Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1862-12-18
HRApouARrkns ARMY oy TUE PorosAc, ,
Dereuber ~ (

At noon this morning the fog begun to
clear away, but before | | o'clock the air
was again thick, which continued until Q
O'Clock, when it entirely disappeared. At n
quarter past 2 clock the rebels opened
with all their guns posted on first ridge of
hills. Their main force was directed upon
the road which was filed with our troops.
These guns which posted ON the left Of tho
ridge vera opehed on the large body of
troops which crossed on the two lower
bridges and had formed in line of battle
and were making oblcduiy down the river,
fronting the D!assap0nie. Although several
Of their shells exploded over our troops,
none we're injured. -
Gen. Bayard's cavalry, which crossed on
the lower l,ridge, had 5 men killed while on.
d avoring to ascertain the ene,ny's post on.
The troops which crossed below are seeping
on heir arms to night, tn, advance being
within three fourths Of o mile of the Mas
saponie creek. and their left resting on tho
Rappahannock. The enemy occupies the
opposite side oftne creek in force. TIL guns
were posted on the bank this side of the riv.
er, and silenced the eneiny's artillery after
duel OF half an hour. This ended the firing
for the day. The only damage done by thu
rebel shells thrown into the city was to add
80 much to its destruction. '.tf H..
twenty five OF our men were killed last
night by the rebels in the streets while dri
wing them out. ..i .... ...', '.''-,'''yJ
Nearly every honse in ,he city has boen
damaged more or less by the firing of the
past few days Several splendid residences
have been completely riddled also oil the
churches. The fire appeared Le directed
on the most prominent edi6ces. rserrf
Several cases of wanton destruction of
property occurred by our troops when they
entered. -, .
The furniture in many of the houses re-.
mained uninjured. Some of our troops
mistook tue British flag for secesh and
tore i from the residence Of tho British,
Consul. This morning the owner came
oyer to recover it, and it wa. returned to
him. .'l.''. I'''''''-7 :
The main body Of the army is now over
the river, the balance being in position to
cross at any time. There is no indcition Of
the enemy evacuating; if they remain u
battle must Immediately ensue.
HrApouARIsas AMY or uE PoroxAc,
i4-AI.u 10 l. Dgc Iah, II O'Clock, I'M
The fog began to disappear early in the
morning, afordiny an unObstructed view Of
our own and the rebel positions. II being
evident that the first ridge of hills in the
rear OF the city on which the enemy had
his guns posted behind works which coniJ
not be carried except by charge of infantry
Gen. Sumner assigned that duty TO I.n.
French's division, which was supported b,
Gen. Howard's. The troops advanced 4,
their works ut ten minute, before ~. .t q
brisk run, the snemy's guns opening u,or
them very rapid fire. When With,
niusket range at the base of the ridge. on,
troops were met bya terrible fire from tn.
rebel infantry, which were postel behind .
stone wall and some houses on the right oI
| the line. This checked the advance ,,f nm,
men aud they fell back to u small ravine
but not out Of musket range. .......
At this time another body of men moved
to their assistance in splendid style, not
wthstanding largo gaps wore made in thei
ranks by the rebel artillery. 10Y
When our troops arrived at the first line
of the rebel dcfenses they double uuickec
and with fixed bayonets endeavored to dis
lodge the rsbels from their hiding place, =
The concentrated fire OF the rebel artillsr,
and infantry, which our men were freed tS
face, was too mu ,h for them, and the cen
ter gave way in disorder, but atterward
they wore rallied and brought back. NV
From that tipo the fire was ,pir;tsdl,
carried on, aud never CEASED til after dark
GeR Franklin, who commanded the at
tack on the lett, met with better success. =
lie succeeded, after hard days fsht. il
driving the rebels about one milo. Al on,
time the rebels advanced to attack him, bu
were handsomely repulssd, with t.rrihl,
slaugh and loss Of between four aud fv,
hundred prisoners, belonging TO Gan. A
+. Hills division. t. .I-..
Gen. Pranklin's movement was dircc. ed
down the liver. and hi. troops are encamp
ed to night not far from the Massnpon,
Creek. .... .,.'
Our troops sleep tonight where the,
fought to day. The dead aud wounded ar,
being carried from the field
The following is list of officers killed
and wounded asrfar as yet known: Genera
jackson, of the Pa, Reserves, killed; Gen
Dayarn, srugN ,ir ne thigh by shef and
ai a''I,m'u ,h;nh. HSn; ',en h,nhalil, w,nnd
W" tms", "'n: 'ih IN, W. u,ide,i " the
s.oe, o9' not seriously General Gibbons,
wounaed ''ad ~ ,ne manu- tsen iral Caldwell
woanaeu IN TWO plareN' but not seriously;
Vol VOL olnc'air' OF re "a: deserves wounded
.er'"us'y Oan', il'nir,,k:on' c"m'haniInr
oms,s, ,ms s'n w. / state militia w'unlcd seri-