New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1862-12-26
Jobn Cschrane's Brigade in the Late Ad.
vance.

Correspondence Ct The N. Tribune
FAIxoUrH Dee. IS, 1862.
John C0cbrane's brigade Of the Sixth Army
Corps, composed Of well-tried regiments from New.
York and Penny lvania, passed through tie severe
ordeal to which they were subjected during those
eyentful days, the nth, l2th and 18Th OF Decemb y
with more than the ordinary degree Of honor to
themselves and their commander.
This Brigade did Lot arrive at the Rappahsnnoek
until tie bombardment Of Fredericksburg had begun.
Leaving White Oak Church a. a. Ia. on the morn-
ing of the Ilth, il urged on in quick time, al.
though the men were heavily burdensd with knapp
sacks and blankets, and reached the river before
noon They were Immediately marched into an
open field OF plateau on the top OF tue bli opposite
tue residence OF a man named Bernard violent
Secessonist This house being situated on the op-
posile bank Of the River, was nest OF eharfsboot-
ers who, later in the day found active employment.
Jus az TIE shades Of night began to settle on tho
hiiis, orders caRe for a movement across the RIVER
in the face Of the enemy. IL front Of CoclFaDe's
position there were Two parallel pcotoon bridges
which had been thrown scross before cur arrival,
with sone loss. These were Intended for The cfo;s-
iug Of the Left Grand Division, under Franklin.
The brigades of Cochrane and Deveus Of this wing
of the AMY received tie compliment VI Icing AZ
ronted to the advance IN this perilogs undertaking.
~ 6 y. M, half an hour aer orders h3d Oeen re-
ceiyed, the brigade Of Cochrare, beaded by IA
brave commander and his stall, moved over tue
ridge and down the winding path tho eiio OF the
s,aen bluff and made It's way toward TIE rivers
edge amid storm 81 screaming hail nom the shas-
shooters rifles.
/ Slowly but surely we went, monentarily expect.
ing showers of grape from the enemys batteries,
hull foil pud fasr and ruv continually
in ears bat the gallant brigade still holds on ils
way.
< wild hurrsh proclaius that the bridge IL
reached then with the clatter Of horses hoois aud
tue steady tramp Of the double quick" the brigade
sweeps across and plants It's co0rs on the opposite
bank amid the cheers Of the Thousands that wi.
messed the scene. The skirnishers quickly spread
scross the plain and replied to the chance shots OF
the retiring toe bat night had settled, aud we had
done our work. The crossing had been made, aud
with tallantry and entire success.
/ Cothrare and Deyens now hold the bridges, and
the foothod they had saiuet on the enemys grounds
until morning, when franklin crossed the rest Of
his command. whereupon CochTane's brigade took
an advanced position II front OF ile or batl3
to "feel' the enemy. Thus we Law all Fridavs
Ca Saturday morning the battle began by the ad-
yance Of Reynolds corps IN our LEFT. We were
held ia reserve with the rest of Newtons division.
Later in the day, when Rebel reeniorcemen'e were
driving our shattered coamn, back 10 the river, we
were ordered up 10 the front with two Other brig.
AIDES, passing through end remaining under the
hottest lire over experienced DUNG tue war.
Our inteDositiOn successful an staying tLs
enemy 3 progress and Measuring Jaded coAIaies.
Darkness a. in brou sht ous hOcrs 10 sudden cos',
aud we again kept VIZ in the advance. On Sum
d,,y and Monday, we performed oar duties IN froat
OF the enemy yainly irving by cho, here and there
to draw ira bin out Q: Lis sSmidaLle iutroaclnsnts.
Monday night, the recrossiug Of The army began.
Cochriues Brigade was tlis ime closen FOR tie rear
guard as had been lei the advance guard ofte Lefs
Grand Division. We covered the whole movement,
which, iise the crossing, WIS eminenlly successful
We did not cross tue river ourselves, until day
light On Tuesday morning, when tie eneny's picket,
hid begun to crowd oars, and L.s mann body Was
advancing.
Then, coouy anl calmly, CochraEe'5 B.isade re-
tired closing - bright chapter in the history Oils
career, as can be toastcd by any bgisale Of oGr
service.