New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1862-12-13
The Order 10 Gross the Rivera Change i'm
the Programme Rendered Necessary
The Arrungemen is for Crossing.
From OsI sPeeIal Cone,pondenl.

From Our Special Correspondent
FALMOUTH Dec 10. 1862
The order has been Issued TO cross the river. IL
the state of the atmosphere is avorable-f the fog
lfs-the attempt will be made tonight. Ii was
designed lasl week TO cross ID miles below Freder-
icksburg; bu, the enemy discovered il in some way,
and moved large body Of troops TO the exact posi-
ton selected. The programme, therefore, has been
changed in nearly all its features. The river Is to
DO crossed in front Of Fredericksburg, and in the
teeth Of nearly all the batteries erected to prevent
il. The pon,oon bridge has been divided into five
sections under the command Of the following officers
Gen. Woodbury. commanding the Engineer Corrs,
has the general superintendent. The bridge on the
extreme right will be laid at the old ford opposite
Falmouth by Capt. Brainard Of the J0th New. York ;
the next but few rods below il, and just above the
ruins of the old covered bridge; the third near the
railroad bridge; the fourth about half mile below
IL and tho fifth being tho extreme left, near the old
Iacy Mill. The distance from the extreme right 10
the lett is but two miles, and but little more than
covers tie fredericksburg 'front.'
The heaviest column of infantry will pass over
the bridge on the extreme right at Falmouth, the
artillery and ammunition trains on the two below it,
and the cavalry on the extreme left. The fret range
Of hills and intrenchments are TO be carried by
assault under the protection of siege guns on this
side Of the river.
The entire army has to-day been massed on the
right in preparation for tue battle. From 800 to 400
pieces Of artillery are in front arranged behind the
hills on this side; the ammunition trains are in'
medately back Of them, and the infantry are lying
on their arms in the woods about two miles from the
river.
Three o'clock tomorrow morning is the time ret
for the commencement Of the movement. The heavy
FOX prevailing all day has favored the massing OF the
troops, and il is thought the enemy is entirely Igno-
rant Of what is going on.
The laying OF the bridges will be under the dreo-
ton Of the following officer; Capt. Brainard, Capt
Ford and Capt. Mcdowell Of the 5Oth New-Aork,
aud Major Magruder of the 18th New-York, anu
Lieut.. Cross Of the regular army. The Engineer
Corps Is composed of tho 50h New.York, Col.
Stuart, tho 18th Now-York, Col. Murphy, ana
several companies from the regular service, the
entire force comprising 3 600 picked men, all under
tie command Of Gen. Woodbury..
Gen. Sumner, as you probably know, commands
the right, and will have the advance, Gen. Hooker
tie center, hnd ucD fIhhh'lh tho ic''' iH0 '"''iN
army covers to-day line OF but five miles III length,
and after il has succeeded in crossing the river Will
move somewhat after the plan of Antstam. The
left will probably swing around to the railroad, and
try to get between fredericksburg and GuinneyS
Station. The right will move direct for the Cor
louisville road, and will bend to meet the. left. The
center will move directly through Fredericksburg,
and probably take the old Telegraph road to Rich
mond. An order has been issued by Gen. ingalls,
commanding all supply trains to fall back to the
vicinity of Acquia Creek, and to remain parked III
the fields until further orders.
The engineer brigade viii commence the erection