Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1862-12-16
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The Conflict at Fredericksburg.

last, the enemy, under the command OF
Burnside, at Fredericksburg, attempted
to lay down pontoon bridges, on which
to cross the Rappahanock, at three
places. One at the site of the railroad
bridge which spanned the river at the
lower end of thetown; another at the
ford above the town, and between it and
Falmouth, and the third below the
mouth of Deep Run, which is about
three miles below the city.
The attempts at the first named points
were repulsed with considerable loss to
the enemy, our sharpshooters and Skin
mishers cooperating with the artillery
in the affair. Attic lower point, the
pontooniers were protected from the fire
of our artillery by the river bluff, and
the command of the position by the en-
emy's guns rendered. sharpshooters una
valuable. At this place, by six o'clock
in the evening, the enemy commenced
crossing.
At seven o'clock, it is supposed by
the permission of Gen. Lee, the enemy
crossed near the railroad bridge and
took possession of Fredericksburg.
1t is said that an entire company of
our troops, on picket near the river,
were surprised and captured. Sharp
skirmishing ensued in the streets OF
Fredericksburg. and about eight O'Clock
our forces relnguished the place to the
enemy. During, or shortly after! the
skirmishing, The enemy fred the Post
office and the Methodist church, Bank
of Virginia and all the square was con-
sumed. Citizens say there is scarcely
a building in town that has not been
struck with one or more shells. Of the
several hundred citizens remaining in
town, but three, women whose husbands
had previously gone over to the enemy,
remained, and claimed the protection OF
the Abolitionists.
On Friday there was considerable
skirmishing and quite heavy artillery
duelling, but no general engagement.
1t was well known by the officers that
an engagement would take place the
next day, and Friday was spent in ma
king arrangements for the bloody work.
Saturday morning. fonnd our forces
drawn up from opposite Fredericksburg
to distance OF six miles eastward. =
Longstreet's corps occupied the High
lands above, opposite, and for amile be-
low the town. Jackson's corps rested
on Longstreets right and extended away
to the eastward, the extreme right under
A. p. Hill crossing the railroad at Ham
ilton's crossing, and stretching into the
valley towards the river.
At halfpast eight, A. NJ, General
Lee, attended-by his staff, rode slowly
along the front Of four lines, from west
to east, and halted in the valley mile
to the east of Hamilton's crossing, and
half a mile in the rear of our batteries
on the extreme right. a.tse
In short time after this, the action
was commenced by the artillery in the
Stonewall Brigade The artillery firing 1
soon became general and terrific all |
along the line OF battle. At noon the
enemy advanced his infantry. As they
pressed forward across the Valley, Stu
arts horse artillery from our extreme
right opened upon them destructive
enflading fire of round shot. This FIRE,
which annoyed them sorely, was kept
up in spite OF, six batteries which were
directed against the horse artillery as
soon as it was unmasked By one
o'clock the Yankee columns had crossed
the Valley and entered the woods south
of the railroad The batteries on both
sides slackened their fire, and musketry
at first scattering, but quickly increas-
ing to crash and roar, sounded thro'|
the woods. Dense volumes. Of smoke
rose above the trees, and volley succeed
ed volley sometimes rapidly as to blend
into prolonged and continuous roar.
A. P. Hills division sustained the first
shock Of battle. 1
The rest of Jackson1s corr
different lines OF resewc q 4ps were. in
division was drs,-a rs. b. H. Hills
field, ande~ IN up in J. L. Marye's
line Ia long hill, in the rearof our
vi battle.
Generals Hill and Early's troops drove
the enemy from the woods and across the
railroad ia the direction OF their pontoon
bridges near Deep Run. Our men p9r-
s,,ad them a mile and a half across the
hottom land. and fell back only when
they had gotten under the shelter OF
their batteries. Our troops then retired
r. the South side of the railroad. Again
the enemy rallied and returned to renew
the contest, but were again, about i've
o'clock, P. NJ, driven back. All the
batteries of Jackson's corps were at tins
time in full play and in the approaching
twilight the blaze Of the guns and the
onick flashes of the shells were more
distinctly visible. The scene all along
the valley was at once splendid ana
terrific.
The result Of the fight on our right
wing NAV be summed up briefly. We
drove the enemy back, killing three to
one, and at night held the ground oc-
cupied by the enemy's batteries IN the
morning. The enemy had 10000 men
engaged on this wing, while altogether
from first to last, we had not more than
10000 in the line Of fire.
Longstreet's victory was even more
complete.
He drove the enemy into the streets o.
Fredericksburg, killing at least tive t6
one. At dusk the firing ceased simulta
neously on both sides