The New York herald., 1862-12-14
OTHER ACCOUNTS.
The Occupa tfOn or Fredericksb sburg.
Correspondence Of the Philadelphia Press


The Occupation or Freslericksburg.
correspondence Of the Philadelphia Press.
FREDERIcEsBURG, Dec. III, 1862.
Passing between dead Union soldiers assembled tb
bank, wocfu Of destruction presented ITSELF which
rom tDe opposite shore could not be realized Houss
walls were rddled with breaches roofs were fallen in
with broken plaster. The rushed in like locuss, and
finding many objects still unremoyed transferred those
OF suitable size 70 their pockets The British flag float
ing over the house Of tho British CONSUL seized from
his deserted dwelling ard carried acress the river with
the idea, probably, that IL secession affair and
thirty prisoners from Mississippi regiment accompanied
The houses the banks occupied by families in
moderate circumstances and no one was allowed to pene-
rate sufficiently into the city 70 enter those OF more cost
ly structure owing TO The known presence OF rebel
soldiers in many houses and streets Of the town. A
fearful looking dead rebel, with his head half shot
away, was the boundary beyond which one passed.
few families had returned yesterday who said that
the attack so long delayed they did not expect i
all and preferred taking risk and enjoying their
homes. This morning sadly disappointed them and they
were found by hidden in their cellars and secure from
danger The appeared frightened at the approach
Of our men but assured by officers that every
spect would be shown hem and soOn therefore, became
their heads ready tdlaugh at sundy jokes they
heard perpetrated. rs singular to observe how when
the worst Is known in regard 70 pecnnary losses the hu
man soul recovers its elasticity and rebounds into its
tive realm OF hope.
Presently the bridge was finished and shortly after
four ocock Howard's division OF Couchs corps poured
along, preceded by General Fcrrero and aids, who had
been depucd by Burnside 10 supentend the crossing
After them the balance Of Summers grand DIVISION
consisting OF the corps Of Couch and Wilcox with few
cepons and subsequently followed section Of Rockers
army as dusk advanced. The enemy opened moderate
sheling from distant batteries but soon ceased u was
most futile manifestation. Soon the troops, brigade
after brigade arrived were marched through the dine
rent streets OF the town. and exchanged sharp firing with
rebels hidden In many OF the houses. Each building,
they progressed cleaned Of its inmates and at dark
after the proper posting of guards the occupied the
houses, cooked Their suTpers and composed themselves
for Sleep They ratioDed In the morning for three
days and their blankets sung their shoulders
ready tor any bivouac.
A half A mil hello wa lpted
after the upper one and troops from Hooers grand
DIVISION consisting Of Buterhelds and Stonemans army
rapidly crossed four Deep at the rate Of ten thou
This section Of the army, composed Of Reynolds and
Smiths army corps, crossed simultaneously with the
rest, without mOestation, short distance below the
city, having before it level plain which artillery
could easily have swept Of any field batteries or troops Of
Our artillery position yesterday consisted of four d.
visions. That Of Colonel Hays with eight batteries,
occupied the right; Colonel Tompkns with eleven bat.
teres the right centre Colonel Tyler with seven bate
ries, the left centre and Colonel De Russy with nine
batteries the extreme left This last division was called
but little into action Colonel De Russy led the fororn
hope Molino Del Rey, during the Mexican war, and
is ssid is soon 70 be brigader general.
hundred guns thus pointed at the devoted
city Had the batteries boon provided with full
pement the number would have been far greater.
e TO sosns aO5 brilliant pst S.sr
another, within their insatate grasp. Buildings are
being eveled TO arrest their progress The spectacle 10
being contemplated by numerous officers from the man
sion or Mr.. Lacy. The bank who has deserted
his residence and is q major in the rebel army. His
Of the spacious parIors are pentluy stained with blood
severed limbs and pieces OF nesh painful mementoes Of
day Of horrors.
The Movements OF the Various Divisions.
From the Philadelphia Press, Dec. 13.
WHAT BURNSIDE WILL PROBABLY DO NEXT.
resting although not so clearly defined by our despaches
We could WISH Gen. Burnside has successfully per-
formed Of the greatest feats known 70 the greatest
NJ fha nf 0fr rtv
the face Of powerful foe. The Army Of the Potomac
has the Rappahannock in two supporting columns
tween two lines Of redoubts but this seems very doubt
full He would not occupy portion long that II danked
have seH srdsny peeed 70 POSITION more easily de-
fended and better adapted for pitched battle Proba-
bly, tho litse valley s o. me Aas.apony river river
north Of Hanover Junction. The rebels have
already fallen back across the Aassaponax river for
safety and destroyed the bridges Behind this stream
they observe our movements, and retreat or give
battle at pleasure win be Of the utmost importance
for them 70 discover whether is Gen. Burnside's inten
tion TO move upon Richmond by stage roads, direct
through Spotsyvania county or whether ne will pursue
the OF the Richmond and Fredericksburg Railroad
IL will be the duty Of the General commanding the Army
OF the Potomac to push as rapidly possible, pro-
ceeding with caution, but forcing the enemy 70 light
battle will weaken the rebels very much without seri-
ousy iinparing strength and defeat will ruin them
especially rout should be one OF the results OF the
impending sas General see p o ' SoG
BuFnside artillery, in OF battle, and can bear down
upon the enemys flank and rear with terrible effect,
the rebels not much stronger than s generally sup
posed
AZ present must be confessed the position Of affairs
promising for the Union army II is Lees object
70 avoid battle IT should be Burnside's endeavor 70
force Lee ght because upon the result OF this engage
ment may depend the lie or death OF the rebellion But
how may this primitive result be attained when the
rebels evidently falling back TO their works about
Richmond fast as safety TO largo army will warrant,
and destroying the bridges after them? rapid move
ment soutbwardly for few hours Will bring Burnsides
army in the fank Of the rebel forces and our
ysung leaders military genius has discovered the
~ The feasibility OF rapid movement 80 as 70 place
the Army OF the Potomac between Lees army and Rich
mond is evident. The Ma, Pa, Pc and Ny creeks
all be forded in day, and then the rebels must fight
upon the dead levels beyond or be forced into the reed
brakes or swamps below. They must fight hard bat
tie or their capital will be the Christmas gift Of the
Upned States government At his iuncture glad
10 tedr that the Army of the Blackar Is ready %
and is oy a,Daino the ord 10 ADVANCE the rebels
.housd attempt retreat TO Lynchbu,g for sciner quarters.