The Weekly Perrysburg journal. [volume] (Perrysburg, O. [Ohio]) 1861-1???, 1862-12-17
TYE cry NEARLY DESTRO YED

We lay before our fenuers tne loiloWHB !
particulars OF the progress Of the struggle |
at Fredericksburg. They are full of interest; j;
DrcuNBEnsl ll--0 A. M.--Everything last
night was hustle and activity, a. to-day
was the time fixed for crossing the river.
During the night the pontoons were con-
veyed to the river, and the artillery, OF l43
picc ,s, placed in position opposite the city.
At five this morning tho rebels fired two
signal guns, and during the latter part OF
the night rockets were frequently seen
within their lines. At s o'clock tho con
Htructon of three bridges in front Of the
city was commenced When the bridges
were about half completed, the onomy
opened murdcrous fire of infantry from
the houses on the river bank. Up to this
time not shot had been fired from our
side. The engineers were driven from the
bridges and several killed and wounded.
At 6 o'clock General Burnside ordered all
the guns to be opened on the city. The
cannonading, which has continued up to
tho present time, is terrible. The city 10
on fire. and its destruction appears certain.
The enemy about I this morning opened
with thor heavy guns from their works,
But so far have done no serious INJURY.
General Franklin constructed his bridges
about 3 miles below the city, meeting with
but slight oppositOn. His troops are now
crossing, and the gunbOats are now shell
ing the enemy about fifteen miles down the
river, where they have been concentrating
their forces for tho past fow days. Tho
concentrated fro Of our batteries on the
city has had the effect Of driving back the
encmys infantry, and tho work on bridges
has again been commenced Tho troops
nj 4 riy
to rush over as soon as the bridges arc
completed.
nrcEMpEH ll-Noon.-.On tho attempt
being made to finish the bridges in front of
the city, the rebel infantry again opened
their fire, when our artillery in position
again opened their fro on tho city, the result
being that the city was fired in several
new places The enemy has used very
little artillery up to this timo, AZ it would
endanger their own men, who are holding
the river front.
Burnside has Just issued an ordor 10 con
centrate every available gun upon tho city,
undor tho cover of tho fire of which il IL
believed the bridges can be finished. Tho
killed aud wounded DO not amount to moro
than fifty men.
DECEMBER ll--Evoning - But little firing
tOOK nlace UtlWtcIl anu -,
time all the available batteries were placed
in position. They numbered lT6 guns,
At a signal all opened on the city, The
fire was terrible, but tho rebel sharpshoot-
ars could not bo driven from their hiding
places Tho shot and shell went through
The houses, IN many cases setting them oil
fire, causing dense smoke, which together
with the explosion of so large p quantity
of powder. almost hid the city from vipw,
II soon became evidont that the bridges
could not be built, except by q bold dash,
Volunteers were called for to cross in small
boats Tho order was 10 sooner given than
hundreds stepped forward but al PQpld
no 90: about one hundred were soieGted
They were soon on their way, while the
artillery throw perfect storm OF iron
on tho opposite bank, They reached the
oppostc shore, butnot without loss. Nith
fixed bayouets they rushed upon liie sneqiy
killing several and taking one hundred
and one prisoners, who were safely landed
on this aide. At haii,past two the bridges
wcrc finished opposite tho city, when the
troops Immediately began 10 cross over,
The enemy were soon driven from tho city
back to their line of works.
Tho two bridges in front of General
Franklin were successfully laid early III
the day. but his troops did not cross until
the two upper Oneg were ready. A suiii'
cient force il now on the opposite side OF
tho river to resist any attack that il likely
TO be made. The rebels fired hut few guns
in the morning. and none in tho afternoon,
although their wQrks %ere IN easy range
during the forenoon.
The rebels burned the railroad bridge
outside the city. Between thirty and forty
houses were burned mostly In the business
part of the city. During the day between
1000 and 5000 rounds of ammunition wcrc
| fred Ly cur artillery. Everything is quiet
tonight Fhe indications are that II battle
will take place tonight OK tomorrow.
DECEMBER l2--l0 4. M.-After occupy
ing the river front of the city last night, We
! lost about 100 men in killed and wounded
| while driving the rebels through the city.
| They prcl Oh our men as they advanced
through tho streets, while secrotcd in and
behind houses, Not much mercy was
shown 10 those who were caught
This morning u donso fog hid everything
from view, but now it is partially cleared
away. The troops commenced moving Rt al
! early hour At quarter past nine the
| first gym was fired, tho engagement lasting
about haf CA hour, the rebels not making I
very spirited reply. Information received
during tho night aud lhis mGrLlAg from de
sertcls and prisoners shows that tho reLoll
have two strong lines of batteries IN th,
rear of the city.
The first ono is one milo back, and the sec
ond mhe from the first. The whole arm,
IL i'll motion and welt concentrated. Th
troops arc in excellent spirits and auyiou
20 be led on the onemy's works. Fne en-
envy has concentrated his forces, and it /,
believed will give battle.
DEcRMpER Eveping.-At ten o'clocl
r this morning the tog bagan TO clea
away, but before eleven o'clock ths ri
was again thick, which continued unit
nearly two o'clock. when it entirely disap
pcared AtGIGQrtor past two tho rebel
opened with all tilsi, gyms posted on tn,
. first ridge of hills Their maiu ,;ys WAS Iii
I rected upon the city, which was filled wild
. ouI G0ops. These guns. which were postc,
ON the lett Cf the ridge, wero opened o
the large body OF rGCpg which crossed OF
y tho two lower bridges and bsd formed il
y iMe of battle, and were moving obiiqScl,
j. down ihS river fronting the Massaponi!
g.. creek. Although several of their shell
exploded over our UoOps none were IL
l. lured. General Baymds Cavalry, Whic
r crossed On tho lower bridge, had five lne
" killed while endeavoring ~ ascertain til
, position. The troops which crossed heoN
are sleeping on their arms, tonight, the ad
i vance being within three, quarters OK mil
e Of tGe Nassaponix creek, their left restn
n on the hapPS-I2mock,
n The enemy occupies the opposite side {
p" tho creek IN force. The gus posted o
the bank this side of tho river SilsnceS tl
N enemy's artillery after duel of half All hou
al This ended the firing tor the day, Tn