New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1862-12-15

d,hut as hiei in action, has begun,
and so far proved successful The iaSrels this day
hss given him are most honorable. BY securing Il
Arm foothold on the right bank of the Rappahan-
mock in the face Of the main army OF the enemy be
has performed tie most difficult operation known IN
the ecence of war end the bOldet and gTardest un-
deraling by any OF onr Generals since the outbreak
of the Rebellion. That lie hes accomplished so
much with little loss Of life and limb, entities him
10 the more credit.
The sun rose doubly vailed by an innuspicious fog
and the dense, long volumes Of smoke constantly
telched forth from the hundred and more guns play
ing upon the doomed City Of Frederickrburg since
dsytreak. Soon after these headquarters from their
rnequaed opportunities for observing the scene OF
seton became the center of interest and continued
40 throughout the day. Gen. Burnside with brl-
Kant suite appeared about 3 O'Clock, and was
allowed in the course Of the morning by nearly all
Tie grand diysoD, corps and division commanders,
ACCOMPANIED by their staff escorts, with whom lie
remained until the closing events OF the afternoon.
The hundreds Of officers and ordetlies distributed
h picturesque goupe around tie mansion occupied
bv General sumner, the bodies Of infantry and cav
airy continually moving past, the terrible roar OF
IRE artillery, mingled with The cheering sounds oi
bands of music, formed an ensemble words cannot
describe.
TIE original programme for tie movements Of TO.
DAY included beside The crossing Of the Infantry
Eve different points, diversion by cur whole cayal
~ 70 the enemy's rear TIE latter part was en-
trely abandoned last evening-the former moi hay
bg been carried ort at daybroak, as ordered, IN I
consequence OF the inability Of The engineers to
T,ete the bridges within the fixed tine.
The failure at the first stage Of the proposed opera
tons rendered tie prospect rather dabious, but for
tuns,ely, the appTehensioDs raised BY were not
realized.
The presence Of considerable infantry force in
TIE town having become disclosed by their attemp'
to stop tie progress Of the engineers early IN The
morning the next step to be tahen was to drive the
enemy by shot and tlell from theiF shelter among
The houses 10 the vicinity Of the points selected for
the heads Of the bridges. For tits purpose an al.
NOS, uninterrupted bombariment from nineteen
batteries Of heavy and light caliber wac kept uI FOR
nearly ten hours. Tie intensity Of this LAY be I
judged from the fact that at times over 800 shots
we're fred per minute. sons Of the batteries used /
nearly 200 rounds. Artillerymen that have been
engaged il The battles on the Peninsula aud Mary
hrd say that the work there was not half as heavy
o. here. Toward noon .he embarrassing fog had .
cleared away and clear view Of the opposite side .
wss Lad. About 3 O'Clock the fling ceased for hail
AZ hour. After ito expiration 1t was suddenly re-
lswei with doubled vigor along the entire line, and
under the protection Of perfect hail OF proecllies
Of every description, enflsdiDg aud sweeping every /
street Leading TO the river tho crossing was com
menced near the uppermost bridge, by Col. Halls /
Sd Brigade Of Towards division Of Couch's corps .
with the 7th Michigan in the van, in the gallant I
manner fully described in the accompanying corre' |
Ponjenoe.
Shortly after dark all the five bridges were com
pleted but only the three brgades Of Howard Is
division crossed over. They were, however 30 di0-
Tbned 10 the lower part Of the city as to secure The
complete protection Of tie bridges from any attack
BY infantry. The Rebel batteries are 50 situated on
bill. that they cannot reach the river bed. TIE
structures here msy be considered safe, and Tie pas
sage Of lbe army assured.
Early tomorrow morning, tie whole army VIII
move across. Tie remainder Of Summers grand
division, consisting Of COUGHS two other divisions
sna Wilcox's corps, together with Hookers entire
grand division Of S,onomans and But'erhed's corps
will follow on tie three upper bridges, snd Frank
In's grand division Of BeyuolJz'e aud Sniths corps
On the two lower ones. One division Il each Of the
two corps Of each grand division viii cross Oh the
sane bridge. as soon as Tie infantry is over, part Of
the artillery will follow, next the auuni.on trains
then the ambuanees, and last the supply trains.
Howard's diyisios was alone thrown across To-
night, in order to avoid any rick involved in putting
the river between gre ter portions Of the army from
possible unexpected movements Of The Rebels, whose
conduct daring the day has been extremely pulling
10 our Generals. They replied to ouc artillery only
long intervals and with few guns, their heaviest
tre-somo twelve shots-being directed upon How
srds division as Il was fling down tie bluff to the
ryer previous TO crossing. Their infantry forces
10 the town consisted Of only one brigade. The
suAlress Of this force, in connection with tie fact
that they knew with daybreak Of our intention to
cross indicates that their Generals did not mean TO
dispute seriously the occupation Of the city.
Gen. Burnside stated this morning that he had
positive information Of diversion Of twenty thou
land Of the enemy to Port Royal, 90 miles below,
upon the uppoGidon Of an expected attempt on our
pan 70 cross at that point. This eoens to show the
oompels ignorance Of tho Rebel Generals Of cur
'sa Intentions The diverted column 10 presumed TO
'S'e feaPpeared before I'd this evening. 1t is the
VPnoA Of our leading Generals that, If tie Rebels
~ Io' attack US TO morrow, general engagement is
"o' ns"y 70 take place Tomorrow as the vastness
TIC army will require tie entire day for It's pas.
ny Notwithstanding it Will move over five bridges.
- .aer aaNiery vii probably open on our infantry
.INe VIII DO passing over de hills 70 the riyor,
yu' our own viii doubtlesfly silence their guns in