Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1862-12-17
GEY- LEES OTTICIAL REPORT.
HEADQuAArERs, Army NoErHEES Va
l4th December, 1862

l4th lecrmOer, lSo-
he Rororl5l. Secretary Of Var, Richmond Va:
Sir: On the night Of the l0,h instant the enemy
commenced 20 throw three bridges over the RappahaJ
uock-two al Freder c<sburg, and tie Third abOu, a
mile and quarter below, the mouth OF the DseP
Run.
TaSpAn on which Fredericksburg stands Is 80 con-
pleely commanded by the hills OF Stafford in possession
OF The enemy that eacctud opposition could be OF
fered 70 the construction OF the bridges the passage
OF the river without exposing troops 20 the de-
s,ructve IRE Of his numerous batteries Positions Were
therefore selected % oppose has advance after crossing
The narrowness OF the Rappah,Iuock its vinding
course and deep bed Afforded opportunity for the
strleuon Of bridges points beyond the reach Of our
artillery and the bank had be watched By skirnish
ers The latter sheJering themselves behind the houses
drove back the working parties OF the enemy at the
bridges opposite the city; but the lOScst point OF
crossing where shelter could be had sharpshoo;-
ers we're themselves driven OF aud the completion Of
the bridge was effected about o. the llth.
Ia the afternoon OF that day the enemys batteries
opened upon the city aud by dark had demolished
the houses on the river bank 20 depye our krmiSh
ers Of sheter-and under cover Of hs guls be elected
a lodgmH, in thaIowu
The troops which bad so gaau;,y held their position
IN the CITY undeE the severe c1nuOnaic during the day
resisting the advance Of the enemy every step, were
Withdrawn during the night, were also those who,
with equal tcuacy h8d maintained their post az the
lowest bridge Under Of darkness and OF dense
fog on the 18th large force passed the river aud took
poiGod the right bans protected by their heavy
gus on the left
The morning Of the Ish his arrangements for attack
being completed, about 9 O'cOck-the movement yelled
bv fog-he advanced boldly large force against our
right wing Gen JacksOus corps occupied the light of
our line which rested the railroad zen LOngstrret's
the left extending along the heights 20 the Rappahan
mock above Fredercssburg Gen Stuart with ~ 0 bri-
gades OF cavalry posted in the extensive plain ON
oar extreme right
As soon a. the advance Of the enemy was discovered
through the fog, Gen. Stuart With his accustomed
prompness, moved up section Of bis horse artillery
~hch opened With effect upon his flank, and drew upon
th, gallant Pelham heavy fire. which he sustained
aiuchingy Tor about two hours. In the meantime the
euemy was 6ercely encountered Oy ten. A. p. Hills Di
vision forming Gen Jaekso0s right and after an obsti-
nate combat repused During this attack, which was
prOtracted and hOty confessed OF Gen. Hills hri-
gales weRs driven back upon our second line.
General Early With part Oi his division being ordered
70 his support drove the enemy back from the point Of
woods be had seized aud pursued him into the plain,
anti arrested by his artillery The right OF the enemy
column extending beyond Hills front encountered the
right Of General Hood of LOngstreet- corps. The cue
nav took possession Of a small cOpse IN front Of Hood
bit were quickly dispOssessed aud repul,ed with lose
Darins the attack on our right tae enemy cross
ing troops his bridges at Fredericksburg and mass
ing them In lrout Of LOngSreets hhc Soon alter his
rspulse on our right he commenced series of attacks
on our left with yieW Of obtaining possession Of the
heights Immediately overlooking the t0wn. These re-
peated attacks were repuSed ia gallant STYLE by the
Washington Art.cry under Colonel Walton, and por
ton Of McLays division, Skch occupied these heights
The last assault made after dark, when COiOnS
Aexander's Battalion had relieved the Washington Al.
tillery Whose ammunition had been cXhaustrd) and
ended the contest for the day. The enemy supported
in bis attacks BY the fire Of strong batteries OF artillery
the right bans OF the river well a. BY hs nuuer
Ous heavy batteries the Stafford heights
Our loss, during the operations, since the movement
Of the enemy began amounts 10 about eighteen hundred
killed and Wogpded Among the former | regret to re
port the dean Of the patriotic soldier aud statesman
Brigsder General Thomas X. r Cobb, who fell upon
our le and among the latter that brave soldier and
conpHshed gentleman Brigadier General MaKey Gregg
who very seriously and Il Is feared MORALLY wound
ed during the attack right.
The enemy today has been apparently engaged Ii
caring for his wounded and buryins h' dead. Hi
troops are visible 10 their first position in ne Of battle
but with the exception Of some desutory eanhonadnl
and firing between skrishers be has not attempted
renew the attack About Eve hundreG and hfty prison
ers were taken during the engagement, but the full
tent Of his loss is unknown.
I have the honor 70 be,
Very respectfully,
Your obedient servant, 1870
+. lo@siAll. ,5a-a$ R E LEE, General