The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1862-12-23
The Battle Of Fredcricksburgh.
From the n Y Herald.
FREDERrcKsBuRGH. Va,
December 18th, 1862.

From the N. Y. Herald.
FREDmrcKsBuRGH, Va,
December 18th. 1862.
The occupation of Frederick.burgh bavin,
bees successfully accomplished, the next NOV
was to drive tberebels from their stronghold
in the rear Of the city. The lines Of the rebel
which exter ded in the form of somi circle
from Port Roya! to a point about ssx mile
above Fredericgsburg, were strongly fortified
and protected by rapgo Of high hills. Stone
wall Jackson occupied the rsght wing, extend
ing from Port Royal to Guinney's Station q
station on the Richmond and Frederieksburgt
railroad;) y Gen. Longstreet the centre, extend
ing to the telegraph road, aud Generals Lee
and Stuart the left, west Of Massaponax Greek
while Gen. A. p. Hills corps acted as a re.
serve. Lees reason for occupying the left
WAS because he could be on bis guard against
Sigel, who threatened to out flank him by way
Of Culpepper. The entire rebel force was es
at 100000 men, and occupied from
Of not less than twenty miles. The troops
were for the most part veterans ho bad fought
through all the Peninsula campaign, while the
officers were the ablest that the South could
produce. II was no mean enemy We nad te
contend with, assure yon.
The disposition Of the u ion forces occupied
the Whole Of Friday night and Saturday morn
ing, and as General Burnside was anxious TO
the attack al as cary an hour as
possible, there WAS not much chance for The
troop, to rest themselves. A few stragglers,
it is true, managed to sneak away for the pur
pose of pillaging; but tie great mass of the
soldiers were constantly under arms. Gener
al Burnside was in the city all night, person
ally inspecting the troops, and directing their
1t was arranged that General
Frankln's corps should cross the river two
miles below thu city with the view to turn the
eremy's position on Massaponax Creek, while
Hooker would engage the rebels nearer the
centre, and Sumner would turn thoir right
BY this arrangement it will be seen that
franklin was opposed to Stonewal Jackson.
while Hooker aud Sumner attacked the centre
and left under command of Longs.reet and
Lee.
The eventful morning came, and with il a
iense fog, which obscured the movements Of
he enemy. The balloon was sent up Just be-
iore daylight, but in consequence of the fog
no observation could be had. However, the
disposition of the Union forces bad been made,
sud General Burnside determined to com
nence operations, fog or no fog.
THE LEFT
Franklin moved bis column, consisting of
he isrt and sixth corps, just before the sun
Use, bis right resting on the outskirts of the
.ity, his centre advanced mile or so from
he river, and his left resting on the Kappa
aannock about three mile, below. Skirmish.
ng commenced few minutes after daylight
,n the extreme left. A rebel battery opened
IN our troops, and the fro became SO annoy.
ng that the 9th regiment New York State
militia were ordered TO charge and take the
cannon at the point of the bayonet. The or.
Ter was obeyed with alacrity, but after a
ierce struggle the charging party were CON-
pelled to fell back. At this critical moment,
General Tyler, percsiving the disorder into
which the 9th New York we're thrown, camo
% their aid with brigade. The 9th were
quickly rallied, and. assisted by Tyler's brig
'de, another attempt was made to storm the
ebe batteries, but without success. The
light now became general on the extreme left
suN auO' hci dCcICtdto "ao tfhuc W
,apture the rebel battery By Gen. Tyler's
brigade; but the fire Of the rebels was so with
,ring in its effect that our brave fellows were
inable to gain any advantage.
Each charge thnned the ranks at terrible
ato, and ct the chances Of capturing that
much coveted battery appeared no better than
It first. BY noon the whole of Franklin's
'orps was engaged with the enemy, and des.
,erate effort was made to turn the cnemy's
position on the Masssponax and drive him be-
Tohd the creek. Gen. Franklin commanded
he movement 10 person, and handled his
roops with remarkable judgment. The rsb
'ls maintained possession Of some small bills
With their usual stubbornness, but gradually
ell back as the Union troops evinced deter
ninstion to 60 forward. During the after
loon the rebels came to a stand, and for time
assumed the offensive; but as they advanced
o meet us they were bravely met and repuls
ID with heavy loss. 1t was at this time that
ome 800 of Hills command fell into our
lands, and were marched to the rear as pris
,ners. Still the enemy contested every foot
# ground. and it was only by dint Of the hard
'st kind OF fighting that he could be compel.
ID TO change bis position.
1t was during the heat Of this engagement
hat the gallant Bayard was mortslIy wound
ID. He was conversing with Gen. Franklin,
vhen cannon ball struck him in the hip and
brew him clean out Of the saddle. Poor
3ayard, he never dreamed Of danger in the
hickest of the battle, an rever lost his cour-
ge, even when his leg was being amputated
'he surgeons say that be cannot survive many
lays, and that the operation they have por.
ormed can only prolopg his agony a short
'hle. But I am DEPRESSING from the main
acts.
The obstinacy with which the rebels held
ossessiou of their ground rendered General
'ranklin's task very difficult ono indeed
Ie had to cope with StouewslI jackson and
he veterans Of Cedar Mountain, Bull Run
nd Antietam-troops who understood their
usiness thoroughly, and wero not to be scar
d by tribes. Hence the task of turning the
ebels' position on the Msssaponax was no o..
|inary one. Still the Union commander was
,ot discouraged; he had driven the epemy
Jack several rods and was determined to drvo
hem farther. Old Stonewall bad met his
match this time, and, notwithstanding bis
roops fought with their usual bravery, they
we're gradually pushed southwark. At sun-
lown Franklin had succeeded in driving the