The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1862-12-30
NORTHERN ACCOUNT.

From the Yankee accounts of the battle oil
fredericksburg, We extract the following:
"a rebel battery opened on our troops, and the
fight became SO annoying that the 9th regiment
New York State Militia were ordered to charge
and take the cannon at the point of the bayonet
The order obeyed with alacrty, but after a
fierce struggle the charging party were compelled
to fall back. At this critical moment, Gen TYLER
perceiving the disorder into which the 9th New
York were thrown, came to their aid with brig
ade. The 9th 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 made to capture
the rebel battery by Gen. Tyler's brigade; but
the fire of the rebels so whitening in its effect
that our brave fellows were unable to gain any ad
vantage. Each charge thinned the ranks at a
fearful rate, and the chances of capturing that
much coveted battery appeared better than at
flst
The fight ragged furiousy during the entire dsy,
and our troops suffered terribly from the enemy's
artillery The enemy were posted behind hills in
great strength, and at one time it seemed imposs-
BILE to dslodge them. About noon Gen. Gibbon
was relieved by Gen. Doubleday's command
Gen. Head, who was fighting against superior
odds, was also reinforced by Cen Stoneman's COM
mand which had the effect of checking the rebels
and driving them back short distance 1t was in
the midst of this struggle that Gen. Gibbon was
wounded and partially disabled. He kept the
field, however, during the remainder of the day,
and won many laurels by his brilliant conduct
Gen. McClean's endorsement of Gibbons dash
and ability has been fully borne out by the result
OF the days fighting. During the afternoon Gen
Newton division was moved ap to the left of the
centre, when the firing, which had ceased in that
part OF the field, broke out with redoubed fury.
Our troops were here exposed to a punging fire
from the enemys artillery, which was posted on
the neighboring hills and for short time the
Union soldiers were exposed to destructive fire.
1t soon became evident that the first ridge of the
hills on which the enemy were posted behind
earthworks could not be carried except at the
point of the bayonet and accordingly General Sum-
ner ordered French's division to charge upon the
batteries.
From the moment the stormng party left the
ravine up to the time they reached the foot of the
hills, they were exposed to the hottest fire of the
enemy. The concentrated fire of Lees artillery
and infantry rained upon their devoted heads in a
manner truly terrific. No troops, however dis
ciplined and brave, could withstand the shock,
anc after suffering terribly our soldiers we're
thrown into disorder and brought to sudden halt
At this juncture the centre of the column gave
way and fled in dsmay, but afterwards rallied
and brought back. \ second and third attempt
was made to dislodge the rebel artlerists, but 10
vain, and at eack attempt the ranks of the storm.
Ing party grew thinner and thinner. Sumner now
brought all his available artillery into play, hoping
to she'll the rebels out, and from that time until
dark the roar of cannon was inccssant The re-
bells who had been driven back short distance
during the day, returned to their original position
when night came on, so that We we're unable to
remove our dead"
Upon the whole, the yankees acknowledge them
selves badly whipped.