New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1862-12-18
OUR TOTAL LOSS E00TS UP 1865
The Iruts and Euapsack Of a Brigade Lost

WasGiNGTos Tuesday, Dec TO- 1854
The following dispatch from Gen. Burnside 10
Ger Halleck was received at O'Clock this evenings
HrADeUAE1ERs Army oy The PoroNAc,} .
Dec. lit D. IA.
sioi Gen. HALLEcE, CoamafGsy.ai. ChtJ:
The Army of the Potomac was withdrawn 10 this
eide Of The Rsppabannock river, because | felt
fully convinced that The position in front could not
be carried, and u ,cds military necessity eitier 70
attach lie enemy or retire. A repulse would have
been disastrous to us under existing circumstances.
The army was Withdrawn at night without the
knowledge Of The enemy, and tstlom loss, either Of
rrepsrty or men.
AMBROSE Z. BURNSIDE, Maj Gen. Commanding
HEADoUAETTss or rsE ARMY on THE PoroSAc,
FALNoUTH, Wednesday, Dec. H. latI
Yesterday morning when daylight appeared, tie
enemy seemed to be, as they no doubt wer per-
fcctly astopished that our army bad succesued IN
returning 10 this side Of the Rappahannock River
We returned without losing a Jingle man or a gun
~ The Ictr0gIade movement.
A few soldiers who had struggled off made their
appearance on tie river bank, after the pontoon
bridges bad been removed but they were subse-
quently brought over safely in small boals.
A few privates who were guarding house nhab-
lied by yrivate family, were not during the ngat
aware Of our recrosing he river but in the morning
becoming aware Of this fact they safely swan over.
The piekets Of the contending armies being sela-
rated by only few yards, rendered it necessary
that everything on our front should be conducted
with lie utmost caution.
The piekes on our outposts were unaware Of the
mill mat Iafore day-
light, when an officer went to each individual man,
and in a low tone Of voice. ordered him TO fail back.
After they got sufficiently far away to be out of
danger they were ordered to quicken their pace,
and reach the bridges as quickly as possible
About O'Clock yesterday morning, the enemy
advanced their skirnishers along their entire line
and by noon had established their pckets near tue
bank Of the river.
We had large number Of dead on what wss re-
Carded as " neutral ground, and soon as it was
known our forces devacuated the city the soldiers
Of tie enemy commenced robbngthe lfeless bodice
This war plainly seen through ield-glass as well
ss iudstiDctly with the naked eye.
Abont 10 or II O'Clock ladies' very neatly dressed
were ,een walking about the streets Of Fredericks-
burg They had doubtless been concealed in their
houses during the time the city was occupied by our
troops and doubtless awaited themselves Of the first
opportunity to make their reappearance after our
retreat
On Monday, the pickets Of the cOntending armies,
fronting the left wing, mutually agreed upon an
"aunittioe" among themselves, and freely inter
Mingled with each other, exchanging their dead
friends and comrades who lay on "neural ground
During this time, General Of our army rode by
M 81. Tha
was that both parties Immediately commenced firing,
when nine Of our men were killed. After the
General had left the friendly demonstrations Of our
pioketl were renewed, and butternut and blue uni
foims frsely mingled
About this time Gen. Franklin dispatched flag Of
truce, which the enemy Immediately recognized, and
the exchange Of dead bodies was resumed, aud con.
timed until completed.
Yesterday Gen. Lee sent dag Of truce 70 Gen.
BuTrside, asking him to detail men to bury bis dead
IN front Of Gen. Summers Grand Division.
This was done, the wounded, with the exception
Of 'h0se whom the enemy obtained, have all been
brought to this eide Of the Rappahannock, and ms
rapidly as possible are being sent TO Washington.
Duriug the flag Of truce, Gen. Stuart, Of the
Rebel Cavalry in answer to question stated, that
Zen Bankss expedition had gone SOUTH but
ust TO Cid not know exactly where.
Our entire army ia now encsmped on the same
ground which they previously occupied.
Inc soldiers are as comfortable for the presen! as
'hey can be in shelter tents.
ouf army has been considerably reinforced since
'ns oai'le, and 10 danger whatever attaches TO our
present. position.
"shs opinion Of military men that even il be