Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1862-12-18

| AOrk tribune we take the following de-
tails of Saturdays fighting at Fredericks-
burg;
FEEDERICKsBUEG, Dec. Is, 1862.
" The third act Of the grand martial
drama opened on Thursday last is over
Another great battle has been added to
the record Of the Army of the Potomac.
Night now covers once more with her
benign mantle scenes Of carnage, strife
and destruction. Under her guiding in
tiuence, let me attempt to forget the ex-
eifementand overcome the fatigues of the
day, and describe in concise, though com
prehensive terms, the fearful events OF
which l was an eye witness during the
last twelve hours.
Last evening, a General Council of
War, attended By all the grand division,
corps and division commanders, was held
at late hour, at General Summers Head
quarters, at which General Burnside sub
mitted and explained his plan for the gem
eral attack he proposed to make to-day
upon the position Of the enemy.
"The plan comprised q simultaneous ad-
vance Of our whole line upon the enemy's
strong positions on the hills in front of
the left and right grand divisions, which
we're to be carried by sudden assaults
upon the stronghold, of select bodies of
troops.
a 1t was in keeping with the well-known
boldness and dash of its author but some
doubts were expressed in. the Council of
its practicability by number Of those in
attendance. All, however, expressed their
readiness to undertake anything ordered
by the Commander-in-Chief, and the ne
oessery instruoti0os were gi~ez to COM
mence a general movement upon the enc
my with daylight
"The fog that kept the valley of the
river and the adjacent heights from view
every day this week, again prevented the
commencement Of operations at the stated
time. Fortunately, however, it cleared
away early in the day, and about ten
O'clock orders were transmitted to the GEN
erals Commanding the right and left grand
divisions to prepare to charge Immediately
the works respectively assigned to them.
THE BATTLE ON THE RIGHT.
"General Sumner and staff left their
headquarters about IL o'clock and repaired
to the Lacy House, from which full view
Of the scene Of the impending action on
the right grand division could be obtain
ed. General Sumner had selected French's
division of Gen. COUGHS corps, for the ad-
vance Of the attacking column.
alt had orders to move from its position
in the streets Of fredericksburg next to
the river to the outskirts Of the town,
form line of battle bs brigades and pre-
eeded by cloud Of skirmishers, move at
q double-quick upon the first line of the
enemy's works.
"Gen. French was necessarily obliged
to march his troops in solid columns in
parallel streets. As soon as the head of
the columns had emerged from the lower
into the higher portions Of the streets, the
enemy's batteries opened upon them from
several points. Upon reaching the out
skirts Of the town, the order was given to
deplOy, but stone and other fences prevent
ed its ready execution.
"During the delay thus caused, the troops
we're exposed 10 an enflading fire which
taxed the advance Of the troops most Sc
verely.
"The lines being formed at last, about
noon the order to advance was given. The
line moved up and over low range Of
elevations and down toward the foot OF the
hills on which the enemy's breastworks
were situsted. From houses, rihe-pits.
barricades, across the roads and other shell
ter The Rebels harpshooters now opened
from all sides with fearful effect. The
Tigor Of the FIRE of the rebel artillery also
steadily increased, and when the Iiue reach
al the foot of the second range of hiIls
perfect hail of lead fell upon it. The ad- |
vance, however, was continued until with |
in q few hundred yards of the crest of the |
hills, when a rapid succession of terrific |
volleys from long lines of rebel infantry, !
suddenly rising in front of their works, |
checked it.
! "FrOm the position they had gained our
troops now exchanged round after round |
with the enemy until their ammunition be- |
came exhausted, and the line fell back some !
distance, leaving nearly one-half of its |
number on the field, to make room for Gen. |
Hancock's division.
"This division advanced, likewise form |
ed in parallel lines Of brigsdes. 1t moved |
forward steadfastly up to the point where |
French's had received its check, when it |
was also stopped by the murderous FIRE of |
the rebel infantry and artillery.
For two hours it alternately replied to |
the enemy's musketry, and attempted to
l4uA1 AZ 10y v = AAAC 1GSUlu Lhuk kc VI Llll5s /
unable to advance, and contin- |
ually losing numbers, it fought until its
ammunition gave out when il was reliev-
ed by Towards division, and retired near
to town.
Towards command went into action
about 3 o'clock. One after the other Of its
brigades was advanced to the front; but,
like those of French and Hancock did not
succeed in reaching the enemy's works.
The last Of it, under Gen. Sally, was order
ed to charge up the hill with the bayonet,
and moved forward in most gallant style,
but was checked, as all the other troops
had been.
~Shortly after French's Division had
moved to the attack, Sturgis's Division of
Wilcox's Corps advanced over a parallel
road on the left Of our right upon the works
and batteries covering the enemy's right
flank. 1t experienced the same difficulties
in forming, in consequence Of distractions
1n the ground, as French's, but pushed
forward with the utmost determination,
halting only at times to open its way by
1t reached wIrnIn eIgnLy yHrus zriIU
crest of the hill it aimed to take, but having
been fearfully weakened in numbers dur
ring the advance, had to halt. 1t held the
point gained three hours.
Notwithstanding it was confronted by
superior numbers Of infantry, and emf
aded by batteries on each flank, even after
It's ammunition had all been spent, It did
not give way, but firmly held its ground
until properly relieved shortly before sun
3et
"When Towards Division moved to the
front, the last available force Of COUGHS
corps, forming our extreme right was en-
ployed. OF WilcOx's corps, Getty's divis-
ION, which had been held in reserve during
The day, was all that was at command, af-