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RAWS. Foreseeing from the vigor of Lee's attack the necessity of contracting his lines, as soon as it was dark, Newton's and Brooks's divisions and the Light Brigade (Col. Burnham's), were ordered to fall rapidly back upon Banks's Ford, where they took position on the heights in the vicinity, and in Wilcox's rifle-pits. Howe was then quietly withdrawn, and disposed on Newton's right. In his testimony before the Committee on the Conduct of the War, Gen. Howe appears to think that he was unfairly dealt with by Sedgwick; in fact, that his division was intentionally left behind to be sacrificed. But this opinion is scarcely justified by the condition of affairs and subsequent events. Following are the important despatches which passed, during the latter part of these operations, between Hooker and Sedgwick:-- HEADQUARTERS SIXTH CORPS, May 4, 1863, 9 A.M. MAJOR-GEN. HOOKER. I am occupying the same position as last night. I have secured my communication with Banks's Ford. The enemy are in possession of the heights of Fredericksburg in force. They appear strongly in our front, and are making efforts to drive us back. My strength yesterday morning was twenty-two thousand men. I do not know my losses, but they were large, probably five thousand men. I cannot use the cavalry. It depends upon the condition and position of your force whether I can sustain myself here. Howe reports the enemy advancing upon Fredericksburg. JOHN SEDGWICK, Major-General. SEDGWICK'S HEADQUARTERS, NEAR BANKS'S FORD, VA., May 4, 1863, 9.45 A.M. GEN. HOOKER. The enemy are pressing me. I am taking position to cross the river wherever (? whenever) necessary. J. SEDGWICK, Major-General. HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, May 4, 1863, 10.30 A.M. GEN. SEDGWICK, Commanding Sixth Corps. The commanding general directs that in the event you fall back, you reserve, if practicable, a position on the Fredericksburg side of the Rappahannock, which you can hold securely until to-morrow P.M. Please let the commanding general have your opinion in regard to this by telegraph from Banks's Ford as soon as possible.
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