Daily national Republican. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1862-1866, 1862-12-16
THE RATTLE Or sArURDAt
INTrRssrINa7 PARfie epL Ns,
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We herewith subjoin rhmber Of facts con
nected with ths'bsttie OF sss1sdsyy whsssrws
have obtained from prominent, Officers, of opi
army who participated In the ssrusglt. Thsae
fscts viii be found Of great interest, -.
The battle Of Saturday was commenced by
the enemy about 9l O'Clock q. m, and was for
some time confined almost solely to artillery
firing.
Summers grand division, which was on the
right, was the first to become engaged, his own
corps, under command of Gen. Couch, leading
in the attack. This was followed by Burnside's
old corps, commanded by Gen. Wilcox, and
Gen. Hooker's old corps, led by Gen. Butter
field. During the afternoon, 1t is said the en-
tire line was engaged, including Franklin's
division on the extreme left.
The infantry firing was commenced about IL
O'Clock by Gen. Nathan Kimball's brigade.
This brigade was posted along Princess Anne
street, the left resting on the old telegraph road
in the vicinity Of the cemetery
The brigade advanced through the streets at
right angles with the river, upon the enemy
posted on the edge Of the city, and drove them
from their position to distance Of about three
quarters of a mile. The brigade fought gal
lantly, though exposed to terrible fire from the
enemy's artillery posted In front and on each
flank, as well as the infantry's fire in the i'm
mediate front. They were engaged about three
hours, when Gen. Kimbsll being wounded in
the thigh, and their ammunition being nearly
exhausted, they were relieved by the brigade on
the left.
Nearly the same order Of battle was observed
by mostly all the other brigades. Opposite and
In direct line with all the streets, which run at
right angles with the river, were erected formi-
dable batteries, to the raking fire Of which our
troops were exposed in advancing upon the
enemy, and under cover of these batteries were
rife pits, where infantry were posted.
Military men estimate the proportion Of those
killed and wounded In battles generally at one
ffth Of the number engaged; but II is said by
persons who were on the field during the re-
cent engagements at Fredericksburg, and who
are competent to Judge, that the proportion
In these instances was nearly twice as great
that is, on our side. This Is not surprising,
when the position Of the rebels 10 considered.
They have undoubtedly the advantage Of one
Of the greatest natural strongholds Of defence
in that section of country. -
Various prisoners were taken at different
times. General Gibbons brigade captured up
wards Of ESQ Georgians, including q colonel,
two or three majors, and several captains.
sigels force, which crossed tho river twelve
miles above Fredericksburg, and which 1t Is
thought will attack the enemy on the nank,
somewhere between Fredericksburg and Rich
mond, is estimated to number about forty
thousand.
On Saturday night, while our men were rest.
ing on their arms on the battlefield, the enemy
left their entertainments and attempted to dis.
lodge us from our position, but he was hand
somely repulsed.
About mile back of the river, on the crest
of continuous line of hills, upwards Of thret
miles in length, the enemy has erected mos
formid,hle ,yorka ,,here without leavipg ,
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ia s,,r.,sd IN ,hs or,.li,ts ~ The c,tv
tn s,v,v n,n,h Nsw yort Seventh Nav yor,
.na Eorr,.an,h Ina,.n. snT.r.d terrible Tn
Are, hos onIv corr oomm,s.,onad of,cers wb,
are abIe N do dutv one c.ptsin and three lien
tenants The s.ysn,b New YORK (G.rman
went into the engagement with about Ave hun