The Cadiz Democratic sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1854-1864, 1862-12-17
"A GREAT BATTLE |
BosnbarbmeHt or Frcdericks'
h.an I.a.o Ill. "a. L..

hustle snd activity, as 10 day was the time
txed for crossing the river. During the night
the por toons were conveyed 10 the river, and
tine artillery Of one hundred and forty three
peices placed in position opposite. At five
O'Clock this morning tie rebels FIR. d two sig
nal guns and during the latter paIt Of the
night rockets were frequently seen within
their lines.
At five O'Clock the construction OF three
bridges in front Of the city was commenced
When the bridges were about hall completed
the enemy opened murderous tIe Of infant
ry from the houses on the river banks. Up
to this time not shot had been fred from
our side. The engineers we're driven from
the bridges, and several xii ed and wounded.
At six O'Clock Gen. Burnside ordered all
the guns to be opened on the city. The cau
onads which has continued up TO the present
time Is terrible. The city is on FIRE, and its
destruction appears certain.
The enemy about seven o'clock this morn
ing opened with their heavy guns from their
works. but so Ear have dons no serions iriu
ry. Gen. Franklin constructed his bridges
about three miles below the city, meeting
with but slight opposition. His troops are
crossing, and the gunboats are shelling the
enemy about fifteen miles down tie river,
where they have been concentrating their
forces for the past lew days.
The concentrated fire oi our batteries on
Il 9 city had The effect OF driving back the
enemy's iLantry, and the work on the bridg>
cs has again been comenced. The troops
are all uuder arms near the river, prepared
TO rush over as soon as the bridges are con,
pleted. rs-..- ...
,Noon--On the attempt being made to fin
ish the bridge in frcnt OF the city, the rebel
infantry again opened their fire, when our
artillery in position was again opened on the
city, the result being that the city was ired
in seversl new places. t.a- uIr..
The enemy has used very little artillery
up to this time, as 1t would endanger theiI
own men who are holding the river 'front.'
Burnside has just issued an order to con.
centra'e every available gun upon the city
under the cover Of the fire Of hich il is be
! lieved the bridge can be finished.
| The killed and wounded do not amount L
more thar fifty men.
EvENNG,-But little firing took place
all the available batteries were placed in po
siton. They numbered one hundred ant
seventy six guns. At a signal all opened OIL
the city. The fire was terrible, but the reb
el sbarpsnooters could not be driven from
hiding places. The shot and shell wen
thr0ugh the houses, in many cases setting
them n fire, causing dense smoke which
| together with the explosion OF SO large I
quonlity OF powder, almost hid the city from
| view. ..... -... Nr.
| 1t became evident that the bridges could
not be built except by bold dash, and vol
IT. teerswere called ior to cTuss in small boats
| The order was no sooner give than hundreds
stepped 'orward; but as all could not 60, a
bout one hundred were selected. They wer
soon on their way, while the artillery threw
perfect storm oI iron hail on the opposite
bank. They reached the opposite shore bu
not without loss. With fix d bayonet
they rushed upon they enemy, killing severa
and taking one hundred and one prisoners
who were safely landed on this side.
At half past four Two bridges were finishct
opposite the city, when the troops immedi
ately began to cross over. The cnem,
were soon driven from the city back to thei
line Of works. ........
The two bridges in front Of Gen. FRANKLIN
were successfully laid carly in the day, bu
his troops did not cross until the two uppe
ones was ready. @ .a.
A sufficient lorce is now on the opposit
side OF the river to resist any attack that j
likely 10 be made. The rebels fred but few
guns in the mornieg, and none in the after
noon, although their works were in cas-
range. .H
| During the forenoon the rebels burnt th
railroad bridge outside Of the city. Betweei
thirty and Iorty houses were burnt, mosll
in the business part Of the city.
During the day between eight thousan
and nine thousand rounds OF ammun;tio
we've fired by our artillery.
HEADQUARTERs ARMY OF THE POTOMAC
Friday morning, Dec. II, 10 O'Clock. Alte
occupying The river front of the city las
night, We lost about one hundred men j
killed and wounded, while driving the rebel
through the city. They fired on our me
as they advanced through the streets Will
secre,ed in and behind houses. Not muc
mercy vas shown to those who wer
caught.
This morning den'e fog hid every fror
view, but now it is partially cleared away
The troups commenced moving al an earl
hcur, Major Gen Summers grand diyi.io
leading the way over in front OF the city, I
be followed hy Major Gen. Ilooker's gran
division. Gen. F,anklin's. grand divislor
which cross nearly three miles below lh
city, is nearly over.
At quarter asst nine the first gun wa
fred, the engagement lasting about half a
hour, the rebels not making very spirite
reply 1t is thought the troops will all b
over at noon.
Information received during the night an
this morning from deserters and prisoner
shows that the rebels have two strong line
of bal teries in rear Of tbe city, the fi.st on
being enc mile back and the recJnd mil
from the first. tt.5 aI a .s5l a
The whole army is in rapid motion an
well concentrated. The troops are in excel
lent spirits and anxious to DO led on tn
enemy's works. The enemy HIS concentral
cd his forces, and il is believed will give bal
tie. Much will depend upon the result OF
day. Al eel saGguine OF success
HEADQUARTERS Army OF THE PoToMA'
Dec. IL, Evening, rat 10 O'clock this morr
ing the log began to clear away, but belol
10 O'Clock the air was thick again, whic
continued till 2 o'clock, when it entirel
disappeared.
AT quarter past two the rebels opcne
with ailtheir guns posted On the first ride
9 hills. Their main fire was directed upo
the city, which was filled with Qua troops.
These guns, which were posted on the le
of the ridge. were opened on the large bod
OF troops which crossed on the two lowe
bridges and had formed line oil battle an
were moving obliquely down the river, from
ing the Massaponix. Although several
their shells exploded oyei our heads, nor
were injured.
Gen. Bayard's cavalry, which crossed o
the lower bridge, had five men killed viii
endeaverirg to ascertaintihe eDemy's pos
, ton. The troops which crossed below al
sleeping on their aams to night, the advant
being within three quarters OF mile of tf
Massaponix creek, their left resting on tt
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