, 1862-12-12
FREDERICKSBURG IN ASHES.
OUR TROOPS CROSS UNDER
FIRE.
The 7th Michigan Bear away the
Rebel Flag.
OUR MEN CROSS IN SMALL
BOATS UNDER FIRE.
A Battle will be Fought To-day,

FIRST DISPATCH.
WASHINGTON. Dec. 11-7.30 p. NJ, 1852 =
The city is wild with excitement and re-
joleing. Fredericksburg is ours, and all is
well. II has been gloFious days work for
our army Dispatches hitherto received at
the War Department give few particulars, but
they are momentarjly expected. The bonn
bardmcnt was terrific, and the town suffered
ftarfully. Under the tremendous fire of our
batteries our troops were thrown across, the
gallant boys Of the eth Michigan being hon
orably mentioned as hayiag taken The flag of
the enemy. The city is nearly in ashes. All
our guns opened on the city, by Burnside's IS
order, at G o'clock this morning, the enemy
responding with heavy guns.
SECOND DISPATCH.
WAEnEcTos. December IL, 1S62-milnisht.
Contrary to expectation, little further news
is yet received from Fredericksburg. It is
known that our army is safely across the
river, that the town is almost consumed, and
that tic fighting was mostly with artillery:
tits stated that up to a pretty late hour, at
least this afternoon, our loss had not been
heavy. It seems to be that the rebels have
nearly all fallen back 4 short distance, though
nobody really knows as to that. Ii is still
hoped that further particulars mry come in
tonight.
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE PoToNAc,'
Dec. II, Ia. m.
Everything last night was hustle and sctiyi-
II, as Today was the time fixed for crossing
iisc R'ppahaalnock. During the night pom
looms were conveyed to the river, and the ar
t'llcTy (l4$ Piecez) placed in position opposite
Fredericksburg.
Al five o'clock this morning tue rebels fired
two signal guns. During the latter part of
the night rocketswerc frequently seen to as
cend within their lines.
At5o'clocR the construction Of three bridges
in front ofthe city was commenced. When
the bridges we're about half completed, tic
enemy opened Il murderous fire of infantry
from lsonsrs nm thn river hank Up TO this
time hot shot had been fired from our side.
The engineers were driven from. the bridges,
Several were killed or wounded.
At six o'clock Gen. Burnside ordered all the
guns to open on the city. The cannonade,
which continues to the present time. is terri
bic. The city is on fire. Its destruction il
certain.
At seven o'clock The enemy opened with
their heavy guns from their works, but have
done no serious damage yet.
Gen. franklin constructed his bridges about
three miles bclowathe city. meeting with bui
slight opposition. His troops are now Cross
Ing.
GNnhoats are shclling the enemy fiftecr
miles down thc river, where they have beer
concentrating their forces the past few days
The concentrated fire Of our batteries OF
the city hatl the effect Of driving back the enc
| my's infantry, and the work on the bridges
has again been commenced.
The troops are all under arms near the river
| prepared to rush over as soon rs the bridges
are completed.
| HEADQUARTERS Army OF TIE POTOMAC,
Dec II. 1852. {
On The attempt being made to finish tn
bridges i'll front Of the city, the rebel inf,ntr
again opened fire. The artillery in position
again opened on it, the result being that it VA
| fired III several places.
| The enemy has used very little artillery III
to this time, as it would endanger their owl
men holding the river front.
| Burnside has issued I'LL order to conccntrat
every available gun upon tho city, under cove
Of which, it is believed, The bridges can b
| finished
Our killed aud wounded do not amount t
more than fifty.
WASHINGTON, Dee. H.-At o'clock thi
morning us Of our guns opened fire Oh Fred
ercksbnrg. Up to the latest the fire contfn
ncd uninterruptcdly. The destruction Of th
1own appears certain. The enemy orene
fire 1T : o'clock. Thus far no serious tlau1aes
h:s been donc.
Franklin's division is crossing the Rapp:
hammock. three miles below the city. on cor
strneted bridges, with slight opposition. Th
snnhoats arc shelling the enemy fifteen mile
down tic river.
NEW YoRK, Dec. IA special dispatr
from the N. T. Tines correspondent wit
zen. Hooker, says that the rebels continue Al
tive work on their fortifications, and it is r,
gardcd as a Tnse to conceal their movement
toward Richmond.
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF POTOMAC.
Dec. 11-Eyening. {
| But little firing took place between and
| O'clock 7, H., during which time all thc avail
able batteries were placed in position. The
number 116 guns.
At i signal all opened on the city. The fit
was terrible, but the rebel sharp-shootc,
couldn't be driven from their hiding places.
The shot and shell went through the houst
in many cases, setting them on fire, causing
dense smoke, which, together with the expl,
sion Of so large quantity Of powder, almo
hid the city from view. It soon became CT
dent that the bridges could not be built c.
ccpt by a bold dash, and volunteers were col
ed for to cross in small boats. The order #;
no sooner given than hundreds stepped 70
ward; but all could not go, and about II
:, were selected They were soon on their VIZ
while the artillery threw perfect storm
. iron hail on the opposite bank.
They reached the opposite shore but n
; without loss, with fixed bayonets. They rus
! ed upon the enemy killing several and taki1
; 1o1 prisoners who were safely landed on ii
side.
At haf-past four in the afternoon t7
> bridges we're finished opposite the city, VIII
: the troops Immediately began to cross ov<
u The enemy were soon driven from the ci
back to their line Of works.
= The two bridges in front Of Gen. Frank
were successfully laid early in the day, b
his troops did not cross until the two upE
ones were ready,
IS A sufficient force is now on the oppos
~ ofthe river to resist any attack that is like
d to be made. The rebels fred but few gu
If in the morning and none in the aftcrnoc
le although their works were in easy ranee
C ring the forenoon.
70 The rebels burnt the railroad bridsrc outsi
y ofthe city. Between thirty and forty hon:
" were burned, mostly in the business mart
IT. the city. During the day between 5000 4
ID | 1900 rounds Of ammunition we're fired by q
t. artillery.
Is Is Evc.ything is quiet tonight. The indi
,e tions are that d battle will be fought
morrow.