The New York herald., 1862-12-13

tinguishable gloom Wild exciting ruors were grecdy
lous as they were contradictory few like wdnre from
camp 70 camp.
Throughout the week there had been indications that
the crisis rapidly approaching, and each night the
troops retired tattoo fully confident that the roar Of
artillery would be their reveille.
Last evening. at sundOwn, the movemeL: commenced.
Batteries FASTENED TO the front, wagon trains
moved from the vicinity OF the anticipated battle, the
ponderous pontoons joined the current hurryng river
ward and night closed down upon bright and beau
tifui, with pulses threbbng quick with eager ex.
pectations Artillery seemed 10 rumble so noisy
before, and the sharp cluck Of the iron axles
echoed far and near, as II in league with the
enemy. Down by the river everything as quiet as
vsnia regiment iistlcssiy about their nres watch
ing the rebel ssntries and crunchng hard tack. The
river swept smoothly by, placid - the sky above,
and Just over there, so close almost wished to Tel
them Of their error stood the rebel sentres, while
soothing movement Of rushing waters in the rapids
up stream sweled softly down the valley. From the
thresholds OF the city the sharp yep Of rang
and then dscordantly upon the ear; but with the bat.
tercs in position the cause Of their ou,cry would b.
removed and silence again settle down upon the
town. broken only by the tones Of the clock tong
the midnight hours And SO the time slipped along The
moon climbed higher up, and the falling dew whened
into frost upon ponchos, while the horses restless
in the chill night air. moved and fro unsasiy In their
harness.
AT two O'Clock pickcts we're withdrawn, and at
three tho ponoon train drove down TO the water Lum
ber noseessy piled upsn the ground and the huge
boats slid from OF their trucks. Then we hear
n Smashing In tho rivor-~a dark pathway lcngthens
out upon the silver surfa. shadows nit hero
aud there along It's track, the Justly blows OF
banners re.echo from side TO side. And yet no
sound comes from tho enemy. Have they
evacuated tho placeS' Are We not 10 ght here after
oil ~ is asked. Suddenly, Crack crack crack! from
hundred muskcs, tells tho bail is epcncd. cry Of
pain comes up tho bank from the gallant engineers mules
dash OF with pon,oons laundering AFTER across the plot
the muskstry grows louder and tho hz Of bullets
frequent; frightened tcamsers ny, panicsricken, and
the artillery horses plunge at tho caissons. Sudden
y, boom goes gmn-anothcr and another, until
thirty pieces arc pouring and shell upon the devoted
city Grahanu, who did so riorsousy at Anticam; Kirby
with Ricketts, old Bull run battery Mlcr Dure, Tyler
Smith, Razard, Knsey and Dickson all join in the up
roar, and muskery lost TO he ear in the mighty roar
that 70 echoes again and again from bin to him. Gnadu
ally the are slackens and engineers again aempt tho
completion Of the bridge, bnh in vain; and after third
trial they fall back, bearns their arms their wounded
dead aud dying. Ia
II designed 10 lay do two bridges at once, ono
At the lower and the other = he upper end OF the CITY
The enemy, posted in the hiscs and cellars upon the
banx Of the river, we're safe our infantry and main
ianed continuous Ore. Our Ananiry returned the re