The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1862-12-21

Correspondents of'the New York Herald
FREDERIoKsBURG, VA, Dec. 13-The
occupation of fredericksburg having
been successfully accomplished, the next
move was to drive the rebels from their
strongholds in the rear of the city. The
lines of the rebels, which extended in
the form of a semi circle from Port
Royal to point six miles above Freder-
icksburg, were strongly fortified and pro-
tected,by range Of high hills. Stone
wall Jackson occupies the right wing,
extending from Port Royal TO Guinney's
Station, Ca station on the Richmond and
Fredericksburg Railroad.) Gen. Long
street the center, extending to Telegraph
Road, and Gems. Lee and Stuart the left,
west of Massaponax Creek, while Gen
A. ?. Hills corps acted as reserve. Lees
reasons for occupying the left was because
he could be on his guard against Sigel,
who threatened TO outflank him by way
of Culpepper The entire rebel force
was estimated at 100000 men, and occu-
pied a front Of not less than twenty
miles. The troops were for the most
part veterans who had fought through all
the Peninsula campaign, while the Off
GERS were the abest that the South could
produce. 1t was no mean enemy we had
to contend with, assure you.
The disposition of the Union forces
occupied the whole of Friday night and
Saturday morning, aud, as Gen. Burn
side was anxious to commence the at
tack at as early an hour as possible,
there was not much chance for the troops
to rest themselves. A few stragglers, it
is true, managed 10 sneak away for the
purpose of pillaging, but the great mass
of the soldiers were constantly under
arms. General Burnside was in the city
all night, personally inspecting the troops
and dire9ting their movements. Ii was
arranged that General Franklin's corps
should cross the river two miles below
the city, with the view of turning the
enemy's position on Massponax creek,
while Hooker would engaged the rebels
near the center and Sumner would turn
their right. By this arrangement twill
be seen that franklin was opposed to
StOnewall jackson, while Gems. Hooker
and Sumner attacked the center and left
Of the rebels under Longstreet and Lee.
The eventful morning came, and with
| ii dense fog, which obscured the move-
ments of the enemy. The balloon was
sent up just before daylight, but in con-
sequence OF the fog no observation could
be had However the disposition of the
Union forces had been made, and Gen.
Burnside determined to commence opera
tons, fog or no fog.
THR LEFT.
| Franklin moved his column, consisting
of the First and Sixth corps, just before
sunrise, his right resting on the outskirts
Of the city, his centre advanced a mile or
80 from the river, and his left resting on
the Rappahannock about three miles be-
low. Skirmishing commenced few
minutes after daylight on the extreme
left A rebel battery opened on our
troops, and the fire became so annoying
that the 9th Regiment n Y State militia
were ordered to charge aud take the can
non at the point OF the bayonet. The
order was obeyed with slacrity, but after
a fierce struggle the charging party were
compelled to fall back. AT this critical
moment Gen. Ty Ter, pei ceiving the disor-
der into which the 9th New York were
thrown, came TO their aid with brigade
The 9th were quickly rallied, and assist
ed by Tyler's brigade, another attempt
was made 10 storm the rebel batteries
but without success. The Fight now be.
came general on the extreme left, aud an.
other desperate effort was made 10 cap
ture the rebel ban ~ by Gen. Tyler.
brigade; but the Ere OF the rebels wa.
so whitening in its effects that our BRAY,
fellows were unable to gain any adyan-