The Cass County Republican. [volume] (Dowagiac, Mich.) 18??-1880, 1862-12-18
FROM FREDERICKSBURG.
Terrific Battle Fought
on Saturday.
Franklin DriUes the Rebels O. Nile
Our Troops Hold the FieM.-50O
Prisoners Captured.

Our Troops Hold the Field.-5oo
Prisoners Captured.
Headquarters Army of the Potomac, !
December l3th-11 A. III.
The fog began to disappear early in
the morning, affording an unobstructed
view of onr own and the rebel posi-
tons. 1t being evident that the first
ridge of hills, in the rear Of the city,
on which the enemy had his guns
posted, were behind the works which
would not be carried except by a
charge of infantry, Gen. Sumner as
signed that duty to Gen. French's di.
vision, which was supported by Gen.
Towards. The troops advanced to
their work at ten minutes before ~, at
a brisk run, the enemy's guns opening
upon them very rapid fire. Whsu
within musket range at the base of the
ridge, our troops were met by terrible
fire from the rebel infantry, which
were posted behind stone wall and
some houses on the right of the line.
This checked the advance of our men,
and they fell back to a small revine,
but not out of musket range. At this
time another body of men moved to
their assistance in splendid style, not
outstanding that large gaps were
made in their ranks by the rebel de-
fences they charged on the double
qnick, and with fixed bayonets endea-
vored to dislodge the rebels from the
hiding places. The concentrated fire
of the 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.
From that time the fire was spiritedly
carried on and never ceased until after
dark.
Gen. Franklin, who commanded the
attack on the left, met with better sue
cess. He succeeded, after a hard days
fight, in driving the rebels ubout one
mile. At one time the rebels ad-
vanced to attack him but were hand
somely repulsed with terrible slaughter,
and the loss of between 400 and 500
prisoners belonging to Gen. A. p.
Hills division. Gen. Franklin's move
ment was directed down the river, and
his troops are encamped tonight not
far from the Massaponax Creek.
Our troops sleep to night where they
fought to-day. The dead and wound
ed are being carried from the field.
The following is a list of officers
killed and wounded, as far as yet
known: Gen. Jackson, of the Pennsyl.
vania Reserves, killed Gen. Bayard,
struck in the thigh by shell and af.
forwards died; Gen. Vinton, wounded
in the side but not not seriously; Gen.
Gibbons, wounded in the hand; Gen.
Kimball, wounded in the thigh; Gen.
Caldwell, wounded in two places but
not seriously; Col. Sinclair, of the
Pennsylvania Reserves, wounded seri-
ously; Capt. Richardson, commanding
the Ninth New York State Militia,
wounded seriously.
The following is the loss of officers
in the Fifth New Hampshire Regi-
ment Col. Cross, wounded in the alb
domen Major Sturtevant, killed +; Ad-
Jutant Oouu, kliieuS capt. murray,
killed; Capt. Perry, killed.
The firing of musketry ceased about
6 o'clock this evening, but the rebels
continued throwing shell into the city
until o'clock.
The position of the rebels was as
follows: Gen. Longstreet was on the
left and holding the main works. Gems.
A. P. Hill and Stonewall Jackson were
in front of Gen. Franklin, with Jack.
sons right resting on the Rappahan-
mock, and Hills forces acting as re,
serve.
: Gen. Burnside will renew the battle
at day light in the morning.
The troops are in good spirits, and
not In TIC lnac4 d;eL