POSITION OF GENERAL SEDGWICK'S CORPS, MAY 4, 1862 "My line was formed," says General Sedgwick, "with the left (Howe's division) resting on the river, about midway between Fredericksburg and Banks' Ford, then extending slightly beyond the Plank road (near Guest's house), where it (Newton's division) turned at right angles to the right, following the direction of the Plank road for a mile, and then again turning to the right at right angles and recrossing the Plank road (near the Toll Gate), in front of Salem Heights, my right (Brooks's division) resting where it had been placed in the engagement of the previous evening. Thus fronting in three directions, I was compelled to await attack. "I received a dispatch from General Hooker," continues General Sedgwick, "informing me that he could not help me; that I must look to the safety of my corps, preserve my communications with Fredericksburg and Banks' Ford, and suggesting that I fall back on the former place, or recross, in preference, at Banks' Ford. To fall back on Fredericksburg was out of the question; to adopt the other alternative, except under cover of night, was equally so, for the enemy (McLaws) still maintained his position on Salem Heights, and Early was threatening my flank and rear from the direction of Fredericksburg. "My force yesterday was twentytwo thousand. I do not know my losses, but they were large, probably five thousand men." (Sedgwick to Hooker, 9 A. M., May 4, 1863.) About eleven o'clock General Early directed General Smith to make a reconnaissance in the direction of the heights northwest of Marye's Hill, for the purpose of developing the position and strength of the enemy in that quarter. General Smith advanced his brigade in echelon by regiments, com ing in contact with Neill's brigade of Howe's division. After a spirited fight, in which he lost the colors of one of his regiments (Fifty-eighth Virginia) and more than a hundred men, he was ordered by General Early to retire. About 11.30 A. M. General Lee arrived at Salem Church, accompanied by General R. H. Anderson and his three brigades-Wright's, Posey's, and Perry's. General Anderson was directed to move his three brigades into position on the right of Wofford's brigade, and at right angles with it, facing east, and effect a junction with General Early, to complete the continuity of the line. General Lee ordered that "at the signal— three guns fired in quick successionthe lines were to be advanced against the enemy." Commencing at a point on Salem Heights, about three-fourths of a mile from (west) Banks' Ford, the line extended west along the ridge, from left to right, in the following formation: Mahone, Semmes, Wilcox, Kershaw, Wofford (under McLaws, facing Brooks); on Wofford's right, Perry, Posey, Wright (under Anderson, facing Newton), and extending in a southerly direction, touching Hoke's left (Early's division); Hays's on Hoke's right, these two brigades facing Howe. Gordon, on Marye's Hill, threatened Howe's left rear; Barksdale, in the road at the foot of Marye's and Willis's hills, watched Fredericksburg. Smith was on Barksdale's left. The Confederate lines were hid by woods that skirted three sides of the field-north, west and south. Sedgwick's army was in the open. The adverse armies, thus confronting, abide the portentous moment. THE BATTLE OF MAY 4, 1863 The morning was fair, but toward noon a gray mist veiled the sky and settled on the fields. There was ominous silence. Wearily the day passes; the shadows of night are falling when the Confederate brigades touch elbows, and the three signal guns boom upon the still air. "Then heard we the thunder of the captains and the shouting": "Attention! Forward! Guides center! March!" The rebel yell, spontaneous rising, rent the skies, and the armies mix on Spottsylvania's echoing heath. The red-mouthed artillery belches hell. The musketry growls-the voice of death. "A thousand ghosts shriek at once on the hollow wind.” Our left wing skirmishes with Brooks to entice him to linger, but he responds with a loud roar of his artillery, and, under cover of its smoke and noise, retires safely to Banks' Ford. Kershaw and Wofford, wheeling to the left, move through the tangled wood, harassed by shell and canister |