Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1862-12-12
Rebels Retreat Across the Ar
kansas River.
cacC. coo. cAsc.

Bombardmcnt OF Fredericksburn- -
The City on Fire.
HEADQUARTERS Amy OF THE PoroMAo, Dec. III,
9 A. M.-Everything last night was bustle and
activity, 90 to-day was the time fred for cross
In the river. During the night the pontoone
were conveyed to the river, and the artillery of
one hundred and forty. three pieces placed In
position opposite. At Eve o'clock this morning
the rebels fred two signal guns, and during The
latter part OF the night rockets we're frequently
seen within their lines.
Az five o'clock the construction of three
bridges In front Of the city was commenced.
When the bridges were about half completed,
the enemy opened murderous fire Of infantry
from the houses on the river banks. Up to this
time NOT shot had been fred from our aide.
The engineers were driven from the bridees.
and several killed and wounded,
AT ak o'clock Gen. Burnside ordered all the
guns to be opened on the city The oannonade
which has continued up to the present time is
terrible. The city is on fire, and its destruction
appears certain,
The enemy about seven O'Clock this morn.
ing opened With their heavy guns from their
works, but so far have done no serious injury.
General Franklin constructed his bridges about
three miles below the city, meeting with but
slight opposition, His troops are now crossing,
and the gunboats are shelliDg the enemy about
fifteen miles down the river, where thew have
been. concentrating their forces for the past
few days, - is4.l - lf. - : :, -
The concentrated FIRE Of our batteries on ths
city has had the effect Of driving back the
enemys infantry. and the work on the bridges
has sgain been commenced. The troops are
all under arms near the river, prepared to rush
over as soon as the bridges are completed
NooN-on the attemps being made to finish
the bridge In front of the city, the rebel inian-
try sgain opened their fire, when our artillery
In position was again opened on the city, the
result being thst the city was fred In several
new places. rs'Ui1 .s,,l. y.
to this time, as it would endanger their own
men who are holding the river front .-all
Burnside has just issued an order to oonoen-
trate every availsble gun upon the CITY, under
the cover Of the fire Of which il is believed the
bridge can be finished ~ -9i.35 = :.
The killed and wounded do not amount to
more than fifty men. is.i
HE j.. s LATER.
EvENae.-But little firing took place between
one and three, during which time all the avail
able batteries were placed In position. They
numbered one bundled and seventy .sx guns.
At signal ell opened on the city. : The FIRE
Was terrible, but the rebel sharpshooters could
not be driven from their hiding places. The
shot and shell went through the houses, In many
cases setting them on FIRE, causing dense
smoke which, together with the explosion of 60
large quantity Of powder, almost hid the city
rom view. ss-
Il became evlden. that the bridges could NOT
be built except BY bold dash, and volunteers
were called for 90 cross In small boats. The
order was no sooner given than hundreds
stepped forward; but 90 all could not go, about
one hundred were selected They were coon
on their way, while the artillery threw perfect
storm OF iron hall on the opposite bank. They
reached the opposite shore, but not without
loss With fixed bayonets they rushed upor
the enemy, killing several and taking one hun
dred and one prisoners, who were safely landed
on this side. = wv
At half past four two bridges were finished
opposite the city, when the troops immediately
began to cross over. The enemy were sooI
driven from the city back to their line of works
| The two bridges In front Of Gen. Ffanklir
were successfully laid early In the day, but bill
troops did not cross until the two upper onsi
were ready. iD UTfT Nj .f,'gU-
| A sufficient force is now on the opposite sid,
Of the river to resist any attack that is likely
70 be made. The rebels fred bus few gums NTH,
morning, and none In the afternoon, although
their works were In easy range. G p.
During the forenoon the rebels burnt the rail
road bridge outside Of the city. Between thir
" and forty houses were burnt, mostly In th,
business part of the city 'ot ai .is, grs ,g,,. Il.
During the day between eight thousand an,
nine thousand rounds Of ammunition were fre'
BY our artillery. a.i or, 'o, .s 4
i Everything is quiet tonight. The ind!ca
tons are that battle will be fought to.mor
row. f5s afs.,lfttf b, $780,, i. -