Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1862-12-12
FREDERICKsBU CAPTURED.
The City Occupied by Federal Troops.
The CenfederateS Retire to their Works
ereat Battle Expected To-day, Friday }

hEADQCARTERs ARMY OF THE POTOMAC,
thursday evsning.-From one 10 three o'cIoc K
but httie firing took place, but during this time
! all the available batteries were placed in posi-.
ton. They now number I16 guns.
Al given signal all the batteries opened on
the city. The fire was terrible, but the reb,
sharpshoo;ers could not be drawn from their
hiding places. The shot and shell went crash.
ing through the houses, in many casts setting
them on fre, causing dense volumes of smoke,
which, together with the explosion OF so large
quantity of powder, almost hidtthe city from
view.
1t soon became evident that the bridges could
not be bull; except by driving away tn" sharp.
shooters by bold dash across the river Vol
untecIs were called for to cross in small boats
The order was no sooner given than hundreds
OF braves stepped forward but all could not GO
About ltG were selected for the periIous under
taking, and were soon on their way, while the
artillery threw perfect storm of iron on the
opposite bonk. They soon reached the opposite
shore, but not without loss, and with fixed bay
onets they rushed upon the enemy, killing sey :
eral, and taking 1Ol prisoners, who were safely
landed on this side.
At half-past four o'clock two bridges wrrr
finished opposite the city, when the troop, I'M
mediately began to cross over. The enemy
were soon driven from the city back to their
line of works.
The two bridges in front Of Gen. FrankIin's
position were successfully laid early i'm the
day, but his troops did not cross until the two
upper ones were ready. a suf1iclent force is
now Cn the opposite side OF the river TO resist
any attack that is likely to be made
The rebels fired but few guns in the mornin ?
and none in the a afternoon, although their works
Were in easy range. During the forenoon the
rebels burnt the railroad bridge just outside the
CITY.
Between 80 and 10 houses were burnt mostly
in the business part Of the city
During the day between eight aud nine thou.
sand rounds OF ammunition were fired nv our
artillery.
Everything is quiet to- night, but tn" indica-
lions are that battle will lie fought to- morrow
SKETCH or FREDERICKSBURG.
AT thf present moment q brief sketch of this
venerable town will he interesting. 1t was q
place Of some note during the revolution MANY
OF the distinguished men of that time resided
there, lived. died and were buried there. Gem
eral Washington was there initiated into tn.
mysteries of the Masonic Fraternity and the re-
mains OF his mother lie buried in n grave yard
near the town.
Fredericksburg is situated siXty-tHo miles
south of Alexandria, and sixty miles north of
Richmond. on the Richmond, Frederick sburg
and Potomac Railroad, is the principal town
Of SrottsylEania county, at the head of navi-
CATION Oh the RappahannOck h river. and is the
very heart of one OF the finest valleys on the
eastern slope. Il canal was constructed some
twenty years since by which large Quantities
OF produce have been received for expectation.
The river affords extensive water power
Befor" the war 4 regular line of steamers Piled
between the town and Baltimore, besides
a numerous fleet OF sailing vessels. 1t contains
five churches, an orphan asylum, two semi
narles, three newspaper offices, and two banks.
AT the time of the first occupation Of the place
by the Federal troops il contained q population
of about six thousand. but when Gen Burn
river. IL il stated that not more than hal. that
number were residing there.