The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1862-12-20
FREDERICKSBURGH BURNED.
FIGHTING GOING ON.

All eyes have been, for the last few weeks,
upon Fredericksburgh, with the expecta-
ton that there would be fight or ske-
daddle; and the news this week proves that
the public has not been disappointed. 1t
was evidently the intention of our army to
have crossed the Rtppahannock some weeks
ago, on their first approach to Fredericks-
burgh, but owing to some mismangement of
an inferior officer the plan was foiled,
and delayed until now. The crossing of
the river was effected without any very Sc
rious damage to our army. We CLEAN the
following from the Geographic accounts of
the passage of the Rappahannock:
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE PoroMAC,l
Dec. IL A. M.
Everything last night was hustle and ac-
| tiVity, as To-Day was the time fixed for cross
ing the river. During the night the pom
! ICONS were conveyed to the river, and the
artillery, consisting of 143 pieces, placed in
position opposite the city. At FIVE o'clock
this morning the rebels fred two signal
guns, and during the latter part of the
night, pickets were frequently seen within
I
ton of three bridges in front of the city was
commenced. When the bridges were about
half completed, the enemy opened a MUIR
derous fire of infantry from the houses on
the bank. Up to this time, not shot had
been fred from our side; the engineers were
driven from the bridges, and several killed
and wounded. At six o'clock Gen. Burn
side ordered all the guns to be opened on
the city. The cannonade, which has con-
tinued up to the present time, is terrible.
The city is on FIRE, and its destruction APP
pears certain. About seven in the morn
ing, the enemy opened With their heavy
guns from their works, but so far they have
done no serious injury. Gen. Franklin
constructed his bridges below the city.
meeting with but eight opposition. His
troops are now crossing, and the gunboats
are Smelling the enemy about fifteen miles
below, where they have been concentrating
their forces for the past few days.
The concentrated fire of our batter
les on the city has had the effect Of driving
back the enemy's infantry, and the works
on the bridges has again commenced. The
troops are all under the arms near the river,
prepared to rush across as soon as the
bridges are completed.
LATER - THURSDAY NOON. - On the al
tempt being made TO finish the bridges in
front of the city, the rebel infantry again
opened their fire, when our artillery in po-
sition was again opened on the ci'y-the
result being that the city was fred in sew
erai new places. The enemy has used very
little artillery up to this time, as it would
endanger their men who are holding the
river front.
Gen. Burnside has just issued an order
to concentrate every gun upon the city. un-
der cover of which it is believed the bridges
can be finished.
The killed and wounded do not amount
to more than fifty men.
STILL LATER.
ARMY OF THE Potomac, Dec. Il.
But little firing took place between one
and two O'Clock, during which time all the
available batteries were placed in position,
numbering l76 guns. At signal, all open
ed on the city. The FIRE was terrible, but
still the rebel sharp-sbooters could not be
driven from their hiding places.
The shot and she. went through the
houses, in many cases Setting them on fire.
causing dense smoke. which, together with
the explosion Of so large q quantity OF gun
powder, almost entirely hid the city from
view.
1t soon became evident that the bridges
could not be built except by bold dash
Volunteers were called for to cross the river
in small boats. The order was no sooner
given than hundreds stepped forward. but
could not all go. About one hundred were
selected. They were soon on their way,
while the artillery threw perfect shower
] of iron hail on the opposite bank.
! They reached the opposite shore, but rot
without loss. With fixed bsyonets, they