The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1862-12-20
THE FIRST DAYS FIGHT.
OUR MEN SLEEP ON THEIR ARMS. Z
Killed and Wounded.
THE BATTLE.

vi
In the Field, Dec. 13.-ll o'clock.
The battle long anticipated is now pro-
progressing. Reynolds corps on the left,
advanced and engaged the enemy's infantry
at9:l5. Seven minutes afterwards, the en-.
envy opened heavy fire of artillery, and
have uninterruptedly continued it, so far.
Our heavy guns are answering, but the fir
ing on both sides is at random, on account
Of the dense fog No results are kYnwn,
and but little infantry has yet became en-
gagged. ta
A part of the enemy's cavalry crossed the
ford above here, and yesterday were on our
right and rear. A force has been sent to
meet them. "
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE PoroNAc,
Dec. 10, II P. M.-The fog began 10 disap-
pear early in the forenoon. and afforded a
view of oar own and the rebe, positions.
1t being evident that the first ridge of
hills in the rear Of the city, on which the
enemy had his guns posted, the works co,,ld
not be carried except by charge of infant
ry, Gen. Sumner assigned that duty to Gen.
French's division, which was supported by
Gen. Towards. The troops advanced to
their work at 10 minutes before 70 NJ, at a
brisk run. The encmy's guns opened uren
them q rapid fire. When within musket
range, at the base Of the ridge, our troops
were mot by a teri iblc fire from rebel in
fantry, which were posted behind a stone
wall, and some. houses on the right of the
line. This checked the advance of our men,
and they fell back to small ravne, bat not
out of musket range .........s
AT this time smaller bodies of mep came
to their assistance in splendid style, not
withstanding large gaps were made in their
ranks by the rebel artillery. When our
troops arrived at the first line of rebel de-
fences they double. quickedl, and with fixed
bayonets endeavored to dislodgc the rebels
from their hiding places. The concentrated
fire Of rebel artillery and Infantry which our
men were forced to face was too much for
them. and the centre gave way in disorder,
but afterwards they were rallied and brought
back, and from this time ~ fire was spirit
eddy carried on, and never ceased till dark.
Gen. Franklin, who Commanded the at
tack on the left, with better success, sue
oceded, after hard days fight. in driving
the rebels about one mile. At one time the
rebels ADVANCED to attack him, but were
handsomely repulsed with terrible slaugh.
ter, and loss of between 400 and 500 pris-
oners belonging to Gen, A. P. Hills com.
mand, la gi g.
Gen. Frankfn'S movement was directly
down the river, and his troops arc encamp
ed tonight not Ear from Mattapony Creek.
Our troops sleep tonight where they
fought to-day. The dead and wounded arc
being carried from the field.
The following Is q list of officers killed
and wounded, as far as yet known; Gen
jackson af the Penna. Reserves, killed
Gen. Bayard struck in the thigh and after
wards died Gen. Vinton, wounded in the
side, but not seriously; General Gibbons
wounded in hand; Gen. Kimball wounded
in the thigh; Gen. Caldwell, wounded in
two places, but not seriously; Col. Sinclair
Of Pennsylvania Reserves, wounded seri.
ously Capt. IIendrickson, commanding the
9Th New York State militia, wounded seri
ously. cdr - 81 ne. .ssh
The following is the loss Of officers in the
fight: New Hampshire regiment, Col. Gross
wounded in the abdomen; Major Sturteyan,
killed; Adjutant Dodd killed; Capt. Muir.
ray killed; Capt. Perry killed.
Tie firing Of musketry ceased about 6
o'clock in the evening, but the rebels con.
tinucd throwing shell into the city until s
o'clock.
The position Of the rebels was as follows
General Longstreet was on the left, holding
the main works. Gems. A. p. Hill and
Stonewall Jackson were in front of General
Franklin, with Jackson's right resting on
the Rappahannoek, and Hills force acting
on the reserve.
Gen. Burnside. will renew the battle at
daylight III the morning. The troops are
in good spirits, and not in the least disheart-
ened. ~ -. "4 r'''.s'
[Hcralds Special .'s..@
( FREDERrCKsBURG, Dec. l3, A. Mt is as
certained beyond doubt that the rebel force
is 200,00O. Jackson commands the iebel
right, extending from Ginnls Station to
Port Royal. Longstreet has the centre, cx-
tending from Ginnis Station to the tele graph
road. Lee and Stuart are on the left.
Herald's dispatch dated headquarters last
night, says Gen. Franklin's line novel for
ward at sunrise with his right resting on the
river three miles below. Skirmishing com.
menced on the left about daylight. Soon
after a rebel battery opened on our lines,
ane the 9th New York militia was ordered
to charge. bst after a fierce struggle was
compelled to retire. The remainder OF the
brigade under Gen. Tyler then charged on
the enemy's guns, when the fight became
general. On the extreme left Gen. Mead's
and Gibbons divisions encountered the
right of Gen. A. P. Hills command.
The cannonadng was terrific, though orr
troops suffered but little from the enemy's
artillery. Gradually the fight extended
around the right of Gen. lIowe's division.
About 10 O'Clock Summers troops en-
yag.d the enemy back of the city, since
IL. -. l. Al e.