Maryland free press., 1862-12-19

position was speedily wheeled into position
and opened upon the enemy. The cannona-
ding was for time very severe on both
sides, while tho sharpshootersS were at work
III very lively mannerin trout, Ourartille-
ry on the other side of the river alse opened
upon them and they were soon convinced OF
the uselessness of their.eforts. 80
About twelve o'clock there was an order
for general advance along the whole line.-
The enemy occupied line of elevated land
mostly wooded, but in some places cleared and
extended in a semi-circular form, near the
river below, around to Fredericksburg above
giving him an entilading fire ON the whole
field, and making line of battle at least six
miles in extent The rebel batteries wore on
the crest of the rising grourid well SUPPORTED
by infantry General Stoncman's corps were
at this time crossing the river to support the
movements ON the left. The batteries On
both sides now blazed away with fearful fury
Doubleday on tho left Hank, close TO the fivcr,
adyancedhis lines gradually, meeting with
but little opposition. AT one o'clock the di-
visions of Gems. Moade and Gibbons advRn-
ced, under cover of our artillery. They went
forward in splendid style, with colors flying
They soon became actively engaged in the
works at tho foot of the range OF hills while
from near where their artillery was planted
on the crest an additional infantry fire was
poured into our men. Both divisions, how
ever, advanced to the woods, and number of
prisoners, hundred or more, were captured by
them. The fire of artillery and musketry
was incessaIt at this time. Presently, how
ever, q fresh and more vigorous fire burst
forth from the woods ON the, Pennsylvania
Reserves, throwing nearly the whole of the
division into confusion and disorder. This
emboldoned the rebels, and they confined to
nj ttt1n txith finf
from, those troops. Their officers tried to ral-
ythbm, but without much success. "-
General Jackson. commanding one of the
brigades, was killed by musket ball, which
struck him in the head, while endeatoiing. to
rally his men. His body was left upon the
field, together with that of his Adjutant, Cap
tain Sweringen.
The unfortunate decentralization of General
Mcade's division caused partial success Of
the enemys attempt to flank our forces.
AS they could not be rallied, Gen. Birney's
division of veteran braves was brought for
ward on q double quick, and Immediately
pushed to the front to fill the gap. They
opened sharp fire, driving the rebels back to
the woods from which they had come.
On the right of Franklin's line Smiths
corps was nctivoly engaged. Gen. Howe's
division and the left of Gen. Brooks kept
back the enemy in; their front.
After this the fire slackens q little. To-
wards sunset the enemy made a very vigorous
attack on several parts of the line, so as to
hold q portion of our ground at dark, but he
was speedily driven back at every point.
At dark the relative position Of the forces
was about the same as i'll the morning except
that we had gained half mile or more on the
left.
General Burnside was at the Phillips House
nearly all day. His position most of the time
was on the upper balcony, where with pow
gless, lie was Watching tho movement across
the river. He had his staff and commanders
running to and fro, conveying orders and
bringing reports of the progress Of the fight.
AS darkness shut out the light of day the
scene was one of terrific beauty and sublimity,
The loss on our side was very heavy, and can
not as yet be known with accuracy
Another letter says 1-.
The obstinaey with which the rebels held
possession of their ground rendered General
Franklin's tasli.all very difficult one indeed.
He had to cope with Stoncwall Jackson
and the veterans Of Cedar Mountain, Bull
Run and Antietanl-troops who understood
their business thoroughly, and were on
to be scared by tribes. -
The result of the days fight proves coEclu-
sively enough that the encmy's position is
one of great strength, and it will reanre
desperate euurt on the part of Gen. Burnside
to drive him from his stronghold.
During the fight nothing was seen of Gen.
d. II. Hills command, and much anxiety is
created as to its whereabouts. 1t is supposed
by many that Hill has gone to intercept ST.
GEL who is probably on his way to Culpeppcr,
and by others tha: he may be working around
in our rear.
STRENGTH OF THE REBEL WORKS.
WAsHINGToN, Dec. l4.--We learn from an
old army officer, who scanned the rebel works
behind Fredericksburg closely with power
full glass; that there are sx distinct lines Of tcork,
Whether some of these are rifcd redonbts
simply, or have the double capacity of afford
ing protection to light infantry, and having
en,brasurcs for light field guns, he could not
tell. Tho appearance of the works would
lead us to the latter belief
A letter in the Tribune, dated Fredcricks-
burg, Dec. 18th, says
The old mansion Of Douglas Gordon--per-
haps the wealthiest citizen in the yallsy-is
now usefas the headquarters of Gen. Howard,
but before lie occupied it, every room had been
torn with shot, and then all the elegant flrni-
turc and works of art broken and smashed by
the soldiers, who burst into the house after
having driven the rebel shavpshootors from be-
hind it. When entered it early this morn
ing, before its occupation by Gen. Howard, /
found the soldiers of his fine division divert
ing themselves with the rich dresses found in
the wardrobes some had on bonncts Of tho
fashion Of last year, and were surveying them
selves before mirrors, which, an hour or two
afterwards, were pitched out of the window
and smashed 10 pieces upon the pavement /;
others had elegant scarfs bound round their
heads in the form of turbans, and shawls
around their waists. ......
The British consul was arrested last night
upon suspicion of being rebel spy, but was
in short time released This morning, at
the request of Gen. Howard, lie was again ar
rested, it being now positively known that he
has secrcted and entertained armed rebels in
his house, and then aided them in their escape.
The Federal Losses.
The whole number of killed, wounded and
missing in Frhnklin's grand division is five