The Sun.
London, England, 1862-12-29 00:00:00

AN ADVANCE MOVEMENT.

Towards three o'clock, however, signs of an ad-
vance movement on our part were manifested. The
artillery, the presence of which had been concealed
as much as possible, was ordered forth into the
streets, and went rumbling along to take up posi-
tions commanding the approaches to the city, and
at the same time covering the progress of our
troops outwards. Squadrons and companies of ca-
valry also took their departure in large numbers to
the support of the infantry pickets and skirmishers,
who steadily advanced from diverging lines from
the city, thus enlarging the field of our operations.
This movement having been successfully effected,
the forces on the other side of the river took up the
line of march for the bank, there to be disposed in
a position supporting the troops on the front.
Stoneman's corps was in the advance, and at the
head of the column was descending the declivity,
filing to the left as it proceeded, and passing near
the upper pontoon bridge, the rebels, who disco-
vered the movement, suddenly opened with shell
from their batteries on the right. The first shell
burst in close proximity to the pontoons ; the se-
cond struck in the side of the hill over which the
men were coming, and, bursting, tore up the road,
leaving a gaping pit. From the accuracy with
which these missiles had been directed it was evi-
dent that the rebels had obtained the range with a
precision which threatened great slaughter to our
troops should they persist in advancing, and accord-
ingly they were ordered back to shelter, though
some of the men rushed forward on the double
quick, as if determined to run the gauntlet. and
pass the locality, despite the dangerous character of
such an exploit. The batteries had continued to
fire for some time after the troops had been with-
drawn, with the intention, no doubt, of preventing
a renewal of the attempt to pass, when our batte-
ries on the bluff opposite the easterly end of
the city opened in response, and an artillery
duel ensued, which lasted about two hours,
with but little intermission. The rebels
boldly diverted their fire from the right to the
left, and when the fight had grown warm the
air above us seemed alive with the screaming shot
and shell. From one or two guns at the commence-
ment the rebels extended their fire to the whole
amphitheatre of works which surmount the hills en-
circling the city, and, while responding to our bat-
teries, endeavoured to cast a few shells among the
troops occupying our left. The attempt was in-
effectual, inasmuch as the slope on which the city
stands afforded secure protection. One of their
Wells struck a house in the town, but did little
damage to it. Towards 5 o'clock their batteries
became silent. Our troops on the opposite aide then
advanced without molestation, and have taken up a
position on the edge of the river, between the upper
and lower pontoon bridges, ready to cross by either
or both when necessary. It will be seen that our
forces are thus massed on the banks of the stream,
and, though divided by it, are in easy communica-
tion with each other.

The occupation of Fredericksburg having been
successfully accomplished, the next move was to
drive the rebels from their strongholds in the rear
of the city. The lines of the rebels, which ex-
tended in the form of a semi •circle from Port Royal
to a point about six milesabove Fredericksburg,
were strongly fortified and protected by a range of
hills. "Stonewall" Jackson occupied the right
wing, extending from Port Royal to Guinney's
Station (a station on the Richmond and Fredericks-
burg Railroad) ; Gen. Longstreet the centre, extend-
ing to the telegraph road ; and Generals Lee and
Stuart the left, west of Messaponax Creek, while
General A. P. Hill's corps acted as a reserve. Lee's
reason for occupying the left was because he could
be on his guard against Sigel, who threatened to
outflank him by way of Culpepper, The entire
rebel force was estimated at 200,000 men, and occu-
pied a front of not less than 20 miles. The troops
were for the most part veterans who had fought
through all the peninsular campaign, while the
officers were the ablest that the South could pro-
duce. It was no mean enemy we had to contend
with, I assure you.

The disposition of the Union forces occupied the
whole of Friday night and Saturday morning, and,
as Gen. Burnside was anxious to commence the at-
tack at as early an hour as possible, there was not
much chance for the troops to rest themselves. A
few stragglers, it is true, managed to sneak away
for the purpose of pillaging ; but the great mass of
the soldiers were constantly under arms. General
Burnside was in the city all night, personally in-
specting the troops and directing their movements.
It was arranged that General Franklin's corps
should cross the river two miles below the city,
with the view of turning the enemy's position on
Messaponax creek, while Hooker would engage the
rebels nearer the centre, and Sumner would turn
their right. By this arrangement it will be seen
that Franklin was opposed to " Stonewall" Jack-
son, while Hooker and Sumner attacked the centre
and left of the rebels under Longstreet and Lee.
The eventful morning came, and with it a dense
fog, which obscured the movements of the enemy.
Tho balloon was sent up just before daylight, but in
consequence of the fog no observation could be had.
However, the disposition of the Union forces had
been made, and General Burnside determined to
commenca operations, fog or no fog.