Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1862-12-15
TERRIFIC FIGHT ON SATURDAY.
Desperate Resistance Of Rebels.
Our Troops Sleep on the Field.
HEAVY loss OF OFFICERS.
Six Generals Killed or Wounded.
HEApoUARrERs ARMY OF PoroMAc, /

December 13-ll P. Il.
The fog began to disappear early in the
afternoon, affording an unobstructed view
of both our own and the rebel positions.
1t being evident that the first ridge Of hills
in the rear of the city on which the enc
my had his guns posted, were behind works
which could not be carried except by a
charge of infantry, General Sumner as
signed that duty to General French's di-
vision, which was supported by General
| Howard's.
The troops advanced to their work at
ten minutes before twelve, at a brisk run,
the enemy's guns opening upon them a
very rapid fire.
When within musket range at the base
of the ridge our troops were met by ter
rible fire from the rebel infantry which
were posted behind a stone wall and some
houses on the right of the line. This check
| ed the advance Of our men and they fell
back to a small ravine, but not out Of mus
ket range.
At this time another body of men moved
to their assistance in splendid style not
withstanding large gaps were made in
their ranks by the rebel artillery. When
our troops arrived at the first line of the
with fixed bayonets endeaVored to dislodge
the rebels from their hiding places. The
concentrated fire of the rebel artillery and
infantry, which our men were forced to
face, was too much for them and the centre
gave way in disorder, but afterwards they
were rallied and brought back. From that
time the fire was spiritedly carried on and
never ceased until after dark
Gen. Franklin, who commanded the at
tack on the left, met with better success.
He succeeded, after hard days fight, in
driving the rebels about one mile. At one
time the rebels advanced to attack him, but
were handsomely repulsed with terrible
slaughter and loss of between 400 aud 500
prisoners belonging to Gen. A. P. Hills
Gen. Franklin's movement was directed
down the river, and his troops are encamp-
ed tonight not far from the MassapOnix
Greek.
Our troops sleep tonight where they
fought to-day.
The dead and wounded are being carried
from the field.
The following is a list Of officers killed
and wounded, as far as yet known:
Gen. Jackson. of the Pennsylvania Re-
serves, killed; Gen. Bayard, struck in the
thigh by a shell, and afterwards died ;
Gen. Vinton, wounded in the side, but not
seriously; Gen. Gibbons, wounded in the
head; Gen. Kimball, wounded in the thigh;
Gen Caldwell, wounded in two places, but
not seriously.
col Sinclair, of the Pennsylvania Re-
serves, wounded seriously; Captain Hen
Erickson, commanding 9th New York State
militia, wounded seriously.
The following is the loss Of officers in
the 9th New Hampshire regiment: Colonel
Cross, wounded in the abdomen; Major
Sturlevant, killed; Adjutant DOdd, killed;
Captain Murray, killed; Captain Perry,
] killed.
The firing of musketry ceased about six
o'clock this evening, but the rebels contin-
ued throwing shells into the city until
eight o'clock.
The position ofthe rebels was as follows
Gen. LOngstreet was on the left and hold
ing he main works Gen. A. P. Hill and
Stouewall Jackson were in front Of Gen.
franklin with Jacksons right resting on
the Rappahannock, and Hills forces act
ing as a reserve. Gen. Burnside will re-
new the battle at daylight in the morning.
The troops are in good spirits and not in
| the least disheartened.