The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1862-12-24

EEpuLsE OF THE fEDERAL'
u 81 ARMY
Tranrarl Flrr Or sHi cqsprDrrAras.
TFrom the New Y York Herald. 15th1.
= THEBATTEEoF-sATURD
FKEpERIcKsBuRG; Va, Dec. 13.
) JThs occupation II ofFledericksburg have
ing been successfully accomplished, the
next smoxe-way to-drirp rebels from
the r strong holds. in the rear of the city.
The Hines ofthe fehals, which attended
in tbs. form of q semi-circle from Port
Royal to point about six miles above
Fredesicksburgs Q was . strongly fortified
and protected by a range of high hills.
iStonewaH jackson occupied the. right
wing, extending from Port Royal to
Quincy s Station q station on the Rich
mond and Fredericksburg Railroad5; Gen.
sLongstreet fhe0centeE, extending to the
telegraph road, and Generals Lee and
Stuart the leftp west Of Massaponax Greek,
while2Gen. A. P. Hills corps acted as .
reserve. Lees reasops for occupying the
left vas because he could be onghis guard
against Sigsl, whoE threateaed to outAank
him by way of CulpepeE. ,sThs entire reb.
el forcs was estimated at 200, 900 men, and
occupied front of not less than twenty
milesS The troeps weresfor the most part
veterans, WHO had fought.through all the
|peninsular canpaign,a while the officers
Were:the ablestthatsthe South could pro-
ducesG It was no msanssnsmyy we had to
contend with, assure you., gsDS, Is 4
+ Tks disposition of fths Union forces
occupied the wholes Of Friday night and
Saturday morningaand, as General Burn
side awas anxieus totcommence the attack
at assearly an hour as possible,. there was
not mueh chance for 1the troops to rest
themselves. Gen.. Burnside was in. the
city all night, personally inspecting the
troops and directing their movements.
1T was arranged that Gen. Frank lin S
corps should cross the river two miles be-
low the city, with the view Of turning the
Fenemy's position on Massaponaxl Greek,
whilesH Hooker would engage the rebels
nearer the center, and Sumner would turn
theiffight. BY this arrangement it will
be seen that Franklin was opposed to
Stonetall jackson, while Hooker and
Summer attacked the center and left Of
the rebels under Longstreet and Lee. sas.
- - THE LEFY..tA seafa.
Franklin moved his column, consisting
Of the First and Sixth corps, just before
sunrise, his right resting en- the outskirts
Of the city, his center advanced mile or
SO from the river, and his left resting on
the Rappahannock a5oat three miles be-
lowe Skirmishing commenced few min
utes after daylight on the extreme left. "a
rebel battery opeaed on our troops, and
the fire became so annoying that the Ninth
Regiment New York State Militia, we're
ordered to charge and take the cannon at
the point of the bayonet. The order was
obeyed with alacrity. but after a fierce
struggle the charging psrty was was compelled
Gem Tyler, perceiving the disorder into
which the Ninth New York we're thrown,
came to their aid with q brigade The
Ninth were quickly rallied, and, assisted
BY Tyler's brigade. another. attempt was
made to storm the rebel batteries, but
without success. The fight now became
,general.on the extreme LEFT, and another
desperate effort was made to .capture the
rebel battery by Gen. Tyler brigade; but
the fire Of the rebels was so whitening in
its effect that our brave fellows were una7
bic to gain any advantage. Each change
.thinncd the ranks at a fearful rate, and
the chances of capturing that much cov-
etcd ebattery appeared no better than at
sfrste vs..'.r.s. x - -
Dy noon the whole OF. Frankl corps
was engaged with the enemy and des7
'perate effort was made TO turn the enemy s
position on the Massaponax and drive him
beyond the creek General Franklin
commanded the movements in person, and
handled histroops with remarkable judg-
ments The rebels maiptaiped, possession
Of some small hills with their usual stub
bornncss, but gradually fell back, as the
Union troops eyinccd a determination to
60 forward. During the afternoon the
rebels came to stand, apd for q time, asy
sumed the offensive; but as they, advanced
to meet US. they were bravely met and re-
pulsed with heavy, lnss; ItSwas at this
time that some three hundred Of Hills
comwand fell into our hands, and were
conducted tothe rear as prisoners. Still
the enemy contest every foot of the
ground, and it was Only tbg dint of the
hardest kind of fighting that he could be
compelled to change his position ..9aI
ItTas during the heat of this engage
mentithat the gallant Rayar3 was NOR
He was eo9xersing With;
GcnesEranklin, when cannon BAH struck
hinrgin the hip and tAseNd him clean out,
of the saddle. aase.aW -. !
The obstinacy with which the rebels
held possession of their gyaund rendered,
Con. Efagkll.ss ssyqry dificult one
indeed {Iiq had to cope with Stonewall
Jackson. and the veterans Of Cedar Noun
tain, Bull Ran aud Ahtietamy troops who
nnderst6od thsit Business thofeushiy, and
were not to be scarcd-by tribes. Hence
the task of ttarnfhg Neutrality-suspicious. ON
the Massaponax swas no ordinary one
Still the Union comIdandef was not dis
couraged; be had driven the sncmY back
sevefal rods ana was determinedt u drive
theihi further i0fd Stonewafl had met