May 7, 1863, The Charleston Mercury
FROM THE SEAT OF WAR IN VIRGINIA–THE LATEST NEWS.
RICHMOND, May 5. – The following despatch was received this evening:
GUINEA STATION, NEAR FREDERICKSBURG,
Tuesday, May 5.
To his Excellency President Davis:
At the close of the battle of Chancellorsville, on Sunday, the enemy was reported advancing from Fredericksburg on our rear. General McLAWS was sent back to arrest his progress, and repulsed him handsomely that afternoon. Learning that his force consisted of two corps under General SEDGWICK, I determined to attack, and marched back yesterday, with General ANDERSON, and uniting with McLAWS and EARLY in the afternoon, succeeded, with the blessing of Heaven, in driving General SEDGWICK across the river. We have reoccupied Fredericksburg, and no enemy remains south of the Rappahannock, or in its vicinity.
ROBT. E. LEE,
General Commanding.
WEDNESDAY, May 6. Direct communication with the army being again established, authentic details of the battle may soon be expected. A packet boat arrived this morning from Lynchburg. The passengers report that very little damage has been done to the canal by the Yankees. Several farm bridges over the canal were destroyed and one lock gate damaged.
Two trains, laden with wounded, arrived this morning on the Fredericksburg Railroad.
RICHMOND, May 6. The wounded are coming in. The victory is decisive and promising of further results. The South Carolina troops suffered chiefly by wounds; but a small proportion of them were killed or mortally wounded. Colonel PERRIN, of ORR’S Regiment, and Lieut. PINCKNEY SEABROOK are universally reported killed. Gen. McGOWAN was slightly wounded, and Captain CUTHBERT badly. Captain A. C. HASKELL was painfully wounded in the foot. Col. EDWARDS slightly. Also Colonel MILLER. I shall sift out the rumors and keep you advised.
R. W. BARNWELL.
(The Latest.)
RICHMOND, May 6. We have at last some details of the battle of Chancellorville. The correspondent of the Dispatch says that the fight in many respects was one of the bloodiest of the war, and the loss heavy, both as to officers and men. The enemy had thrown up entrenchments and constructed batteries, which after severe fighting, were carried by our troops. Amongst the prisoners is Brigadier General HAYS, who commanded a brigade in COUCH’S division. Prisoners report that there were some forty regiments, mostly foreigners, on the left end of the line, where General EARLY commanded. There was some hard fighting on Sunday. In the afternoon of that day Marye Heights were carried by the enemy, and the Mississippians posted there were captured. Six pieces of the New Orleans Washington Artillery were taken at the same time.
On Monday morning the fight was renewed; the Heights were retaken and the pieces recaptured, with a number of others. Five Yankee batteries are reported to have been captured on the upper line.
From another source I learn that about 6000 prisoners, in all, have been captured. General A. P. HILL has resumed the command of his division. General HEATH was not much hurt, and still commands his division. General LORING was slightly wounded. The 18th Mississippi Regiment killed more than their own number. Colonel STAFFORD, of the 14th Louisiana, was killed; also Colonel WALKER, of the 10th Virginia, and Colonel MALLORY, of the 55th Virginia.