The New York herald., 1862-12-17

enemy was making demonstration on our les mn o1
artillery 10 thai immediate vicinity was speedily
into the most favorable pos,tons and rephed WIN
"a The hre Of the enemy.
Tho esnnona,;ng was very severe os both sides for
while and the shrpshooters popping away In front
Our artillery ON a other side Of the river opened on ne
enemy aso and both ares had the effect 4 demonstrating
the apparent mpracticability of atssng 70 turn ou'
aank Va, an hour or after that there was only an
occasional shot red on either side, both beligcrenss how
ever yeiany watching the movements Of each o'her.
rsE GENERAL ADVANCE ALONG THE WHOLE LINE
About twelve O'Clock there general order for an
advance along the whole line. The enemy occupied line
Of elevated land mostly wooded, but in some places
cleared and extending a semi-circuar form from near
the river below round 70 Fredericksburg above'
giving him an en1ladng fire on the whole field,
and making q line Of battle at least six miles
in extent The rebel batteries were placed In
position the crest, well supported at all points with
infantry, cavalry appearing occasionally the TANKS
In the meantime General Stonemans corps crossing
the river to support the movement the left. When
Brney's division had arrived the field it was held in
reserve and General Reynolds then ordered his whole
line to advance. The batteries both sides bazed
away With fearful fury Several Of the enemys cassons
blown up in different parts OF the Geld by she
at which troops cheerod along the ue Doubleday
the left flank close the river advanced his lines
gradually, meeting with but little opposition from the
enemy.
GENERAL REYNOLDS CORPS.
At one o'clock General Meade's division, composed Of
the three bgades Of Pennsylvania reserves commanded
respectively by Colonel Sinclair, Colonel Majilton and
General Jackson and General Gibbons division.
sisng of Colonel Roots, General Nelson Tayors and
Colonel Lyle's brigades advanced with skrmishers in
front under Of artillery They went forward
in splendid stye, with colors flying They soon became
actively engaged with the rebol battle limo formed n the
the foot Of the range of hills, while from nen
where their artillery anted on the crest an addi
toual infantry fire poured into our men. Both di
Visions however, advanced to the woods and number
Of priscners-a hundred more-were captured by
them. The fire OF artillery and muskery ncessant
at this time.
THE PENNSYLVANIA RESERVE CORPS oRIyKN BACK
Presently, however, fresh and moro vigorous FIRE
burst forth from the woods the Pennsylvania reserves
which had the effect Of throwing almost the whoe
OF that division into confusion the 6old. Seeing
the disconnected and dsorganizod condition Of that com
mand the rebels emboldened by it, cheered and
continued 70 advance. The Pennsylvania regiments,
much broken up scattered and delnorazed, retired
before the rebel fusiliade and making but little effort to
resist the cnemy's advance. Some Of their officers
deayored to rally them but that easy matter when
n whole diyisioDof troops become damoralizcd.
GENERAL JACKSON
General Jackson, commanding ono Of the bri-
gades killed by a musket ball in The head
while ondoavoring TO rally his men. His body
left upon the field, together with that Of his Ad-
iuant, Captain sweringer. Quite large number OF on
GERS and men were killed and wounded at this time.
Among the wounded is Colonel Sinclair, of the sixta
Pennsylvania reserve, who in command OF the First
sigade This unfortunate exposed the left of
Gibbons division and the right Of the troops tho left Of
the Pennsylvanans that the fanks Of both for
time being gradually pressed in. Oiccrs, with sword
and pistol in hand dashing about the field endea-
yorng to reform the and send them to the front
again; but the attempts proved entirely useless. General
Gibbon, while riding TIE eld wounded in the
hand by musket ball.
RESERVES BROUGHT
General Eirney's division OF veteran and valoYous
troops which was then moving in column on the Ged,
brought forward on a double quick and Immediately
pushed to the iron. to n the gap They opened sharp
frehrs their skirmshers and then from the whole
ne-drving the rebels before them back the woods
whence they had come Birney's troops took number
OF prisoners the edge OF the timber This restored the
former security Of tie line, and the firing both sides
continued sharply for time Then the troops
oheered for Stonemap and Birney.
orERATioNe SMITHS coRfs.
On The right Of Frankn's grand division line Smiths
corps quite actively engaged Gen Howes division
and the left OF General Brooks kept back the enemy in
their front. After this the ire slackened little but the
heavy cannonadng the sound Of sharp muskcy st fur
ther up indicated how holly Sumner engaged al Frede
rcksburg the extreme right Ii front Of Franklin line
Newtpns division Of Smiths corps was seat TO the
right Of Doubleday and SicKics divson Of stonemans
corps TO the right Of Brney order keep the line Of
hattie connected and strong il gradually extend.
ing tho left.
TOWARDS SUNSET
the enemy made very vigorous attack IN several
paris Of the line TO hold portion OF ground at
dark but he speedily driven back every point.
At dark the opposing forces occupied just about the
ground they had held when the active work commenced
with the smpe exception that had gained half mile
more 10 the left
The Ices in killed and wounded was considerable IN
to night, bu. II may be over three thousand
Our troops sleep their tonight ready for the
heavy work anticipated In the morning.
HEsporAxuxs, LETT WING,
SUNDAY, Dec. I4-3 p. n. !
TEE r1ngr snGApB Acaoes.
TIE left grand division, commanded by Major Gensral
Franklin crossed ponoon bridges about mile below
Fredericksburg General Devens' brigade had the honor
Of the advance, and Of occupying the ground during
Thursday night The Second Rhode Island regimentof
which General Burnside nember-led the bri-
esde at double quick in gallant style, followed by the
Tenth and Thirty Massachusetts, regiments The