Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1862-12-26
FRoM oEM RuRNsIDEs ooMNAND.


10 the numbers of dozen or more, rode down
to the plain opposite, near the Bernard House.
No sooner had they come within range than
battery G., 5th Regulars, dropped she'll
among them which exploding, killed two
The enemys pickets have advanced to the
rivers bank along which they are strongly
posted,
HEADoUARrERs ARMY OF THE PoroMAc, !
FALMOUTH, Va, Dec II.
Yesterday morning, when daylight appear
ed, the enemy seemed to be- as they no doubt
were perfectly astonished that our army had
succeeded in returning to this side Of the
Rappahannock river. We returned without
losing single man or a gun in the rctrogade
movement. A few soldiers who had strag-
glcd off made their appearance on the river
bank after the pontoon bridges had been re-
moved, but they were subseq quently brought
over safely in small boats. A few privates
who were guarding house inhabited by a
private family, were not during the night
aware Of the recrossng Of the river, but in
the morning became aware Of the fact. They
safely swan over. The pickets of the con
tending armies being separated by only few
yards rendered it necessary that everything
IN our front should be conducted with the
utmost caution. The pickcts on the outposts
were unaware of the movement we were
making until Just before daylight, when an
officer went to each individual man and IN a
low tone Of voice ordered him to TALL back
After they got sufficiently far away to be out
OF danger they were ordered to quicken their
pace and reach the bridges as quickly as pos
sible
About 9 O'Clock yesterday morning the enc
my advanced their skrmishers along their
entire line, and by noon had established their
pickets near the bank of the river. We had
Il large number Of dead on what was consid
cred neutral ground, and as soon as it was
known our forces lad evacuated the city, the
soldiers OF the enemy commenced robbing the
liieless bodies. This was plainly seen through
field glass as well as ndisunclly by the ma
ked eye. About Ia or II o'clock ladies very
neatly dressed were seen walking about the
streets Of fredericksburg, They had doubt
less been concealed ia their houses during tho
time the city was occupied by our troops, and
doubtless ayailed themselves OF the first op-
portunity to make their appearance after our
retreat.
On Monday the pickets Of the oontendiug
armies fronting the left wing mutually agreed
upon an armistice among themselves, and
freely intermingled with each other, exohang-
ing their dead friends and comrades who lay
on neutral ground. During this time Cen
eral of our army rode by and put an end to
these proceedings. The result was that both
parties immediately commenced firing, when
nine of our men were killed After the Cen
eral had left the friendly demonstrations OF
our pickets were renewed and butternut and
blue uniforms freely mingled. About this
time Gen. Franklin dispatched flag OF truce,
which the enemy Immediately recognized, and
the exchange OF dead bodies was resumed and
continued until completed.
Yesterday Gen, Lee sent flag of truce to
Gen. Burnside asking him to detail men to
bury his dead in front of Gen. Summers grand
division. This was done. The wounded
with the exception Of those whom the enemy
obtained, have all been brought to this side of
the Rappahannock, and as rapidly as possible
are being sent to Washington During the
flag of truce Gen. Stuart of the rebel cavalry
IN answer to a question stated that General
Banks expedition had gone south, but that
he did not know exactly where Our entire
army is now encamped on the same ground
which they previously occupied. The soldiers
are as comfortable for the present as they can
be in shelter tents. Our army has been con-
siderably reinforced since the battle and no
danger whatever is attached to our present
position. 1t is the opinion OF military men
that even II we had succeeded in taking the
first ridge of the rebel works, the opportunity
for slaughter by the rebels would have been
greater Our soldiers, it may be repeated,
behaved with the greatest gallantry, courage,
bravery and determination, but no troops
could Withstand such concentrated fire Of
heavy ordnance aud musketry under cover Of
toruhcatlons, as was sent forth by the rebels
The weather is cold, with northeast wind.
Last night the enemy increased their in-
trenchments on the terraces in the rear of
Fredericksbur and threw up rifle pits near
the river the left OF the city. To-day
their battery drills were visible to the naked
eye on the plain. No movement of impor-
tance has taken place to-day. Our troops are
In excellent condition, and as enthusiastic as
previous to the late engagement.
HgADoUARrERs ARMY OF THE PoroMAc,
December ls-'Evening.
Yesterday the rebels sent, under flag Of
truce, request that we would bury our dead.
A burying party accordingly went over, and
continued their labors to-day. During the
truce Col. Watson, Chief of Ljugstroet's ar
tillery, informed some Of our officers that tho
rebel infantry force engaged on Summers
front on Saturday was only two brigades, but
that they had large force near by.
He SAID our men exhibited the greatest
bravery, but he considered the rebel position
.mpregnable, and that force Of 500 900 men
would find 10 impossible TO carry the heights