New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1862-12-17
Details OF Saturdays BntiIe-The Ground
The Artillery ConteSt-Movcments OF
TrOops-A Repuise, not "a Defeat.
FTom on Special Correspopdent.


FRKDgRcKsBURG. Dec 10, 1862
Since the arrival Of the Army Of the Potomac on
the west bank of the Rappahannock, it has been a
disputed question among officers whether the
enemy or ourselves held the beat position. think
here is no diversity Of opinion tonight that if
had occupied the fret range OF hills back of Frede-
icksburg the day the advanced corps Of Gen. Sam
ner's grand division arrived here we should have
been much nearer Richmond than we now are. A
terrible battle has been fought, and most fearful
loss incurred, and We still where We were this
morning
Fighting Joe Hooker s still fresh, and Franklin
has nearly all his divisions in d sound condition
Gen. Sumner has borne the brunt OF the struggle
to-day aud most fearful gaps have been n.de in the
divisions Of Gems. Howard, French, and Hancock
Of COUGHS corps, and Gen. Sturgis Of Wilcoxs.
The three roads leading from Fredericksburg are
known as the Plank road, leading 10 Orange Court
House; the Telegraph road TO Spotsylvania Court
House and 10 Richmond, and the Bowling Green
Road TO Bowling Green. The first il on the right
the second in the CENTER ard the third the left
The fret and second are commanded by range Of
bills starting from point short distance above
Falmouth, aud bending in the form Of q semicircie
until It passes beyond the Telegraph road The hills
upon the right Of the Plank and Telegraph roads
covesd with Rebel intrenchmenis in part protecting
ten batteries of six guns each. The batteries oppo.
ate Falmouth command not only the ford at that
place, but the pontoon bridge crossing the river near
the Lacy House and on our right and the Plank and
Telegraph roads, and at different times during the
day were playing upon all these points. Back Of
1Lis range Of bills is still another and more for
-nids5le one, and said to be strongly fortified
Tie grand divisions Of Gems. Sumner and Franklin
crossed the river yesterday and all day closely
packed IN tue main streets Of Fredericksburg To
vdyance and take the fret range OF hills obtain posi-
vans for our artillery, aud make room for che grand
hSiHon OF Gen. Hooker, was the work assigned 10
q ~ Sumner and Gen. Franklin this morning. The
"a OF Gems. Couch and Wilcox, in Sumner grand
div Aon, carried the Plank and Telegraph Roads-
Gen. Couch being upon the right and Gen. Wilcox
upon the left As it will be clearly SEEN tho hardest
task ras assigned 10 Gen. Sumner lie had no 10.
siion or his artillery except the streets of Freder
icksturat Every step Of bis way he was exposed to
sterrible' fire with grape and canister in front aud
al enhlad ng fire from round shot and shell on hs
night and lie IT,
Below the batteries, too, were stone and board
fences and riff s-pits behind and in which the Rebels
lay concealed L It'll men, who had been ordered
charge bayone =, and not 10 fire until they reached
the intrencb ments, lad approached TO within few
feet Of them. RisiL y then in one long, dense line
with d yell that was card above their rnusketry.
they poured yoley after voey into the division Of
Gen. French, which, not l'utcipsting 30 hot fire,
staggered and fell back, but oct N disogder, Or in