Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1862-12-24
BATTLE OF NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS..
ofsic,aI Repers os the Rebel Conn
nander-

Dtttutytf - w
To Hon. Secretary u War. Richmond. Va:
STR.--on the night ct the 10Th instant the
enemy commenced TO throw three bridges over
the Rappahannock-two 1t Frcdezieksburg. and
the third about mile and quarter below, near
the mouth Of The Deep Run. The plain on which
fredericksburg stands i so completely com
manded by the hills OF Stafford. in possession of
the enemy. that no efectaal opposition could be
offered 70 tha construction Of the bridges the
passage Of the river without exposing our troops
20 the destructive hre Of his aumefous batteries.
Positions therefore selected TO oppose h
advance after crossing. Tie narrosness of the
RappahanDock. Its winding aud deep bed.
afforded opportunity for the construction of
bridges at points beyond the reach of our ar
tilIery, and the banks had 10 De watched by Skin
mishers. The latter. sheltering themselves be
hind the houses, drove back the working parties
OF the enemy at the bridges opposite the city
bat at the lowest point OF crossing. where no
shelter could be had. our sharpshooters were
themselves driven of. and the completion of the
bridge was effected about noon on the llth.
la the afternoon OF that day the enemy's bat
teries .,pened upon the city, and by dark had so
demolished the houses on the river bank as TO
deprive our sIyInishers OF shelter. aud under
cover of his guns. he effected Judgment in the
town. The troops which had so calamity held
their position IN the city under the severe can
nonade during the day. resisting the advance OF
the enemy at every step. were withdrawn during
the night, as were also those who, with equal
tenaety, had maintained their post at the lowest
bridge.
Under cover of darkness and dense fog on
the 18th. large force passed the river. and took
position on the right bank. protected by the heavy
guns the left
On the morning of the 18th, his arrangements
for attack being completed about 3 o'clock the
movement veiletl by fog, he advanced boldly
in large force against our right wing. General
Jackson's corps occupied the right Of our line.
which rested on the railroad: General Long
streets the left extending along the heights To
the RaDpshannock. above fredericksburg Gen
eral Stuart, with two brigades Of cavalry, was
posted in the extensive plain on our extreme
right. As soon the advance Of the enemy was
discovered through the fog. General Stuart. with
his accustomed promptness moved up section
of his horse artillery, which opened with effect
upon his flank. and drew upon the gallant Pelham
a heavy fire. which he sustained unhnchingly ton
about two hours.
Ia the meantime the enemy was 6ercey Ell
countered by General A. Hills division, form
ing General Jackson's right, and after an obsti.
nate combat repulsed. During this attack. which
was protracted and holly contested, two Of Gen
Hill brigades were driven back upon our second
line Gen. Early, with part Of his division being
ordered TO his support. drove the enemy back
from the point of woods he had seized, and pur
sued hin. into the plain, until arrested by his AR
tillery.
The right of the enemy's column, extending
beyond Hills front. encountered the right of Gen
Hood. OF Longsireet's corps The enemy took
possession of "A small copse in front of Hood, bu
were quickly dspossessed and repused with
loss.
During the attack on our right the enemy wa,
crossing troops over his bridges ut Fredericks
burg, aud massing them i'm front of Longstreets
line. Soon after his repulse on our right he com
menced series of attacks on our left, with
view OF obtaining possession OF the nights mme
diately overlooking the town. These repeated
attacks repulsed in gallant style by the
Washington Artillery, under Colonel Walton
and portion of McLaw's division, which occu
pied these nights.
The last assault was made after dark, when
Colonel Alexanders battalion had relieved the
Washington Artillery. who's ammunition had be
come exhausted, aud ended the contest for the
day.
The enemy was supported in his attacks by
the fire of strong batteries of artillery the
right bank OF the river. we'll as bv the numer-
Gus heavy batteries on the Stafford Nights
Our loss during the operations, since the move
ment OF the enemy began, amounts TO about
l 500 killed and wounded Among the former
regret 10 report Tue dettn OF the patriotic sol
der and statesman, Brig. Gen. Thomas X. X
Cobb. who fell upon our left; and among the
iatter that brave soldier and accomp,ishe,. gen
tleman. Brig. Gen. NJ. Gregg. who is very seri
ously. and, II Is feared, mOrtally wounded, during
the attack on our right.
The enemy to day has been apparently buryne
his dead. His troops are visible in their first
position in line OF battle. but with the exception
OF some desultory capnonading and firing among
skirmshers. he has not attempted to renew the
attack
About $50 prisoners were taken during the
engagement but the full extent of his loss is
unknown.
] have the honor to be. very respectfully, your
obedient servant, r. + LEE.
General in Command.
HEADorARTERs NEAR FREplRIcKsBuRc,)
December 10. (
As far rs can be ascertained this stormy morn.
ing. the enemy has disappeared in immediate
front, and has recrossed the Rappahannock.
presume he is mcditating passage at some other
point. k. T.. LEE, Gen. Com.