Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1862-12-17
WAR NEWS.
HEADQ'Rs Army OF TIE PoroMAc.
December LIZ A. NJ.

hSN WV slShai guns, anu uuTluS the ldL'
ter part of the night rockets were fire.
quently seen within their lines. At
o'clock the construction of three bridges
in front of the city was commenced
When the bridges were about half com.
pleted the enemy opened a murderous
fire of infantry from the houses on the
river bank. Up to this time not u shot
had been fired from our side. The en-,
gineers were driven from the bridges and
several killed and wounded.
AT 6 o'clock Gen. Burnside ordered all
the guns to be opened on the city. The
cannonade which has continued up to
this time is terrible. The city is on fire,
and its destruction appears certain. The
enemy, about 7 this morning, opened with
their heavy guns from their works, but
so far have done no serious damage.
Gen. Franklin constructed his bridges
about three miles below the city, meeting
with but slight opposition.
His troops are now crossing, and the
gunboats are now Smelling the enemy,
about fifteen miles down the river, where
they have been concentrating their forces
for the past few days.
The concentrated fire of our batteries
on the city has had the effect of driving
back the enemy's infantry, and the work
on the bridgeshas again been commenced.
The troops are all under arms near the
river, prepared to rush over as Dol as
the bridges are completed.
Observation-Disclosures, Noon--Anat-
tempt being made to finish the bridges in
front of the city, the rebel infantry again
opened their fire.
The artillery in position again opened
fire on the city, the result being, that it
fred in several new places.
The enemy has used but little artillery
up to this time, asst would endanger their
own men who are holding the river front.
Gen Burnside has just issued an order
to concentrate every available gun up
on the city, under the cover Of the fire of
which it is belieued the bridges can be
finished.
The killed and wounded donot amount
to more than so men.
HEADo'Rs ARMY OF THE PoroyAc,
Dec. ll-Evening.
But little firing took place between one
and three, during which time all the
available batteries were placed in posi-
ton. They numbered l76 guns. At a
signal all opened on the city. The fire
was terrible, but the rebel sharpshooters
couldn't be driven from their hiding pla-
ces. The shot and shell went through
the houses, and, in many cases, setting
them on fire, causing a dense smoke.
which, together with the explosion of so
large a quantity Of powder, almost hid the
city from view 1t o o became evident
that the bridges could not be built except
by a bold dash.
Volunteers wero called for to cross in
small boats. The order was no sooner
given than hundreds stepped forward, but
all could not go. About one hundred
were selected. They We're soop on their
way, whiie the artillery threw q perfect
storm of iron hail on the opposite bank.
They reached the opposite shore. but not
without loss. With fixed b~ayonets they
rushed upon the enemy, killing several
and taking l0l prisoners, who were safely
landed on this side.
At half past four, two bridges were fin
ished opposite the city, when the troops
Immediately began to cross over.
The enemy were o o driven from the
city back TO their line of works.
The two bridges in front of General
franklin were successfully laid early in
the day, but his troops did not cross until
the two upper ones were ready.
A sufficient forces is now on the oppo-
site side of the river to resist any attack
that is likely to be made.
The rebels fired but few guns in the
morning and nonein the afternoon. alrho'
their works were in easy range during
the forenoon.
The rebels burnt the railroad bridge
of the city, and between thirty
and forty houses were burnt, mostly in
the business part Of the city.
During the day between 5000 and 5000
Of ammunition wern fred by our
artillery.
ARMY OF TIE PoToHAC,
Morning, Dec. l2-l0 o'clock.
After occupying the river front of the
city last night, we lost about 100 men in
killed and wounded while driving the
rebels through the city. They fred on
our men as they advanced through the
streets. while secreted in and behind
Not much mercy was shown to
those who were caught.
This morning q dense fog hid every
thing from view, but nov it is partially
away. The troops commenced
at an early hour, Maj. Gen. Sum
1er's Division leading the way over in
'ront of the city, to be followed by Maj.
zen. Rockers grand division.
Gen. Franklin's grand division, which
crosses nearly three miles below the city,
8 nearly over. At a quarter past 9 the
irst gun was fred, the engagement last
about half an hour, the rebels not
a very spirited reply. 1t is
the troops will all be over at
loon.
Information received during the night
nd this morning from deserters and pris-
'ners show that. the rebels have two
trong lines of batteries in the rear of the
ity, the first one being one mile back,
nd the second one mile from the first.
he whole army is in rapid motion and
Tell concentrated. The troops are in ex-
client condition and anxious to be led
the enemy's works.
Dec. 12-Evening.
At ten o'clock this morning the fog be-
to clear away, but before ii o'clock
he air was again thick, which continued
IHLll ClOChs NutH IL tutlTeiN uiSdp-I
cared.
At a quarter past two the rebels open
d with all their guns posted on the first
of hills. Their main fire was d.
ected upon the city, which was filed
nth our troops. Those guns which were
osted on the left of the ridge were open
d on the large body of troops which
rossed on the two lower bridges and had
,rmed in line of battle, and were moving
bliquely down the river fronting the
Although several of their J
lells exploded over our troops none !
ere injured. l
Gen. Bayard's cavalry. which crossed
n the lower bridge, had FIVE men killed {
lille e~ndeavoring 10 ascertain the enc
VS. position. The troops which crossed .
allow are sleeping oil their arms tonight. 9
lie advance being within three quarters -,
a mile of the MasSaponix Creek, their I
# resting on the Rappahannock. The =
leIny occupies the opposite side of the o
eek in force. The guns posted on the
INK this side the river silenced the enc a
q IL r Ilf - / q