Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1862-12-18
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AFTERNOON DISPATCHES.
withdrawal of Union troops from
Fredericksburg.

NV YoRK, Dec. 1.-THE morning pa
pers are filled with detailed accounts OF
Saturdays lighting of too extended ma
ture for telegraphing. They contain no
real news but comprise mainly incidents
relating to the affair The Times gives
the following account of the withdrawal
of our troops from, Fredericksburg:-
1t says the movement commenced at dark
on Monday night. All the sick aud wound
ed were removed during the day to hospi-
tai tents this side.
Gen. Burnside Inspected the position of
the troops in the afternoon and the general
activity indicated another lbattle as immi-
neut. Surgeons were ordered to be in
readiness to care fora large number of ad-
ditional wounded The withdrawal of our
forces, however, was determined on at
council OF all corps commanders. During
the day the undertaking was regarded as
perilous bat IL successful would rescue the
army from another battle which would ac-
complish little except destruction of valu-
able lives.
The troops had received no iutimation of
retreat and had laid down their arms for
the night when order was given to fall 10,
the troops supposed 1t was for night as
sault on the enemy's works and were not
undeceived until they found themselves on
pontoons crossing the stream.
The Bridges covered with earth to dead
en- the sound of Artillery. High wind and
darkness prevented the rebels from hearing
or seeing the movements. s taq ft
Franklin's division moved as soon as
1t was dark, also Sumner and Hooker's from
under very heavy guns of the enemy. MANY
officers and soldiers expressed great regret,
saying they preferred dying in front of the
rebel batteries. Very few wounded were
left on the field. Two Brigades occupy
the town as advanced pickets, and our Ar.
tillery on higher bauk, will cooperate in
keeping possession of the place. Our heavy
guns opened on the rebel batteries on Tues
day morning, eliciting little response.
The Times correspondent thus describes
the rebels position our forces were ex.
pected TO storm and take:
There is bare plateau of a third of a
mile which the stormiug party will have to
Gross. In doing so they will be exposed
to the fire, first of the enemy's sharp shoot
era posted behind q stone wall running
along the base of the ridge, double rife
pits on rise of the crest, heavy batteries
behind the strong field works that stud
the top of the hill, a powerful infantry force
now lying concealed behind these, of
plunging fire from the batteries on the
lower range, and of double cnflading
FIRE from cannon to the left of them. Sc.
6astopool was not half so strong.
The Times account of the battle shows
that HOoker's grand division was on this
side of the river until o'clock. At
o'clock Hooker, who had not yet been |
across the river, proceeded over, remarkiug
to friend that he was going alto put the |
thing through" In half an hour a prodig- !
ious yolley of musketry announces that
Hooker with the reserves is engaged. This
last assaulting column consisted of the |
divisions of Humphrey, Monk, Howard,
Getty and Sykes. They lad hardly got |
fairly engaged, however, before the sun
went down and night closed around the |