Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1862-12-19

tween the advance Of both nrmios. The rebel
showed disposition to uios G on Fran klins for
ees, bot did not
There is some stirmisling this morning with
eousiderablo artillery firing
Hcrld's special correspondence from Fred- |
ericksbuie, dated Dec. 1aih, 4 ", says:
IL is asccriaincd bcyOud doubt thsi the reb- |
el force is nearly 100000. Jackson commands
the rebel right, extending from Gihnis Station
to Port Royal. Longsireet has the center, ex-
tending from Ginnis Station TO the Telegraph
Road. Lee and Stuart on the LEFT.
A Herald dispatch. dated at Headquarters last
right says, Gen. Ffanklins line moved forward
at sunrise with bis right resting on the river 3
lniles below. Skirmishing eommenced ON the Z
left about daylight, and soon amer rebel bat
terry opened on our lines, aud the 9il New York
inihtia was ordered 70 eliarge; but after fierce
struggle was compelled 10 retire. The remain
der vi the brigade under Gen. Tyler, then
charged the enemy guns, when the fight be-
came general ON the extreme left Generals
Meads and Gibbons divisions encountered the
right Of Gen. A. s. Hills command.
The cannonading was terrific Though our
troops suffered but little from the enemy's ar
tillery. Gradually the fight extended around
the right: Gen. Howe's division then went IN
and then Brooks division.
About 10 o'clock Gen. Summers troops en-
gagrd the enemy back Of the city, since which
the battle has ragged furiously along the whole
line. The enemy, occupying woods and hills,
had much more advantageous positions, but
were driven back on their right a mile aud
half early in the day. About noon Gen. Glib
bons was relieved BY Cen Doubleday and Gen.
Mead hy Gen. stonenan. Afterwards Gen. New
tons's division moved TO the support Of the left,
when the firing ceased for short time, and
broke out with greater fnriousness in the cen
ire where our troops were exposed to plunging
fire from the enemy s earth-works ON the hill.
Along the whole line the battle has been fierce
all day, with great loss 10 both sides.
Tonight each army holds its first position
except slight advance on our left.
Cannouading is still going ON, aud musketry
breaks out at intervals quite hercely.
Bayard was hit in the thigh by a solid shot
while conversiug with Gen. Franklin.
Several hundred prisoners were taken, who
report that Lees whole army is in the vicinity.
Hills troops started down the river this morn
ing, but returned.
Gen. Franklin tonight is opposed to Stone
wall Jackson.
1t is impossible to form an accurate idea Of the
losses or either side
The city suffered terribly from the enemy 5
artillery, and is crowded with our troops, the
front extending short distance beyond
Tho fight VIII probably be resumed to-mor-
row.
A balloon has been mp all day.
About dark our forces carried the right crest
of the hill occupied by the rebels driving them
from the position with great slaughter.
This evening the rebels have been shelling
Fredericksburg, endeavoring to drive our troops
ont, but without success.
| Gen. Burnside is in the city personally direct
I ing operations
Headquarters Army Of the Potomac,
Falueuih, Va Dec l6-I:45P.M
Daring last night the Army Of the Potomac
hair Flra
the river. The movement was a perilous one
but IL was conducted in safety. The artillery
I was the first to cross the river The last of the
infantry brought up the rear shortly after day
I light. The enemy never discovered the move
ments uGtil il was too late 10 do US any damage
As soon as the last man had got safely across tn,
river the poutoon bridges were removed, thus
cutting off all communication between the two
I shores.
Our wounded are all safe aud on this side.
1 There WIS heavy wind al last night accom-.
I panied with considerable rain, which assisted
us in our movement and which prevented tn,
/ rebels learning onr intentions
/ Washington Dec. I6.-From what is now
known Of the strength and extent of the enemy
/ fortifcztions there seems to be a general appro
val of Gen. Burnside's course in crossing th'
river.
There Is nothing known here to show tha
the rebels were inclined to leave their strong
hold to meet our troops upon the open field
/ Although our loss IS heavy, it is far below III,
published statements, but the precise numbe
/ cannot, for days to come, be ascertained-
/ A dispatch 10 the Pittsburg Gazette, in speak
ing Of Saturdays operations at Fredericksburg
I says:
I Gen. KimbalI Of Indiana, was severely wound
I'd in the thigh. and Gen. Gibbons in the hand
1 Gen. kiniball's brigade formed the advance OF
Saturday in attacking the enemy IN front ofthei
IL l..
lisked his line. and held It, though with very
{ heavy loss nearly one half One-fourih OF tb,
Indiana regiments were killed aud wounded
that Of several other Western regiments was al
50 heavy The Western troops III behaved
splendidlv.
Philadelphia, Dee. ITth.-General Meagher'
wound was slight. He was struck BY spen
ball In the thigh.
1t Is reported Brig. Gen. Lyle, Goth Pennsyl
vania, was killed.
The Philadelphia Press publishes despatcl
from Burnside TO Halieck received at 9 las
night Burnside says; Feeling fully convinced
the position in front cannot be carried. II was
military necessity, either 10 attack or retreat
Repglse would have been disastrous under tn
circumstances The army was withdrawn with
cut the loss OF man or properly"
Headquarters, Potomac Army,
/ FalSneuth, December II.
Yesterday morning the enemy seemed aston
isked to find Us safe this side the river Abou
9 the enemy advanced skirinishers along the en-
tire line establishing piekets nearthe riyer bank
We had large number Of dead on What we re
garded neutral ground. The rebels wer
plainly seen robbing their bodies.
At IL O'Clock the ladies were seen walking i
the streets OF Fredericksburg
On Monday Franklin sent a flag of truce 70
an exchange of dead. which was done.
Yesterday Lee sent dag Of truce TO Burnsid
asking him to detail men to bury his dead i
'front.' Of Summers division. During the flag q
truce the rebel General Stuart, in answer TO
'question, said Banks had gone South, but h
did not know where
Our entire army IS now eneamped on TIA
grouHd they previously occupied. Tie arm
has been considerably reinforced.
IL j. the opinion Of military men If We hsl
taken the firsi ridge of rebel works. their oppol
tunity sor slaughteFing Us would have bee
greater than previously. AotnooVSin the wOrl
could withstand such 4 concentrated FIRE Of ord
nance and muSks;Ty.
Wesfher cold With northeast wind.
Las nightike enemy incrsased their intrench
ments on the terraces IN the rear OF Fredericks
burg and threw up rifle pits near the river, o
the LEFT Of tbs city. To dsy their baiiaiio
drills were visible 10 the naked eve on the plain
No movement Of ofimpoTtanee has taken piac
to-day. Oar troops are IN excellent oonditi0
and e. enthusiasts as they were previous to n
late engagements.
Successful Expeditions into Alabama.
saesial consslauislos Cineianafi GErstt-.