The Tiffin weekly tribune. (Tiffin, Ohio) 1859-1868, 1862-12-26
FROM REDEHICKsBUaG.
The Battle OF saturday Wcek.
THRILLING DETAILS.
FREproKsBueo, Va. DEc. 81, 1869

without much fighting, all ANXIOUS Tor
tho break Of day, TO commence one Of the
blOodicst battles ever fought on this con.
tinent.
About halr-past eight o'clock, G neral
Meade. Of General Franklin's corps, nd.
vanccd his column of Pennsylvania Re-
serves, preceded by his skirmishcrs. The
rchcls also advanced their line, when the
battle became general.
General Franklin kept advancing all
day, meeting with great opposition, los.
ing a great many men. One of his bri-
gadcs charged the first line of the enc
ly's works, taking them at the point of
the bayonet, but having no ammunition
they were compelled TO retire, taxing
some three hundred rebel prisoners.
Toward evening General Franklin
again advanced, aud seemed to regain o
portion OF his lost ground, or the ground
that he had gained.
About quarter past nine the ball open
cd in earnest with heavy musketry on
both sides, and finally the heavy guns be-
gan to ploy. Shortly after this the fight
became general. The rear of the can
non became terrific.
At this time Gen. Hookcr's command
had not crossed, but were at the bridges
anxiously waiting to cross.
Generals Sicklcs aud Birncy wcrc at
the lower bridge awaiting a chance TO
get over, if needed, to support General
Franklin, while Generals Whipplc and
Battlefield were at the upper bridge to
i've aid to General Sumner If he nc cdcd
any.
General Sumner gave orders this NOR
ming that when the bal! opened, his first
column should rush on tho enemy at n
double. quick without firing a gun, until
they reached the crest of the hills, when
they would be supported by whole di-
vision.
At twenty minutes past 10 O'Clock, A.
NJ, the firing Of heavy guns somewhat
subsidized the foe and smoke being So
heavy that il was almost impossible To-
see but very short distance.
At halfpast II o'clock our pickets held
their own, but gained no new ground,
apparently.
The work laid out for cur troops this
morning, is to carry the first range OF
hills at the point OF the buyonct, SO us to
give General IIookcr's command u chance
to get over the bridge, as IL was, Gener-
ais Sumner and Franklin's Command are
somewhat crowded.
Twelve o'clock.-Shor,ly nflcr the ar
rival of General Sumner, Gen. French's
command moved up towards the ridge Of
hills, when the enemy opened with ve-
ry heavy gun, bearing steadily, throwing
the shell directly into the city their shell
bursting with great precision.
QUARTER TO O'cLocK. storm
ing party advanced with great steadncss,
in two columns, seemingly the roar OF
musketry opens and runs along the line
with a dcaftning crash ; the big guns OF
the enemy are being worked with great
rapidity and stcadine's Il brief lull, and
then the troops are again at it, with re-
newed yigor, the heavy guns never flag
ring. General French's skirmishcrs adj
vaucing all the while, followed by tho
supports, intent on gaining the hill il
possible.
One O'CLOCK, NooS.-The gunboats
have come up the river and have opened
with their heavy guns ut long range
General Franklin's command advanced
and somewhat gained ground. On the
right the enemy acc making desperate
resistance
tits presumed that Gen. Sigcl will be
here this afternoon, us il is reported that
he is now at Stafford Court House.
There is Il rumor that he has already ar
rived but he is not expected, according
his orders, to be here until this afternoon
At this period the fire continues with un-
ubuted violence. Ii is one OF the despc-
rate battles Of the war, both parties de-
termined to win.
The shell from the heavy guns e the
enemy sweep the main streets of the
town from long range.
Two O'clock, T. M.-Gcn. French
has lust carried the first ridge of the enc
my's works. A our troops have been
ordered up. The heaviest of the fighting
has been on the side of French's dvis.
ion. Gen. Hancock's division was also
heavily engaged as a reserve to French
and did good service. The fighting at
that hour was mostly between the Infan
try.
General Couch worked his way with
IIoward's division, this morning, from the
right to position between Generals
franklin and French, and drove !he re-
bells some half mile
HALF PAST 2 p. M.-Gen. Hooker has
commenced crossing with the whole of
his command. 1t is my opinion that Gen.
Burnside is forcing the fighting.
Four O'CLOCK, p. M.-The cannonad-
ing aud musketry heavy. Gen. COUGHS
command firing at the enemy in the CEN
ter, and seem to be driving them up the
hill.
The enemy fight very stubbornly, with
the advantage OF an intrenched position.
Our mcn seem to push on with renewed
yigor as the day advances. Our army
must be at Lease one mile from Frede--
ickshurg. II is very hard to tell what
our loss is, but is not heavy according 10 |
the fight. Tomorrow will tell the tale.
Professor Rarey went up in the bal-
loon, upon invitation and while up in
the air the enemy fred rifle shell at the
balloon, which passed up between the
car aud the ground, exploding in the
woods to the rear.
QUARTER PAST 4, p. NJ. The heaviest
muskety of the day took place at this
time, extending right and left. II ap-
peared as though Gen. Hooker's reserve
were getting into action.
HAL7-PAsT 4, p. M.-We have just ta-
ken portion Of the coveted hill, after the
hardest fight on this continent. Gener-
ais French, Hancock and Howard have
nobly done their duty. Gen. Sturgis de-
serves great praise. Geu. COUGHS corps
did noble days work when they carried
the hill.
Stonewall Jackson has command of
the troops that huve been opposing Gen,
Franklin. His invinci5!lity seems to be
gone. The prisoners taken are mostly
hArafoof and as hun0rv ne could he