eneral Sykes, with a division of regulars, was despatched at
nine o'clock in the morning on the Old Pike to Fredericksburg. He was
followed by a part of the Second Corps. Sykes had not proceeded far
before he encountered Lee advancing, and a sharp contest ensued, with
heavy losses on both sides. The Rebels having the best ground, and being
superior in numbers, compelled our men to fall back, which they did in
tolerable order, bringing away every thing but their dead and badly
wounded. But the enemy followed our retreating column, though
cautiously, and filled the woods with sharpshooters. They also planted
their heavy batteries on hills which partially commanded the clearing
around the Chancellorsville House. This gave them great advantage. They
were also greatly elated with the success which had crowned the first
onset. This was Hooker's first misfortune or mistake. The first blow in
such an engagement is quite as important as the last. This first
movement ought to have been more powerful, and ought to have given to
our men a foretaste of victory. But we had lost prestige and position
which undoubtedly weakened us not a little. The night following passed
quietly away, except that the leaders were laying their plans for future
operations.

About eight o'clock on the morning of the second, it was reported that a
heavy column of the enemy was passing rapidly toward our right, whither
the Eleventh Corps had been stationed. This movement was hidden by the
forests, though the road over which the column passed was not far from
our front. A rifled battery was opened upon this moving column, which,
though out of sight, was thrown into disorder, at which time General
Birney made a charge upon them with such force as to capture and bring
away five hundred prisoners. By successive and successful advances, by
sunset our men had broken this column and held the road upon which they
had been marching to some scene of mischief. But the evil was not cured,
as other roads more distant and better screened were followed by the
wily foe.

Just before dark Stonewall Jackson, with about twenty-five thousand
veterans, fell like a whirlwind upon the Eleventh Corps, which he had
flanked so cautiously and yet so rapidly that our German comrades were
taken by surprise while preparing their suppers, with arms stacked, and
no time to recover. It is not at all wonderful that men surprised under
these circumstances should be panic-stricken and flee.