It was a splendid scene when the fog lifted December 13, 1862, and revealed on the plains of
Fredericksburg, in martial array,
Burnside's army of 100,000 men and 200 guns confronting the hills crowned with the batteries and bayonets of the Army of Northern Virginia.
That day
Early was put in the most difficult position that ever tests the soldier's metal.
Sumner's grand division threw itself upon the
Confederate left and was dashed to pieces against the lines of Marye's Hill.
Franklin's grand division was now launched against our right held by
Jackson's Corps, and
Early was just executing orders from
Jackson to hold his division in readiness to move to our right flank, then being threatened.
But there came galloping to him the adjutant of
Walker's Artillery Battalion with the startling information that the enemy had made ‘an awful gulf’ between
Archer's and
Lane's Brigades on our front, and unless immediate assistance came our artillery would be captured.
In this emergency
Early assumed the responsibility of disregarding
Jackson's orders, and instantly advanced to the rescue amidst the shouts of the
Confederates: ‘Here comes old Jubal, he'll straighten that fence.’
And he did straighten it, driving the enemy far out on the plain, and having the satisfaction of presently receiving
Jackson's orders to do just what he had done.
Early commanded the right wing of
Lee's army during the
battle of Chancellorsville, while
Lee and
Jackson surrounded
Hooker with less than half of his numbers.
With his division of four brigades and
Barksdale's Brigade, and the reserve artillery, all told less than 10,000 men. Early held a line four miles long against three corps at
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first, then against two, and at last had it out with
Sedgwick 30,000 strong.
The latter, by a sudden rush in the afternoon, captured Marye's Hill, but at dawn next day
Early straightened that fence, and later joined in the assault at Salem Church, which led to the discomfiture and retreat of the enemy.
On the 15th of June, 1863,
Lee telegraphed from his headquarters ‘A dispatch from
Ewell dated 5 A. M. to-day states that
Early's Division stormed the enemy's works at
Winchester, capturing their cannon, etc., with little loss on our side.’
This is the brief summary of the flank movement and brilliant assault suggested and executed by
Early, and of the splendid victory that sent
Milroy routed to
Harper's Ferry and cleared the path for our northern march.
