The New York herald., 1862-12-12
New York, Friday, Dscember IL, Is6:
THE SITUATION.

THE TUATION.
Gen. Burnsde's army has made decisive and
victorious movement. The city Of Fredericksburg
Is now occupied by his forces after terrible bonn
hardment, which lasted nearly all day yesterday
and resulted in the partial destruction of the city
by the heavy fire Of our artillery. During Wedues-
day night the pontoons were conveyed to the river
preparatory to the crossing of the troops yester-
day morning. At five O'Clock A. NJ, three bridges
were laid down in front Of the city, and when
ehout half completed, The rebels opened murder
Dis fire upon our engineers from the houses in
Dc CITY and Oh the river bank, driving them
~. Our heavy guns. one hundred and forty-three
b number, we're then opened upon the city. and
continued to play upon it with tremendous force,
crushing through the houses and setting them on
fire Between thirty and forty houses were burned
during the bonibardment in the business part Of
the city. The rebel artillery from the hills kept
up steady fire, but did little damage. as they
Gu 4 not be used without risking the safety Of
their own men, who were holding the river front.
when the bridges should be completed to cross
over and take the city. II soon became evident
that the bridges could not be built except by u bold
dash. Volunteers called for to cross in small
boats. The order was no given than hundreds
Of brave fellows stepped forward. About one
hundred men Of the Eighth Connecticut were
selected. They were on their way, while the
artillery threw perfect storm of iron hail on the
opposite bank. They reached the opposite shore
and with fixed bayonets. rushed upon the enemy,
killing several, and taking one hundred prisoners.
At half-past four two bridges were finished opro-
site the city, when the troops Immediately began
20 cross over. The enemy was soon driven
from the city back to their line Of works, and
Fredericksburg was in o,r possession.
Meantime General Franklins division was cross
ing the Rappahannoek three miles below tic city,
over bridges which he had constructed, with but
little opposition. force strong enough to resist
any attac. from the enemy is now on the south
side of the Rappahannock. Everything was quiet
last night, but affairs looked as IL battle to-day
was inevitable.
While these proceedings were going on at
Fredericksburg, our rrnboats we're shclling the
enemy fifteen miles down the river.
We give to-day q map and sketch Of the vici-
nifty Of Fredericksburg, which win ASSIST our
readers in comprehending the nature Of this i'm
portant mcvoment In the advance Of our army
towards Richmond.
Further particulars reach Us Of the late battle
at Prairie Grove, near Fayetteville, Arkansas.
General Curtis sends more elaborate despatch
which we give elscwhere--than his previous one,
BY which II appears that our loss was one thou
sand and that OF the enemy fully double the
number. General Blunt says that the rebels have
probably crossed the Arkansas river They left all
their wounded on the field, uncared for. General
Blunt occupies Cane Hill, while General Heron
remains at Prairie Grove, to bury the dead. The
artillery OF the enemy suffered terribly during the
fight. Two csissons of ammunition and quantity
OF small arms fell into our hands. In the words
Of General Curtis, 1T was hard fought battle
and a complete victory"
The news from Nashville indicates an immediate
attack by the rebels, under General Joe Johnston,
opon that city. Our pickets were driven In on
TUESDAY, morning. At every point, by the appear