Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1862-12-20

Five Hundr.d and Fifty Unio. Prisoner.
gusta and CharIeeton-Reporteds suee,..
f6en. Floyd at Piketon, Ky.
The Richmond Dispatch contains the follow.
| ing:
| DESPATCH PROM GEy. LEE.
HEADQUARTERS, MAR FRKpKRICKsRu Ra.
Dec. 16. ls62.-As far as can be asosrtained this
stormy morning, the enemy has disappeared in
our immediate front, and recrossed the Kappa.
hahhoek. presume ne Is mediatinga passage
~ some other point. r. E. LEE,
General Commanding
GEN LEES OFFICIAL REPORT.
The following official report OF Gen Lee was
received in thi. q der on yesterdnEz
HEADQUARTERS NUITHES, VIReINIA, Dec
IL, 1s62-qo the Hon. Secretary Of War, Rica-
mond, Va.-Sir: On the night OF the 10Th the
enemy commenced to throw two bridges over
the Rappahannock, above Fredericksburg. and
the third about a mile and a quarter below
near the mouth Of Deep Run. The plain on
which Fredericksburg stands is so completely
commanded by the hills Of Stafford, i'm poe
session OF the enemy, that no efectnal OBJ DO
siton could be offered to the construction of the
bridges or the passage of the river without ex.
posing our troops TO the destructive fire Of his
numerous batteries.
Positions Were, therefore, selected TO oppose
his advance after crossing; the narrowness of
the Rappahannock,it its winding course and deem
bed, anording opportunity for the const u ction
OF bridges al points beyond the reach OF our ar
tlllery, and the banks had 10 be watched by
sklTmishers. The latter, sheltering themselves
oehind the houses, drove back the working
parties OF the enemy at the bridges opposite 20
tie city. But, at the lowest point Of crossing
where no shelter could be had, our sparp-
shooters were themselves driven of, and the
completion Of the bridge was effected about
noon on the 11th.
On the afternoon OF that day, the enemy's
batteries opened upon the city, and by dark
had SO demolished tho houses on the river bank
as TO deprive our skirmshers of shelter. and,
under cover Of his guns, he effected a lod..
ment In the town. The troops no had so gal
lantly held the position in the city during the
severe cannonade during the day, resisting the
advance of the enemy 1t every step. were with
drawn during the night. as were also those
who, with signal tenacity, had maintained
their post at the lowest bridges. Under cover
Of darkness, and of a dense fog on the 18th. a
large force passed the river and took position
on the right bank, protected by their heavy
guns on the left.
On the morning of the 18Th, his ARRANGEMENTS
for attack being completeL, about o'clock-tIe
movement yeiied by fog-he advanced bold
Iy IN large force against our right wing. Gen.
Jackson corps occupied the right Of our line
which rested on the railroad, Gen. Longs reet's
left extending along the heights 10 the Kappa
hammock, above Fredericksburg and Gen Siu-
art, with two brigades Of cavalry. was posted
In the extension plain on our extreme right
As soon as the advance of the enemy was dis
covered through the log, Gen. Stuart, with his
accustomed promptness, moved up his section
OF horse artillery, which opened with effect
upon his fiank and drew upon the gallant Fell
ham heavy fire. which he sustained upfinch.
ingly for about two hours.
In the meantime the enemy was fiercely en-
countered by Gen. A. p. Hills Division, form-
ing Gen. Jacksons right, and, after an otst-
mats combat repplsed During this attack
which was protracted and hotly contested two
of Gen. Hills Brigades were drawn back upen
nnr 1lnn
division, being ordered TO his support, drove
the enemy back from the point Of weeds he had
seized, and pursued hlm INTO the plain, until
arrested by his artillery. The right of the
enemys column. extending beyond Hill.
front, encountered the right of Gen Hood
OF Longstreets Corps. The enemy took pos
Were quickly dispossessed and repulsed with
loss. During the attack on our right the enc
my was crossing troops over his bridges at
frederlcksburg and massing them in front OF
LOngstreers line.
Soon after his repulse on our right. he CON-
meneed series OF attacks on our left, with
view OF obtain ing possession Of the heights i'm
medlately overlooking the town. These re-
peated attacks were repulsed in gallant style
by the Washington artillery, under Col. Wal
ton, and a portion of McI.aw's division. which
occupied these heights. The laft assault was
made after dark, when Col. Alexander's bat
tallion had relieved the Washington artillery.
whose ammunition had been exhausted, and
ended the contest for the day. The enemy was
supported in his attacks by the fire of strong
batteries of artillery on the right bank of the
river, as we'll as by his numerous heavy bat
teries on the Stafford Heights.
Our loss, during the operations since the
movements OF the enemy began, amounts 10
about 500 killed and wounded. Among the
former regret to report the deaf b OF the patri-
otic soldier and statesman, Brigadier General
Thomas r. r. Cobb, who fell upon our left
complished gentleman, Brig. General Maxcy
Gregg, who was very severely, and it il feared
mortaily, wounded during the attack ON our
rQ.da haQr
ly engaged i'm crossing for his wounded and
burying his dead His troops are visible in
their first position, in line of battle. but, with
the exception Of some desultory cannonading
and firing between skrmishers, he has not ar.
tempted to renew the attack. About $50 prison
ers were taken during the engagement, but the
full extent OF his loss is unknown. have the
honor to be. very respectfully,
,S,rn0s Your oSedient servant,
CHAs. MARSHALL, Major and A. .D.CIOficiaD
MOBILE, Dec. ia special dispatch, dated
Okelona, Miss, 18th instant, says:-We learn
from officiaksources that the Federals attacked
and routed Rudds Cavalry the day before yes
terday, at Tuscumbia, no particulars received.
Thirty Yankee cavalry advanced within two
miles OF Baldwin to-day. Scouts report a large
force In the vicinity, and the cavalry, camped
six miles south OF Rumfee, are advancing this
morning in this direction. ="
RALEIGH, Dec. 16-The bill TO raise 10000
troops for the defence of the state passed the
second reading to-day.
The troops are TO be taken from those liable
TO conscription. The vote was close. pre-
amble, disclaiming any intention 10 come in
conflict with the Confederate Government in
this matter was voted down. No fighting up
to ! O'Clock to-day. The telegraph is under
military surveillance.
CHARLESTON, Dec Is The enemy's gunboats
have again been shelling James Isla.ld at in.
teryals to-day, without effect.
The body Of General Maxcy Gregg, killed al
fredericksburg, arrived in Richmond late on
Monday night, and was placed in the Office of
the Provost Marshal. II was placed in q coffin
and remained until Tuesday afternoon, when
The City Battalion and Public Guard, with full
band, escorted il 10 the Petersburg Depot en-
route for South Carolina.
The Richmond Dispatch of Wednesday SAYS
that at the Fredericksburg depot q sorry spec
tacle was presented. Several fiat cars, laden
with wounded soldiers, Were there waiting for
amsulances TO carry them of. About four citi-
zens were there distributing some food to the
poor fellows who had been wet through by the
terrible rain of the night before, and were lying
about in their rags, hardly looking like human
bain of