Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1862-12-29

| Correspondence Of the Cleveland Leader1
Three Days before Fri
day, Saturday and sHnday--The Army
] mOving----The Gsreat1 Bartles---seeesh
Prisoners, &c, &c.
FALMOUTH, VIRGINIA, Dec. Is, 1862
Learning that the fight had commenced
at Fredericksburg, on Thursday, the 11th
inst, and being in Washington with my
friend, Captain D. D. Wiley, and he hav-
ing orders to take Colonel Bells dispatch
steamer Pusey,, and proceed with all
haste to Fredericksbdrg, improved the
opportunity Of having my friend spirit me
along with him to the scene of operations.
The Pusey few down the broad Potomac
like thing of life, and in three hours
landed us at Aqua Greek, fifteen miles by
rail from Fredericksburg. Our forces had
shelled Fredericksburg all that day; and
few of the last guns we heard. We were
too late for the train, SO q special train was
going to leave in the morning at five. We
found comfortable quarters in a car for
the night, and before light started on our
way. The road is lined with soldiers, and
their frequent camp-fres enlivened the
scene, revealing the soldiers 6Sroo end
glistening bayOnets, and the dusky faces
Of numerous contrabands who were warm
ing their shins. AS day was dswning we
were near Falmouth. Our camps were all
astir; the road was lined with large num-
bers Of troops, who greeted the train with
cheer after cheer. The army was moving,
and the men felt hilarious.
Arriving at the station, 1 had capital
quarters assigned to me by Captain
| Wiley, near the Commissary Hesdquar-
ters. After breakfasting, walked TO the
| tent Of Captain Perkins, who was killed
the day before while laying the pontoon
| bridges across the river. He lay in his
tent in uniform, boots, spurs, and cap on,
| Just as he fell, with six of his men lying
dead beside him. HeWas q noble-lOoking
young man. He was shot in the mouth,
the ball passing out the back Of lis head.
Some of his men presented hideous wounds.
This was my first sight of wars realities.
On our right and center, at an early
and artillery may be seen through the fog
winding their way to the bridges to cross
| into Fredericksburg. The infantry are
four abreast, and their bright muskets
family glimmer through the fog. Several
times during the day l took position near
the moving column, inspecting their dress
and equipments, and more particularly
their eountenances. / caught the eye Of
every man as he passed, and the express
sion was all right, full Of life and FIRE.
Wishing to take q view of the city after
the shelling, and being myself defectivein
wind and limb, borrowed Lieutenant's
horse to ride, and soon found him more de-
fective in both points than myself.
rode this war horse, and it was all could
do, without spurs, to induce him to take
dog-trot. I imagined myself a civilian
general, as my sleepy dogan Of g war
horse quietly trotted by our walking
masses Of infantry, my elbows keeping
time with the trot forgot, however, to
shout the watchword, "Onward to Rich
mond"
Well, L took position, seated on my
ahN-csr nn tho bluff overl rlpnkinu Rreder-
| icksburg, near the Lacy House, and was
calmly locking uppn the ruined town and
]
| loud report Of cannon from the secesh
hills rolled out sitter the white cloud, and
/ very soon the bursting of shell in my i'm
mediate vicinity intimated 70 me that 81 the
ball had opened.P "A couple Of csntra-
bands standing near me showed they were
intelligent by taking to their heels, and
not wishing TO be behind our "sOcial
eouals,'t turned the head Of my war
horse in the direction the negroes were
taking. He was 80 slow.to leave the field
| it gave me time to reflect that was being
! frightened away at the first shot, SO l
refined up, faced the enemy, and taking my
| position midway between two of our bat
/ teries awaited events. The fog had clear
ed up 80 that the enemy could see our army
| crossing, and they opened upon our bridges,
/ and our batteries opened upon theirs. l
was delighted with the accuracy of one of
our batteries of twenty pound Parrots.
Their shell went screaming through the
air, and seemed to explode right in a rebel
battery on the opposite hill, shout one
l mile off. The rebel shells exploded in the
sir before they reached cur battery. We
silenced this battery in about half an
hour.
The city remains in form, but is badly
riddled A good many buildings were
burnt, but not as many as would be sup
posed after receiving about 5000 she'll
/ The church steePles had holes through
them, and the roofs were perforated badly.
The business and wealthy part of the town
had evidently. received especial attention
from our batteries, to The neglect Of the
poererpart-
In the afternoon the rebels shelled our
upper bridge SO eFectually as to prevent
our crossing for time.
Il Sykes reserves we're eneamped Friday
i night in the immediate vicinity of the Post
4 Commisssry where l endeavored to sleep,
A but what with the barking Of dogs, braying
H Of mules; and rafting Of wagons the en-
deavor was fruitless.
II Iheari a great many Captains and Lieu
4 inc Tovei 3. ..-.J a-.-S sKedaddied, leaving
only enough to keep up appearances, 1t
I was a surmise which Saturday exploded
Z pretty efFectually.
was out among Sykes Division inquir-
ing after Ohio Batteries, when l overheard
II two or three soldiers talking. One says,
+ is Don't that man look dish good in
those house clothes. wish I was at
home SO I.could wear EN- 49,.
Captain Walworth's Battery was with
Franklin, and Colonel Hayward was chief
I of artillery on General Whipples staff,
4 and crossed over the river Friday.
Many and varied were the trophies
brought from Fredericksburg Friday.
Books, baskets, trinkets Of all kinds. New
Virginia leaf tobacco was plenty. The
H mail was captured, and was presented
with several letters. One poor fellow ap-
peared anxious for sweet potatoes and
4 brandy; he offered S. for halfa bushel of