The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1862-12-26

whip, and keeps his granary supplied with
oats. lie Gays he had rather have the love,
than fear Of borse.-Demouai.
The CLosE OF SATURDAYS BArTm- What
he Generals Said and Did. The correspon-
dent of the New York Tribune, who was
with Gen. Sumner during the afternoon, apd
up to the close Of the terrible engagement
at fredericksburg, and who had ample OPP
portunity Of hearing and seeing what was
going on. thus describes what no saw, and
what he heard from the constantly arriving
aids and couriers to "thc old war dog" who
looked as II he was in the leash striving to
get loo'c at the threats OF the enemy: 4
"The old man looked anxious and fearful.
Things were going well with the command.
For three hours his men had been'6ghting at
fearful odds. They were much exhausted.
their loss was excessive, and nothing had
been accomplished. Indeed, to the test OF tho
ear, at the point where we were located, IL
seemed US though they were being badly
pressed. The batteries had been brought
down and planted at the head Of the streets.
The troops were hugging the city closely to
escape the fearful fire. 'where is franklin?
was the eager inquiry. Everything depends
on franklin's coming mp ON the flank
Franklins position was plainly observable
by the line OF smoke and fire couple Of
miles to our left below. lie was making no
nearer.
At 3 o'clock an aid arrives from Gen.
Couch to say that his (Couch's) troops were
advancing finely: but that Wilcocks was not
keeping up. 'IsR Gen. Wiieocls.. replies
Gen. Sumner. teK him he mna make Me
Ninth army Corps keep pace ,rith the Second,
Jhe can
At3 IL o'clock. Stnrgis who has been
clinging TO the valley amid showers OF fire,
is 30 hotly pressed that .hc hardly thinks he
can hold his own till Griffin comes up
At 4 o'clock French reports that his right
is held by brigade (Alason's) ,chieh is ,rifh.
0ut oninunitiom
Sumner sends message begging Burnside
that franklin be directed 10 advance. lie
has enough to do ut this moment to hold his
own, for jackson has Just thrown In rein
iorccments, and is pushing hard to turn his
left.
Meantime the reserves have not peen toiich.
ed. HoOker's Central Grand Diyision-ffty
thousane fresh mcn--haye not yet been en-
gagged indeed, IRE yet mainly on this side
of the river.
TELL Gen. Burnside that he had better, by
all means. throw some OF Hooker's in
Burnside replies that he has directly or
dered Hooker to 20 in. and that every man
on this side Of the river shall cross.
Promptly the column is pushed down to
the pontoons, Humphreys division OF But
terfeld's corps leading. The wary rebels,
sharply on the alert Tor the movement OF tho
troops, and having q battery or two admira-
bly, trained on the bridge, pour in the shells,
and somewhat delay Operations. Happily,
though they fall all round the bridge, and
kill some men on the banks. they do the
structure no harm. In case they do. howev-
or. corps Of pOntooniers stand ready to 70.
pair any damage.
At 4o'clock Gen. Hooker, who had not
yet been across the river, proceeded over, ro-
marking TO friend that he was going to
put this thing through
In hall an hour prodigions yolleys OF mus
kerry announce that Hooker. with the re.
serves, Is engaged. This last assaulting col.
umn consisted Of the division Of Humphrey.
Monk, Howard Getty and Sykes. They bad,
however, hardly got fairly engaged before
the sun went down. and night closed around
the wrath OF tho clam rous ccmbatants.
At this time. Gen. Bdrnsido. who had re-
manned all day at the Phillips House. camo
down to the Lacy House and. In the gar
den facing the city, followed the progress OF
the fight. Externally calm. the leading
player in this tremendous game was agitated
by such intensity OF feeling US one can con-
ccivc, and hc paced the garden gloomy as
night. sl
The hrryity Of time into which tho stupen-
dous is,ue of the day had to be crowded
seemed to add rcdoubled energy to the Jury
off tho combatants.
Not Night or Blucbcr.' ns Wellington ex-
claimed at Waterloo, but Aax's prayer for
more light, was the prompting Of every
heart
Creeping up on the flank OF the left, Get
ty's troops succeeded in gaining the stone wall
which we had been unable all day to wrench
from the rebels. The other forces rushed
for the crest. Our field batteries, which.
owing to the restricted space, had been OF
but very little use all day. were brought Wig
orously into play. Il was the fierce passion
ate clii,sx Of the battle. From both sides
two miles Of batteries belcbed forth their
6rsry missiles athwart the dark background
of the night. volleys OF musketry were
poured forth such as we have no parallel OF
|, all our experience Of the war. and which
..o'as5 as though all the demons OF the earth
and air were contcnding together. Rushing
nm the. crest our troops had got within
stones throw Of the batteries, when the hill
tor swamed forth 10 new reiniorcemcnts Of
rebel infantry. who. rushing upon our men.
drove them back. The turn of die decides
such situations. The day was lost, Our
men retired. Immediately the cannon and
musketry ceased their roar, and in moment
the silence Of death succeeded the stormy
fury 81 ten hours battle.
AZ Gen. Burnside, turning walked OF
through the garden, and mounting bis boss
galloped back 10 his head quarters, what