So soon as Wilcox had retired from Banks’s Ford to oppose Sedgwick’s advance towards Chancellorsville, Gen. Benham threw a pontoon bridge, and established communications with the Sixth Corps.  Warren, who up to this time had remained with Sedgwick, now returned to headquarters, reaching Hooker at eleven and, as a result of conference with him, telegraphed Sedgwick as follows:—­

“I find every thing snug here.  We contracted the line a little, and repulsed the last assault with ease.  Gen. Hooker wishes them to attack him to-morrow, if they will.  He does not desire you to attack again in force unless he attacks him at the same time.  He says you are too far away for him to direct.  Look well to the safety of your corps, and keep up communication with Gen. Benham at Banks’s Ford and Fredericksburg.  You can go to either place if you think best.  To cross at Banks’s Ford would bring you in supporting distance of the main body, and would be better than falling back to Fredericksburg.”

And later:—­

“I have reported your situation to Gen. Hooker.  I find that we contracted our lines here somewhat during the morning, and repulsed the enemy’s last assault with ease.  The troops are in good position.  Gen. Hooker says you are separated from him so far that he cannot advise you how to act.  You need not try to force the position you attacked at five P.M.  Look to the safety of your corps.  You can retire, if necessary, by way of Fredericksburg or Banks’s Ford:  the latter would enable you to join us more readily.”

The former communication reached Sedgwick about four P.M. next day, and was the only one which up till then he had received.  Warren, in his testimony before the Committee on the Conduct of the War, rather apologizes for the want of clear directions in this despatch, on the score of being greatly exhausted; but its tenor doubtless reflects the ideas of Gen. Hooker at the time, and is, indeed, in his evidence, fathered by Hooker as his own creation.  It shows conclusively that there was then no idea of retiring across the river.

And it is peculiarly noteworthy, that, at this time, Hooker does not, in tone or by implication, reflect in the remotest degree upon Sedgwick, either for tardiness or anything else.  Hooker was wont to speak his mind plainly.  Indeed, his bluntness in criticism was one of his pet failings.  And had he then felt that Sedgwick had been lacking in good-will, ability, or conduct, it is strange that there should not be some apparent expression of it.  It was only when he was driven to extremity in explaining the causes of his defeat, that his after-wit suggested Sedgwick as an available scapegoat.