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SEDGIVICK AT FREDERICKSBURG AND SALEM HEIGHTS.

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THE ATTACK ON SEDGWICK AT BANKS’S FOKD, MONDAY EVENING, MAY 4, AS SEEN FltOMTHE SAND-BAG BATTERY NEAR FALMOUTH. FROM A WAR-TIME SKETCH,

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ments for the withdrawal. Newton quickly made himself acquainted withthe roads leading to Banks ’s Ford and succeeded in establishing communismtion with General Henry W. Benham, who was in charge of the pontoons atthat place.

At 6 o’clock in the evening the enemy attacked Brooks and Howe on thecenter and left, with the design of cutting oft' the corps from Banks ’s Foi'd-Howe not only maintained his position until niglit-fall, but also made severalcounter-charges, capturing several hundred prisoners. Brooks also held onuntil dark, but in retiring was closely pursued by the enemy. Idle whole corpsthen successfully fell back to Banks ’s Ford, and the long and painful suspen seof the day was over. The picket lino in front and on the left of Salem l'idg®was withdrawn by General David A. Russell in person. I had been directedto assist him. That sterling soldier dismounted, moved along the line sayiT-b“Quietly, men, quietly; don’t make any noise ”; but the jingle of the canteensand other unavoidable sounds on the evening air revealed the movement f°the vigilant enemy, and they followed closely, yelling and firing until thedouble-quick step brought us to our main column on the march, about a mil®distant. Several of the enemy’s scouts penetrated almost to the ford aimthrew up rockets to mark our position. The enemy’s artillery responded f°the signal, shelling both troops and bridges, but with little injury. Duringthe night we recrossed the river and took position to meet the enemy shornthey, as expected at the time, cross to the north side to renew their attach)or attempt to destroy our depots for supplies near Fredericksburg,captured 5 battle-flags and 15 pieces of artillery, 5) of which were brought off'Fourteen hundred prisoners were taken, including many officers of rank.

Hooker wishes them to attack him to-morrow, if they will,He does not desire you to attack again in force unless heattacks him at. the same time. He says j r ou are too far awayfrom him to direct. Look well to the safety of your corps,and keep up communication with General Bonham at Banks ’sFord and Fredericksburg. You can go to either place, if youthink best. To cross at Banks ’s Ford would bring you insupporting distance of the main body, and would be betterthan falling hack to Fredericksburg.’

“This disi>atoh was written at a time when I 'vaBeeodingly exhausted, ft did not roach Genera »wick till lute in the forenoon of the 4th, bo T havetold, and was tiie only iiiHtnietiou lie received. jenemy attacked him in strong foree the next day* f 11 ^having rcHlut-ed them till the evening, he with** 1ucroHH the river at Banks’H Ford.” _

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