemy's ranks, melted away rapidly, but
in the grim determination of the contending armies the battle raged.
On this disputed ground the undergrowth had been cleared away, but
the trees and saplings had been left standing. Many of the latter,
including in one instance a tree of considerable size, were cut down by
minnie balls. McLaw's division now came into position on the right and
a general charge along the line was made. The enemy gave way and the
battle of Sunday, the second of May, was ended.
The losses of both sides were heavy over the whole field. On this
disputed plateau the dead of the two armies must have lain within
an average of five or six feet, or even less, all over that broad
space, as my memory now serves me. The enemy now pursued by the
Confederates retired to his last line of fortifications, about
three miles back toward the United States Ford. In the meantime the
enemy, under Sedgwick with superior numbers, had pressed back the
Confederates at Fredericksburg about five miles toward our position
at Chancellorsville, thus seriously threatening our rear. This forced
Lee to withdraw several divisions of his army, confronting Hooker
at Chancellorsville, and to meet and drive across the river this
triumphant advance of Sedgwick; which was done.
This left but the three divisions of Jackson's corps to hold our front
at Chancellorsville. The writer was placed in charge of the picket line
in our front on the night of the third, and there remained until the
morning of the sixth. In the meantime firing by the opposing picket
lines was frequent, resulting in many casualties. About midnight of the
fifth, I thought movements of the enemy indicated the beginning of his
withdrawal, and at once so reported. I was directed to watch further
developments and report; and soon being satisfied the enemy was rapidly
withdrawing, I so reported and was directed to advance on his works
at daylight. This I did and found the works vacated, on the report of
which I was directed to assemble my battalion and pursue. I threw out a
skirmish line covering our front for some distance on each side of the
road, and moved on the road toward the United States Ford, followed by
Jackson's old division and other troops. Here the enemy had crossed the
river on his pontoon bridges, well guarded by his numerous artillery.
Under flag of truce he was permitted to send a detail to bury his dead.
Both armies were now quiet for some days.
The preceding strenuous days were full of interesting events. On the
morning of the first, after we had gotten under way on the march to
the rear of the enemy, a soldier of the writer's company told some of
his comrades that he was to be killed that day. They tried to laugh him
out of the premonition, but he said it had come to him too plainly and
forcibly, and further that no power could save him from the pending
fate that he would encounter in the battle which would occur that day.
His comrades thought lightly of it, but the battle began about 5 p. m.
We advanced very rapidly. James P. Walling, who still lives, was at my
left and James Warf, the subject of this event, at my right. We were a
little to the front of the line. A discharge of grape from one of the
enemy's guns to our left sent a grape through the right arm of Walling
and another into the left side of Warf. He fell lifeless to the ground;
and thus his premonition was fulfilled, of which premonition I was not
apprised until after the battle, or he would have been excused from the
fight. These shots must have passed within an inch or less of my body,
one in front, the other at the back. Such occurrences, however, were
frequent. On the second day of the battle (Sunday morning) I received
a slight wound in the left side, but did not leave the field nor quit
duty. If my memory is not at fault, my company numbered forty-two men
when we entered the battle on Sunday morning, and at the end of the
conflict it numbered sixteen. Nearly two-thirds had been killed or
disabled, not including some who had received slight wounds but did
not quit the field, and were hence not counted among the wounded. In
looking back on this battle I can but consider it one of the most
remarkable victories gained by the Confederates during the war.
Gen. Joe Hooker, a brave and skilful general, had been placed in
command of the Federal army. During the winter preceding his advance
he had perfected its organization, equipment and discipline to a very
high degree. Nothing was lacking. His plan of advance and attack,
considering his superiority of numbers and equipment, promised success.
He selected crossings of the river where the banks on the Confederate
side were low and well dominated by the higher grounds on the other
side, and where there was no force to dispute his crossing. On the
way to Chancellorsville and beyond there were no strong positions to
be occupied by the Confederates. His army led by able lieutenants
seemed to offer every prospect of turning the Confederate left and
driving him back on Richmond. It was a gigantic flank movement in
which his entire army, except Sedgwick's corps which was left opposite
Fredericksburg, was employed. His entire force numbered 95,000 men,
while Lee's army numbered 46,000, including Stuart's cavalry of 3,000.
Nearly one-fourth of his army was not available for this emergency,
Longstreet's corps being on duty below Richmond. It was the beginning
of the spring campaign and the troops on both sides were fresh and in
fine trim. All went well with Hooker until he reached Chancellorsville
and encountered Anderson's and a part of McLaw's divisions. Thinking
this to be Lee's advance, he took a strong defensive position, but when
he saw Jackson's forces early in the day and before the engagement
marching along at the back of Anderson's and McLaw's men, he evidently
mistook it for the beginning of a retreat and made a vigorous attack on
McLaw's and Anderson, forcing them back some distance. But Jackson kept
on until he passed around Hooker's exposed right, and what followed has
already been related. After the battle Lee's army went into camp within
striking distance of Fredericksburg, opposite to which the Federals
again took position.
[Illustration: MAJ. HENRY CLINTON WOOD