From Fredericksburg.
the Fighting Thursday--Maherre's brigade engaged — artillery duel — the strength of the enemy — their Parable movements.[from our own Reporter.]
Hamilton's Crossing, May 1.
Here are the results of yesterday's tramp of twenty miles, through mud, and woods, and water.
On an elevated position behind Fredericksburg we could are a Yankee balloon ten miles up the river and heard, about 10 A. M., that the Yankees had aroused in large force below Kelly's Ford, and had our off Stuart's cavalry from Lee's army; that the scouting below was a feint, and the main fight would be above.
About 18 o'clock yesterday the Yankee from across the river poured their ineffectual fires at our troops near this place.
About 1 or 2 P. M. there was a short, sharp infantry fight; and in the evening an artillery duel at three miles roared from opposite sides of the Rappahannock for several hours.
Three of our batteries, one on the bill above this point, and two below, thundered on the Yankees near and above Grey's. They responded, of course, and the racket was great.
Gus of our shots struck among the wagon near Grey's Lane, and caused rapid scattering.--There was no damage on our side, although one shell went over this place and exploded behind Hamilton's house, on the hill above.
We hear rumors of crossing below Port Royal and of our army's falling back, &c. Only fifteen thousand Yankees are said to have come over, and they are concealed in a gorge immediately on the river, near Bernard's. Their pickets and skirmishers only appear above the bank.
Our troops, up to last night, held the river road, three quarters of a mile from the river and parallel to it. The railroad was our second line, and numberless batteries and countless soldiers filled all this neighborhood.
If the Yankees meant to do anything by crossing they have lost all possibility of success by this strange delay.
It need not surprise you to hear to day that they have gone back, and that our army is moving towards Culpeper.
I missed the cars yesterday, but will send you the latest news up to their departure to-day.
I forgot to say that Col. Monagan, of the 5th Louisiana, was wounded twice in the small fight on Wednesday in the rifle pits and taken prisoner.--Four in the 6th Louisiana were said to be killed, and fourteen taken prisoners. We took some prisoners — how many I could not ascertain.
Up to 1 P M yesterday Fredericksburg had not been fired or occupied.
I still believe the bulk of the Yankee army has gone from opposite Fredericksburg, and this crossing was made as a feint, and under the belief that a very small portion of our army was left here.
10. A. M.--Our wagons have retired, and troops gone up toward United States Ford, where the enemy crossed yesterday.
At 3 P. M. Gen. Mahone drove them back, lost one company, (which was out off on picket somehow,) and fell back to his old position.
The enemy came upon him, not knowing he had breastworks.
He pursued them after repulsing them.
Gen. Wilcox holds Banks's Ford.
I could not ascertain the number of Mahone's killed and wounded.
The fight occurred at Chancellorsville, about four miles from Ely's Ford.
The Yankee's were reported to be at Spotsylvania C. H., 10 miles southwest from Chancellorsville.
The Court-House is twelve miles almost due west from Fredericksburg.
No firing heard up to this hour to-day.
Stuart was skirmishing all day yesterday.
All the indications point above Fredericksburg as the real routs of Hooker in his "On to Richmond" He has two roads out to Banks's ford, where Wilcox is ready to receive him. No Yankees yet reported in Fredericksburg.
Barksdale's men are still there.
The Yankees are preparing earthworks for guns near Pratt's. Their line extends from Bernard's to Alsop's, opposite Hamilton's Crossing.
Our pickets and their's are scarcely 200 Yards apart.
One of our shells yesterday scattered a party of officers near Pratt's. 