Charles City Republican intelligencer. [volume] (Charles City, Iowa) 1861-1864, 1862-12-18
Charles City, Iowa, Dec. Is, 1862.
The War i'm Virginia.


At Fredericksburg During the night f
the pontoons were carried v
to the river, and the artillery placed c
in position. At five o'clock A. NJ, the
rebels fired two signal guns and just a
they sent up rockets. The c
of the pontoon bridges
was commenced by orr men, and c
when about half completed the enemy ,
orened murderous fire of infantry S
from the houses along the river bank. [
The engineers were driven from the
bridges and several were killed
and others wounded.
At six o'clock Burnside ordered all
the guns to be opened on the city.
The cannonading was terrible, and
many buildings were demolished. At
seven o'clock the enemy opened from
their works with their heavy guns,
but not much damage was done.
Gen. Franklin constructed his
bridges about three miles below, meet
ing but little opposition and commenc-
cd crossing over.
The concentrated fire Of Burnside's |
batteries upon the city had the effect
of driving out the rebel sharp-shooters
and work on the bridges was renewed
The rebel infantry again poured in
their fire, and Burnside ordered every
available gun turned upon the city.
Many buildings were set on fire and
much of the town was burned At
three o'clock Burnside had 176 guns
in position and at given signal
all opened on the city. The fire was
terrible, but the rebel sharp-shooters
could not be driven from hidden places
The shot and shell went through the
houses, in many cases setting them on
fire, causing dense smoke, which,
together with the explosion Of so
large quantity of powder, also hid
the city from view. 1t soon became
evident that the Bridges could not be
built except by bold dash. Volun-
boats. The order was no sooner
given than hundreds stepped forward.
But all could not 60 One hundred
were selected They were soon on
their way, while the artillery threw a
perfect storm of iron hail on the OPP
posite banks. They reached the OPP
posite shore, but not without loss.
With fixed bayoncts they made upon
the enemy, killing several and taking
100 prisoners, who were safely landed
on this side at half past four. Two
bridges were finished opposite the
City, when the troops began immedi-
ately to cross over. The enemy were
soon driven back to their line of
works. The two bridges in front of
Gen. Franklin were successfully laid
early in the day, but his troops did
not cross until the two upper ones
were ready, when sufficient number
of troops passed over to resist any
attack, and all awaited anxiously for
the morrow.
On the 18th the fog did not. clear
up till two o'clock when the rebels
opened with all their guns posted on
the first ridge of hills. Their main
fire was directed upon the city, which
was filed with our troops.
The guns which were posted on the
left of the ridge, were opened upon
the large body of troops which cross
ed on the two lower bridges, and had
formed in line of battle, and were
moving obliqnely down the river,
fronting the Massaponax. Although
several of their shells exploded among
our troops none were, injured.
Gen. Bayard's cavalry, which cross
ed on the lower bridge, had five men
killed while endeavoring to ascertain
the enemy's position.
The guns posted on the bank on
this side of the river, silenced the
enemy's artillery after a duel of half |
an hour. This ended the firing for
the day.
The only damage done by the rebel
shells thrown into the city, was to add
SO much to its destruction. Twenty
five of our men were killed last night
In the streets while driving the enemy
out. Nearly every house in the city
has been damaged more or less by the
firing of the past few days. Several
splendid residences have been com
pletely riddled, as also are all the
churches.
The main body Of the army is now
over the river. The balance being in
position to cross at any time.
On the 18th the fog cleared away
early in the forenoon. at1ordng an IN
obstructed view of our own and the
rebel positions it being evident that
the first ridge of hills in the rear of
the city. on which the enemy had his
guns posted behind, were works which
could not be carried except by
charge of infantry.
Gen. Sumner assigned that duty to
Gen. French's division, which was
supported by Gen. Towards. The