The Buchanan County guardian. (Independence, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1858-1864, 1862-12-16
w AR N JEW s.
BURNSIDE ADVANCING!
VICTORY IN ARKANSAS!
HEApQuARTERs ARMY OF THE PoToMAc,l
December ll--9 "A. Nj.

HrAnouARrERs ARMY OF THE PoroMAc,l
December ll-9 "A. NJ.
Everything last night was hustle and
activity, as to- day was the time fixed for
crossing the river During the night
the pontoons were carried to the river,
and the artillery OF 143 pieces placed in
position opposite the city. Al five this
morning the rebels fred two signal guns,
and during the latter part OF the night
rockets were frequently seen within their
lines.
At 5 O'Clock the construction of three
bridges in front of the city was common
ced. When the bridges were about half
completed the enemy opened murder
Gus fire of infantry from the houses on
the river banks.
Up 10 this time not shot had been
fired from our side The engineers were
driven from the bridges, and several
killed and wounded.
Al 6o'clock Gen. Burnside ordered
ali the guns to be opened on the city
The cannonade, which has continued up
to the present time, is terrible. The city
is on fire and its destruction appears
certain. The enemy, about this morn
ing, opened with their heavy guns from
their works, but SO far have done no SER
ious injury.
Gen, Franklin constructed his bridges
about three miles below the city, meet
ing with but slight opposition. His
troops ale now crossing, and the gun
boats are now Smelling the enemy about
have been concentrating their forces for
the past few days.
The concentrated fire of our batteries
on the city has had the effect of driving
back the enemy's infantry, and the work
on the bridges has again been commenc-
ed
The troops are all under arms near the
river, prepared to rush over as soon as
the bridges are completed.
HEADQUARTERS, Thursday noon.
An attempt being made to finish the
bridges in front of the city, the rebel
infantry again opened their fire, when
our artillery in position was again opened
on the city. the result being that the city
was fred in several new places.
The enemy has used very little arlilI-
cry up to this time, as it would endanger
their own men who are holding the river
front.
Burnside has just issued an order to
concentrate every available gun on the
| Of a. x>f, ,hi IL
it is believed the bridges can be finished.
The killed and wounded do not amount
to more than so men.
| Headquarters Army of the Potomacl
Dee. ll--Evening.
But little firing took place between l
and O'Clock, during which time all the
available batteries were placed in position
They number 176 guns. AT given
signal all opened on the city. The fire
was terrible, but the rebel sharp shooters
could not be driven from hidden places
! The shot and shell want ihrer4.h a.
houses, In many cases setting them on
fire, causing dense smoke, which, to-
gether with the explosion of so large a
quantity of powder almost hid the city
from view. 1t soon became evident that
the bridges could not be built except by
bold dash. Volunteers were called for
to cross in small boats. The order was
no sooner given, than hundreds stepped
forward. But all could not go. One
hundred were selected. They were soon
on their way, while the artillery threw a
perfect storm OF iron hail on the opposite
banks. They reached the opposite shore,
but no, without loss. With fixed bayo-
nets they made upon the enemy, killing
several and taking 100 prisoners. who
were safely landed on this side at halt
past four. Two bridges were finished
opposite the City. when the troops i'm
mediately began to Gloss over. The en-.
envy were soon driven back 10 their line
OF works. The two bridges IN front Of
| Gen. Franklin were successfully laid
early in the day by his troops but did
not cross until the two upper ones were
ready. A sufficient force is now on the
opposite side of the river to resist any
attack that is likely to be made. The
rebels fired but few guns in the morning,
and none in the afternoon, although their
works were in easy range in the forenoon
The rebels burnt the Railroad bridge
outside of the city; between thirty and
forty houses were burned, mostly in the
business part of the city.
During the day between eight and
nine thousand rounds of ammunition
were fred by our artillery.
Everything is quiet tonight. The
indications are that a battle will be
fought to-morrow.
Headquarters Army of the Potomac,
December l3-ll PM. (
The fog began to disappear early in
the A. M, affording an unrestricted view