The new South. [volume] (Port Royal, S.C.) 1862-1867, 1862-12-27
EVACUATION OF FREDERICKSBURG.

rebels from their strong holds at Fredericks burg,
in which We have suffered loss of 10000 men
killed and wounded, the army Of the Potomac,
evacuated their petition and re-crossed the Rap
pahannock on Monday night the 18th inst, and
the relative positions of the opposing forces are
now the same as on Wednesday of last week. The
movement was perilous one, but it was conducted
in safety and in the midst of heavy wind and
rain storm which served to screen it from the
enemy-who neverdiscovered the movement until
it was too late to dc any harm. The artillery WIS
the first to cross orer the river and the last of the
infantry brought up the rear shortly after daylight
AS soon the last imam had got safely across the
river the p; ntOon bridges were removed and COM
munication between the two shores thus cut off.
Our wounded were all safely brought over. The
movement was weReNecuted and from beginning
to end was complete success. All three Of the
crossings were used. making six bridges, Gen.
trankin Grand Division occupying the extreme
let. began tn move as as it was dark,
and the right and fentre of Gems. Sumner and
Hooker took up tie line of march almost SIM
ultaneously, moving in good order. but silently
away from under thsvery guns of the enemy. A
heavy gale OF wiki, which blew all sound away
from the rebel lines, greatly facilitated the move
ment, Bridges were covered with earth, to dead
en- the sound of tln moving artillery and dark
night hid every object from view Two brigades,
belonging to Gen. sutterfeld corps, occupy the
town as advanced pickets. Cur artillery, placed
on the h.ther bank Of the river will cooperate in
keeping possession Of the town
On Tuesday morn nhhg>the 10th inst; when day.
light appeared the enemy seemed to be, as they no
doubt were, perfectly astonished that our army had
succeeded in recrossng the Rappahannook river,
movement accomplished without the loss of SIM
yI, man ha vso
were unaware OF the movement We were making
until just before daylight, when an officer went to
each individual man, and in low tone of voice
ordered him to fall back, After they got suffi-
ciently far away to b out of danger, they were
dered to quicken their pace and reach the bridges
as quickly as possibk A few soldiers, who had
straggled OF, made yheir appearance 0f....-Sriver
bank, after the pontoon bridgeshad been removed,
but they We're subsequently brought over safely in
small boats
About nine O'Clock in the morning the enemy
advanced their Skirmshers along their entire line
and by noon had established their pckets near the
bank of the river.
On Monday the pickets of the contending ar
mics fronting the left wing, mutually ag esd upon
an g armistice among themselves, and freely i'm
termingled with each other, exchanging their dead
friends and comrades who lay ON ineutr,l ground''
truce, which the enemy Immediately recognized,
and the exchange of dead bodies was resumed and
continued until completed.
On Tuesday Gen, Lee sent flag Of truce to Gen.
Burnside, asking him to detail men to bury his
dead in front Of Gen. Summers Grand Division
This was done.
Our entire army Isl now encamped on the same
ground which they previously occupied, 1t has
been considerably reinforced since the battle, and
no danger whatever attaches to our present posi-
ton.
During the night the enemy increased their in
renchments on the terraces in the rear of Freder,
icsburgh, and threw up pits near the river, on
the lett Of the city. Our troops are in excellent
condition, and as enthusiastic as previous to the
late engagements. On Wednesday the 18th inst,
the rebels Sent under a flag of truce, q request
that We wouid bury our dead. A burying party
accordingly went over, and continued their labors