Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1862-12-17

the rebels from their hiding places.
The concentrated fire al the rebel ar
tillery and infantry which our men were
forced Ia face was too much for them, and
the center gave way in disorder. but were
afterwards rallied and brought back
From that time the fire was spiritedly
carried on and never ceased until after
dark.
Gen. Franklin, who commanded the
attack on the left, met with better sue
cess. lie succeeded after a hard days
fight in driving the rebels about one mile.
At n time the rebels advanced to at
tack him, but were handsomely repulsed
with terrible slaughter and loss of be-
tween 400 and 500 prisoners belonging 10
Gen. A. P. Hills Division.
Gen. ~Franklin'S movement was direct
ed down the river, and his troops are en-
camped tonight not far from the Massa-
ponix Creek. Our troops sleep tonight
where they fought to-day. The dead and
wounded are being carried from the field.
HerdLds special correspondence from
Fredericksburg, dated Dec. 18th, a. m,
says:
1t is ascertained beyond doubt, that
the rebel force is nearly 200, 900. Jack
sun COtilLllhtluS the ftOtl TlRnI, 01ltnuluH
from Ginnis Station to Port Royal. Long
street has the centre, extending from
Ginnis Station to the Telegraph Road
Lee and Stuart, on the left.
A Herald dispatch, dated at headquar-
tiers last night says, Gen. Franklin's line
moved forward at sunrise. with his right
resting on the river 3 miles below. Skir-
mishing commenced on the left about
daylight, and soon after a rebel battery
opened on our lines, and the 9th New York
militia was ordered to charge; but after a
fierce struggle was compelled to retire.
The remainder of the brigade. under Gen.
Tyler, then charged the enemy's guns,
when the fight became general on the ex-
IRENE left. Generals Mead's and Gibbons
divisions encountered the right of Gen.
A. 5. Hills command.
The cannonading was terrific though
our troops suffered but little from the
ensmy's artillery. Gradually the fight
extended around the right; Gen. Howe's
division then went in and then Brooks
division.
About 10 o'clock Gen. Summers troops
engaged the enemy back ofthe city, since
which the battle has raged ~furiously
along the whole line. The enemy, occu-
plying woods and hills, had much more
advantageous positions, but were driven
back on their right a mile and a half ear
ly in the day. About noon Gen. Gibbons
was relieved by Gen. Doubleday, and Gen.
Mead by Gen. Stoneman, afterwards Gen.
Newton's division moved to the support
of the left, when the firing ceased for q
short time, and broke out with greater
furiousness in the centre, were our troops
were exposed to a ~plunging fire from the
enemy's earth-works on the hill.
Along the whole line the hattie has
been fierce all day. with great loss to both
sides.
Tonight zach army holds its first posi-
ton, except a slight advance Of our left.
Cannonading is still going on. and mus
kerry breaks out at snteryals quits ielcs-
ly.
Bayard was hit in the thigh by II solid
shot while conversing with Gen. Frank
lin.
Several hundred prisoners were taken,
who report that Lees whole army is in
the vicinity.
Hills troops started down the river this
morning, but returned.
Gen. Franklin tonight is opposed to
S~tonswall jackson.
1t is impossible to form an accurate idea
of the losses on either side.
The city suffered terribly from the enc
my's artillery. and ia crowded with our
troops, the front extending a short dis
lance beyond.
About dark our forces carried the right
crest of the hill occupied by the rebels,
driving them from the position with great
slaughter.
This evening the rebels have been shell
ing Fredericksburg, endeavoring to drive
our troops out. but without success.
Gen. Burnside is in the city personally
directing operations.
December l4-ll:30 A. N.
There is no fog to-day, the sun is shin
ing brightly with a strong breeze.
At daylight this morning there was a
heavy fire Of artillery and infantry in front
of the first line of works where Generals
Summer and Hooker were engaged yes
terday. The fire slackened about an hour
afterward and was heard only at intervals
until now.
The same occurred in front of General
Franklin's division down the river.
The object of both parties was evident
ly to feel the other.
Daring last night end this afternoon the
rebels have considerably extended their
works and strengthened their position.
Large bodies of troops are now to be
seen where but few were to be found yes
terday. Those killed yesterday, while
charging the enemy's works, remain
where they fell. When attempting their
removal last night, the rebels opened fire
with their infantry, but the wounded
have all been removed from the field, and
all the dead obtained are now being
buried. !,
The indications are that no decisive
battle will be fought to-day, unless the
rebels should bring on the engagement,
which they will not probtbly do.
WASHINGTON, Dec. IA.
1t is thought here that about 10000 of
our troops were engaged in yesterdays
From information received early this
morning we learn hat preparations were
all night for a conflict to-day,
Gen. Burnside remaining on the field Civ
orders and looking to the position
md condition of his forces. ]
Additional surgeons, and everything
the necessities of the wounded re-
luire, have been dispatched from Wash
The Sanitary Commission sent a vessel !
.o-day to Aqua Creek with surgeons, J
nurses, and hospital stores, for the wound !
ID in the recent battle.
WASHINGTON, Dec. IA. Z
Gentlemen in high public positions re-
beat the assertion as to coming from Gen. I
Burnside, that he has men enough, and, {
therefore,, desires no further reinforce /
I
ST. LOUIS, Dec. IL. I
Gen. Blunt telegraphs Gen Curtiss the 4
ebels with whom he fought the battle of
Prairie Grove, near Fayetteville, Ark, |
AVE probably crossed the Arkansas river. II
The enemy left all of his dead and most n
f his wounded on the field. q
One hundred of their wounded have k
led since the battle, and a large number
{ the remainder are wounded MORALLY.
The total loss of the enemy is estimated