The Alleghanian. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1859-1865, 1862-12-18
Frederick s1ElrG.

The Philadelphia Press comments as
follows Oh the great struggle now going on
near Fredericksburg The series Of az
fairs which have just taken place on the
line of the NIassaponax river seem to indi-
cate that neither burnside nor Lee is pre-
pared to make it field for tie test oftheir
grand military conclusions. The former
is evidently mau9uvering to keep the enc
my ir his present position fora few days,
and the latter is not willing to hazard the
fate o. his wicked cause upon the result OF
single field The great risk that Burn
side had t. take was in crossing the
Rappahannock that movement successful
" accomplished, he can afford to give
battle of the heaviest description beyond.
There need be no fear Of a demonstration
in his rear, for his position is entirely
tenable in Il military paint of view lie has
river behind him, and the enemy IN front,
with whom he can cope in superior force
and material This river Is not fordaJlc
at present below a line running south from
Dumerics, and Gen Sigoi has possession cf
the fnrdS above. Gen. Sioculn, with an
excellent corps Il a'mce, is moving south
bv the roads east OF the Bull Run ridge
Of mountains. Gen. Jackson cannot be
spared from Lees army TO move mp the
Shenandoah valley again; and it must be
confessed that Gen. Ha!lcck is master Of
the position IN Virginia. 1t was nocessa-
~ for Gen. Burnside 10 discover, if posi-
bic, the exact pos ton and force OF the
enemy after his movement across the river
and to watch he toin;s OF the enemy in
his onGeavors to conceal his designs, ~
the'rebels fell back, oar troops advanced
under Gen Simmer in front, a&d ca tac
the left under Gen Franklin, Ganking the
cnemy gradually. S,irm;5hing between
our troops ana the rebels in advancing
became general, when a rapid advance y.
made and the main body Of the enemy
was found strongly posted on the Little
ridge of hills on the iirc II the NasSapo-
max. The first impulse Of Gen. Sumner
was 10 storm this position and force the
rebels iato the creek. In two Of three
saliies It IS said he was rcpui.ed, although
it is not clear that he was operating his
entire Grand division. lie was ai;crward
ordered to hold the battle field for the Ir.s-
ent. Gen Frdnkiia WAS more successful,
driving the enemy before him 1T all points
for the distance Of mile or m0re. lie
has the advantage in having seized the
hills and raviues below and southeast Of
the city OF Fredericksburg, aud will, no
doubt, be able to force the enemy to fail
back across the Mdssaponax, especially If
Sumner should renew the attack in front.
Every effort Is beiug made to keep our
forces concentrated, TO guard we'll the
tanks Of our great army, and to strengthen
weak points 1t remains to behold the
expression of that genius III cur conlnan-
dar-in- chief which viii launch iii OF his /
heavy columns at ouce,aganst the enemy. |
To DO this successfully, he must be guided (.
alone by the circumstances Of the case and /
his own experience in the mplisfmcut .
Of lis dcsians or schemes. Success in !
war, said the Archduke Charles, is only .
to he obtained by Simultaneous action up /
on given poiut, sustained with constancy /
and executed with decision" Gen. Burn /
side has all the resolution and indomita-
bic courage of military hero. From all /