davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
North Branch democrat. [volume] (Tunkhannock, Pa.) 1854-1867, 1862-12-17

After they got sufficiently far away to be
out of danger they were ordered TO quicken
their pace and reach the bridges as quickly
as possible.
About nine o'clock yesterday morning the
enemy advanced their skrrnshers along
their entire line, and by noon had established
their pckets near the bank Of the river.
We had large number of dead on what
was regarded as neutral ground" and as
soon as it was known our forces had evacuat-
ed the city the soldiers of the enemy COM
menced fobbing the lifeless bodies. This was
plainly seen through field-glass, as well as
indissinctly with the naked eye.
About ten or eleven o'clock ladies very
neatly dressed were seen walking about tho
streets of Fredericksburg. They had doubt
less been concealed in their houses during
the time the city was occupied by cur troops,
and doubtless availed themselves ofthe first
opportunity to make their reappearance after
our retreat.
On Monday the pickets of the contendins
armies fronting the left wing mutually agreed,
upon an "armistce" among themselves, and
freely intermingled with each other, exchan-
ging their dead fricnds and comrades who lay
on neutral ground"
During this time general of our army
rode by and put an end to these proceedings.
The reSul. was that both parties Immediately
commenced firing, when nine of our men were
killed. After the general had left, the friend
ly demonstrations Of our pickets were renew
cd, and butcrnut and blue uniforms freely
mingled.
Abuot this time General Franklin dispatch.
ed flag OF truce, which the enemy mmedi.
ately recognized, and the exchange of dead
bodies was resumed and continued until COM
pleted.
Yesterday Gen. Lee sent flag of truce to
Gen. Burnside, asking him to detail men to
division. This was done.
The wounded with the exception of those
whom the enemy obtained, have all been
brought to this side Of the Rappahannock,
anu "' i"Pi"ly "S PooSioie are Delhe sent 10
Washington.
During the flag of truce Gen. Stuart, of the.
rebel cavalry, in answer to question, stated
that Gen. Banks expedition had gone south
but did not know exactly where.
Our entire army is now encamped on the
same ground which they previously occupied.
The soldiers are as comfortable for the
present as they can oe in shelter tents.
North Branch democrat. [volume] (Tunkhannock, Pa.) 1854-1867, 1862-12-17
OUR Loss ESTIMATED At $4,000
KILLED AND WOUNDED.
IFrom the New York World.
FREDRicEsBURG, Dec. Ii

FREDRiCEsBURG, Dec. Ii.
Amid the tramplIng of armed men, the
rumbllng of artillery, and the most intense
excitement, hasten 10 send you word about
the advance of the grand Army of the Poto-
mac. The telegraph has told YOU that Fred
ricksburg is ours. May we meyer have to re-
linquish it again. But to NY story,
The work of building the pontoon bridges
across the river was begun at early dawn this
morning about five o'clock. The fiftieth and
the Seventeenth New York Engineers attempt
ed to throw bridge 1T the point of the old
railroad bridge, and two more opposite the
city. Owing to the obscurity of objects at
that early hour the bridges were partially
constructed before the rebels could fire
with effect. As soon as 1t was light their
shots began to be effective, and our men suf-
cred from the deadly discharges Of rebel mus
kerry The engineers were driven away from
their work, and the planks rddled with bull
lets. From every house and species of shelter
storm of eaden hail proceeded. The bonn
bardment then opened. The Ninth corps of
artillery, with the batteries to the right and
left into the city, threw their shell fast and
thick into the city. Throughout the forenoon
one continued roar of st least one hundred
and fifty pieces of cannon shook the ground,
and reyelbelated far and wide The streets
Of Fredericksburg were cleared Of rebels by
showers of grape schrapnel. But feeble re
sponses were made by their artillery, AMI they
appeared to be deserving the town. Another
attempt to construct the bridge was made be-
tween ten and eleven O'Clock 4 party of less
than one hundred men of the Eighth Connec
ticut, under Capt. Marshs volunteered to per-
form the work. Gen. Woodbury. was near
Planks were laid on the pontoons, bu: again the
deadly fire of the cnemy's sharp-Shooters drove
our men from their bold attempt. At eleven
O'Clock The fire broke out in the western part
Of the city, and cnveoped ii in smoke. The
repeated fire of our artillery and the flames
drove the rebels out of that part which Is
near the railroad depot \ little before three
in the afternoon the engineers again set to
work. THIS time proved successful, and Gen
Hnward's division began to cross the river at
at once. Fredericksburg was occupied by our
troops, and the enemy fell back to their line
Of fortjfications.
In charging through the city a number of
our men fell. During the entire lombard
ment of the place our casualties have been
comparatively few.
North Branch democrat. [volume] (Tunkhannock, Pa.) 1854-1867, 1862-12-17

ing them constantly fighting, &C." This fifth
good and sufficient reason, in addition TO the
inhumanity and brutality in it, contains base
libel upon our citizen soldiery.
Sixth, "To take Richmond, or at least to
do all that can be done to that end" This
latter clause is the only ntimation, even by
implication, that we have seen from these
journals that Richmond may not be taken.
We have been told by them from day to. day
that that doomed city was just ready to fall
into our grasp, an easy conquest The silliest
hggor-head that reads the Tribune has been
able, since McGlellan's removal, to predict is
fall with almost absolute certainty as to time.
1t seerhs that the Inquirer, with all its "good
and sufficient reasons" for the late movement,
with all the advantages" derived from it.
has still lurking doubt on this subject.
The sixth s reason however for this bloodiest
CT battles, this loss OF ten thousand men, this
secret and precipitate retreat of the army to
the north side of the Rappahannock, was " to
take Richmond"
To find these reasons cost the editor but
little thought and L oubIe" We should not
think it would We await with some
anxiety the six still more cogent reasons, in
reserve.
The profound statement That she never
could have crossed the river had he remained
on this bank" sounds very LincoInish and
induces US to believe that 'od Abe,,' assists
in the editorials Of that sheet.
If the battle fredericksburg was only an
j." experiment" /" trial trip" splendid re
connoissarce in force" we hope for the sake
of our troops, who fought as bravely as men
ever fought, that one such will suffice for all
time and for humanity's sake that we NAV
never be called upon to publish repetition of
its heart-sickening details.
North Branch democrat. [volume] (Tunkhannock, Pa.) 1854-1867, 1862-12-17
Counterfeit Postage Currency

1t appears that there are counterfeit fifty
cent notes OF the new postage currency in cir
culation. They are said to be we'll executed,
and should be guarded against. The follow
ing easily-noted marks will enable holders to
detect them:
l. The paper is thinner than the genuine.
2. The five faces of W ashinton vary consider
ably from each other in the counterfeit
much so that two or three of them if fstanding
alone, would hardly be taken to be portraits
of Washington-while on the genuine they all
closely resemble each other g. The linked
letters "U. s." under the mid lie face OF
Washington in the countefeit, do not show
the lower end of the'' s., inside of the leg of
the ., while in the re 1uine they do. This
mark is easily seen. A. The border round
the lettering and SOP on the back Of the
counterfeit is dark, and the lines are crowded
while in the genuine the border is open, with
line of light dots running through the mid
die all the way round In the counterfeit,
this middle line is almost invisible. while in
the genuine it is so distinct as to catch the
eye at once.
North Branch democrat. [volume] (Tunkhannock, Pa.) 1854-1867, 1862-12-17
Death of a Political Prisnnnr.

Mr.. A. L. Fessenden, of Wisconsin, was
ordered to be released from the military pris,
or IN St. Louis, Internationally, on the 10th
instant, g the charges against him not hav-
ing been sustained" The order for his re
lease arrived at the prison hospital on the
same day OF, out few hours subsequent TO-
his death.
Another victim to the arbitrary system o
the administrator. On whose head does
the blood of this martyr rest2 1t cries tc
Heaven for vengeance.
North Branch democrat. [volume] (Tunkhannock, Pa.) 1854-1867, 1862-12-17
FALMOUTH, Dec. II.

FALMOUTH, Dec. II.
Yesterday morning when daylight appear
ed the enemy seemed to be, as they no doubt
were, perfectly astonshed that our army had
succeeded in returning to this side of the
Rappahannock river.
We returned without losing single man
or gun in the retrograde movement
A few soldiers who had struggled off made
their appearance on the river bank after the
pontoon bridges had been removed, but they
were subsequently brought over safely ia
small boats.
A few privates who were guarding house
inhabited by private family were not during
the night aware of our recrossnS the river.
but in the morning, becoming aware of the
fact, they safely SWAN the river.
The pickets of the contending armies being
separated by only few yards, rendered it
necessary that everything on our front should
be conducted with the utmost caution.
The pickets on our outposts were unaware
OF the movement we were making until lust
before daylight, when an officer went 10 each
individual man and in low tone of voice or
dered him to fall back.
North Branch democrat. [volume] (Tunkhannock, Pa.) 1854-1867, 1862-12-17
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE PoToMAC, }
FALMOUTH. Dec. T6-E45 p. N. {

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE PoToMAC, }
FALMOUTH, Dee. I6- l:45 P. N. (
During last night the Army OF the Poto-
mac evacuated their positions on the oppo-
site side Of the river. The movement was a
perilous one, but It was conducted in safety.
The artillery was the first to cross the
river.
The last of the infantry brought up the
rear shortly after daylight.
The enemy never discovered the movement
until it was too late to do US any harm
is soon as the last man had. got safely
across the river the poAtoon bridges were
removed, thus cutting off all communication
between the two shores.
Our wounded are all safe on this side of the
river
There vas heavy wind all last night, ac-
companied with considerable rain, which as
sisted us in our movement, as it prevented
Che rebels from learning our intentions.
North Branch democrat. [volume] (Tunkhannock, Pa.) 1854-1867, 1862-12-17
Shinplasters.

Of all the Shinplaster eras with which ouI
country has hitherto been cursed-and good
mss knows they have been frequent and Sc
we're enough-the present caps the climax. TIE
general Government taking the lead, they are
now issued by the basketluI by corporations
and individuals, until such thing as a silver
coin-not even a half dime-is no longer met
with in days travel. And ali this is plain
and direct violation of State and Congressi0n-
al statutes, providing for the infictlon oI
heavy penalties for that. 1t is only The
poor-and not the rch-who are to suffer
Our Government is growing strong-and the
people weak-and this is the sort Of better
TINES" so confidently promised by those now
at the head of our State and National Gov
ernments-Ctearfeid Republican.
North Branch democrat. [volume] (Tunkhannock, Pa.) 1854-1867, 1862-12-17
EM. The DELAY m tho issue of our v

Il The delay m the issue of our pa
per this week is owing entirely to the
negligence, or meanness, or both, of GER
tain men connected with the express COM
panies. We NAV ventilate the conduct of
these " high officials, /" hereafter We forbear
for peculiar reasons, to say more on this sub
iect at present. Certain it is, there is big
+" screw loose" in the machine, and some
one should take the trouble to tighten it.
North Branch democrat. [volume] (Tunkhannock, Pa.) 1854-1867, 1862-12-17
The Public Debt.

The Secretary of the Treasury, in his re.
port to Congress estimates the public debt
on the lst of July, 1868, at $1,122, ,297 .403,
"a, and on the suppositien that the war may
last until the 1st of July, 1864. $l,744 $685.
$500 The amount yet to be provided for
by Congress, for the fiscal years 1868 and
1864, beyond resources available under ex-
listing laws, he states ct $899, 300, ,7ol %.
North Branch democrat. [volume] (Tunkhannock, Pa.) 1854-1867, 1862-12-17
WASHINGTON, Dec. II.

WASHINGTON, Dec. II.
The following dispatch from Gen. Burnside
was received here las. evening:
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF PoroMAc, ]
Dec. 16, 6P. NJ.
Maior-General Halleck, Commander-in-C Chief :
The Army of the Potomac was withdrawn
to this side of the Rappahanock river, because
| felt fully convinced that the position in
front could not be carried, and it was a mill
tary necessity either to attack the enemy or
retire: 4 repulse would have been disastrous
to Us under existing circumstances.
The army way Withdrawn at night without
the knowledge of the enemy, anfS without
less, either of property or men.
AMBROSE E. BURNSIDE,
Major General Commanding,
Over one thousand wounded arrived to-day
Nearly one-half were able to walk or ride in
onnibuses to the hospitals.
North Branch democrat. [volume] (Tunkhannock, Pa.) 1854-1867, 1862-12-17
Orpheus G. Kerr or the PresiteDt's Compen
sated Emancipation Project.

Orpheus C. Kerr, in late letter from
Washington, takes off the Presidents silly
reasoning on the subject of compensated
emancipation in good style. Though the
writer deals entirely in the absurd and ri
diculous, he could not conjure up, from his
fertile imagination, anything more So, than
! some of old Abe'S talk. He therefore quotus
largely from the genuine message, as will be
seen by comparison. We hardly know
which is entitled to the greater credit for
! this burlesque on common sense-Abe or
| Orpheus. But as Abe is the author of this
| style of reasoning, as well as of most of the
| reasoning itself, we are disposed to give him
the greater praise ard also, for another rea-
son he aeas in earnest; while Orpheus, qDa S
only, in fun.
Here is the extract.
Passing over the organization of Senate
and House, which suggested thoughts of an
cient Rome, about the time she was saved
by geese, | shall proceed to notice the mes
sage which our Honest Abe fired into Con
gress from his intellectual breastwurks DUR
ing the week.
Yon have undoubtedly read this Abe L.
paper, my boy, in the reliable morning jour
nails, making due allowance for the typograph-
ical outrages committed by printers of oppo-
site politics /; bit there was one portion of it
gotten up for the Honest Abe by the Chap
lain IF the Mackeral Brigade, and this por
ton is so mutlated in the publishing that /
cannot refrain from giving you the true yer
sion. Speaking of the cost to the country of
emancipation with compensation, the Chap,
lain wrote:
Certainly it is not so easy to pay some
thing as it is TO pay nothing but it is easier
to pay a small sum than it is 10 pay large
sum and it is easier to pay any bill when
We have the monty, than 1t Is to pay small
er bill when we have no money. Compensat-
ed Emancipation requires no more money
than would be necessary TO The progress of
Remunerated Enlranchisement, which would
not close before the end of five hundred years.
At that time, we shall undoubtedly have
five hundred times as many people as we
have now, provided that no one dies in the
meantime; and supposing the premium on
gold to increase in the same ratio as it has
increased since orr last census was taken.
the premium OF the specie belonging TO five
hundred times o;ir present population will be
amply sufficient to pay for all persons of At
rican descent.
% do not state this inconsiderately. At
the same ratio ofncrease as we NV realize,
American gold will soon be worth more than
al! Europe. We have ten millions nine hun
dred and sixty-three thousand miles, while
Europe has three millions eight hundred
thousand, and yet the average premium on
specie, in some of the States, is already above
that of Europe. Taking the brokers, in the
aggregate, find that if ore gold dollar is
worth 81, 80 in one year,
-,n
North Branch democrat. [volume] (Tunkhannock, Pa.) 1854-1867, 1862-12-17

though, it is thought our gunnerS were more
successful. The plan was to take the ene-
emy'S batteries at all hazards, if they had to
be stormed. With that assurance which be-
longs only to those who feel that they have
the right on their side our brave fellows
marched to within musket-shot of the rebel
position, confident that they would not have
10 stop until they were in undisputed posses
sion of the enemy's works: But the under
taking was too great The fire Of infantry,
coupled with that of the artillerymen, was
an mpasss bic barrier, and reluctantly the
troops fell back, their numbers sadly reduced
in the effort. Later in the afternoon the tri
al was repeated. with like result. We lost
a great number of soldiers, did not gain an
inch of ground, and fear, inspired the reb-
els with confidence which they by no means
deserved. Thus much for the fight in the
center.
on THE LEFT,
some ways below the city, where Gen.
Frankln's division were, We achieved some
show of success. Before sunrise he had put
his troops into position-one wing resting on
the Rappahannock, the center mile and
half in advance and the left almost touching
the city itself. Soon after daylight skirmish-
ing commenced, and the Ninth New York
were ordered to charge on rebel battery,
which had been doing active service. Here,
too, the charge failed 10 accomplish what
was expected Of it-not, let me say again,
through any lack of bravery on the part Of
the soldiers. As the troops fell back Tyler's
brigade came 10 their assistance, and another
charge was made. Again the troops fell
back, leaving the ground strewn with the
bodies of their dead comrades. At this juno
ture General Franklin brought his whole
force into action, hoping to turn the enemy's
position on the Massaponax Creek. The
move was a bold one, ana had it only been
successful, would doubtless, have won the
day for us. The fighting on both sides was
of the highest order. Neither party tlinched
though death hurried hither ard thither
among the ranks selecting his victims with
rapIclous rapfdlty. Then 1t was that Gen.
Bayard was wounded, lie the brayest of the
brave.
But our men were obstinate. They rould
not tall buck, One final effort was made
that was successful. Gradually the enemy
began to yield, though contestng every inch
ofground, until by sundown they had re-
treated fall mile before our sturdy soldiers.
At night the battle ceased, both sides evil
IDENTIFY being glad to cease from their almost
surerhuman eXcrtions.
Such, in briet, is-the story cf the first bat
tie of Fredericksburg. We new know the
strength Of the enemy, and when the battle
is renewed We will, | trust, succeed in not
only dslodgng him from his position, bat in
utterly routing his force. ! send this in
haste, reserving for another letter a more
detailed account of the. battle.
North Branch democrat. [volume] (Tunkhannock, Pa.) 1854-1867, 1862-12-17

e The loss in the late battle at
Fredericksburg, it is said by the last even.
incs paper, will probably exceed 800 in
killed and wounded. The Tribune SAYS.
"There is no reason for discour agement
In this result, notwithstanding the attempts
of the semi secession, journals to magnify
it into defeat"
North Branch democrat. [volume] (Tunkhannock, Pa.) 1854-1867, 1862-12-17
Washington's Will.

Mr.. George II. Moore, Librarian Of the New
York Historical Society, has made the start,
ling statement that the original will of Gen
Washington is now in the british museum, the
authorities ofwhich bought it from parties who
ate said to have stolen il from Fairfax Court
House Virginia, after the Rebels were driven
from there, last year. If this is true, inqui-
ry should and doubtless will be made by our
Government, as to the circumstances Of the
purchase. The museum can tell who sold it,
and with this to start from the thief NAV be
discovered and punished, We presume that
the British Government, on learning he facts
of the case, would restore the relic, our Gev-
ernment paying all expenses they have incur
red. 1t is not likely that a great nation
would consent to be a receiver of stolen
goods.
North Branch democrat. [volume] (Tunkhannock, Pa.) 1854-1867, 1862-12-17
FREDERICKSBURG, Va. Dec. l4th--3P. N

FREDERICKSBURG, ' z. Dec. l4tn---0P. NJ.
A great battle has been fought, and both
armies are resting On their arms, neither, ap-
parentlv, anxious TO renew the struggle, and
neither claiming a decided victory. We
have lost no ground, nor have we gained any,
save about a mile or so o.f the lcft, where
Gen. Franklin, with hrs gallant division, is
stationed but we have lost great many
brave men-perhaps Is 900, at rough esti-
mate. hope this number will prove t. be
exaggerated. Ash write, they are bringing
in the wounded and few oe the dead say
few Of the dead, for most of them are over
beyond our lines, almost at the very foot of
the enemy's fertificatons, where they lie as
silent witnesses to the bravery of northern
soldiers. Let me in few words evolve from
the confusion of the day connected account
of what has occurred. | commence with
Gen. Summers division:
ON THE RIGHT.
which suffered severe loss, although it did
not engage in the fight as early in the day
as it was intended. AT about 10 o'clock in
the forenoon it advanced and at once opened
lire on the enemy, who were strongly posted
in the woods and on the hills behind the city
Of Fredericksburg. The odds against us were
tremendous, but not enough to discourage
the brave Sumner.
After fighting for a couple ofhours he con
cluded that the only hope of routing the en-.
emy was 10 storm their works French's dl.
vision was ordered to essay the task. with
Howard>s division to act as a support. Hard
ly had the order to charge bayonets been
given when the brave troops rushed forward
in sold phalanx, nor quailed moment un-
der the fire through which they passed, until
having arrived to within few yards of the
ridge on which were the rebel works. mur-
derous voley opened on them, which thinned
their ranks most fearfully. Reinforcements
were Immediately sent to their aid, but all
to no purpose. Had each man who fell been
replaced by score of others, it would have
MT altered the result. This moving on the
ehemy's works when they sparkle with rifles
and bristle with rifled cannon, is but pleas
ant delusion Of dreamer It cannot be
done successfully in these days of improved
firearms The troops had to fall back to
their original position, leaving the dead and
many oil tie Wounded on the field, which, of
course, was immediately occupied by the en-
emy have no time to collect list fthe
wouded, but mention Gen. Meagher and Col
Nugent.