ARMY OPERATIONS. 



85 



ed until eight o'clock the next morning. It 

 then marched for Williamsburg, but at Tuns- 

 tail's Station, near White House, encountered a 

 train of cars, filled with infantry and a battery 

 of three guns. This force formed in rifle pits, 

 so that Col. Davis, by a charge, could not pene- 

 trate their line : ho therefore determined to 

 cross the Pamunkey and Mattapony, and pro- 

 ceed to Gloucester Point. He thus reports the 

 result of his movements : 



Our total loss in the expedition has been two com- 

 missioned officers and thirty-three enlisted men; we 

 brought with us one hundred mules and seventy-five 

 horses, captured from the enemy. We captured, in 

 the course of our march, a much larger number, which 

 we could not bring in. The amount of property de- 

 stroyed is estimated at over one million of dollars. 

 Respectfully submitted, 



H. DAVIS, Lieut. -Colonel Commanding. 



The army of Gen. Hooker, after recrossing, 

 as before stated, moved immediately to its origi- 

 nal camp opposite Fredericksburg. 



On the 6th, Gen. Hooker issued the follow- 

 ing address to his army : 



General Orders No. 49. 



HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, ) 

 May 6t/i, 1863. f _ 



The Major-General Commanding tenders to this 

 army Ifis congratulations on its achievements of the 

 last seven days. If it has not accomplished all that 

 was expected, the reasons are well known to the army. 

 It is sufficient to say, they were of a character not to 

 be foreseen or prevented by human sagacity or re- 

 source. 



In withdrawing from the south bank of the Rappa- 

 hanuock before delivering a general battle to our ad- 

 versaries, the army has given renewed evidence of its 

 confidence in itself, and its fidelity to the principles it 

 represents. On fighting at a disadvantage, we would 

 have been recreant to our trust, to ourselves, our cause, 

 and our country. Profoundly loyal and conscious of 

 its strength, the Army of the Potomac will give or 

 decline battle whenever its interest or honor may de- 

 mand. It will also be the guardian of its own history 

 and its own arm. By your celerity and secrecy of 

 movement, our advance and passage of the rivers was 

 undisputed, and on our withdrawal not a rebel ven- 

 tured to follow. 



The events of last week may swell with pride the 

 heart of every officer and soldier of this army. We 

 have added new lustre to its former renown. We 

 have made long marches, crossed rivers, surprised the 

 enemy in his intrenchments, and, wherever we have 

 fought, have inflicted heavier blows than we have re- 

 ceived. We have taken from the enemy five thousand 

 prisoners; fifteen colors; captured and brought off 

 seven pieces of artillery ; placed kors du combat eigh- 

 teen thousand of his chosen troops; destroyed his 

 depots filled with vast amounts of stores; deranged 

 his communications ; captured prisoners within the 

 fortifications of his capital, and filled his country with 

 fear and consternation. We have no other regret 

 than that caused by the loss of our brave companions, 

 and in this we are consoled by the conviction that they 

 have fallen in the holiest cause ever submitted to the 

 arbitrament of battle. 



By command of Major-General HOOKER. 



S. WILLIAMS, Assistant Adjutant-General. 



On the 7th, Gen. Lee issued the following 

 address to his army : 



General Orders No. 59. 



HEADQUARTERS ARMY NORTHERN VIRGINIA, ) 



May 1th, 1S63. ) 



With heartfelt gratification, the General Command- 

 ing expresses to the army his sense of the heroic con- 



duct displayed by officers and men, during the arduous 

 operations in which they have just been engaged. 



Under trying vicissitudes of heat and storm, you 

 attacked the enemy, strongly intrenched in the depths 

 of a tangled wilderness, and again on the hills of Fred- 

 ericksburg, fifteen miles distant, and, by the valor that 

 has triumphed on so many fields, forced him once 

 more to seek safety beyond the Rappahannock. While 

 this glorious victory entitles you to the praise and 

 gratitude of the nation, we are especially called upon 

 to return our grateful thanks to the only Giver of vic- 

 tory, for the signal deliverance He has wrought. 



It is, therefore, earnestly recommended that the 

 troops unite on Sunday next in ascribing to the Lord 

 of Hosts the glory due His name. 



Let us not forget, in our rejoicings, the brave soldiers 

 who have fallen in defence of their country ; and, 

 while we mourn their loss, let us resolve to emulate 

 their noble example. The army and the country alike 

 lament the absence for a time of one to whose brav- 

 ery, energy, and skill they are so much indebted for 

 success. 



The following letter from the President of the Con- 

 federate States, is communicated to the army as an 

 expression of his appreciation of its success : 



I have received your despatch, and reverently unite with 

 you in giving praise to God for the success with which he 

 has crowned our arms. 



In the name of the people, I offer my cordial thanks to 

 yourself and the troops under your command, for this addi- 

 tion to the unprecedented series of great victories which your 

 army has achieved. 



The universal rejoicing produced by this happy result 

 will be mingled with a general regret for the good anil the 

 brave who are numbered among the killed and wounded. 

 R. E. LEE, General. 



On the 8th, the following despatch was sent 

 by the Secretary of War to the Governors of 

 the Northern Sjtates : 



"WASHINGTON, May Sth, 1863. 



The President and General-in-Chief have just re- 

 turned from the Army of the Potomac. The principal 

 operations of Gen. Hooker failed, but there has been 

 no serious disaster to the Organization and efficiency 

 of the army. It is now occupying its former position 

 on the Rappahannock, having recrossed the river with- 

 out any loss in the movement. Not more than one 

 third of Gen. Hooker's force was engaged. Gen. 

 Stoneman's operations have been a brilliant success. 

 Part of his force advanced to within two miles of 

 Richmond, and 'the enemy's communications have 

 been cut in every direction. The Army of the Poto- 

 mac will speedily resume offensive operations. 



(Signed) E. M. STANTON, Secretary of War. 



On the same day, the President issued the 

 following proclamation, preliininary to execu- 

 ting the law for obtaining soldiers by enrol- 

 ment and draft. It would appear that the 

 events on the Eappahannock had hastened the 

 decision to put the law for this object in opera- 

 tion, and the proclamation notified all foreign- 

 ers who had merely declared an intention to 

 become citizens of the United States, that after 

 sixty-five days they would be liable to draft, 

 if found in the country. 

 By the President of the United States of America : 



PROCLAMATION. 



Whereas, the Congress of the United States, at its 

 last session, enacted a law, entitled an act for the en- 

 rolling and calling out the national forces, and for oth- 

 er purposes, which was approved on the 3d day of 

 March last ; and whereas, it is recited in said act that 

 there now exists in the West and South an insurrec- 

 tion against the authority thereof, and it is under the 

 Constitution of the United States the duty of the Gov- 

 ernment to suppress insurrection and rebellion, to 



