Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1862-12-19


finish the bridge, and once more the column
with reinforcement, started. Under tn
direction Of Woodbury., they seize
planks and carried out some dozen to til
end of the string of boats, placed a part Q
them, and were then compelled to retire un
der very CALLING fire from the rebel sharp
shooters, who were ensconced in rifle pits, be
low the range of our artillery, within 10 o
10 feet Of the river edge. The engineers sui
fered severely. The movement having beer
thus interrupted, the whole party was order
ed back to their original position.
At II o'clock it was discovered that one Of
| the houses was on fire. The flames which
commenced in the western part of the city
soon spread, and Fredericksburg is now en-
veloped in fire and smoke, and an effectua
fire had been opened on the rebel rifle pits
opposite the river. 1t has been successful SC
far in driving the sharp shooters from the vi
cinity Of the railroad depot.
The engineers are now constructing bridges
across the river. -. .
The rebels still maintain their ground op-
posite the upper bridges.
The cavalry are now passing Summers
headquarters to make charge across the
river, at one Of the fords. ..-.,
AcQuIA CREEK, Dec. 1l-midnight.
Intelligence from the front, tonight, states
that our forces have crossed the river and are
now in possession of Fredericksburg. The
fire from our batteries on the right succeed
ed in driving the rebels from the rife pits,
thereby permitting an easy and rapid con-
struction of pontoon bridges. --.
ADDITIONAL NEwBERN IN. c.) NEWS.
.>- .eee.s.- New YORK, Dec 12
1t appears that Union and Free-Labor
meetings have been held in this city and
elsewhere, for many weeks.
There was great Free-Labor demonstra-
ton held at Beaufort, few days ago,
creating profound sensation. =
In the Department and throughout the
State the organization of this movement is
quietly progressing, and enticing large num-
bers.
Information received at headquarters dis
closes the fact that a powerful reaction against
the war is progressing in the interior. Let
ters from all classes of people, intercepted by
the capture of rebel mails, indicate universal
prayer for peace.
CAno, Dec II.
Reliable information from below, received
here, says Gen. A. P. Hovey's expedition from
Helena into Mississippi, cut up and destroyed
portion of the Mississippi Central R. R.
and burned bridges and otherwise injured
the Mississippi and Pensacola road. During the
progress Of the expedition it met and engaged
the enemy at three different points, in all of
which the Federsl army was successful, and
rebels driven before them. Infantry as we'll
as cavalry skirmishes were fought; first at
Tallahatchie, I'd at Yorkney River, and Sd
near Oakland. The last was the most severe
and in it Gen. Hovey's men lost Is horses.
A few men were wounded but none killed.
One cannon was lost, the horses being all
shot.
General Hovey states that he did occupy
Grenada, all other reports to the contrary,
notwithstanding without the loss of man.
He also captured courier with dispatches
from one General to another, stating that the
Confederates would certainly fight at the big
black.
LOUISVILLE, Dec. 11-midnight.
Gen. Boyle orders Provost Marshals to
empty jails of all runaway contrabands and
has placed negroes at work.
Later advices just received at headquarters
dispel appreheusions of an immediate engage
ment in Tenn.
Morgan was miles north of Muefreesboro,
organizing another raid into Kentucky.
Nothing heard from Fredericksburg up to
1:30 to-day.
HEADQUARTERS ARMY PoToMAc,l
Dec. 12-Evening.
At 10 o'clock this morning the fog began
to clear away, but before II o'clock the air
was again thick, which continued until 2
o'clock, when it entirely disappeared. At a
quarter past two the rebels opened with all
their guns posted on the first ridge of hills.
Their main fire was directed upon the city,
which was filled with our troops. These
guns, which were posted on the left of the
ridge were opened on the large body of troops
which crossed on the two lower bridges, and
had formed in line of battle, and were moving
obliquely down the river fronting the Massa-
ponix. Although several of their shells explo-
ded over our troops, none were injured.
General Bayard's cavalry, which crossed on
the lower bridge, had five men killed while
endeavoring to ascertain the enemy's position.
The troops which crossed below are sleeping
on their arms tonight. The advance being
between three vuarters of mile of the Mas
.sadanix, their left resting on the Rappahan-
mock. @ o;'-7 .t.r
The enemy occupies the opposite side Of
the creek in force. I .EH
The guns on the bank this side of the river
silenced the enemy's ARTILLERY, after 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 tc
its destruction. .....a.-
Twenty five of our men were killed last
night in the streets, while driving the rebels
out.
Nearly every house in the city has beer
damaged, more or less, by the firing of the
past few days. Several splendid residences
have been completely riddled, as also all the
churches. The fire appeared to be directed
on the most prominent of the edifces.
Several cases of wonton destruction o
property occurred by our troops, when they
entered-property which could be Of no U.s.
to the enemy. In many houses the furniture
all remained.
Some of our troops mistook theBritish fial