Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1862-12-12
Battle at Fredericksburg

After We bad commenced the issue OF
the Journal, The following despatch reached
US, we stop the press TO announce:
Washington, Dec. II.-At o'clock this NOR
ming, l43 guns opened on Frederick eurg Up
to the latest report the firing continued uninter-
ruPtedly. Its destruction appears To be certain
The enemy opened fire at I, but had done no
serious damage
Franklin's division is crossing miles below
the city on constructed bridges with slight op-
position.
The gunbOats arc shslling the enemy Is miles
below the city.
The concentrated FIRE of our batteries on the
city has had the effect of driving back the ene-
my's infantry, and the work on the BRIDGES has
again commenced. The troops are all under
arms near the river, prepared to rush over as
soon - the bridge is completed.
Aoon--On the attempt being made to finish
the bridges in front Of the city, the rebel infan-
try again opened their fire, when our artillery.
in position, was again opened on the city, the
result being that the city was fired in several
places. The enemy has used very little artillery
up TO this time. az it would endanger their own
nen, who are holding the river front
Burnside has just issued an order to concen-
trafe every available gun upon the city, under
the cover of which, it is believed, the bridges
can be finished. The killed and wounded do
not amount to more than fifty men.
HeadquartarsArmy of Potomac, Dec II-But
little firing teOk place between aud o'clock,
during which time all the available batteries
were plaeedin position. They numbered l66
guns. At asignal all opened upon the city,
The fire was terrible but the rebel sharpshoot-
era could not be dIslodged from their hiding pla-
ces- The shot and shell went through the hou-
ses, in many cases setting them on fire, causing
a dense smoke, which, together with the explos-
So0 Of 20 large quantity of powder, almost hid
the city from view. II soon became evident
that the bridge could not be built except by a
bold dash Volunteers were called for to cross
in small boats. The order was no sooner given
than hundreds stepped forward, but all could not
ge- About one hundred were selected, and they
were soon on their way.
While the artillery threw a perfect storm of
iron hail on the opposite bank they reached the
opposite shore, but not without loss. With fix
ed bayonsts they rushed upon the enemy, kill
ing several and taking l0l prisoners who were
safely landed upon this side
At half past four two bridges were finished
opposite the city, when the troops Immediately
began 10 cFglss over. The enemy were soon
driven from the city back to their line Of works.
The two bridges in front Of Gen. Franklin were
successfully laid early in the day, but his troops
did not cross until the two upper ones were
ready. ar ~
A sufficient foree is now % tho opposite side
Of the river 70 resist any attack that IS likely to
be made. The rebels fired but few guns. in The
morning and none in the afternoon, although
their works we're IN easy range During the
forenoon the rebelz burDt the railroad bridge
outside of the city Between thirty and forty
housss were burnt mostly In the business uart
q the city, during the day. Between $1,000 and
n.000 Foands Of ammunition were fired by our
AFtiilery- kFeEy thing Is quiet Tonight The
indications are that battle viii be fought to-
moIrow