The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1862-12-27
Official Report Of the Rebel Commander.
HE.pQrAgrsRs AMY OF NORTHERN yTgGISIA,
A

| HEADQUARTERS Army OF NORTHERN NIEGfSfA-t
December "a. l5h2. ]
! To the Hon Secretary OF War. Bichr ond, Va:
! SIR-On the night of the 10th instant
( the enemy commenced to throw three
/ bridges over the appaiannock-two at
( Frederick, burg, and the third about a
Z mile and quarter below, near the mouth
| of the Deep Run. The plain on which
{ Frederick Gurg stands is so completely
commanded by the hills Of Stafford, in
/ possession Of the enemy. that no efectual
opposition could be offered to the con-
struction of the bridges on the passage of
the river without exposing our troops to
the destructive fire of his numerous bat
, ter!es. Positions We're: therefore selected
10 oppose his advance after crossing. The
harrowness of the ttappahannocll it. wind
ing course and deep bed, afforded oppor
tunity for the construction of bridges at
points beyond the reach of our artillery,
and the banks bad to be watched by skir-
mshers. The latter, shelterins themselves
behind the houses drove back the work.
ing parties of the enemy at the bridges
opposite the city; but at the lowest point
OF crossing, where no shelter could be had.
our sharshoters themselves were driven
off and the completion of the bridge was
effected about noon on the llth
In the afternoon Of that day the enemy's
batteries opened upon the city, and by
dark had so demolished the houses on
the river bank as to deprive our skirmish
ers of shelter and under cover OF his guns
he effected a lodgnent in the town The
troops which had so CALAMITY held their
position in the city under the severe can
nonade during the day, resisting the adj
vance of the enemy at every step, were
Withdrawn during the night, as were also
those who, with equal tenacity, lac: main
tanned their post at the lowest bridge
Under cover of darkness and dense
fog, on the 18th, a large force passed the
river, and took position on the right bank
protected by the heavy guns on the left
On the mornIng of the 18th, his arrange
ments for attack being completed about
nine o'clock, the movement yelled by
fog, he advanced boldly in large force
against our right wing General Jackson's
corps occupied The right Of our line, which
rested on the railroad; General Long
streets left, extending along the heights
to the Rappahannock, above Fredericks
burgh General Stuart, with two brigades
Of cavalry, was posted in the extensive
PLAIN on our extreme right. As soon as
the advance Of the enemy was discovered
through the fog, General Stuart, with his
accustomed promptaess, moved up a Sec
ton of his horse artillery, which opened
with effect upon his flank, and drep upon
the gallant Pelham heavy fire, which he
sustained unflinchingly for about two
hours
In the meantime the enemy was fercely
encountered by General a. P. Hills divi- |
sion, forming General Jacksons right |
and after an obstinate combat repulsed: |
During this attack, which was protracted |
and holly contested, two Of General Hills |
brigades were driven back upon our sec.
ond line General Early, with part of his |
division, being ordered to his support.
drove the enemy back from the point of |
woods he had seized, and pursued him
into the plain, until arrested by his artil-
lery.
The right Of the enemy's column, ex-
tending beyond Hills front, encountered
the right of General Hood, of Longstreet's
corps. The enemy took possession of a
small copse in front of Hood, but werS
quickly dispossessed and repulsed with
loss,