Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1862-12-19

up from holy springs. Ills cavalry Was near
Coneeyille, fifteen miles from Grenada. 1t is
stated that Texas Rangers possess the country
west and south Of White river.
BY the news from North Carolina tits learned
that General Whiting has been placed in COM
mand OF Confederate force at Wilmington,
whichpointis believed to be one of those aimed
at blythe expeditions fitting oul by the Federal
Government. Governor Vance's message APP
peals for stern aud determined devotion to
the Confederate Government.
MONDAY, Dec. l5.-The news from the Army
of the Potomac indicates that an important
and sanguinary battle has been fought at Fred
ericksburg on the Rappahannock. The fight
commenced very early on Saturday morning,
and it appears that both infantry and artillery
were engaged, and soon great forces were
brought into contact, and the battle ragged
fercely throughout the day The Federal
forces being all across the river, advanced and
assaulted the Confederate line Of defences on
the range of hills in the rear Of fredericksburg,
about noon. The Confederate guns at once
poured a rapid fire upon them, succeeded by a
terrible fire Of infantry as the Federal columns
came within musketrange, thus checking their
advance. Other troops moving up TO assist in
The work, the Federal columns are represented
70 have then reached the first line of defences,
outstanding gaps were made in their ranks
m Confederate artillery; but the concen-
tt6ted Ere ofbotli infantry and artillery being
.heu TOO much to face, the centre gave way in
disorder 1t is stated, however, that they were
afterwards rallied and brought back, and from
that time the fire was spiritedly carried on,
and never ceased until some time after dark
IL is added that General Franklin, who com
mauded the Federal attack on the left, met
with better success lie succeeded, after hard
IaNis Gnlt II ic IN Itis- 4bs
enemy about one mile at one time. The Con
federates advanced to attack, but were re-
pulsed, it is said, with terrible slaughter, and
a loss Of between four and five hundred pris.
oners belonging to General A. P Hill S com.
mand. Though the firing of musketry ceased
at o clock, p. NJ, the Confcderates continu-
ed throwing shell into the city until o. clock
The above statements are gathered from the
first despatch of the battle, as furnished by the
Associated Press, and it is added lhat the Fed
eral troops slept on Saturday night where they
fought during the day 1t was added, too,
that Gen. Burnside would renew the battle
yesterday morning" despatch however,
dated at halt-past II 0 clock yesterday morn
ing, shows that there was not any general re-
sumption of the battle. 1t is mentioned only
that at daylight there was a heavy fire of ar
tillery and infantry in front of the Confederate
works, which slackened after half an hour.
and was then heard only at intervals. During
the night and morning the Confederates CON
siderably extended their works, as large bodies
Of their troops were to be seen where but a few
were found the previous day The Federal
dead in front of the Confederate works sill
remained where they fell, the attempts made
TO remove them during Saturday night being
frustrated by the fire Of infantry upon those
engaged in the work. The wounded, how
ever, it is stated, had all been removed, and
the dead obtained were in the course of burial
yesterday, at the time the despatch was sent
of. Il was admitted that if any general bat
tie was TO be fought yesterday, it would have
10 be brought on by the Conlederates.
Accounts from other sources give some ad-
ditional details Of Saturday, battle, including
the substance of "A despatch to the New York
Heraid, which states that Franklin's division
advanced mile from the river, and that the
9th New York militia having there made a
charge, was compelled to retire after a fierce
struggle. While other divisions on the ex-
IRENE LETT became engaged, and gradually the
fight extended round to the right, Summers
troops were engaged with the Confederates
back Of the citys Along the whole line the
battle continued 6erve all day, says the Herala
account, with great loss on both sides. II
Is Impossible 70 form an accurate idea Of the
loss on either side" A large number of Off
GERS appear, however, TO have fallen. From
the seyera, accounts we gather the following
Two Generals, jackson and Bayard, dead :
four Generals, Vinton, Gibbons Caldwell and
Meogher, wounded one Col, Cross, wound
ed one Lieutenant Colonel, Dickinson, kill
ed and Major Sturevant, Adjutant Dodd,
aud Captain Murray and Perry, killed. The
Herald adds that the city has suffered terribly
from the Confederate artillery and is crowded
with Federal troops, their front extending but
q short distance beyond. The Confederates
endeavored to drive them out on Saturday
night by Smelling, but il is said without sue
cess. General Burnside was in the city.
despatch from Washington last night SAYS
that it is thought only about go, 600 Federal
troops were engaged in the action Of Saturday
Estimates Of the Confederate forces are now
putas high as zoo, 600 in some quarters, though
1t has been recently said they had no adequate
number with which to meet the Federal army
Surgeons, and everything the wounded re-
quire, were being dispatched from Washing
ton yesterday.
The news from the Southwest is interest
ing, though not very important. The state
ment that Gen. Joseph Il. johnson had taken
command of Gen. Bragg's Confederate army
IN East Tennessee is confirmed by the reports
of deserters, who say that he assumed COM
mand last Monday. General Bragg, tits said.
has gone to Vicksburg, Mississippi. General
Kirby Smiths Confederate army is at Man
chester, Tennessee. Morgan was near Muir
feesboro' at last accounts, preparing for an
other kentucky raid.
A despatch from Cairo, the l2,h, shows that
nothing is known as 10 where the Confederates
in Mississippi have fallen back to- One report
is that they have taken shelter behind Biz
Block at Canton. The rainy season has COM
menced, aud itis already with great difficulty
that cannon and wagons can be transported
Some news from the South, in Richmond
papers 10 the l2th instant, comes oia Forsress
Monroe. Thirty Confederate wounded had
been brought 10 Richmond on The hight Of the
llth, by a train from fredericksburg. The
Smelling of the village of Port Royal BY the
Federal gunbOats is mentioned, in consequence
Of the Confederate batteries opening on the
boats. The people Of the town are now scat
tered like those Of Fredericksburg. From
North Carolina il is stated that twelve repi-
ments had left Newbern, aud with other move
ments from Suffolk it is believed that Weldon
is to be attacked by the Federas jeff Davis
had made speech at Knoxville, Tenn. From
Texas, il is stated that five thousand militia
are called out for local defence.
TUESDAY,, Dec. l6.-The news from Burn
sides Army continues to reach us meagery
but sufficient has comd-to hand to show that
the Federal army has been met most stubborn
ly by the Coniederatcs and that it has suffered
severely, There was some skirmishing going
on yesterday morning, and considerable ar
tilery firing, hut with what result we are not
informed.
The very latest dosnatch from the front