The New York herald., 1862-12-15
correspondents Of the New YoRx HERALD now
in the field.
the OPERATIONS ON THURSDAY.
THE FIGHT VIEWED By AN EYE
WITNESS.

TBs PHILLIPS HouN, /
OPPOSITE FSrpEncKsBUHG, Va, Dec ll-P. NJ
Ny t,e despatched you this afternoon, three o'clock
traced the order OF events connected with tho Fifth army
corps ,aencr Bu,.erneids) and the present advance
movement up 10 that hour. now take up my mar
rat;ye whore left on, writing what occurred as u
passed under my eycs-a ,ightsome prelude 70 the
solemn anthem 10 follow.
srHpYrss At rm sRDER TO CROSS fBs RIVER At THIS
roINf
There is no Disgusting fact that everybody is sur
prised At our attempted Of the river at this point
n was niversai; supposed that the crossing would be
sde st some point above below Fredericksburg, fol-
lowed by flank movement upon The enemy. The rebels
hayo had nearly three weeks erect Notifications in
'front.' Of US and they have vganty improved the time
Il s well known that they have formidable earthworks
he plain beyond put up when General Mcdowell was
bore That they must have planted at intervals masked
batteries Is uuqusstionable. The order, however,
has been given. The Rappahannock must DO spannsd
with pontoon bridges, Fredericksburg must be taken,
those hostile must be faced that hill summit
must be reached. II work Of bodness, OF terrible
danger Our men complain not. II is not theirs 10 ques
ton the wisdom OF tho order; lie theirs TO obey aud
they will obey 1t, and that cheerfully, valiantly.
ruK PHILLIPS HOUSE, THE GREAT CENTRE ATTRACTION
stated in my last letter that the Phillips House the
central place Of attraction. So s still. From here Is
obtained the finest Of Fredericksburg the rebel
and progress OF the cannonadng But this
IA not ALL Nearly all our commanding generals here,
General Burnside, OF tall commanding military figure,
most prominent in the group.
CONFIDENCE BURNSIDE AND HIS GENERALS.
He looks talks and smiles though he knew what he
vas abou, and that things going TO his liking Cen
uoorer whose fondness FOR ghting induced him ask
TO be assigned the post Of greatest danger 10 the coming
stands by his side There Is look OF anxiety
in that speaking cosntenance Of his Every neamen o.
that earnest and ye. winning bctrays fullest confidence
IN the future He and General Burnside, in the interim
Of conversation look through large mounted field glass;
pointed across the river. General Sumner-he Of
years than either aud gray whiskers, but vigorous in
health and eyes keen and pcnetratvecins in the
versaton and telescope observations II s not difficult
TO pick out the strong manly figure and bengnant smiling
face OF General Franklin. Near by General Butsered
a prototype Of the great Napoleon in attitude and ex.
pressicn with the addition, however, OF mustsoles
that would be the pride Of q Russisn grenadier'
He n talking with Generals Grimm and Aycrl!--
the former In his slouched hat, unshcrn face and
spanish cloak, and never q smile or word uttered
unless in solemn earnestness, looking like a second
Don C~sar de Bsxan the latter and trinity dressed
all smiles and sfabty. But win not pursue this fur
thor The officers here can be numbered BY the legion
and the sketch would be unendng
rHERK ~ musc BxHrSp us, DxArH ~ 'FRONT.'.
A band near the house playing joyous airs. In the
intervals OF the cannsnadng, one hears the gushing
melody Of tho brass pieces and the gay csparsoned
horses the lawn, aad the fitting forms OF officers
gtering costumes and swords, the scabbds and bilts
veng brightness with the shining buttons we seem 10
be in The midst of joyous fe and jpyoupiarIy listen