Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1862-12-22
n. O., December 80. 1869.

W1fse smoke wreathes of exploding shells
were everywhere visible among the trees
of the forest, which bid our forces in the
valley and away beyond the river in Staff
ord. Lines of aabulances could be seen
bearing off the wounded of both armies.
Dut there was nothing by which to Judge
that the advantage rested with either side.
At noon the fog had cleared away. but
there was thick haze in the atmosphere.
About this time the enemy ;Bfautry moved
forward from the river towards our bstter-
les on the hills. As they pressed forward
across the Valley, Steuarts horse artillery
fion our extreme right opened upon them
destructive eufiIading fire of round shot.
Ihis fire, which annoyed them sorely, was
Kept up in spite of six batteries which were
directed against the horse artillery as soon
as as 1t was unmaskcd by one o'clock the
Yankee columns had crossed the Valley
and entered she woods south of the rail-
road. The batteries on both sides slack
ened their fire, and musketry at first scat
terfng, but quickly increasing to crash
and roar, sounded shrou.h the Woods
Dense volumes Of smoke rose above the
trees, and, as volley succeeded volley, some
times SO rapidly as to blend into prolon-
ged and continuous roar. A. z. Hills
division susta med the first shock of battle.
The rest of Jackson's corps were in diff
terent lines of reserves. d. Fl. Hills diyi-
slons was drawn up in J. L Marye's field,
under long bill, in rear of our line of bat
tie. Here they remained during most Of
theOay, being moved from time to time to
the right or left as the exigencies of battle
dictated. Shortly after the infantry fight
began, brigade of this division was moved
at double.quick mile and a half to the
right, and posted In dense clump of pines
IN supporting distance of Steuart's horse
artillery. ln ten minutes they were brought
back to their original position. The celer-
lty or this movement would be Incredible
to any one who bad not witnessed it. To
ss.serxer the glgh. <asi,4gnlsr ano ex-
position of the reserves, crosses the rail
road at Hamilton's station, skins across
the Valley, and in few moments is lost
In the pines nearly two miles away. After
scarcely breathing spell, the same line
emerges from the pines, retraces its stems
into It's original position. As this brigade
resumed Its position in reserve, the ire Of
musketry directly in its front siackened.
a lew cracking shots were heard to our
left, along Longstreet's division, and then
succession of volleys, which were kent
up at intervals during the remainder of the
evening. Ihe nusketry fire on our right was
soon renewed, aud the battle ragged with in
creased fury. Our batteries along our
whole tfoot again fe-opened, and Colonel
Walkers artillery regiment, composed Of
Latham's, Latcher's, Braxton's, Pegram's.
0renshaw's, JohnsGnS, and McIntosh's
batteries stationed IN the open low grounds
to the east of the railroad at Hanilton's
station, moved forward several hundred
yards u the direction OF Fredericksburg.
du and Early's troops had driven the
enemy from the woods and across the rail.
road IN the direction Of their pontoon
brzdges near Deep Run. Our men pur-
sued them mile and half across the bot.
tom land, and fell back only when they
nad gotten snder the shelter of their bat
terles. Our troops then retired to the
soutn side OF the railroad. Again the
enemy rallied and returned to renew the
contest, bat we're again, about five o'clock.
1. d., driven back. Ali the batteries of
Jackson's corps were at this time in full
play, and IN the approaching twilight the
blaze of the guns and the quick flashes Of
the shells were distinctly visible. The
scene along the valley was at once splen-
did and terrific.
The result Of the fight on our RI ht wing
may be summed up briefly. We drove the
enemy back, killing three to one. and at
night held the ground occupied by the
tenemys batteries IN the morning. The
enemy had twenty thousand men engaged
on this wing; while altogether, from first
to last, We had not more than ten thousand
in the liae of fire.
Longstreet's victory was even more COM
ple.e.
lie drove the enemy into the streets ~
fredericksburg, killing at least FIVE to one
At dusk the firing ceased simultana,nslr
on both sides.
1t being as yet impossible to ascertain
with accuracy the casualties on our side. T
forbear TO attempt list.
Our wounded have all been removed
from the field. The most severely hurt
are receiving treatment In the field hos
pitfalls, whilst those slightly wounded are
being sent down the railroad.
the battle was renewed on our left at
sunrise this morning, aud soon became
general. The battle field is pretty much