The New York herald., 1862-12-18
The Evacuation Conducted
with the Greatest Caution.
VIE MOVEMENT A MILITARY NECESSITY.
OUR ARMY IN EXCELLENT CONDITION.

The Rebels Strengthening
Their Defencss,
Ae, &C., H.
HEApQuxRrsRs, Army OF THE PoToMAc,
Dec. l6-6P. NJ
MAYOR GENssAL HAIIECx, Con,mander-in-
Chief
The Army Of the Potomac was Withdrawn to
this side Of the Rappahannosk river be-
cause i felt fully convinced that the position
In front could not be carried, and It aods q
military necessity eithe, to dttock the enemy or re-
tire. A rspulse ,could have been disastrous to us
~ader existing circumstances.
The army was Withdrawn at night, without
ne knowledge of the enemy, and without loss,
either Of property or men.
AMBROSE E. BURNSIDE.
Major General Commanding,
ghe Details OF the Rserossing.
RsIpouARzEps, Army o. Tm PoroxAc,l
FALNoUTB Dec. ia. n.
Yesterday morning, when daylight appeared the enemy
seemed be- they no doubt wers perfectly astenshed
"a. our army had succeeded returning to this side OF
sAe RappahaDnock river.
We returned without loeing . single man or gun in
sAs rssrograde movement.
few soldiers who had strseGlea or made their ap
pearance ON the river aior the saoon bridges had
been removed but they :aueaty brought
safely IN small boats.
Afew privA,ss who werc gaa,GlLs . house inhabited
By private family were durns the night aware Of
eur recrcssng river; but in The morning, becoming
aware Of this fact, they safely Awan over.
The pckets OF the contendirg armies being separated
sy only few yards rendered necessary that every
sAng on our mont should os conducted with the utmost
saution.
The pcksss on osr outposts were unaware Of the
nsnt were making until just before daylight when
- ofcer went to each individual man, and in low tone
q voice order cd him TO fall back.
AFTER they got sufciently far away 10 be out Of dan
GER they were ordered quicken their pace and reach
~ bridges Is quickly ~ possible
Aosu. nine O'Clock yesterday morning the enemy ad-
va.ced their skirmhers along their entire line, and BY
sos mad established their pcksts the banks Of the
river.
We had large number Of dead oo what was regarded
. neutral ground and ast known forces
nsd evacuated the city the soldiers Of The enemy
~spcsd robbing tie litsles bodies This was plainly
80, 4. .t,,a
ssasd eye.
About ten or eleven osoek ladies' very neatly dressed
we're ssen walking about the sarssls o; fredericksburg
sy had doubtless bssn concealed IN hsuses during
Ne time The ciy osospied - rcops, ana doubt
sss avasd themselves Of the Arst opportunity 70 make
shsir rsappsarsnce after oar retreat.
On Monday the pckcis Of the oonsendiss armies ont
tpg sbs left wing mutually agreed upon "armistice
among themselves, aud freely intermngsd with each
ether exchanging dead friends and comrades who
lay on "nsutral ground"
Daring this time general Of army rode by AID
put end to these proceedings. The result was ihs.
both parties Immediately commenced firing, when nine
sf our men were killed. After the general had left the
friendly demonstrations Of pcksts were renewed,
and botiernut and blue uniforms freely mingled.
About this time General Franklin despatched gag Of
truce which the enemy Immediately recognized and the
exchange Of dead bodies was resumed and continued uut
completed.
Yesterday General Lee sent dag Of truce TO General
Burnside asking him to detail 70 bury his dead in
front q General Summers grand division. This was dorc
The wounded, with the exception Of these whom the
susmy obtained have all been brought 10 this side Of tho
Rsppahannock, aud as rapidly possible being sen,
10 Washington.
During the Gag CT truce General Stuart, Of The rebel
cavalry in 10 question, stated that General
psnss expedition had gone "south but that be did
know exactly where.
Our entire army sDesmpoo on the same ground
which they previously occupied.
The soldiers are comfortable for the present as hey
can be IN shelter tents.
,uy army has been considerably reinforced since the
sa,s and no danger whatever attaches TO our present
position
n Is the opinion Of military that, even II we had
cceeded IN taking the FIRST ridge Of the rebel works the
oppor,unity Tor slaughter by the robes would have been
ssv greater than previously
onr soldiers, u may be repeated. behaved with the
greatest CALAMITY courage, bravery and determination
lat NO ,rocps IN tho world could Withstand such con
s,,rsca FIRE sf heavy ordnance and muskesry, under
vysr q ier,scs,oss, - was ssns srih by ,hs rebels