Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1862-12-16

Nrw YoRR. Dec. T.. The Herald contains a
specal dispatch FROM the headquarters Of the
Army OF the Potomac to Z. NJ, yesterday.
1t gives a partial list Of the casualties. The
following Is tho Herod special dispatch
HEADQUARTERS II THE FIELD, opposite Fred
ercksburg, Dec lis p. NJ Between and
o'clock this morning tho pontoon trai1 in
~ New York engineers,
under command Of Gen Woodbury., proceeded
10 the river bank, where with infantry supports
an attempt was made 10 threw three bridges
across che riger, one az the point where the rali
road bridge formerly crossed, and Two more OF
pos.te the city, but nearer Falmouth. dull
haze ohscured the movements for while, and
tho uoutooners succeeded in partially construct
ing the bridges, when the rebels suddenly open
ed a very brsk aud deadly fire Of musgciry from
along the river bank and windows Of the houses
eomrelhug cessation Of the work. Some Of
our men " rs shot midway in the stream, and
falling overheard Coated down the rl5er.
Returning O. the cover OF the surrounding
hills the men were again formed, and at about
Go'c.ock tho attempt to bridge tue river was re-
newld. but tae rebels, Wtth Ielu'0re. mentS oil
shar,-hloters sNarmcd on tie opposite bank
Nothing dluutd by the hot Ere poured ~ az
Oh, reaupca,ance ~ our troops, tte p3ul0oaerS
went sa.imt,y iowok, butiu vain. The storm
Of bullets c,clope4 them, phuas aud boats
were riddoiSy every yolley, and they were
comp,lled one moro to fan back 10 the rear Of
the hill.
Asitvas evident that the rebels were deter
mirel to use the houses .or defence, contrary to
the implied agreement 10 the correspondence
which recently passed by : aag Of truce, orders
we're gwen to our artillorymen ;oopen fire upon
the city. The log was 50 dense that it was i'm
possible to see but short distance beyond the
edge of the river but the houses, however, in
which the rebel sharpsheoterS exposed them
selves were plainly visible, and to them our fire
was for the time particularly directed
Bv O'Clock the b0mbardment had become
general, aui from that time till one o'clock the
roar OF artillery was iuc ssant, while shot and
shell fell As, and thick into the doomed city.
About 10 the engineers were formed Tor third
time 20 construct bridge.
After the PREVIOUS Intellectual attempt on the
part OF tho engineers to cross, u party Of 50
men from that regiment, under Capt Marsh,
volunteered to assist IN the endeavor to finish
laying the bridges Ey
Once more the column startSd down to the
river bnQer the ulItNtiOu OF Ocu. W Nldutfy
They seized the planks and CARED cut some doz
en- or SO to Tho end OF the string Of boats. Par
Of them were compelled 70 retire under the very
CALLING Ere from the rebel sharpshooters, who
were however enscoused securely rifle pits be
low the range Of our artillery, and within IS OF
20 feet of the rivers edge. The pontooner,
suffered toyeroly. The movement having beer
thus interrupted, the whole party were ordereC
back TO their original position. At eleven, i
was discovered that one OF the houses was OF
fire. The flames soon spread and F.edericks
burg was now enyeloped in fire and lomke
The fire which had been opened upon the iebel''
rifle pits i.om our batteries up the river had
been euccessiol so far in driving the sharpshoot
era from the vicinity OF the railroad depot, Tn,
rebels still maintained gheir ground opposite tn,
upper bridges.
The cavalry arc now passing Gen. Sumner
HEADQUARTERS an route 10 mako charge aoros,
the river at one OF the iords. Reports from th,
eft state that Fankin's divisions has crossed
he river below US.