, 1862-12-24
Gen. Lees OmclalReport0 of the
Battle Of Fredericksburg


Gen. Lees OmcIaIReportof of the
.Isuttle Of Fred edericlfsburg.
WAsa1saTos, Dec. IA, 1869.
The Richmond papers Of the 17th inst. an
nouncc cditorla1ly the :retreat Of the Union
army from Fredericksburg in comments upon
the following telegraphic dispatch Of Gen.
Lee:
FREpER1uHsBuRa, Dec s18, 1862.
As far as Gun be ascertained this stormy |
morning, the enemy has disappeared in our |
immediate front, and has re-crossed the Rap |
pahannock. I presume he is meaitating |
The Whig ridicules this retreat, saying: l.
II is another "On to Richmond come to |
grief Burnside has dragged the bruised body |
and broken bones of lis army across the
Rappahannock, and gone-We know not
where.
It is evident from the tenor Of the articles
In the Whig and Dispatch, that the retrogade
movement of the Union ARMY Of the Potomac
Is not understood By the rebel General.
The rebel loss at Fredericksburg Is estima-
ted at 1,SO0 and tile Union loss at s, 900; but
in the local column Of the paper the arrival at
Richmond Of 1850 rebel wounded is an-
uouuced, and also Of about 100 wounded
Onion prisoners.
GEN. LEES OFFICIAL REPORT OF TIE BATTLE
The following is Gen. Lees official report
Of the battle Of Fredericksburg -
HEADQUARTERS. AR4T or NoErHERNl
VtRa1s1A, Dec II. 1862.
The Honorable Secretary Of War, Richmond, Va:
S1R-On the night Of the 10th inst, the en-
ne1ny commenced to throw three bridges over
the Rappahannock two at Fredericksburg,
and the third about nile and quarter be-
low, near the mouth of the Deep Run. The
plain on which Fredericksburg stands, is so
Completely commanded BY the hills Of Stafford,
opposition could he offered to the -construc-
tion OF the bridges on the passage Of tile river
without exposing our troops to the destruc-
tive fire Of bis numerous batteries. Positions
were therefore selected to oppose his advance
after crossing The narroWness Of The Rap
I pahanock, its winding course and deep bed,
| Offered opportunity for the construction Of
bridges at points beyond the reach Of our ar
tiillery, and tho banks had to be watched by
| skirnlishers. The latter, sheltering them
selves behind the houses, drove back the
working parties Of the enemy at the bridges
| opposite the city; but at the lowest point Of
| crossing, where no shelter could be had, onr
| sharpshooters we're themselves driven OF.
| and the completion Of the bridge was effected
! about noon On ihe 18th.
In the afternoon Of that day tie enemy's
batteries opened upon the city, and BY dark
! had so demolished the houses on the river
bank as to deprive our skirmishers Of sheler,
ana, under e9yef Of his gnns he edss5ea as
SO gallantly held their position in the city
under the severe eannonade during the day,
resisting the advance of the enemy at every
step, were withdrawn during the night. as
were also those who, with equal tenacity, had
maintained their post at the lowest bridge
Under cover of darkness and dense fog, on
the lath large force passed the river aud
took position on the right bank, protected by
their heavy guns on the left.
On the morning Of the 18th, his arrange:
| tfNs1- tad n11N
O'Clock, the movement yelled By fog, lie ad
vanccd boldly in large force against our right
wing Gtn. Jackson's corps occupied ths
. right OF our line, which rested on the rail
road; Gen. Longstreet's the left, extending
.. above Fredericksburg; Gen. Stewart, witl
Two hrigadcs Of caTalry, Was posted in th'
extensive plain on onr extreme right: A.
, | soon rs the advance Of the enemy Was dlscoy
) cred through the fog, Gen. Stewart, with hi
of his horse artillery, which opened will
effect upon his flank, and drew upon the gal
liant Pelham heavy fire, which be sustainca
n untlinchiug1y fer about two hours.
In the 1nsantime the enemy WV, vas aeree !h:
forming Gen. Jackson's right, and after a
n obstinate combat rerulscd- During thi
. attack, which was prot1acted and hotly COZ
= tested, two Of Gen. Hills hrlgades wer
: driven back upon our second line Gencrs
= Early, with part Of his division, being orderc
: to his support, drove the enemy back fror
y tlc point Of woods he had seizcd, and pursue
4 | him into tho plain until arrested by his arti
4 lc1y.
+ The right Of the enemy's column, cxteni
- ing beyond Hills front, encountered the rigi
- Of Gen. Hood, Of LoDgstreet's corps. Th
: : enemy took possession Of small copse
% front Of Hood, but were quickly tlispossessc
- and repnlsed with loss.
:. During the attack on onr right the enena
o was crossing troops over his bridges at FRI,
e cricksbure and masEipg them IL front
'e Ioncstrcct's line. Soon after his repnlse o
% o,,r Tiubt, hc commenced a series Of ATTACK
y m nmT 1rfT Win view Of obtaining 11ossc
~ ~ sion Of The lights Immediately orerlookiu
= the town, These repeated aftacks were r
u u puIecd in gallant styls by the Washingto A