Daily national Republican. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1862-1866, 1862-12-18
Our Troops In Fine Spirits.

December II.
Yesterday morning, when daylight appeared,
the enemy seemed to he, A. they no doubt were,
perfectly astonishcd that our army had sue
cocded In returning to this side Of the Kappa
hammock. We returned without losing single
man or q gun In the rotrograde movement.
A few soldiers, who had struggled OF, made
their appearance upon the river bank after the
pontoon bridges had been removed, but they
were brought over in small boats.
A few cavalry men, who wero guarding q
house inhabited by private family, were not
during the night aware OF our crossing, but in
tho morning, becoming aware fthis fact, they
safely swan the river. #. #
The plckcts of the contending armies being
separated only by few yards, rendered II ne
cessary that everything on our part should be
conducted with the utmost caution. Those on
until just before daylight, when an officer went
to each individual man, and, in q low tone, or
dered him 10 fall back. Amer they got sufii-
clently far to be out Of danger, they were or
dcred to quicken their pace and reach the
bridges. .4.rr
enemy advanced their sklrmishers along the
entire line, and, by noon, had established their
pickets near the river bank. sr'..rs p
We had large number Of dead on what was
regarded as neutral ground, and, as soon as Il
was known our forces had evacuated, the sol
diers Of the enemy commenced robbing the
lifeless bodies. This was plainly seen through
field glass, as we'll as indistinctly with the
naked eye.
About 10 or IL O'Clock, females, neatly
dressed, were seen walking the streets of Fred
erlcksburg. They had, doubtless, bcen con-
| cealed In their houses during the time the city
was occupied by our troops, and had availed
themselves OF the first opportunity to make
their rcappearahce.
nr n,nfot T..
wing agreed upon an armistice among them
selves, and freely intermingled, exchanging
their dead comrades who lay on "neutrsl
ground" During the time, general officer Of
our army rode up and put an end TO these pro-
ceedings. The result was, both parties imme-
diately commenced firing, when nine of our men
were killed. ........ ....
Amer the general had left, the friendly rels.
tions OF the plckets were renewed, and butter
nut and blue uniforms freely mingled. .
About this time Gen. Franklin dispatched
flag OF truce, which the enemy Immediately
recognized; and the exchange Of dead bodies
was resumed and continued until completed.
Yesterday afternoon, Gen. Lee sent hag Of
truce to Gen. Burnside, asking him to detail
men to bury his dead In front Of Gen. Summers
grand division. This was done.
The wounded, with the exception Of those
whom the enemy obtained, have al been brought
to this side Of the Rappahannock, and as rap
luiy rs pOehlDle are DeinX sent 70 WaSnlngtOn.u
During the flag of truce, Gen. Stewart, Of the
rebel army, In answer to a question, stated that
Banks expedition had gone South, but he did
not seem N know exactly where. Taf
| The entire army Is now encamped on the
same ground which they previously occupied.
They are as comfortable, for the present, as
they can be In shelter tents. .. ~.
| Our army has been considerably reinforced
since the battle, and no danger whatever at
tnches to their present position.
II Is the opinion Of military men that had we
even succeeded In taking the front ridge Of
works, the opportunity for slaughter by the
enemy would have been far greater than previ-
ously. Our men, 1t may be repeated, behaved
with the greatest gallantry, but no troops In the
world could Withstand such concentrated fire
of heavy ordnance and musketry under cover OF
Notifications. ..- ..--- ... r...
LATER.
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE Potomac,
December II, 1869.
The weather is cold, with northeast wind.
Last night, the enemy increased their en-.
trenchments on the terraces In the rear oil
Fredericksburg, and threw up rife-pits near
the river, on tho left of tho city.
To-day their battalion drills were visible to
the naked eye, on the plain.
No movement of importance has taken place
to-day. .--.. .....H
Our troops are In excellent condition, and ~
enthusiastic as they were previous to the late