Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1862-12-18
LATEST NEWS.
BY TELEGR APH
TO THE WORCESTER DAILY SPY.
FROM BURNSIDE'S ARMY.
THE SITUATION TUESDAY MORNING.

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE Potomac,
FALMOUTH, Dec. 17.-Yesterday morning when
daylight appeared the enemy seemed perfectly
astOnshcd that our army had succeeded III re-
turning to this side of the Rtppahannock river
We returned without losing IA single man or Il
gun in the retrOgrade movement. A few soldiers
who had struggled off made their appearance on
the river bank after the pontOon bridges had
been removed, but they were subsequently,
brought over in small boats. A few prvates
who were guarding house were not aware IF
our recroSsng, but in the morning they safely
swan over. The pickets of the cOntending ar
mics being separated by only few yards, rem
dered it necessary that everything on our part
should be conducted with the utmost caution
The pcketS on our Outposts Were unaware of the
movement we were making until just before day
light, when an officer went 10 each individual
man aud in a low tone OF voice ordered him to
fall back. After they got sufficiently far away to
be out of danger they were ordered 10 Quicken
their pace and reach the bridge as quickly as
possible. About nine O'Clock yesterday morning
The enemy vanced their skirmlshers along
their entire line, and by noon had established
their pickels near the bank of the river.
We had large number of de I'd on what was
regarded as neutral ground, and as soon as it
was known that our forces had evacuated the
city, the'SoldierS of the enemy commenced rob-
bling the lileieSs bodies This was plainly seen
through field glass, as well as indistuctly with
the naked eye. About 10 or IL O'clock ladies,
very neatly dressed, were seen walking about the
streets of Fredericksburg On Monday the pick
cts of the Contendlng armies fronting the left
wing mutually agreed upon armiStce among
themselves, and freely intermingied with each
other, exchanging their dead friends and COM
rates who lay on neutral ground" During
this time general of our army rode by and put
an end to these proceedings. The result was
that both parties Immediately commenced firing
when nine Of our men We're killed. After the
general had left, the friendly demonstrations of
our pickets were renewed, and butternut and
blue uniforms freely mingled.
About this time Gen. Franklin dispatched a
flag Of truce, which the enemy Immediately re-
cOgnzed, and the exchange of dead bodies was
continued until completed. Yesterday Gen Lee
sent flag of truce 10 Gen. Burnside, asking
HIM TO detail men to bury his dead, in front of
Gen Summers gran division. THIS was DONE
The wounded with the exception of those whota
the enemy obtalued, have all been brought 10
this side of the Rappahannock, and as rapidly as
possible are being sentt TO Washington. Duing
the flag Of truce, Gen. Stuart OF the rebel cav
airy, III answer 10 question, stated that Cen
Banks expedition had gone south, but that
he did not know exactly where. Our entire
army is now encamped ON the same ground
which they previously occupied.
New YORK, Dec ia Falmouth dispatch
to the Phiade. phia Inquirer, daed at 9 A. NJ,
yesterday, says THE rebels have opened on
thu city aud commenced moving down troops
Our batteries have opened and furious cannon
ade is going on