The New York herald., 1862-12-18
The Sixth Army Corps I'm the Battle Of
Saturday.
OUR FREDERICKSBURG
Hf.pQuARTERs, NEwIoy's DIVISION,
ELr In Lrn llY.etn>. nnr IL 1890

HEADQUARTERS, NEwIovs DIVISION, I
LEtT GnaSp hvfsioS, Dec 10, 1862.
The great battle has really begun and said to have
eqnaed if exceeded in violence ihst celebrated in
| the Maryland campaign.
GALLASTRy
uncqualcd and their energies been taxed The
| utmost to exceed all their past deeds of valor.
TBE REBELS TOO, HAVE FOUGHT WITH DESPERATION,
exceeding oven what Is usual their part; but am
happy TO state that at all points they have met
soldiers well prepared for them ready give even
more than they received.
You will remember that mJ las, stated that orr
entire left grand division being brought the
river and masse in the OF Smiths corps who
facing the euemy's batteries line OF battle some dis.
lance beyond the river bank Last night Reynolds corps
depoyed to tho left, and took position unepposed in
the face OF the hidden earthworks which cover the
high range OF hills which extend from the Frcde-
rcksbug In Of circle with two miles for radius
in straight line from the river all along the front or our
Ines Those Immediately In the OF tho city ars the
formidable, and in fact, mprcgnable and frown
opon defiance, while those left almost
petey masked by the thick shadows Of the woods
hillsidcs.
After vigorous shelne during entire day from our
heavy siege pieces 10 was decided that
WE meTN rm ATTACK.
Accordingly mt early hour this morning cssnonzdug
began furiousy the left from batteries OF
Reynolds corps, and our troops advanced in two
lines Of battle.
ENEMY Guss,
and shot and shell tore the ground around Our
troocs advanced steadily. with their batteries well ba
died and ably supported BY the infantry Al orst the
enemy's artillery poorly directed, the shells falling
far beyond lines among the smbusncss the rear
but when wishcdfor position had been gained the
enemys fire grew accurate the shells bursting with
nice prec sion heads. Instantly the artillery
advanced 10 tho brow Of ridge distant aboit three
quarters Of a mile from the rebel works. Nov began
TERRmLg puF.
Our batteries commenced blazing away with precision
aud coolncss while two immense lines OF istlc aii
anxiously waiting their turn behind the ridge. hidden
completely from the cnemy's view.
For time the enemy bore the terrible shelng in a
silence surprising to all Of who living bchrd the
ridge anxiousy awaiting the responsive their
artillery and the dreadful whsting Of their answering
compliments.
. soon, however, |, came and with fury unparalleled,
and the shells fell about ant burst above our devscd
hcids IN manner truly appalling. Calamity our bate
ries held iher ;o1iny into the succession
Of iron visitors that, in their fury of sound the air
th,k with echoes from the rebel Businesses aud Psndc
monium seemed broken loose Mcdora's jar Of earthly
mlseres was broken, and screaming dcnds bowling
their song OF death In our ears
The are both sides terrible and under It, Cor full
hour, both parties Obliged to hold themselves
close in shelter Of such derence circumstances aord
cd. soon, however,
rnE RgBxIs sHswrp rHs,egiyss,
depoyng from the woods grand columns. First II
seemed but ssge company then second and thsd
throwns from ts rear and on, until they spread
in two steady parallel lines IN front slowly they ad-
vanccd at afst cooy and calmly under terrific
Down the first hill they came, accelcraing their pace by
degrees until they began the ascent Of the ridge where
our batteries were situated, on full run. The truth
flashed across In q moment that IL was
A REBEL caARGs
Our troops rushed to the top OF the ridge and with
Wild mpctuosity dashed down upon them, meeting them
huf way. and rcpulsius thcm gaanty.
Tho rebels completely overwhelmed ana unable to hold
her progressively rereaed In confusion to their
works. leaving greater part Of two Of their rcgmcnt
Of Tonnsssee aud Georgia troops prisoners Our troops
grecsed this good fortune attending their efforts with
cheers that ron. the air TIC snsny answered from ,be