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

away.
The troops commenced moving at an ear
hour, Maj. Gen. Summers Grand Divisit
leading the way over in front of the CITY.
be followed by Maj. Gen. Hooker's divisio
Gen. Franklin's division, which crosses nea
ly three miles below the city, is nearly owe
AT quarter past nine, the first gun was fire.
The engagement lasted about half an hou
the rebels not making q very spirited repl,
1t is thought that the troops will all be ov.
at noon. aa 1e'i 73
Information received during the night an
this morning, from deserters and prisoner
shows that the rebels have two strong line
OF batteries in the rear of the city, the fir.
one being one mile back, and the second
mile from the first. The whole army is j
rapid motion and well concentrated. Tb
troops are in excellent spirits and anxious t
be led on the enemy's works. The enem
has concentrated his forces, and it is believe
will give battle. Much depends upon tn
result. To-day all feel sanguine of success
t,5 CAIRo, Dec. 12.
From several sources we have confirmation
of report that the rebels in Mississippi ar
falling back, but to what point is not SO Ger
tain. One report is that they are taking shel
ter behind Big Block at Canton.
The rainy season has commenced in Mis-
sissippi, and already it is with great difficulty
that cannon and wagon trains are moved.
For some time several transports have beer
engaged in traffic with Confederates, below
Helel.a, as has been reported under authorit,
of the Government. Salt provisions ant
general plantation supplies have been taker
nd oho 60 4
fic is now pronounced contrary to the regula.
tons of the Government, and several steamer.
have been arrested.
After the 10Th inst. there will be no more
monopoly in the sale of newspapers on mill
tary railroads in the department. That will
be put on par with other with other legiti
mate trade in consequence of great numbers
of pimps and thieves now in Cairo. ~
Gen. Tuttle has issued an order that all
persons found here without visible means o.
support shall be arrested and put to work in
the Quartermaster's Department.
HEADQUARTERS ARMY PoToMAc IN FIrLD,)
Hr Dec. 13-11 A. NJ.
The battle long anticipated is now pro.
crossing. Reynolds corps on the left ad.
vanced and engaged the enemy's infantry q,
9:l5, and seven minutes afterwards the rebels
opened heavy fire with artillery, and con
tinued so far uninterrupted. Our heavy guns
are answering, but the firing on both sides is
at random, on account of the dense fog. No
results are known. But little infantry has
become engaged.
A portion of the enemy's cavalry crossed
the ford above here, and yesterday were on
our right and rear. A force has been sent to
meet them.
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF PoToxAc,7
Dec. 1911 M
The fog began to disappear early this A. NJ,
affording an unobstructed view of our own
and the enemy's position. It being evident
that the first ridge of hills in the rear of the
city, on which the enemy had his guns posted,
behind works which could not be carried ex-
cept by charge Of infantry. Gen. Sumner
assigned that duty to Gen. French's Division,
which was supported by Gen. Howard.
The troops advanced to the work at ten
minutes before 10, at a brisk run, the enc
mys guns opening upon them very rapid
fire. When in musket range at the base OF
the ridge, our troops were met by terrible
fire from the rebel infantry, which were post
ed behind stone wall and some houses on
the right Of the line. This checked the ad-
vance of our men and they fell back to a
small ravine. At this time another body of
men came to their assistance in splendid style,
large gaps were made in
their ranks by the rebel artillery. When
our troops arrived at the first line of the
rebel defenses they doublequicked and with
fixed bayonets endeavored to dislodge tn.
rebels from their hiding places.
The concentrated fire of the rebel artillery
and infantry which our men were forced to
face, was too much for them, and the centre
gave way in disorder, but afterwards they
were rallied and brought back. From that
time on the fire was spiritedly carried out
and never ceased until after dark.
Gen. Franklin, who commanded the at
tack on the left, met with better success He
succeeded, after hard days fight. in driv.
ing the enemy about one mile. At one time
the rebels advanced to attack him, but were
handsomely repulsed with terrible slaught.
er, and loss of between 400 and 500 pris
oners, belonging to Gen. A. P. Hill.
Gen. Franklin's movement was directed
down the river, and his troops are encamped
tonight not far from the Massaponix Creek
Our troops sleep tonight where they Tough
to-day. .'.t- e'3i
The dead and wounded are being carried
from the field .....t....
The followingis is a list of officers killed and
wounded as far as known: s.}4.-t ~
Gen. jackson, of the Pennsylvania Reserves
killed.
Gen. Bayard, struck in the thigh by .
shell and afterwards died.
Gen. Vinton, wounded in the side, not Sc
riously a 5i'- Is rs '..'
Gen. Gibbons wounded in the hand.
Gen. Kimball wounded in the thigh.
Gen. Caldwell wounded in two places, bu
not seriously. a2f .ta17-
Col. Sinclair, of the Pennsylvania Reserves
wounded seriously.
Capt. Hendricks, commanding 9Th New
York State Militia, wounded seriously.
The following is the loss of officers in tn
5th New Hampshire Regiment:
Col. Cross wounded In the Abdomen.
Maj Studevant killed. a
Adjutant Dodd, killed.
Capt. Murray, killed.
Capt. Perry, killed. 5..-....
The firing Of musketry ceased about 81