Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1862-12-27
where no could not possibly cooperate With
Gen. Burnside In tho new movement upon Rich

mond.
From the Richmond papers Of the I7th.1.:
Official Report Of the Rebel Gen. Lee.
FREDRnicKsBURa, Dec. I6, 1861.
As far as caR be ascertained this stormy
morning, the enemy has disappeared In our
immediate front, and has fecrossed the Rappa.
hammock. i presume heis meditating passage
at some other point.
--s.-- o.-r r. E. LEE.
GEN. LEES OFFICIAL REPORT OF THE BATTLE.
HEADQUARTERS ARMY or NoRTHrRH vmsnuA,l
| Dec. II, 1862.
Ihs Hon Secretary of War, Richmond, Va.
sA;-on the night Of the 10Th inst. ihe enc
my commenced to throw three bridges over The
nappanannook-two ut FFedericksburR, and
tne Third about o mile and quarter below,
near the mouth of the Deep Run. The plain
on which fredericksburg stands is 90 completely
commanded by the hills of Stafford, in posses.
sion Of the enemy that no efectual opposition
could De offered to, the construction Of the
Drldges' or the passage Of the river, Without
exposing our troops to the destructive fre of bic
numerous batteries. Positions were therefore
selected to oppose his advance afte. crossiup.
Inc narrowness Of the Rappahannock, its wind
Ing course and deep bed, afforded opportunity
for the construction of bridges at points beyond
the reach OF our artillery, and the banks had
10 De watched by skFmisheEs. The latter
shelteting themselves behind the houses, drove
back the working parties of the enemy at the
bridges opposite the city, but at the lowest
point OF crossing, where no shelter couId be
had, our sharpshootere were themselves driven
of and the completion Of the bridge was effect
cd about noon on the l1th 'l7 a ---A
In the afternoon of that day the enem,'s bat
teries opened upon the city, and by dark had 60
demolished the houses on the river bank as to
deprive our skirmishers Of shelter, and under
cover OF his guns, he effected lodgment la the
town. The troops which had 30 gallantly held
their position In the city under the severe can
nonAde during the day, resisting the advance of
the enemy at every step, were Withdrawn dur
Ing the night, as were also those, Who,l with
equal tenaoiiy, had msintsined their post at the
lowest bridge
Under cover of darkness and dense fog. on
the 18th, q large force paesed she river and took
position on the right bank, protected by their
heavy guns on the left.
On the morning of the 18th, his arrange
ments for attack being completed, about nine
O'Clock, the movement yelled by a fog, he sd-
vanced boldly in large force against our right
wing. Gen Jackson's corps occupied the right
Of our line, which rested on the railroad Gen.
Longstreet's the left, extending along the nights
to the Rappahannock, above Fredericksburg
Gen. Stuart, with two brigsdes of cavalry, was
posted In the extensive plain on our extreme
right. AS soon as the advance of the enemy
was discovered through the fog, Gen. Stuart,
| with bis accustomed promptness, moved up a
section OF his horse artillery, which opened With
effect upon his flank, and drew upon the Rsilsnt
Pelham heavy fire, which he sustained un-
Ainchingly Tor about two hours. 'a-
In the meantime the enemy was fercely eJ-
countered by Gen. A. P. Hill's division, form
Ing On. Jackaon's right, and, after an obsti-
nate combat, repulsed. During the attack which
was proiracted and hotly contested, two Of Gen.
Hill's brigades were driven back upon our
second line. Gen. Early, with part of his divla.
ion, being ordered TO his support, drove the
enemy back from the point Of woods he had
seized, and pursued him into the plain until ar
rested by his artillery. II aU r''
The right OF the enemy's column, extending
beyond Hille front, encountered the right OF
Gen. Hood, Of Longttreet's corps. The enc
my took possession OF email oopse in front Of
Hood, bus were quickly dispossessed and repula-
ed with loss.
During the attack on our right the enemy vas
| crossing troops over his bridges at Fredericks-
burg, and massing them in front of Longstreet's
line. Soon after his fepulse on our right he
view Of obtaining possession of the high,s
Immediately overlooking the town. These re-
peated attacks were repulsed in gallant styleby
the Washington Artillery, under Col. Walton,
and portion of McLsW's division which occu-
pied these nights.
The last assault was made after dark, when
Colonel Alexander's battalion had relieved
the Washington ARTILLERY, whose ammunition
had been exhausted, and ended the contest tor
the day.
The enemy WAS supported in his attacks By
the fire of strong batteries of artillery on the
right bank of the river, a. we'll as by the
numerous heavy batteries on the Stafford
Highta
Our loss during the operations, since the
movements of the enemy began, amounts to
about eighteen hundred killed and wounded.
Among the former, regret to report the death
of the patriotic soldier and statesman Brigadier.
General Thomas R. B. Cobb, who fell upon our
left; and among the latter, that brave soldier
and accomplished gentleman, Brigadier. Gen.
M. Gregg, who was very seriously, and, It 10
feared, mortally wounded, during the attack on
our right.
The enemy to-day has been apparently bury
ing his dead. His troops are visible In their
fret position in line Of battle, but with tho ex-
ception Of some desultory oannonadlng and firing
between skirmishers, he has not attempted to
renew the attack.
About five hundred and fifty prisoners were
taken during the engagement, but the full ex
tent of bis loss is unknown.
l have the honor to be, very respectfully,
your obedient servant. r. E. LEE,
b.. I... -..r. ~ .r Cenapal in Cou, m. .nd