CAMP NEAR FALMOUTH, VA.,
May 7, 1863.
I reached here last evening, fatigued and exhausted with a
ten days' campaign, pained and humiliated at its unsatisfactory result, but
grateful to our heavenly Father that, in His infinite goodness, He permitted me
to escape all the dangers I had to pass through.1 The papers will
give you all the details of the movement, so that I shall confine myself to a
general account of my own doings. General Hooker's plan was well conceived and
its early part well executed. It was briefly thus: A portion of the army were
to make a forced march, cross the Rappahannock so high up as to preclude
opposition, cross the Rapidan at the lower fords, drive away the defenders of
the works placed at the crossings of the Rappahannock nearest to
Fredericksburg, and when one of these was opened, the rest of the army was to
join the advanced corps, be concentrated, and push the enemy away from
Fredericksburg.
I have advised you that on Monday, the 27th ulto., my corps,
the Fifth, together with the Eleventh and Twelfth, left camp and reached
Kelly's Ford on the 28th. That night and early next morning we crossed the
Rappahannock, the Eleventh and Twelfth Corps moving on one road to Germanna
Ford and I on another to Ely's ford, of the Rapidan. These fords were reached
and crossed by the evening of the 29th. On the 30th we advanced and
concentrated at Chancellorsville, a small place on the plank road from
Fredericksburg to Gordonsville, and distant some ten miles from Fredericksburg.
In this movement we uncovered the United States ford and established
communication with our left wing opposite Fredericksburg; thus far the movement
was successful. On the 1st inst. two more corps were brought over to
Chancellorsville, and the Fifth and Twelfth corps advanced from
Chancellorsville towards Fredericksburg; but just as we reached the enemy we
were recalled. On our retiring the enemy attacked Sykes's division of my
corps and we had a smart fight till dark. The next day, May 2d, the enemy
attacked in force, and after a day's hard fighting, owing to the bad behavior
of a portion of our troops, the Eleventh Corps, we had to fall back and draw in
our lines.
I ought to have mentioned that, simultaneously with our
crossing the Rappahannock above, Sedgwick and Reynolds crossed below
Fredericksburg, and after occupying the attention of the enemy, so soon as we
were established at Chancellorsville, they were withdrawn, and Reynolds joined
us on the 30th. When the force of the enemy was perceived, Sedgwick was ordered
to recross at Fredericksburg and attack in their rear, which he did, on the 2d
inst. On the 3d we had a very heavy fight, in which we held our own, but did
not advance, awaiting Sedgwick's operations. On the 4th remained quiet, and in
the evening learned that Sedgwick was held in check by superior forces, and his
position critical. The enemy not attacking us on the 5th, as we hoped, and
finding him too strong to attack without danger of sacrificing the army in case
of defeat, Hooker determined to withdraw to this side of the river, which we
did without pursuit, on the night of the 5th.
__________
1 Battle of Chancellorsville, May 3-5, 1863.
Federal loss, killed, wounded, and missing, 12,145 (O. R.).
SOURCE: George Meade, The Life and Letters of George
Gordon Meade, Vol. 1, p. 370-1
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