Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1862-12-19
TELEGRAP HIc,
news from the Army Of
the Potomac.
l43 Guns Opened on Fredericks'
burg.
Two Grand Divisions Of the Federal
Army on the West bank Of
the Rappahannock.
A Battle Imminent near HartSville,
Tenn.
Mississippi nearly clear Of Rebels.

Mississippi nearly clear Of Rebels
81. Eee. WASHINGTON Dec II.
At six o'clock this morning one hundret
and forty-th guns opened on Fredericks
burg, and at latest accounts the fire contin
ued uninterruptedly. Destruction seems in
evitable.
The enemy opened fire at seven o'clock
but thus far has done no serious damage.
Gen. Franklin's division is crossing, som,
miles below the city, on bridges CONSTRUCTED
for the purpose. But slight oppositisn il
offered.
Gunboats are shelling the enemy fifteen
miles down the river.
PHILADELPHIA, Dec. II.
The Press has the following:
NASHVILLE, Dec 10.
The rebels, under Joe johnson, Bragg,
Cheatham, Forrest and Morgan, advanced and
appeared on our front in great force, this
morning. A battle is momentarily expected
near Hartsville. Reinforcements are being
hurried forward. Every point will be
strengthened. The victory at Hartsville has
emboldened them. Forest holds Clarksville
with considerable force. -
' New York, Dec II.
A vessel arrived here having on board the
officers and crew Of the ship Levi Starbuck,
captured by the pirate Alabama and burned
Nov. I'd, in latitude $50 80, longitude CO..
The Alabama also captured and burned
the ship T. B. Wells, of Boston, Nov. 9th, in
latitude 250 9O, longitude $50.
there Nov. 17th The San Jacinto arrived
there the same afternoon and finding the
Alabama there went outside to wait for her.
On the night of the 18th the Alabama escaped.
The San JacintO was off the harbor Nov.
22d.
Special to Philadelphia Prses.
CAIRO, Dec. 10.
Reports from Grants army indicate that
matters are at stand still, owing to muddy
roads 10 miles beyond Grenada.
The tenor of the government dispatches
show that Pemberton has gone to Alabama
for the purpose of forming junction of the
rebel forces in Tennessee.
Great caution follows the present move
ments.
1t is rumored that Mississippi is nearly
clear of rebels and that Vicksburg can be
easily taken.
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF PoToxAc,l
December 11-9 A. M.
Every thing last night was hustle and
activity, as to-day was the time fixed upon for
crossing the river. During the night the
pontoons were conveyed to the river, and the
artillery of 14s pieces placed in position oppo-
site the city.
At o'clock this morning the rebels fired
two signal guns, and during the latter part Of
the night rockets were frequently seen within
their lines.
At 5 o'clock the construction of three
bridges in front of the city was commenced.
When the bridges were about half completed
the enemy opened murderous fire of infantry
from the houses on the river bank. Up to
this time not shot had been fred from our
side. The engineers were driven from the
bridges, and several of them were killed and
wounded.
At o'clock Gen. Burnside ordered all the
guns to be opened on the city. The cannon
ade, which has continued up to the present
time, is terrible. The city is on fire, and its
destruction seems certain.
The enemy, about o'clock this morning,
opened with their heavy guns from their
works, but so far have done no serious injury.
Gen. Franklin constructed his bridges about
three miles below the city, meeting with but
little opposition. His troops are now cross
ing; and the gunboats are now shelling the
enemy about fifteen miles down the river,
where they have been concentrating their
forces for the past few days.
The concentrated fire Of our batteries on
the city has had the effect of driving back
the enemy's infantry, and the work on the
bridges has again been commenced. The
troops are all under arms near the river, pre-
pared to rush over as soon as the bridges are
completed. I.+. r... ms.
z9.es HEADQUARTERS THURSDAY NOON.
On the attempt being made to finish tn
bridges in front of the city, the rebel in
fantry again opened their fire. The ARTILLERY
in position again open'd on il, the result was tn
citywas fred inseveral new places. The enc
my has used very little artillery up to this time
It would endanger their own men who art
holding the river front. qs
Burnside has just issued an order to con
centrate every available gun on the city
under the cover Of the FIRE Of which it i
believed the bridges can be finished. Th
killed and wounded do not amount to more
than 80 men. H,rilsafo7 >Tei 'ese. -
HEADQUARTERS Army OF PoroMAc,l
e1aiM December 11-Evening.
But little firing took place between IN
3 o'clock, during which time all the peailabl
batteries were placed in position. They mum
bered 176 guns. At signal, ar opened O
the city. The fire was terrible ybut the rebe
sharp-shooters would not be driven from thei
hiding places. The shot and shell wen
through the houses, ja many cases settin
them on fire, causing dense smoke, which
together with the explosion Of 80 large aquar
tty Of powder, almost hid the city from view
c It became evident that the bridges coul
not be built except by bold dash. VoluI
teers were called for, to cross the river
small boats. The order was no sooner give
than hundreds stepped forward tbully f
Uncle Sans boys j, but all could not co.
About 100 were selected. They were SOC
on their way, while the artillery threw pc
feet storm of iron hail on the opposite banl