Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 14.djvu/293

 • The Battle of C hancellorsville. 287

accident. For he had predetermined retreat by the erection of the new Hnes, and had taken none of the measures, which ordinary mih tary nozis demanded, while he was able-bodied. There is no palliat'lon to be found in this accident. There is nothing approaching tactical combination to be seen on our side in this campaign after Friday's withdrawal into the Wilderness.

It has been surmised that Hooker, during this campaign, was inca- pacitated by a habit of which, at times, he had been the victim. There is rather evidence that he was prostrated by too much abste- miousness, when a reasonable use of stimulants might have kept his nervous system at its normal tension. It was certainly not the use of alcohol during this time which lay at the foot of his indecision.

Let us now turn to Sedgwick, who properly formed the left wing of the Army of the Potomac, though, as the operations eventuated, his corps was rather a detached command. Sedgwick had lain on the Falmouth side, with one division across the river guarding the bridge- heads. During the afternoon of Saturday, Hooker ordered him to cross and pursue what he called the " flying enemy " "by the Bowl- ing Green road." Sedgwick did cross, and began skirmishing with Early, to force the latter from that road back into the woods. After the Eleventh corps had been crushed, the same evening, Hooker ordered Sedgwick, at 9 P. M., to march to Chancellorsville, " de- stroying any force he might fall in with on the road." This order was received by Sedgwick at 11 P. M., when he was intent on pur- suit in the opposite direction. Sedgwick sent out his orders to change these dispositions within fifteen minutes after receipt of Hooker's dispatch, but it was after midnight before he could get his command faced about and fairly headed in the new direction.

The Fredericksburg heights were held by Early and Barksdale with eighty-five hundred men, and plenty of artillery. In December a few brigades had here defeated the entire Army of the Potomac. Hooker himself, with his battleworn veterans, had then pronounced the task impossible. It was after midnight, Sedgwick had fifteen miles to march, after capturing this almost impregnable position, and all this to be done before daylight — that is, within three hours, if he was to carry out his orders.

So soon as his head of column reached the town four regiments were sent against the rifle-pits, but were speedily repulsed, with con- siderable loss. Before Sedgwick had sufficiently altered the dispo- sition of his troops to warrant an assault, day broke. Brooks still held the left of the line, Howe the centre, and Newton the right.

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