Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1862-12-16

AOai vi tHo Clly, anu Ill point Oh advantage Il6
cd Is were decidedly in their favor The courage
of the Union troops was unbounded, however,
and every inch of the ground was holly contest
ed. Ii soon became evident that the first ridge
OF hills on which the enemy were posted behind
earthworks, could not be carried except at the
point of the bayOnet, and accordingly General
Sumner ordered French's division to charge upon
the batteries. Gen. Towards division acted as
support, and the troops sprang forward to obey
the order with much enthusiasm. BY this time
the atmosphere was clear. except from the smoke
of artillery, and good view could be had of the
rebels position and of the country adjoining. 1t
was grand sight to see that devoted column
Seeking the bubble reputation e'en at the lannon's
mouth.
Steadily they marched across the plain, and
never faltered until they were within a dozen
yards of the ridge, when suddenly they were
met by a calling fire from the rebel infantry,
who were posted behind stone wall For few
moments the head of the column exhibited some
confusion; but quickly forming into line, they
retired back to a ravine within musket shot of
the enemy. Here the Union troops were rein.
forced by fresh body of infantry, who advanced
10 the assistance of their comrades in splendid
style, notwithstanding large gaps were made in
their ranks at every step. The reinforcements
having arrived, aud the line of assault being
again formed, the order Double quick, with
fixed bayonetsT was given, sand once more the
column advanced 10 dislodge the rebel artillery.
From the moment the storming party left the
ravne up to the time they reached the foot of the
hills, they were exposed TO the hottest fire of the
enemy. The concentrated fire of Lees artillery
and infantry rained upon their devoted heads in
manner truly terrific. No troops, how ever dis
ciplined and brave, could withstand the shock,
and after suffering terribly soldiers were
thrown into disorder and brought TO a sudden
halt At this juncture the center of the column
gave way and fled in dismay, but they were af-
forwards rallied and brought back second
third W m tO Il ln1J fha rob oil
artlllerSts but in vain, and at each attempt the
ranks OF the storming party grew thinner and
thinner. Sumner now brought all of his availa-
Die artillery into play hoping TO shell the rebels
out, and from that time until dark the roar of
cannon was inceSsant. The rebels, who had been
driven back short distance during the day, re.
turned to their triginal position when night
came, so that We were unable to remove our dead.
several attempts were male to remove the bodies
during the night, but the enemy opened upon us
with their infantry and compelled us to deSist.
All our wounded were removed, however, and
such of the dead were not within musket
range of the rebels were buried
THE BATTLE AT THE CENTER.
The third and fifth army corps, under Gen.
Hooker, formed the center and co-operated with
Summers column during the battle. Gen. Burn
side was anxious that movement should be
made is early as possible, and accordingly at the
break of day the troops commenced to move to-
wards the enemy's earthworks. The men were
luI Vi nope ana cOnHdent OF success, ana they
filed out of the city in splendid order SkirmiSh-
ing commenced shortly after daylight, and in a
short time afterwards the rebel artillery COM
menced playing upon us through the fog. The
nrlng was SO Inaccurate however that our troops
paid but little attention to it, and kept pressing
on, regardless Of the deadly missiles which were
flying through the air. By and by our artillery
responded, and for hours a most terrific cannon
AIDE was kept up on both sides. The enemy's po-
sltion was one of exceeding strength, and APP
peared to be invulnerable 10 our artillery, not
WlthStanding our guns were excellently handled.
About noon the infantry, who had been waiting
for the fog to clear off, advanced for the purpose
OF storming the enemys position on the hill.
Confident of victory, the troops marched steadi-
ly up to within musket shot of the batteries but
muir eronS fire from the rebel li1emen, added
to the fury of the cannonade, compelled our men
TO fall back with heavy loss. The attempt to
csrry the rebel batteries was repeated again in
the afternoon, and the attacking party, strongly
reinforced, started on the double quick" but
the enemy, who was also heavily reinforced,
provet TOO much for us. All along the line the
battle ragged with unusual ferceneSs and when
night came 1t was hard to say who were the vic
tors. Of the killed and wounded there were
probably as many on the side of the rebels as on
ours. NO correct estimate can be formed of the
loss in Hooker's corps, but it was pretty heavy.
The firing of musketry ceased about half-past
hVe O'Clock, but the rebels continued to cannon
AIDE the city until long after dark They evident
" intended to shell us out of our position in
fredericksburg; but thus far they have been I'M
successful.
THE RESULT
The result of the days fight proves conclusive
ly that the enemy'S position is one of great
strength, and that it will require desperate
effort on the part of Gen. Burnside to drive him
from his stronghold. Gen. Franklin appears TO
have been the ouly one who has effected any i'm
portant result, and tomorrow he may succeed
IN turning Stonewall Jackson's position on the
MattaponaX. Gen. Burnside is confident of sue
cess, and is busily engaged in making arrange
ments for renewal of The battle tomorrow.
During the fight nothing was seen of Gen D. H.
Hills command, and mnch anxiety is created as
to its whereabouts 1t is supposed by many that
Hill has gone TO intercept Sigel, who is probably
on his way to Cupepper, and by others that he
may be working around i'll our rear.
OFFICERS KILLED.
Brig. Gen. Conrad F Jackson of Pennsylvania
Brig. Gen. George D. Bayard of New York.
Brig. Gen. John E. Reynolds of Pennsylvania.
Rev; Arthur b. Fuller, chaplain 10th Mass.
1t Col. Joseph B. Curtis, 4th r l. regiment.
It. Col. Welcome B. Sayles, TIN r. l. regiment.
Cspt. Chas. +. Cabot ooh Mass regiment
Capt. Charles A. Dearborn, 32d Mass. regiment.
Major Edward S Siurtevant, 9Th N. H. regiment
Capt. James B. Perry, 9th N H. regiment.
Capt. Murray, 5lh N. H. regiment.
OFFICERS WOUNDED.
Brig. Gen. Thomas +. Meagher of New York
Brig. Gen. Francis l.. Vinton of New York
Brig. Gen. John GIbbon of Pennsylvania
Brig Gen. Nathan Kimball of Indiana
Brig. Gen. John g. Caldwell of Maine.
Col. E. E: Cross, 5th N. H. regiment
Major Sidney Willard, 35th Mass. regiment.
Capt. j. DwlnneH, 2lst Mass regiment
OTHERS WOUNDED
sergeant Il II. Bean, sergeant T. Punket, D.
Z, Rarey, D. A. Merritt, j. p. Jones, H. Gala
gher-all of the 21st Massachusetts