CHAPTER XXXI.
THE STORMING OF FREDERICKSBURG HEIGHTS.
SUNDAY, MAY 3, 1863.
Sunday, May 3d, was a proud day for the Union arms—the boasted Heights of Fredericksburg were stormed by our brave boys, and the Stars and Stripes planted triumphantly over that “Gibraltar of America.” Whatever the result of the fighting in the rear, that in front crowned our arms with imperishable renown. “This crest of hills,” wrote the London Times’ correspondent, after the battle under Burnside, “constitute one of the strongest positions in the world—impregnable to any attack from the front.” The achievements of that memorable day again demonstrated that what is impossible with John Bull becomes possible with Jonathan. The members of the Thirty-third can ever point with pride to the conspicuous part which they bore in this brilliant achievement—the crowning glory of their two years’ career.
FREDERICKSBURG HEIGHTS.
Stormed by the Sixth Army Corps.
Though Gen. Lee had withdrawn his infantry from the ridge below the city, he left, as he supposed, a sufficient force to hold the hills immediately in the rear. Here was planted the best of his artillery, supported by the flower of his infantry, under command of the haughty and supercilious Barksdale, who a few weeks later breathed his life away on the crimson fields of Gettysburg—abandoned by his own men, without a slave even to bring him a cup of cold water.
About one o’clock Sunday morning, a courier arrived at Gen. Sedgwick’s headquarters, with orders from Gen. Hooker to storm the Heights, and pushing on beyond, join him at Chancellorsville. After crossing below Fredericksburg Saturday evening, Howe’s Division had advanced up towards the city on the Bowling Green road, as far as Hazel Creek, the Thirty-third and Forty-ninth New York being deployed as skirmishers. When Hooker’s orders arrived, Gen. Newton’s Division passed to the right, and later, Howe’s also moved further on, connecting with him. Brooks likewise came up from below, and formed on to Howe’s left. The positions of the various Divisions became then as follows: Gen. Brooks, extreme left; Gen. Howe, centre; and Gen. Newton, right; connecting on with Newton’s was Gibbon’s Division of the Second Corps, extending above the city.